BK9300

A few more tiny bits made up for the firewall assembly I've been working on. Still one more item to fabricate, paint and plumb - the heater/AC plumbing manifold on the passenger side of firewall. But, fairly soon now, I'm going to have to get the cab prepped, primed, repaired if needed and painted, so I can get the work I've been doing on the temporary firewall transferred to the model's firewall. I do see light at the end of the tunnel! A bit out of focus on the firewall, but got three more clamps made and set in position to test fit looms through. The three firewall connectors are made and three 1.5mm looms have been epoxied in place. A 1.0 mm and a 0.5mm loom still need to be added to the connectors, along with the two, blue wires for the front plow light runs This is my representation of the Electronic Control connector that mounts on the firewall, above the pass-through air lines outlet. It's a 40 pin connector, but 4 wires will have to do! I'm using the smallest wire I can find - 0.0125 from Detail Master The EC connector is pinned temporarily to the firewall and the remainder of the looms and wire runs have been added to the three connectors. I had to modify the three connectors and make them one piece, while still looking like three parts, because the individual connectors weren't going to take the stress of shaping the looms along the firewall. After the epoxy I used on the connectors is well set, I hope to be able to weave the appropriate looms through the clamps. If this all works out, I will need to make replacement clamps to attach to the model's firewall, and re-weave the looms through to their final positions. Still lots of fiddly things to do, and a few weeks work left overall, but the build is much closer to being done than I thought. Apart from decals, cab and hood exterior details like mirrors, lights, etc., it will soon all come together in small space between the firewall and the rad! Long day at the bench for a little bit to show, but that's all I managed for today - take care!

Yes, I can! I think it will all come together sooner than I think.

Must feel good to be on to a new project - you're off to a good start! Hoping to have that feeling myself, soon!

Nice progress Tom - really like the rust treatment on your exhaust system

Should look great with the tank skid hooked up to the winch line.

This is turning out to be another magnificent build, Steve - once up on its ‘feet’ again, will be an even more amazing looking truck!

Thank you, Francis. Lots to look at in the pics, but I might need that magnifying lamp handy for people to see some of the details when it’s finished!

They look spectacular as stand alone models - I imagine a great sense of accomplishment being felt when you look at them. Wonderful work.

I think I need to do this, too - been having trouble with the smallest bits not being gripped as well.

I think you did a terrific job of making this little truck look well worn - great job with the rust staining and faded paint - very nice build! !

Very beautiful truck, Gary - just a pleasure watching it all come together!

Your paint repairs look to be well underway, Steve - the truck will look fabulous, no doubt (it already does!)

This will be a great build for you. I like the clever placement of your magnets - not likely to even be noticeable once you've prepped the body. I'm already guessing where the battery for your lights is going to go...

Really excellent handiwork, Greg - very delicate work you've accomplished here!

First saw the Monocoque Mustang as a model built by John Teresi and interviewed by Doug Whyte on Youtube. Quite the car (and model!). Sound like you got goldmine's worth of pics for your blueprints

Just tried to post an update with pics and still no stated option at bottom of quote box to either ‘drag and drop’ or ‘choose files’. Only visible option is the ‘Other Media’ drop down in lower right hand corner.

Thanks very much, Dan and looking forward to an update on your car hauler trailer!

Jürgen, it is very interesting to watch the endless ideas you have come to life - the trailer will look great with a couple of Mack's on it!

I agree with the others on your paint - it looks very good. And like Gary said, "...own worst critics". Given all we've seen of your approach to this build so far, you'll likely resolve the issues you don't like!

And rightfully so, Ismael - apart from your obvious skills, you must have extreme patience to detail your engine to this level - right down to the spark plug wire tip connectors!

Too funny, Gary - not wiring in the key switch, but I do have keys! So, I have three kinds - square it is!

Thanks, Jeff - appreciate you letting me bounce my ideas off you! I appreciate it, Steve. At least I won’t be any shocks doing this wiring!

I'm going to have to stock up on some of those bolt heads - can think of lots of places I could have used some along the way. Good to see this project underway!

Terrific work going here, Gary - should be some blue ribbons in store for this one!

Just spent a few hours making, then discarding some prototype wiring for firewall. One of the problems I was having is that the Wave springs are very flexible over the 5" lengths they come in, but not so much over a 1" length. I am going to use a copper wire core for two of the longer runs, to hold the loom shape, but that didn't work well for me in my attempts this morning. After more thinking, I decided to try and do part of what is done on the real truck - I needed to see about making hold down clamps. I fabricated a semblance of a Power Distribution Unit, that will mount below and to the side of the steering column. In the center of the pic are two attempts at clamps, made from 0.2 mm sheet aluminum. The white wires are the main feeds from the PDU up to the fuse box and the red wire is coming from battery via the starter. I'm dropped down another size for the Wave spring, using a 1.5mm one instead, and more of those tiny, Top Studio bolts! I had to CA glue the clamps to the temporary firewall because they kept swiveling on the bolt when I tried to feed the spring/loom through the clamps. I'll be making more anyway, for other parts of the harness - I just needed to see if this would work Am very happy how this is turning out! This is one run of five runs I hope to create, that will collect into two, 2.0 mm looms that will run under the cab 'terminating' out of sight along either side of the frame. It's a far cry from the complexity of the real thing, but will still satisfy my goal for the impression of harnesses. Given how this had to be made, and some troubles I had orienting the firewall to be able to place things, I think I have to change how I was going to put this together on the model's firewall. Had hoped to build everything on temp firewall and then just 'plug' it all into the model's firewall. Might still be possible - I'll have to cross that bridge later! Have to go and re-do some painting from work done yesterday. Take care!