Rusty92 Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 (edited) I wanted to build a nice work truck for my model fleet and garage diorama. I have a soft spot for GMT400 pickups (I wish they would re-release these kits!) so naturally this was an easy choice for a build. So here we go.. I had this built-up that I did several years ago. It was ok. So I stripped it clean. Here it is stripped and all laid out. The chassis won't need modified, so I left that alone. I can weather over all of that anyways. I am planning on ditching the kit motor and using a resin 5.9 Cummins from Trailer Trash Kustomz. I would like to paint the truck red, but think a navy blue would look good as well. The kit decals are pretty rough, so i purchased some new decals from Rays Decals. Looking forward to getting them. I'll try to scratch build some tool boxes for the bed. I had added some poorly scratch built tow mirrors to the first build and they left some large holes in the doors. I had to fill those right away! I filled them with styrene rod first... And a little bit of putty and sanding... There it sits now. Edited January 9, 2022 by Rusty92 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoke Wagon Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 It’ll be a pretty nice Dooley when finished. I like your plan for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamsuperdan Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 This generation of GM has always been my fav truck. Following along for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty92 Posted January 9, 2022 Author Share Posted January 9, 2022 17 hours ago, Smoke Wagon said: It’ll be a pretty nice Dooley when finished. I like your plan for it. Thank you! I hope it turns out as good as I picture it in my head. 6 hours ago, iamsuperdan said: This generation of GM has always been my fav truck. Following along for sure! Yes they are my favorite as well. I love my 1:1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty92 Posted January 9, 2022 Author Share Posted January 9, 2022 Made a little bit of progress today. Puttied, sanded, puttied, sanded, did a little bit of scratch building as well. I needed to tackle the hood gap first, it was a little large. Here is the before: Still have some work to go, especially up near the cowl, but some putty will take care of that. Will need to take some more off the rear of the hood so the front sits flush with the fenders. Then I figured I would start on some bed accessories. So i scratch built a fuel transfer tank. I think the handle turned out good, it wasn't too hard to make but I was skeptical that it would turn out decent. I still need to add a fill hole in the tank. Here it sits in the truck: Next I'll have to make a job box or a regular tool box. Probably make a ladder rack as well, I think that would be nice. Thanks for looking! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty92 Posted January 10, 2022 Author Share Posted January 10, 2022 Started work on a passenger side toolbox. I think it will turn out good. I will only be building one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoke Wagon Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 I like the direction you’re taking it in. Transfer tank looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hct728(Bob) Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 Wow, don’t recall seeing a Chevy dually kit like that before, nice you’re bringing it back to life! I have a cab-and-a-half version, but took the body out and then lost the kit somewhere, but the dually version is really desirable! Love the added accessories too, gonna be great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamsuperdan Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 Are you going to be sanding and smoothing the side moldings on the cab? I see the box doesn't have them. Plus, the cab indicates it's a half ton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 Great looking work creating a real work truck. A detail to think of in the future if you haven't already. The door trim states 1500 which is a half- ton and this is obviously a 3500 or 1 ton. You have a lot of bigger things you're working on now, but when you get to the final trim point this is something you may want to remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty92 Posted January 10, 2022 Author Share Posted January 10, 2022 @iamsuperdan & @espo, yep I will be addressing the side trim. I'm not sure if I want to try to remove the 1500 emblem and add trim to the bed or just eliminate it entirely. Still trying to decide. Either way, it will be addressed. The decals I ordered from Ray's Decals have 3500 decals, so I will be using those for sure. I completed a bit more work on the toolbox above. It just needs the top added and puttied/sanded. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 6 minutes ago, Rusty92 said: @iamsuperdan & @espo, yep I will be addressing the side trim. I'm not sure if I want to try to remove the 1500 emblem and add trim to the bed or just eliminate it entirely. Still trying to decide. Either way, it will be addressed. The decals I ordered from Ray's Decals have 3500 decals, so I will be using those for sure. I completed a bit more work on the toolbox above. It just needs the top added and puttied/sanded. Maybe if you can smooth just the area in the door trim were the 1500 appears and then use the decal that shows the 3500 with the gold bow tie in that area. Those are great looking decals, good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty92 Posted January 10, 2022 Author Share Posted January 10, 2022 @espothat is a good idea, the 1 in 1500 is a bit narrower than the 3, so i might need to just make a decal shaped plate to put under the decal so it is raised a bit. I think I have some styrene that is similar to the body trim that I might be able to add to the bed.. you might be on to something. I'd like to keep the trim since it is a nice feature on these trucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamsuperdan Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 Well, there's something else I'll need to order! Had no idea that decal set was available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincen47 Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 (edited) 5 hours ago, iamsuperdan said: Well, there's something else I'll need to order! Had no idea that decal set was available. X2! Great rebuild. Looks like he’s coming out with a mega sheet for the Chevy & GMC trucks, for the square bodies and gmt400s. I wasn’t familiar with this guy. He’s got tons of great looking decals. Edited January 11, 2022 by vincen47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty92 Posted January 11, 2022 Author Share Posted January 11, 2022 Ray makes some great decals. This is my first time ordering from him, i also picked up some F series decals. Little bit of progress tonight, didn’t take many photos though. I finished assembling the side tool box and applied some putty to it. Began work on the ladder rack as well, mostly measuring and cutting all the basic components. Also ended up removing the side trim, the styrene I had wasn’t going to work. Didn’t feel like making my own either!! Can’t wait to get some primer on this body. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabrux Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 12 hours ago, vincen47 said: X2! Great rebuild. Looks like he’s coming out with a mega sheet for the Chevy & GMC trucks, for the square bodies and gmt400s. I wasn’t familiar with this guy. He’s got tons of great looking decals. Thirded! I need that sheet! 🤯 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty92 Posted January 12, 2022 Author Share Posted January 12, 2022 Tonight I worked on the ladder rack and toolbox. I also found an ‘88/89 grille with the quad beam lights. I’ll be using that instead of the 90-93 grille. Found a back rack too, not sure if I’ll use it though. Getting pretty cramped in the bed. I’m really liking this build and having a lot of fun. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
av405 Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Fantastic build! Definitely following this one with interest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Really like your project. Love these pickups I have 2 built. Sir wish AMT would reissue these trucks again.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Removing the body side trim makes a lot of sense since this is a real work truck and wouldn't normally have all the gingerbread trim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamsuperdan Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Looking great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty92 Posted January 16, 2022 Author Share Posted January 16, 2022 Got a little bench time today but no photos. I think I finally got the hood done, at least super close. It fits pretty good and the large gaps are filled.. do your best, paint the rest as they say. I puttied the ladder rack and prepped some small parts for primer. I need to be thinking about motor mounts for the Cummins. Shouldn’t be too hard to fabricate. I purchased some 3/16 brass tube. It scales out to 4.69” in 1:1 scale. This will be used to fabricate a ~5” exhaust for the kit. I’ve practiced on a couple pieces and if the bends are tight I think I can get it to fit nicely with 1 piece. If not, I’ll solder a couple pieces together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty92 Posted January 26, 2022 Author Share Posted January 26, 2022 Started modifying the firewall, chassis, and core support to fit the cummins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 Great looking fabrication on the bed bins and rack. Just a thought, and you know better than I what you have in mind. With your grand plan do the bins need to be on the passenger side of the bed ? The reason I ask is this location creates a very big blind spot for the driver along the passenger side if they are trying to get into a tight spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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