Oldmopars Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 OK, its done. I had a full description, but the stupid "securities" on this site kept giving me a 404 error. I will have to post more in small bites till I find the keywords it does not like. But here it is till I figure it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldmopars Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share Posted October 8, 2019 (edited) So, this is my entry into the 2019 Vannonball Run Community Build. My goal with this Van was to build a Van that looked like it was from 1976. I wanted a 4 wheel drive van that could head off the main road should the cops be looking for us. Being a full camper it allows the drivers to rotate out and get some sleep between driving shifts. It also have a full kitchen and toilet so stops can be reduced to get more time on the road. Then, once the race is over the van can be used to tour the country and camp in and have more adventures. I started with an AMT Rescue Van, it is a G20 2wd. This kit is OK, but really lacks details of any kind. There are no interior panel, door panels, etc. I also wanted this to be a 4x4 and it was not. I started with some parts from B&N and Fireball. I got wheels and tires from Fireball and the axles, and front bumper from B&N. I had to remove all the 2wd stuff and build custom springs for the front. B&N also supplied the transfer case. Custom drive shafts were made to connect it all. The body needed a lot of work. I removed the lower trim to give it the older look. I opened the rear doors and converted the side sliding door to 2 hinged doors. The drip rail was and missing body line at the roof were added as AMT left them out. Various small additions were made to the outside of the body that would be on a camping van(water, power, sewer, heater, etc.) I cut in a side window and added a propane tank under the drivers side. Edited October 8, 2019 by Oldmopars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldmopars Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share Posted October 8, 2019 The high top is not from any van kit, it was made out of a top from a MANN truck cab. I had to build it, cut it down the middle to narrow it, then cut it in half and lengthen it. This took a lot of work, but gives the van standing room inside for more comfortable travel. I left ir removable so I could photo the interior. Inside the van is where even more work was done. I created a full camper interior to include a bathroom, sink, stove, bed/couch, table, fridge and several drawers. The front doors received door panels that were missing from AMT design. I also created interior walls for the inside of the van like the real thing would have had. The front bumper from B&N got the winch and "Bull Bar". The paint is all Rustoleum and in colors to match the 70's theme I was after. I finished it off with a large Indian decal and several cation and warning decals on the different doors and propane tank. As for the engine, well it is in there. It is a Stroker 383 (because I said so) with enough performance mods to move this beast down the road at race speeds. However it is all hidden by the bodywork and once sealed up all you get to see is the oil pan and transmission, but I swear it is all there. I spent a ton of time on this one, 10 months and I am mostly pleased with the results. It was a fun build and cool to get to build my dream camper van. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldmopars Posted October 8, 2019 Author Share Posted October 8, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stitchdup Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 cool, i like everything about this. the camper coversion is particularly cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 This is a very cool build. The detailing and the body modifications are outstanding. I looked in on your build often and all your hard work sure paid off. This looks almost as real as a real vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemodeler Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 That is very nice and I like the way you finished the interior! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencer1984 Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Excellent job on this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the goon Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Beauty. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belugawrx Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Great work on the interior Scott ! Love the Formica table top Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarheelRick Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Excellent build. I watched this build come together and was amazed at the work you did. The final photographs also add a look of realism. Great work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouO Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 I don't know where to begin with the compliments. Great ideas and execution. One question (caution...I might "borrow" the idea LOL)...How did you fabricate the tinted window (near the dining area) ? It looks pretty awesome (period correct) ! ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldmopars Posted October 11, 2019 Author Share Posted October 11, 2019 On 10/10/2019 at 6:30 AM, LouO said: I don't know where to begin with the compliments. Great ideas and execution. One question (caution...I might "borrow" the idea LOL)...How did you fabricate the tinted window (near the dining area) ? It looks pretty awesome (period correct) ! ? It is just clear plastic that I have for making windows and I "Tinted" it with some spray bumper coating paint. I just sprayed it very lightly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PappyD340 Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Very cool indeed, great work!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plowboy Posted October 14, 2019 Share Posted October 14, 2019 This is a really cool looking van! You obviously put a lot of work into it and it shows. Loads of details! Nice work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairfax Posted October 14, 2019 Share Posted October 14, 2019 Very nice work ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 Outstanding build!! Well detailed and really nicely done!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 VERY NICE!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeatMan Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 Awesome job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goose1957 Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 That came out very nice. Great scratch building on the roof and interior. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim N Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 Great work! The scratch building is top drawer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldmopars Posted October 15, 2019 Author Share Posted October 15, 2019 Thank you everyone for your comments. It was a fun build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 Everything about this build is Awesome! It would be Awesome if it was two wheel drive. Making it four wheel drive on steel rims takes it to the next level! Great work! The interior is awesome too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty92 Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 Cool build, Amazing how 2 of the same kit can go totally different directions. Love the talent you have. I'm still hoping to finish mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Geiger Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 Very cool build! I was reading your build thread today and had no idea you had finished it, nor had seen this thread! I'm a fan for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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