DRIPTROIT 71

Very nice build!! The gas stain is typical of those trucks and is a very nice touch to that model! The tire on the front was a nice touch as well. I had a customer who had a Ford with the tire mounted like that. It made it hard for a short man like myself to reach the front of the engine to work on it. It looks cool though, and a nice realistic touch.....Brian

I'm definitely not an expert and there are plenty of good tutorials on this Forum about opening doors, but I will be glad to tell you how I did it. First: I take the tip of the back side (opposite of the cutting edge) of a X-acto knife and follow the gap around the door until it works its way all the way through. The corners sometimes take more effort. You'll be surprised at how clean this method cuts. After sanding the door and the jam I added trim inside the cab for the door to rest against. There are many choices for the hinge itself, but on this particular build, I used two dollhouse piano hinges on each door with plastic rod notched to look like hinge, filling in the gap between them. Next: the interior is somewhat of a challenge. Interior buckets generally taper at the bottom leaving a large gap. On this build, I gave the bucket a toss, and I made a new floor pan and with this being a short hood I made a dog house as well. This kit also had a glass bucket. I cut each individual windshield out of the glass bucket, used them, and threw the rest away. The dash had to modified as well as some other pieces, it is not perfect, but that is how I did it. I'm learning too, and I've found that the folks on this Forum are eager to help. I wont always open doors on every build, but I think it does add to the realism. Give it a try, you might be surprised how it turns out.

This thing is off the charts!!!

After a painting disaster on the engine, It is now green. Decided to up the horsepower a little and now it is going to be a 6v-71TT (Twin Turbo). Steering linkage is on font axel. I've had a set back on my tires. Hoping to find some 48" tires, but if not I may go with 44"s.

Thanks! But as far as skill goes I have very shaky hands and have trouble as well. But with that being said, I enjoy building. If you will build for enjoyment, and challenge yourself along the way, you may be surprised with what you come up with. The truck cab did not come with opening doors, this was my first attempt at opening doors. Thanks again for the encouragement! Thanks! That's a big compliment! To everyone else who have commented, Thank you so much! You all have been an encouragement to me!

You have done an amazing job at converting this kit into a Smokey and the Bandit truck. Very nice work indeed.

Wow! I first thought that this was a resin kit. Wow! Your conversion is awesome. I like old station wagon models too!!!

Wow! That looks good!

Traded with guitarsam326 today. Excellent trade! Very much recommended!

Now that's a truck!!!

Thanks for the heads up guys! I came so close to ordering that engine. I guess it was good that I waited.

Excellent Build!!! Excellent choice for today! Very Fitting!! We must never forget: Someone has died so that we might live!

Looking Good!

Very Sharp!!!

This build looks incredible!!!

I'm planning on an electric fan either way. I'm going to refabricate a lower section for the fire wall and then decide about the radiator. If I can leave the engine slid back where it is in the picture, I think that I can squeeze in a radiator. It is going to need a large transmission cooler as well. I had told you that I was also going to add a body lift, but with the suspension that I already have, I may not. I will be able to tell more when the tires get here. I've been toying with many ideas. I've got the turbos off of the Tyrone Malone truck, and considered trying to squeeze twin turbos under the hood or at least under the fenders. This is one build that I do not have a clear vision of where it is going to end up. Just enjoying the build. Put together a couple of 1:1s back in my younger days, but this way is much cheaper.

Is that something specifically for Mack or is it a universal? It really looks good!

Removed heater box and lower section of firewall because of clearance issues. Front axel with fabricated knuckles installed. Transfer case installed. Ready for some tires to arrive.

Wow! That looks Good!!!

Your model is more realistic than the pictures of the real ones. EXCELLENT!!!

If I didn't know any better I would be sure that those are all aluminum parts. Your a master with the Alclad!!, and plastic!!!

This thing is going to be Awesome!!

Nice builds! I've seen a 1:1 similar to the red one somewhere around here before.

That truck has attitude! Great build!

The springs are made and hangers mounted. The frame is re-enforced, not so much because of the raw 238 horsepower that this engine will produce if it remains naturally aspirated, but because of the added 1500lbs. over the FE Big Block that it brings with it. Still experimenting.