StockBoresMe Posted November 5, 2017 Share Posted November 5, 2017 In short form my grandmother tricked me into picking one of these exact kits for myself for Christmas when I was just 7 years old. It was only my 3rd model kit, and the 2 ahead of it were 1/32 scale snaps. It never got close to complete and was lost somewhere in time. The only thing I truly remember was wanting it to be light blue. Ao thanks to mk11 I got a 2nd chance with it and since I started I can't even think about another project. This one has me hooked hard. The plan is a clean lowered street truck in light blue like originally intended, but this time I want to add a little orange here and there for a Gulf racing feel. I should have started the picture taking earlier to show the insane amount of work to get this thing lowered without it looking like a hacked together piece of plastic. I already got the thing lowered where I want and will try my best to explain what I did with the pictures I have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StockBoresMe Posted November 5, 2017 Author Share Posted November 5, 2017 (edited) I started with the I beams by trimming a couple coil lengths off the springs.then a slight bend in the beam about 3/4 of the way away from the springs so the chassis didn't hit them. Then filed the wheel pin down a little smaller and taking a little material away from the I beam where the wheel meets up so the wheels I have planned would tuck inside the wheel well just right. Then drilled a few holes to give it the race look I'm going for. The red ink was just for referencing which one was for the right sidethe sides were the hardest part to get right. I had to be very careful so the front tires sat centered in the wheel wells. I filed off the tabs that joined them into the I beams and narrowed the top of the same area as well as cut small notches on both beams so it sat together correctly. I also cut off the torsion bar at the rear end of it. Shortened it a bit and glued it back on. Before that last step the wheels sat too far forward. The shocks were cut to match the springs then bent inward slightly. Then I continued to drill a couple spots out to get that race lookthe only thing I did suspension related to the front of the chassis was file the spots where the bushings from the torsion bars sat in the frame a little bit deeper Edited November 5, 2017 by StockBoresMe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StockBoresMe Posted November 5, 2017 Author Share Posted November 5, 2017 Heres a couple shots of the suspension in place. I couldn't be happier with the turnout. The holes I drilled make it look just how I wanted and everything fits right where it shouldthe rear end was a bit simpler to drop. The only downside was the wheels sat too far forward. Seems to be this truck wanting them that way. But we can't allow that. I trimmed the blocks where the leafs bolt in a considerable decent amount and notched the frame. I didnt want the rear dropped as much as the front to continue the race look. After I got it where i wanted I put some putty in the holes filing it down had made. As well as a couple holes for things I wouldn't use from the kit. Like the big forward gas tank and exhaust alignment holes. I haven't filled the holes for the spare tire rack. I might just end up putting a spare under it for a little extra detail. After all its not an actual race truck. It's just a racing tribute.... More importantly its just plastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StockBoresMe Posted November 5, 2017 Author Share Posted November 5, 2017 I cut the axle at both ends to be just a bit narrower than the chassis. Because the axle is hollow I don't have to modify the rear rims which is awesome because thats less work! The kit wheels attach directly over the entire axle and the wheels I will be putting on it are metal rod style. The alignment pins on leafs got ground off so I could slide it back to counter the trucks nature to have them sit too far forward. Once I got the axle right where I wanted I glued the shocks onto the axle so I had some small form of alignment when I got to assemble it all. As you can see the shock brackets aren't perfectly aligned with the slots on the axle but it worked out fine otherwise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modlbldr Posted November 5, 2017 Share Posted November 5, 2017 Looking good so far! I like the lowering work you've done. I had this kit and sold it recently. Shouldn't have done that.Later- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StockBoresMe Posted November 5, 2017 Author Share Posted November 5, 2017 A mock up showing the stancei modified a custom bumper from the shortbox f150 kit supplied by one of our awesome members ( you know who you are) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelson Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 l like the work so far,i'm following along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StockBoresMe Posted November 7, 2017 Author Share Posted November 7, 2017 (edited) Although I doubt it will ever be seen I cleaned up the inside of the wheel well on the drivers front. I started by gluing in some scrap styrene so when I cut the stuff off the inner well it would have some material inside the holes it would leave behind. Some before and after shots Edited November 7, 2017 by StockBoresMe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StockBoresMe Posted November 7, 2017 Author Share Posted November 7, 2017 Now onto the inner wheel wells. I cut off and sanded all the clutter smooth then filled in the backside of the frames molding then shot a light coat of primer to see where I'm at. Not too bad so far but I still have some body work to doI also got impatient and started painting somsome things. Less than a handful of parts will be this orange. The truck itself will be light blue to go with the gulf paint scheme. The color seems off because im shooting from a phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk11 Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Great stance, Anthony 'bout time somebody did something with one of these trucks mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modlbldr Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Great stance, Anthony 'bout time somebody did something with one of these trucks mike Hey now! I just finished up a 94 Lightning. Lol. His work is looking good though. Later- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodneyBad Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 i modified a custom bumper from the shortbox f150 kit supplied by one of our awesome members ( you know who you are) I don't remember the bumper looking that good. Could ya send it back? I Love those AMT Ford Trucks kits. Looking Great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsxse240 Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 ^ I know the feeling. I've made some wheels, seats and other things for people then see the way they turned out and wish I would've kept the Masters. Lol As for the build at hand. I am in love with this truck. Always have been and always will be. You're doing a fantastic job and it looks great so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StockBoresMe Posted November 8, 2017 Author Share Posted November 8, 2017 Thank you for the support guys! I really didn't see it coming but this truck hit me in the feels more than I expected and now I want another one... Or 2.....or 16. I don't recall ever having this much fun with a build. Maybe its the sentimental meaning. But something inside me fell in love with this kit and there will be more of them built in the future Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prostreeter69 Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 Hey AnthonyGreat looking build you got going. I will like the stance on this one. Can’t wait to see more. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.