bill lanfear Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Just finished my 4th build in my "A day in 1979" series for my future diorama. It began as the Moebius 71 Ranger xlt. I combined AMT's 78 Ford Firestone kit for the 4x4 components. I wanted a bare bones Ford Custom cab with a lower trim level than the XLT. I picked up a Moebius 70 Ford for the use of the door panels, seat, and tailgate. Modifications are minimal as the kit is pretty good as is. I had to fix the steering column to get the steering wheel straight, grind a little off the area where the firewall and interior tub meet in order to get the bed to line up with the cab properly, shave down the windshield wipers and pedals, and bend the exhaust to fit with the new suspension. Scratch built items are: mirrors, antenna, bumper guards, mud flaps with angle iron, gas filler neck and cap, shifters, dash pad, drive lines, exhaust extension, lock out hubs, starter solenoid, thermostat housing, heat riser, dip stick, all vacuum lines and hoses, throttle linkage and spring, battery cables, wiring harness, alternator bracket, brake lines at master cylinder, and the washer hoses to cowl. I used scale model spark plug wires from an aftermarket company (cant remember the name). Parts box items not including the 4x4 parts are: fan belt assembly, rear view mirror (inside), hub caps, valve covers, 4 speed transmission, and bell housing. I have a pretty thorough explanation of the build under the workbench section if interested. Thank you for looking and comments are welcome! I would be happy to answer any questions if you have them. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JUNK-MAN Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 That is awesome!!! Weathering is spot on, great work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Great looking well used base truck. I like the mud flaps, must see a lot of gravel roads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim N Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Really superbly done! The weathering and the "wear" in the bed are top drawer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATHU Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Looks fantastic, superb weathering!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouO Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 Great build and work. Looks like something you might still see (in 1:1) working on a farm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Gilkeson Posted March 6, 2018 Share Posted March 6, 2018 you hit a home run with this build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Very well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#1 model citizen Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 (edited) On 3/5/2018 at 1:02 PM, Jim N said: Really superbly done! The weathering and the "wear" in the bed are top drawer. 2x Edited March 7, 2018 by #1 model citizen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stavanzer Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Put the "Shrink Ray" down, and nobody gets hurt. What an awesome finish you have. The rear bumper looks so real. I'd like to see how you weathered it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Very Nicely Done!!! Excellent Work!! It looks Great!! The weathering s perfect!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my80malibu Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 Great Job wearing it out, very realistic for an old workhorse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill lanfear Posted March 9, 2018 Author Share Posted March 9, 2018 Thank you everyone for the positive comments! To answer Alan's question about how I did the bumper...I started with dark brown rattle can paint (semi gloss), sealed it with semi gloss clear coat, painted the grey (air brush) with craft paint (dull opaque), took a soft brass bristle wire brush to it to get the fine scratches, sealed again with semi gloss clear, then dusted it with real rust powder I make. Hope that answers your question Alan. Thanks again for the interest everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinfan5 Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 Very impressive work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platerpants Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 Looks Great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorincebu Posted March 10, 2018 Share Posted March 10, 2018 That looks really good ! Nice plain jane work truck . Be Well Gator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustedBronco Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 Love the weathering. Inside of box is perfection! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 Very nice!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classicgas Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 Well done. The inside of the bed is especially well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogger44 Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 On Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 6:33 PM, RustedBronco said: Love the weathering. Inside of box is perfection! x2 Awesome work Bill! I love those mud flaps, too. Very impressive build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill lanfear Posted March 22, 2018 Author Share Posted March 22, 2018 Just wanted to thank everyone again. My next build will be a 65 Impala so it will be under the car section, hope to hear from you there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bainford Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 Excellent work on the Ford. You nailed the common work-a-day truck look. The distressed features are really well done and quite convincing. The muted colour fits this build perfectly. Very nicely done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldcarfan27 Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 On 3/4/2018 at 6:23 PM, bill lanfear said: Well done work. Now it just needs a proper load. How about bales of hay, or fishing poles and a small aluminum boat or an over-the-cab camper. It looks like a good weekend work horse. BTW - if I may say one thing. The shiny grille doesn't match with the weathered appearance of the rest of the truck. Since it was made from anodized aluminum, the grille would be just as faded as the truck's paint. Try spraying some fully mixed Testors dull cote into a cup, taking a small brush and painting a light coat onto the chrome and let it dry. If its still too shiny, add another coat and let dry again - until it looks properly oxidized. The more coats you do, the cloudier it gets. Check online for reference on old unrestored cars with faded aluminum trim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill lanfear Posted March 31, 2018 Author Share Posted March 31, 2018 Ya, I agree about the grill and front bumper. I don't know why I didn't dull them down....maybe I will revisit that in the near future, Thanks. As far as it needing something like a boat etc., I am on it, as I felt the same way and plan to build something to complement it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerald Haney Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 This is an awesome looking truck. The inside of the bed the starter solenoid all of it...just wow! Great job on this bump side ford! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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