redneckrigger

For the A/C lines, I used the little rubber tubing that used to come with all of the AMT, MPC or ERTL truck kits, and inserted a piece of telephone wire into them. Then I painted the wire silver, and stripped the end a very little bit, and superglued little hex shaped beads to them to look like the nut on the end. They are from http://www.fusionbeads.com/color_family/Metallic/size_range/1mm?keywords=hex, and are the size 15 metallic silver ones. One package at $3.99 will last a lifetime. I am not sure what you would need for 1/18th scale, but these beads are available in many sizes and colors. I am sure it is just a matter of finding the correct size wire and tubing. The evaporator is just a piece of Evergreen tubing, filled on the ends and drilled accordingly. The A/C evaporator box is pieces and parts from the parts box, actually a Fuel Injection plenum from a mid 60's AMT Corvette. Enjoy!

The gun rack is behind the seats..............the Vermont plates are being made! Thanks for the great words!

That is PPG Shopline Acrylic Enamel, 1985 GM Code #29 Dark Blue.

Finally finished my replication of the 1985 GMC K3500 pickup, that I ordered new as a Sierra Classic, with all of the chrome. I beat her to death, and started a resto of her, with a dechromed look. Life interfered, and I sold her. This is the way she was supposes to turn out. It brings a tear to my eye, but I will always have THIS one!

Wonderful weathering!

This build has been a challenge from the beginning to try to replicate the 1:1 truck that I had and to also try to remember all of the details. The build started with a cab from the Fall Guy kit, with corrected cab corners and panel lines, and a sanded roof to get rid of the sunroof shadow. The frame was used from the same kit with a stretch added to it to get to the 131.5" wheelbase. The box is a resin from MAD Model Parts and it has underneath detailing added for all of the cross members and ribs. The paint is PPG Shopline enamel, GM Code 29 blue. The molded in gas tank was removed and another one from a second kit was sourced and made to resemble the real dual tanks. Proper cross members were added, an extension to the frame for the rear bumper was added, and the molded on spare tire was removed. The suspension points were removed as well. I modified a resin cast GM 14 bolt Corporate rear axle and scratched main and helper springs and hangers from Evergreen strips. Brass u-bolts added detail. The front Dana 60 axle was scratch built from pieces and parts and reference photos and the front springs and u-bolts and hangers were also scratched. The engine block and transmission came from the Monte Carlo kit, as did the exhaust and A/C and fan belt drives. The carburetor, wheels, tires and door handles came from Fireball Modelworks. I cut the center out of the hood and added a cowl hood from a Camaro kit. I filled the sunroof groove inside the cab. The interior uses a dash from the parts box, and seats from a later model dualie kit. I added arm rests and door pull straps, and a few details to the interior as well. The rear glass was flush mounted. The distributor was scratch built and the wiring order is correct. The transfer case and driveshafts are from the parts box. I turned the cab lights from amber stock in my lathe. The tailgate lights, unique to the 3500 series are from the parts box. The A/C plenum is made from an old AMT Corvette FI plenum. The brake HydroBoost is from the parts box. The under hood plumbing is a combination of telephone wire, rubber tubing, hex fittings, and 1/32" solder. The under hood insulation is a dryer sheet. I modified the grill to replicate a 1985 model, and detail painted it as such. The front bumper had the marker lights filled and awaits chroming. Until then, it will have a 1984 bumper on it. It will use the standard Fall Guy rear bumper, dechromed and painted silver. I expect to get it done tomorrow, and have the final photos posted then. This was a VERY fun build and was very rewarding because I finally finished my rebuild of my old truck, albeit in 1/25 scale!

Spent the day getting the punchlist finished out. Got the exhaust, brake lines, heater hoses, A/C lines, power steering lines, cab and tailgate marker lights,door handles, radiator hoses, gas tanks, e-brake cables, driveshafts, grille detailing, underhood insulation, and myraid other little things done. Have antennas, mirrors, hood details, bumpers and grille to do tomorrow, and the next stop will be Under Glass.

Absolutely breathtaking Charlie. Every time you make a post of ANYTHING you are building, I learn something new.............a way to do something, a new material, a new idea, and if I can actually put 5% of that knowledge to work, I will improve my skills by 100%! WOW!

