47 replies to this topic

[Maindrian Pace]

For added detail you should shave the door handles off the AMT cab and use the seperate handles from the F-350.

Great idea, and already done.

Wheels:





The Modelhaus dually wheels are modified Chevy duallie snapper/promo from the early '90s. They are pretty generic, so they will work just fine here. Their tires are Goodyear Wrangler ATs, identical to the Explorer kit tires, but with an enlarged I.D. to fit the wheels. Cast in black rubber, and nice. Why am I not using the Monogram duallie wheels? They are too small for 1:24, even a bit on the small side in 1:25, and the Modelhaus wheels are about 1.5mm larger, so they have the right look.

One thing they do lack is lug nut detail, and something had to be done about that. I went to my local model train shop and asked the guy if he had plastic nuts molded on a tree, and he took me to a display of metal hardware, all too big. He said he didn't have the plastic nuts, so I looked around and found them on a wall about ten feet away.



They had several sizes, so I picked these. Just right I think, and for three bucks, you get ninety six of them. You'll be in lug nuts for quite some time.



I drilled the wheels and tried a lug in one:



I then cut all four wheels down to faces to use the Monogram wheel backs so the truck would roll.

-MJS

[Casey429]

I never noticed the difference by year for the headrests, you learn something everyday. Every XL I've seen is non-adjustable. I'll have to pay more attention. I've seen some oddballs too. A friend of mine has a '93 XLT with the rubber floor, crank windows and manual locks. Another has a '96 XLT with non-adjustable headrests, manual locking hubs and an electronic transfer case. I bought a '95 parts truck that was an XL that had a chrome grille and front bumper, cruise control, A/C and came from the factory with no rear bumper! That was an option until the new bodystyle came along in '97, fun fact. Another tidbit is 1992 was also the final year of the Custom trim level. I think that's why I like these trucks so much, they were the last years you could get weird combinations of options like that.

I'm liking where this build is going. There are still plenty of these 'ol workhorses on the road, but you never see them in plastic.

[Maindrian Pace]

A friend of mine bought a '95 Eddie Bauer SWB F-150 new, and it was loaded with almost every option, except it had a 300 six, five speed manual, and manual windows with power locks. Yes, you could order them ala kart back in those days.

-MJS

[Maindrian Pace]

First mockup, Looks nice except I think it's still riding a little low for a commercial cab/chassis.



Second mockup, shims added to the suspension, rear springs moved slightly lower. Looks more like the picture now. The Monogram front axle assembly turned out to be precisely the right width for the AMT cab with the Modelhaus tires and wheels.





And making some little things. I have plenty of 1:1 Hydroboost experience in diesel pickups and street rods, and it was an option in the commercial chassis, so I shaved the vacuum booster off the firewall and made this unit from scrap styrene, aluminum sheet, and the AMT master cylinder.



It will be fully plumbed with pressure and return lines to the P/S pump and the steering box.

Made a headliner with the Monogram sun visors, and tinted the windshield top:



Finishing the chassis and engine coming next.

-MJS

[Maindrian Pace]

Engine was a tight fit, but it's all finalized.



I didn't use that intake duct to the air box because I found that the '92-up trucks didn't have them. To fit everything in, I tunneled the radiator and fan shroud into the core support.



Two piece center bearing drive shaft, a combination of kit parts and Plastruct rod.



A finished rear wheel with the Tichy lug nuts, paint is Plastikote T-235 grey primer with Testors semi-gloss clear coat. The center drive hubs were cut from the Monogram wheels, stripped and painted black, and the valve stems are cut sewing pins.



Finished Hydroboost and firewall with some plumbing.



-MJS

[Haubenschild]

whoa that mockup looks awesome , cant wait to see this done!

[crazyjim]

Great details, Mike.

[Danno]

Wow! Very nice.

[mikemodeler]

This is coming along nicely and the details really make the build!

Can't wait to see this done, I have 2 of those Modelhaus bodies to use and you have given me some ideas.........

[tyrone]

this is looking fantastic so far....

[tooltas]

now u need to do the 89 ford now

[Nova-ss]

Great job on this Ford.I'm going to follow this cause I will be doing some of the same thing.Thanks,Chris

[jeffs396]

Really great details on this truck Mike!

[Wheels]

This is coming along nicely Mike!! I like the extra details, especially the lug nuts!!
I'm working on building a model of our '95 F-350 Crewcab as a present for my wife. I like your cross member swap.
I'll be watching your progress with interest!

The Modelhaus utility body is great! I bought 4 of them for projects.
Here's my finished Dodge Ram Service truck.

Hosted on Fotki

I also have two Chevy Duallies that are in the works mated with that utility body.
The fourth project I was considering doing was a '95 Ford Service truck.

Edited by Wheels, 30 December 2011 - 11:06 AM.

[plowboy]

The placement of your engine looks spot on Mike. Did it take much work to get it there? I really like what you did with the master cylinder and the wheels/tires. You probably already thought of it,but you can use the fender badges from the F350 on there too.

[James2]

Very nice.

[disabled modeler]

I like it...very cool build and nice work!

[Maindrian Pace]

This is coming along nicely Mike!! I like the extra details, especially the lug nuts!!
I'm working on building a model of our '95 F-350 Crewcab as a present for my wife. I like your cross member swap.
I'll be watching your progress with interest!

The Modelhaus utility body is great! I bought 4 of them for projects.
Here's my finished Dodge Ram Service truck.

Hosted on Fotki

I also have two Chevy Duallies that are in the works mated with that utility body.
The fourth project I was considering doing was a '95 Ford Service truck.

Mark, that Dodge is great, love the details in the bed, and I might borrow the dirty tire idea. Very realistic.

The placement of your engine looks spot on Mike. Did it take much work to get it there? I really like what you did with the master cylinder and the wheels/tires. You probably already thought of it,but you can use the fender badges from the F350 on there too.

Roger, the engine swap wasn't too hard. Some trimming to the chassis around the back of the trans, lower the rear cross member a couple of millimeters, and bring the radiator and shroud forward were the only real things. All of the hoses had to be cut and sectioned, Monogram exhaust worked but with several mods, pretty much everything connected to it needed a little tweaking. With the Monogram cross member, it sits right on the factory mounts and centers up well. Yes, I'm going to use the F-350 fender emblems, I just have to remove the tiny XLT Lariat lettering from under the numbers.

-MJS

[Mr. Moparman]

This is coming along nicely!!!

[RodneyBad]

Dang!! that is looking Great.
Engine and Brakebooster is really something..
Love the Lug nuts. really got to find me a bunch of those.

One thing tho.. the Front wheels..
The center is a Plastic cap and the real lugnuts are under it.
Don't ask my why they did that tho..