bill lanfear

nice custom work! I remember this kit from way back...it was quite a challenge for me to build if I recall. How was it for you?

Yes the extension is in front of the wheels and a little more than a 1/4 inch. I researched a little and Chevy had 3 different step side boxes in 55, the short box 114 inch wheel base, the "medium" truck with 123.25 wheelbase, and the long bed with a longer bed both in front and behind the wheels ( i believe 135 wheelbase but not sure on that).

Another update...Built the rear sliding window and rear bumper, painted and weathered the bumpers. I shot the body again with a little darker color and mildly weathered it. Here is yet another mockup of the progress so far. Thanks for commenting and any input!

Sorry I forgot to mention that the Blazer is finished and has been in the "Under Glass" section for those that haven't seen it over there yet. Thanks for your interest in my builds everybody!

Very impressive!

Very very nice!

Another update for those few watching! I appreciate your comments. I reworked the throttle spring and finished the engine. I weathered the chassis. I mixed up some paint and gave the body a base coat. I started on the wheels and tires and put together a quick mock up to check progress. I included a reference pic also. Thanks for looking!

Excellent job making a realistic driver!

Thanks James for the tip! I assumed the oils would have to flash before clear coating, I will have to try it out! Thanks again!

Here is another update... Back window is coming along Started on the engine...began with the dark base coat, followed with lighter brown tones and the orange then weathered it before adding some details.

Nice subtle weathering! I will be watching this one come together! I like using the craft paints as well. What oils are you using?

Nice work!

High level of excellence! I am a fan!

Awesome Charger! Nice and clean build...great work!

I love it! Great build!

Nice job! One fine example of this kit!

Beautiful truck! Excellent work!

Well done, love the color choice, great details!

Update. I started on the bed mods. I cut the front ends off the kits bed sides and used a thick "for sale" sign for the material needed to extend the box. I originally was going to use the other kit mentioned but opted for the 55's kit bed instead (wanted to save the old long step bed for something else). After some filler and sanding I primed the sides and assembled the box. Next was to build the extended steps from scratch using the same sign for material. To reproduce the treads on the steps, I quick took some clay and flattened it out then took the stairs from my Coors Nascar semi trailer and pressed one tier into the clay and poured some resin to cast the bumped treads and cut to fit. I filled in the back window using Tom's advice (Thanks Tom!) which worked excellent except the filler I used isn't working very well. I think its too old. I will give it some more time and try to sand it better (it keeps clumping and rolling and not setting up). I also corrected the door glass for each side but still need to put the wing window frames back in. I set up a quick mock up to see if I am on track. The baby moons won't be the ones I will use but similar and I will paint the wheels black while leaving the cap chrome. Hope you enjoy!

I know this is an old post but who knows, somebody might be watching, I remember a bronco that was the 80-87 body style you are looking for. It was 1/24 scale and several different versions were produced throughout the years, made by Revell. If you are looking for 1/25 scale, MPC also had a Bronco of that era. I had both kits at one time and remember the different sizes due to 1/24 and 1/25 scales. You will have to do some fabrication with possibly 2 kits but you will have the body lines and wheel wells you need.

I Love it! Something about those "Plain Jane's" that appeal to me...maybe they have that real look that you have captured well!

Thank you! I have not been in the game for quite some time and have been collecting kits only to see the boxes glisten on the shelves. The wife said it was time to "do something with them". The game has changed a lot since I was a kid when the hobby was geared towards youngsters that could afford a little glue and paint and could pick up a kit for 5 bucks. I love the realism the aftermarket community has brought to the hobby but simply cant get the wife on board with the cost of those little bitty parts and details, so I brainstorm to try and come up with cheaper alternatives. I have been studying ideas and saving pictures etc. for a long time and am grateful for forums like this to learn new ideas. I am not sure if my method is original or not but will sure share with fellow modelers what I do to get the results you see. I look at this build and can pick it apart with "I should have done this or that" and maybe I might revisit it in the future to make it better. I am rambling! Thanks for the interest!

Outstanding model sir!

Beautiful work! Welcome back to hobby. With your skills I hope we see more in the future!