Well, got a bit more done on this build..............got the engine wiring started, got the chassis about done except for the final brake lines, the glass is installed, flush with the window openings instead of stuck on the inside. The interior is done except for the door locks added after these photos. The wheels and tires are done, and all of the parts are coming together. The firewall reflects the K3500 Hydroboost system for the brakes as well as the A/C plenum. Did a punch list just like when I used to do real car and truck builds...............only have about 75 items to attend to yet! Converted the '84 grille to an approximation of an '85 version. Modified the front bumper to eliminate the directional lights, as in the '85. Probably going to have to have an '84 bumper on it for a bit until I can get the modified bumper chromed. Going to start assembling in a day or two when I get the final inner things done. THIS is the FUN part!

Extremely well done! Having worked on MANY of these trucks and their relatives, I can say you got the details perfect! The color, weathering, and all of the little details that make it fit the military's requirements are nailed, perfectly! NICE JOB!

Extremely well done! Having worked on MANY of these trucks and their relatives, I can say you got the details perfect! The color, weathering, and all of the little details that make it fit the military's requirements are nailed, perfectly! NICE JOB!

I have received several orders from Joseph................and the above comments describe my experiences exactly. His speed of delivery is incredible, like he is sitting on your porch ready to knock on your door with them two seconds after you submit the order! The detail is amazing, and everything he makes literally looks like the real item, after being put through a miniturization machine. Simply amazing!

Got some of those beads................awesome for sure! And hope you are feeling better! The Mack will be ready for your return whenever you feel better!

Nice change of pace......................keep the photos coming!

Nice looking 'Binder!

Geno, those are superb builds! NICE!

Got the chassis done, wired, and painted. Painted the wheels, added the tires, (from Jamie Rahmoeller), painted the whole lot, and did a quick mockup to see what it looked like. So far, so good! Am working on a Tip Turbine engine for her....................one step at a time! Just have to finish the engine, add a very small rubber wheel well opening flare to the hood, install the glass and all trim, and well, then find something ELSE to add to it!

Got the engine partway wired, chassis just about done, the cab got a repaint after I found the superb door handles from chief Joseph, so i HAD to shave the molded on ones off. And while I was at it, I added more prominent drip rails.

Welcome...................LOTS to learn from the builders here. ENJOY!

Very skillful work!

I lost my Mom to cancer, after a 10 year battle, in 1992. I lost my dad to cancer, suddenly, in 2004. No one, including him, knew he was sick. I found out I had cancer 2 months after I lost my Dad, it was literally like a kick in the teeth............and have fought it for 12 years now, and am still here. I found out later that there was a cancer cluster surrounding the area where my family had it's long time business, a dry cleaning establishment. There were about 40 concurrent cases of cancer in that area, POSSIBLY caused by the cleaning business or the former coal gasification plant located right next to our business. I worked there from the age of 11. Scary stuff, now. I am fortunate, and thankful at the same time. I have a great support network in my family and a wonderful wife. I also volunteer with my wife, every year, to raise funds for the American Cancer Society to fund research to cure cancer. I just retired as a Paramedic, and spent many years providing emergency care to people with many illnesses, but the ones that got my attention the most were the cancer patients. I met MANY people who made me thankful that I was not them, as THEY had it bad, and they NEVER gave up, fighting hammer tooth and nail, for every day of life. Fight this Harry, and realize there are MANY of us here that owe you big for the inspiration YOU have given US, not only in building models, but in the bigger picture, setting an example for how to live life, for the way you gave selflessly of your time and knowledge and shared it with us, people you have never met.

Have gotten many tires, wheels, door handles, carburetors, and fender flares for the Bronco, from Joseph. Incredibly fast delivery times, top notch communication, VERY affordable prices, and the best detailed quality cast items I have EVER seen. HIGHLY recommended!!!

Heck, Mike, my chair is going to have to be motorized!

Can it be frustrating to wait for the page to refresh? YUP, it can. But, as the computer sits on my hobby bench, I simply spend the time building. This is a hobby, and as such, is no reason to get the blood pressure up. Now, at my business where I am required to use state and federal web sites to process our firearms sales, and THOSE sites take forever to load and then sometimes time out in the middle of a transaction..................THEN I get JUST a bit upset, and have thought mightily about using one of my products to ventilate the computer sitting in front of me! But, one is fun, and the other is work. And FUN should be just that, no matter what! Build on!

As I used to own a body shop, I still have lots of supplies left over. But as the icing I have left is almost gone, I will definitely seek out the brands you mentioned, Bill. THANKS!