110 replies to this topic

[Longbox55]

I'm looking at a Pickup and Jimmy dash, I see what you mean about the differences. I'm not sure that one is supposed to be a lower trim level than the other, looks more like a case of a different person making the tool. You're right about the gauges being "off". I would say the the 4 gauges on the left are more undersized than "idiot lights", as even the trucks with the lights used the same size openings in the dash. BTW, on trucks with the factory tach, the gas gauge went in the pod , in place of the "fasten seatbelt" light.
As far as the trim level the kit represents, I'm going say it's most likely a Scottsdale, since it is packaged as a Sport truck. That package wasn't available on the Custom Deluxe or Cheyenne, and since the Pickup is a '76 (grille gives it away) it can't be a Silverado ('78).
Another thing that's odd obout the Monogram GM trucks is that they're all column shift 3 speed manuals. Most V8 GM 4x4s from that period were automatics with the NP203 Full Time transfer case (not available with 6 cylinder or manual transmission). That's one place where the MPC got it right.
Side note on that, GM did produce a manual transmission full time 4x4 pickup for 1 year, 1974. Almost always paired up with the SM465 4 speed. from what I understand, lots of chain breakage issues.

[plowboy]

Bill, It's obvious you have a great deal of knowledge on GM trucks, so what kind of fuel injection system is that on the GMC pickup? It almost looks like a throwback to the fuel injection on the '57 Chevy and early Corvettes. Was this available on the real GMC pickups?

[Longbox55]

It's a '63-'63 Corvette feul injection, the wide ribbed penum cover is the givaway. That feul injection, and its earlier version were never offered on any GM truck, unless you count the '59 El Camino, which is almost a truck, and the '57-'59 Sedan Delivery, which is included in most truck literature since it's a commercial vehicle.

[Casey]

Did the Stepsides and Fendersides ever come with a box-specific, narrower rear bumper, or did they all use the Fleetside/Wideside rear bumper?

Here are the dashboards:

GMC Jimmy:




Chevy Stepside:

Edited by Casey, 22 October 2012 - 05:22 PM.

[Longbox55]

There was a narrow step bumper and a narrow version of the regular bumper in the '70/'80s in addition to the wider bumper in both styles. Then there were all the aftermarket bumpers, usually dealer installed, as the rear bumper was not a standard item, it was an option well into the '80s. It wasn't uncommon to see new trucks come into the dealer with no rear bumper. Some dealers used factory bumpers, some sold aftermarket bumpers, like the Barton or Winchester (yes, the rifle company).
Here's a few brochure pix showing some of the different bumpers used on the '73-'87 Stepsides.

[plowboy]

Also, did the Stepsides and Fendersides ever come with a box-specific, narrower rear bumper, or did they all use the Fleetside/Wideside rear bumper?

In the kits, the stepside comes with the same wide bumper as the fleetside bed.

[donkeypuncher76]

Fellas, all the gmc/chevy 848 style kits(in autoglass terms, dw848 is w/s# for 73-87 gm trucks lol) can't hold-up to the best 1 I remember....MPC?AMT? can't remember but... the fall guy longbed with full lift kit, nice wheels/tires is the 1 I love and wish to find. as per the gmc/chevy differances, its only the grill, and accessories. ty

[plowboy]

Fellas, all the gmc/chevy 848 style kits(in autoglass terms, dw848 is w/s# for 73-87 gm trucks lol) can't hold-up to the best 1 I remember....MPC?AMT? can't remember but... the fall guy longbed with full lift kit, nice wheels/tires is the 1 I love and wish to find. as per the gmc/chevy differances, its only the grill, and accessories. ty

AMT/RC2 reissued that kit a few years ago,but not as the "Fall Guy" truck. You can find them occasionally on ebay and vendor's sites. The kit actually has a short bed when it should be a long bed. The tires are about the right size,but the wheels are way too big at a scale twenty inches. It's still a way better kit than the Monogram offerings.

[Longbox55]

That kit has its roots in the original MPC '78 Chevy C10 (only time the 2wd was produced) and the later K10 shortbed variants. There are actually 3 different cabs used with that kit. The original '73-'80 cab with Scottsdale trim, the '81-'87 cab with Chevrolet Custom deluxe trim, and one used for the GMC kits with no trim. While I will agree 100% that the MPC is a superior kit, the drivetrain for the '81 and later trucks is actually wrong, and there is a glaring error in the '78-'80 version. The drivetrain in those kits is the 350 2bbl V8 with the TH350 trans and an NP203 full time T-case in the 4x4s. On the original 3wd kit, the 2bbl V8 would be correct for a base V8 truck, but the 350 in the 4x4 with the full time T-case virtually always was a 4 bbl (I've never seen them any other way). On the subject of transfer cases, the NP203 would only be correct for the '78/'79, '80 should have had an NP205 part time case w/manual lockouts, and the '81-'84 should have the NP208 with either manual lockouts or the automatic hubs (the NP205 was optional in 1/2 tons in those years).
Personally, I would love to see Round 2 reissue those kits in their original form, without the Fall Guy lift and oversized wheels.

[revshag]

Can someone please tell me if all of these different versions have the 14-bolt rear end in them?

Thanks,
Chris

[Longbox55]

All the Monogram GM trucks, including the Blazer/Jimmy, have the same differentials front and rear. The rear is incorrect for a 1/2 ton, and does resemble a 14 bolt more than the correct 12 bolt.

[revshag]

Hey Bill,
Thanks for the info on the rear ends.

[tooltas]

if you are looking for a good 12 bolt rear for one is 99chevy by revell

[Longbox55]

The Revell '99 Chevy has the round cover 10 bolt, which date back to the '88 Chevrolet and GMC 1/2 tons. That rear would be incorrect for a '70s truck. To my knowledge, there has never been an accurate Truck 12 bolt (it is different from the Passenger version) in 1:24 scale. In 1:25, there have been several, including the Revell '64/65 Chevies, as well as the afore mentioned MPC Chevy/GMC kits.

[mikemodeler]

I just saw on the Tower Hobbies website where the 77 GMC Pickup kit with the snow plow is scheduled for June release! Gotta get my pre-order in for a case of those kits!

[Casey]

All the Monogram GM trucks, including the Blazer/Jimmy, have the same differentials front and rear. The rear is incorrect for a 1/2 ton, and does resemble a 14 bolt more than the correct 12 bolt.

Does anyone have close up pics of the front and rear rearend assemblies on these kits?

[jeffs396]

I'll get some pics of the front & rear axle assemblies onto this thread ASAP Casey

[plowboy]

I took some yesterday for you Casey,but for some reason the site wouldn't come back up. These are from the '77 GMC,but they are the exact same tree for the Chevy truck. I would imagine it's the same for the Blazer,but I can't confirm that. Longbox 55 (Bill) should be able to identify these pretty easily. The rearend looks a little odd to me especially when it's on a finished model with that offset stump.

[Longbox55]

Yes, the parts are the same. I'll try to get some pix up, don't have one of the Blazer/Jimmy kits handy at this time.

[Casey]

Thanks, Roger. That pinion gear/shaft does appear to be too far offset.