AmericanMuscleFan

Thanks for the kind words Ian! Unfortunately my equipment is too small to make a giant dime and I believe it is illegal to duplicate coins anyway. ? Francis

Thanks again Claude! We talked about this several times my friend, it's neither metric nor English and you have to ask my team of elves for the technical details but they are stingy with comments! ? Francis

The engine is absolutely awesome Charlie, it is to be mistaken with a real one! The fan is cool for not making puns and I like the way you made it! ?

Hello everyone, I spent the weekend working on another important (to me at least...) of the mechanical components, the clutch lever system. I think all D100 from that era had an hydraulic clutch system, at least I couldn't find any information on a mechanical system so I tried to replicate something like what is used on all Mopar A or B bodies. I made the bracket on the frame with styrene instead of brass or aluminum as I wanted to make sure the piece stays in place and doesn't come off so I glued it to the frame using liquid cement. I was forced to slightly modify the floor pan to make extra room for the torque shaft but I think it give an even more realistic look to it. The pedal rod (or "Z" bar) will be connected the the clutch pedal but I will have to modify (yes again...) the wheel apron on the driver side to leave more room for the mechanism. Very small pieces but long and rather complex to make, comments and suggestions are welcome. Francis Torque shaft made with brass, the levers are welded. Bracket made with styrene and the stud was made on the lathe. Different view. Mockup test mounted on the bellhousing stud with the fork rod in place, I will add an aluminum nut on final assembly. The complete mechanism. Different point of view, more work in sight for my elves... ?

I agree with Claude, the zoomies pipes are nicer in white and give a nice contrast with the engine. The frame is absolutely awesome and the gold paint makes it look like you've plated it! ?

Great new project Steve! I love those wagon and I am glad to see that you have decided to make it 2 doors, I think it will be more appropriate for your project. After your great conversion to the Oldsmobile, I don't see why you couldn't have made this change to the body...! As for how to draw new panel lines, I use the same method as Roger (Plowboy) with a 0.020" styrene template and it works great. I will be a supporter of your new project, I love what you do and you always have exciting topics my friend! ?

Nice paint job Brian, the color looks pretty close to the original "Turf Green" or "Medium Green" I think. My old uncle's 1964 Fargo farm truck (Dodge equivalent in Canada) was painted this kind of green, but it's been many years (I was a little kid) so I can't remember exactly which of the two it was. Good memories...! ?

Superb truck, very realistic weathering effect! Look like the guy put a newly rebuilt 390 engine in this good old work horse, it will be good for another 50 years of hard work! ?

Beautiful little pickup, very clean build, your vision is very well expressed in this build and it would be the pride of many young or older guys...! ?

Thanks for the kind comment Mike! There is a bit of you in this part, you kinda shuffled me (the right way...) to show an update with the motor mounted in the frame so this part was needed to do it. I tend to get lost and work all over the place at the same time because I have so many things to fabricate (all in fact ...) but I must give you something to eat because you have all been very loyal and motivating from the very beginning! It's starting to smell like spring outside and that worries me... but I shouldn't, it's just a hobby! Francis

Brian, I think you always keep on surpassing yourself and this last effort is a good example! Resin kits are fantastic and rare subjects but come with additional challenges but it doesn't seem to stop you, it's nothing short of high caliber work. As usual you present us with a truck where you have to look twice to realize that it is not a real one and that is an indisputable mark of success! I take my hat off to you! ?

Maybe, but you definitely want to build more than one models in the next 3-4 years! It matters a lot to the equation... and your incredible results give me something to think about... ?

It's impressive to see innovation from the very beginning of the industry before it got to today's trucks, but these old workhorses remain pieces of art!

WOW Scott, you know me, this is the kind of detail I love... You can be proud, very few person can do that kind of thing! ?

WOW, that some incredible work Sergey, I love your idea to print the shape, very accurate, clever idea! What type of plastic are these ventilation tubes made of? Are you using super glue to join the pieces together?

Thank you Marcos, happy that you like this detail, I will have even more in the making in the next days (and weeks...) my friend! Francis

Thanks again Steve! I'm glad we have this forum to share our passion, most of us have lived far apart from each other and this place keeps us in touch. It would be really fantastic if one day we could all be gathered in one place to contemplate our toys, there would be shining eyes and smiles! Maybe good discussions too... ? Francis

Claude is absolutely right you got just the right amount of shine to achieve a plausible look. Yes it has attitude... I love this brass frame by the way, did I tell you?

Thanks Greg, The paint job will be a good challenge with all the details and the way I decided to build the cabin (with the floor pan in place) so maybe I should ask my elf team to do the job on my place... LOL. Francis

Hello everyone! I'm still working on the final details of the body and frame, but I need to determine the exact final position of the engine/transmission combo in order to fabricate the clutch/pivot system. I did a lot of research online and found that most of the time the supports are custom made or a modification of the OEM supports using hooks and hardware that came with the Lenco (maybe a subject matter expert could confirm this). Then I will try to craft all the clutch system in order to show you a more complete mock up that includes the temporary engine/transmission combo in place, I also need to have these components made before I can put the primer on the body and frame. Stay tuned for more progress next week I hope... Comments and suggestions are welcome! Take care, Francis Lenco transmission support at an early stage of machining in the milling chuck. After I have machined the channels both side, I drilled holes to match those on the frame sections. I drilled a series of holes in order to have the possibility of adjustments. Final part. Test fit on the Lenco transmission. Test fit on the frame. Red anodized, it will give a nice contrast on the drive train.

Thanks for the comments John, I'm just driven by passion for this hobby (and the subject of course...) and this forum is just a perfect place to share and learn, an endless source of motivation! Francis

Thanks Scott, It would be interesting to keep it bare so you can see it with all its scars and welds at the end but I also think a nice shiny paint will be welcome. I just ordered the paint last night and I hope to be able to take this step in the next few weeks. I hope you will also take this step soon with your superb Hot Rod Peterbilt my friend! Francis

Thanks for your kind words Brian, I'm not out of the woods yet, I still have some intricate details to make but with patience I will eventually reach the finish line, but maybe not without after-effects... I am so happy to see a family member being built in the Big Rig category and I am sure you will bring out the full potential of this resin kit, you always do! ? Francis

You just put a big smile on my face Brian... don't know why...? ?

Thanks Claude, I'm probably going to have to make some minor adjustments on these as I realized that the clutch system (the swivel shaft) will be too close to the floor. I will have to do another surgery on the floor and adjust the aprons afterwards. It's endless but I hope you will forgive me! I'm almost (yes almost...) done with the body components so I'm closer than ever to shot some primer on that thing but you know with me and this project, there's nothing definitive and I always find something that I need to make before moving on to the final phase... By the way, sorry Mike, I missed your request for the radiator, but basically I used a brass "U" channel for the sides and 2 layers of stainless steel wire mesh (Model Car Garage) that I sandwiched between the 2 exterior panels of photo etch (Detail Master). I hope that will answer your questions but don't hesitate if you need something else! Francis