405 replies to this topic

[cruz]

Love all those small and subtle details!

[Foxer]

Not on the body, but was a good first test of the paint. It looks like I got the wrong color from Paintscratch.com ... my fault. I was in another model where Medium Blue Metallic was the darkest color. I thought it looked light, but you never know from a computer image. This is definitely too light. I went back and put in the correct model, G3500, and there was a Dark Blue Metallic. This HAS to be the one, so maybe it will come by the time bodywork is done. A darn good chance there!

Anyway, this paint went on like butter as usual. I find their paints to go on very even and is easy to get a good paint job. It comes as a brush touch up paint so I added about a twice the paint amount in lacquer thinner to spray it.

Edited by Foxer, 08 March 2011 - 06:54 AM.

[charlie8575]

To my eye, Mike, that looks a lot like the blue vinyl GM used in its trucks at that time. It's a pretty color, too.

Charlie Larkin

[RyanSilva]

Looking good Mike!

Update on the wheels are, I got the first master in silicone now curing, tomorrow I will see what my copy will look like, then I can fit one of my 8 bolt 3/4ton hub in the center. (stole it from a amt dirt track car)

What do the front wheels look like, just a dust cap conical type center?

[Foxer]

Looking good Mike!

Update on the wheels are, I got the first master in silicone now curing, tomorrow I will see what my copy will look like, then I can fit one of my 8 bolt 3/4ton hub in the center. (stole it from a amt dirt track car)

What do the front wheels look like, just a dust cap conical type center?

AWESOME! I will defiantly be getting a set!

[carchub]

This is so cool! This is what I hope to do in the future, I've always wanted to junk an old van like this! My dad used to have a Chrysler one from Holliday Inn, the only expense we ever made on it was gas prices (full tank was $67 in 2005!) because we bought it for $600 and sold it to a boneyard for $600!

Edited by carchub, 20 December 2010 - 08:43 AM.

[Foxer]

This is so cool! This is what I hope to do in the future, I've always wanted to junk an old van like this! My dad used to have a Chrysler one from Holliday Inn, the only expense we ever made on it was gas prices (full tank was $67 in 2005!) because we bought it for $600 and sold it to a boneyard for $600!

THIS is what I'm talking about! My daughter said she bought this van for $500 and sold it for the same

Don't know if any Chrysler vans are around, though.

Edited by Foxer, 25 December 2010 - 04:24 AM.

[carchub]

Don't know if any Chrysler vans are around, though.

It was more of a Dodge but it had the old Chrysler logo all over it

[RyanSilva]

I just have one short section to fill with clay and it should be good to go, then I can work on the fronts, which would be very easy with the lathe.
I will keep the 3/4ton floater hub separate, so it can be used a 2wd truck also.. I will add a smooth slightly recessed center after.

Edited by RyanSilva, 20 December 2010 - 02:14 PM.

[Eshaver]

Generally, I don't follow too many W I P stories here anymore. This time , the outstanding photography and actual storytelling caught my eye . Great body work as I used to manufacture parts for these vans . Ed Shaver

[Clay]

Mike, you are doing an excellent job on this!! Maybe you can finish something this year!

[Foxer]

Ed and Clay, I really appreciate the comments. I'd have to bet it will be next year for a finish .. really do!

I got the new paint today and it IS the right stuff. I'll repaint the interior this week. The body is in primer and only needs me to get back and add the hinges before I start denting and rust holing it. (wow .. "holing" passed the spell check!)

Now, Ryan ... those rims look fantastic! When you're done, you be sure to post them in their own thread. I'm not sure how many have really seen them, though it seems there's plenty of lookers here. I'm sure you will have many takers for this set!

Now, tell me those AREN'T my rims!

Edited by Foxer, 20 December 2010 - 05:40 PM.

[Curtis v.]

im not sure why but this really caught my eye and attention. i like the van builds and i like when people build replicas of their 1:1 cars. it looks really good an looking farward to more

[Foxer]

I'm back on the job after a few things got in my way. First, here's the correct Dark Blue paint.


The body is in full primer and only awaits the hinges ....



Speaking of hinges, I finally bit the bullet and started cutting the whittled down plastic tube into hinge lengths. While filing down the 3/32" (.0928) tube the inner hole became off center. The tube was chucked in a Dremel and I used a heavy sanding stick to take down the OD. I'm not sure why it ended with one wall thinner on one side using this method, but looking now at the photo I see I must have exerted uneven pressure on the sanding stick end to end along the tube. I had to stop around .073" OD as the wall got thin, but it's much better than the original ... even if 1.75" OD hinges ARE big! I feel good finally about these.

Edited by Foxer, 21 December 2010 - 11:04 AM.

[W-409]

I have been watching your GMC Van project. This one looks very good so far. Lots of modifications you have done, all of them are very nicely made, I mean that everything looks like how they are in 1:1 and those parts are sanded smooth. Awesome job with it so far, can't wait to see, what is coming in next update.

[Foxer]

First, the hinges have have continued fighting me and getting absolutely dangerous! As I was cutting the tube and trimming the cut, I dropped the knife and instinctively closed my legs to catch it ... I did ... completely horizontal between my thighs and drove the blade into one thigh. It bled like a stuffed pig but did finally stop and close. Just another day in the shop.

So, I went on to finish the seats and made the mattress for the rear. Both patterns were printed out on good quality paper and stuck with Household Goo. That worked well. The passenger seat is the stock one with some half rounds giving the pattern on the new molded seat.

Edited by Foxer, 23 December 2010 - 10:42 AM.

[Clay]

Great Job on it Mike! You are getting closer to finishing this one!

[Foxer]

Great Job on it Mike! You are getting closer to finishing this one!

Thanks, Clay ..but I don't understand that "finishing" word you used ....

[Curtis v.]

wow it looks like its comin together real nice.

[crowe-t]

Mike,

The interior is incredible! The pattern on the driver's seat is exact. Where did you find it?

Edited by crowe-t, 23 December 2010 - 11:15 AM.