LDO

I have no idea how easy it would be, compared to other models, but I think Revell's 1/16 '73-'87 pickup would be awesome to stretch out. When I was a teenager back in the '80s, Chevy 4 door dualies were popular among ranchers in north Texas. Some had pretty cool custom paint. If you're going to stretch it, may as well go nuts with it. Yeah, I would love to have a 1/16 6-door Chevy.

I'll bet that's going a bit too far.

Yeah, it looks like it's there to let hot air out. Those pics helped out. They also showed that what I thought was a sleeper is more of a package shelf. Still a cool truck, though. Thanks for the help, guys.

patchouli and hippies

I just ordered a Jimmy Flintstone White 3000 cab and I'm wondering what the heck that little panel/recess is. The resin cab will be for a custom toy hauler, maybe with a bigger sleeper added. Thank you.

Thank you. I'll get out the calipers and start figuring out what direction this project will take. Lots of real world customs for ideas. Maybe something influenced by this: Not an exact copy, but inspiration. This one, also. I do like those Dagmar bumpers. So maybe find a sleeper from a big rig kit. Thanks for the measurements. Nothing will get cut until the Flintstone parts arrive.

Specifically, how wide is the cab? Not with fenders, just the main body. I was thinking of combining that with a Galaxie Limited 21 foot trailer for a custom RV/Toy hauler.

Some armor modelers are using Silly Putty for masking camo. IMHO, it's a pretty cool idea. You don't waste paper by cutting masks, and it goes around corners with no problems at all. I found some at the checkout area of a Hobbytown USA for 99 cents per package. ...or Silly Putty by another name.

I bought a pair of turbos several years ago on Shapeways. They were big enough for a 1/6 scale motorcycle, and also "handed" (left and right turbo. Mirror image, not identical.) They can be had this way in the real world. Hot Rod magazine had a cover story with a twin turbo built by Nelson Racing Engines with mirror images turbos. I bought those several years ago. I'm sure there are more choices available now.

That roof looks like it came off a VW Bug.

I am also a fan of early Corvette customs. Check out Eric Rickman's vette. A very mild custom, but very nicely done.

Looking good. Nice colors on it and in it.

IMHO, the coolest valve covers available in a kit are from the Tony Foti LAPD drag race Camaro. They are the ultra-rare (in the real world) Milodon cast aluminum valve covers. Just had to throw that in.

The Rodder's Journal number 1. It's actually for a friend of mine. The guy has done a lot for me. I feel somewhat guilty, because he has done so much for me. I know he's after TRJ #s 1-7. I think he'll be excited when this arrives in the mail. Nown on to issues 2-7

That truck looks pretty darn cool.

I'm not looking for scale size flake. I know that what I want will be out of scale, but that's ok with me. On something like a 1/16 funny car or the Tamiya 1/12 scale Dodge van, it would still be out of scale, but not quite so bad. Those two subjects are also good place to put a wild paint job. I used to have something even bigger; a toy RV made for the "Bratz" dolls. It's not a faithful representation of any real RV, but a huge canvas for a cool paint job. I no longer have it, though. A friend of mine came over with his 4 year old daughter. She saw it in the garage and started playing with. She was just fascinated with it, even without the dolls. She's a good kid. I gave it to her. I did tell my friend that I would like it back when she gets tired of it. About 3 or 4 years later, I asked if she still plays with it. "Yes. Every day". Eh. That's cool. That's what it was made for.

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I am a member at T4R.org. It never occurred to me to ask. That's where I got a used, custom made swing-out spare tire carrier.

Just a bit of an update; I just got back from picking up. I told the manager that I wanted I wanted a refund on the u-joints. To my complete surprise, he didn't argue. He put a $425.25 refund on my Visa. I also called a driveshaft shop. The said they will balance it for $65. They want me to just bring in the driveshaft. That's cool with me because it's about 50 miles down I-35 with a couple of 75mph sections. Would prefer not to go that fast with this problem.

Thank you. I had no idea about the driveshaft issue.

I'm having a nightmare with my 2002 Toyota 4Runner. It had a vibration that started at around 60mph. I took it to a local shop, part of a nationwide chain. The said I needed new u-joints. Ok, let's do it. $425 later and it still vibrates. Then they said I needed new front tires. The tread was very low, so let's do that too. $298 later, it still vibrates. This time the guy locked my swing-out spare tire carrier down because the long bolt used as a safety lock vibrates. So I took it somewhere else. They said my tires are out of balance. All 4 of them. Wow. Ok. Let's get them balanced. $67.80 later, it still vibrates. So I took it back and they said the u-joints have too much play. I took it back to the first shop and the first thing they checked was the tires. They did their super-duper dynamic balance (for free) and test drove it. To 55mph. They also said the u-joints are good. Yeah, it still vibrates. Now it starts at around 65mph, but it does still vibrate. I told the guy that if new u-joints didn't solve the problem, it sounds to me like I spent $425 I didn't need to spend. They kept it another day and told me the problem is likely in the rear axle. So...can a rear axle "go bad"? If so, what about it is causing this? It's 2WD and never goes off road. I'm at wit's end, and considering small claims court for that $425.

Sounds cool. I think the Tamiya 1/12 R/C van body would be a good canvas for big flakes. Shag carpet. Velour upholstery. Disco ball. It would be awesome.

Yeah, but on a bigger scale car, it sure would look cool. That's kind of a weird thing for me to say. Normally I don't like things that are out of scale, like real wood or leather on a 1/25 car. But that big flake, tho.

I like the look of it. I saw a funny car at a contest years ago with a multi color big flakes and it blew me away. Anyway- I read about a flake gun that shoots them dry. Will they stick to fresh lacquer? Does it stay tacky long enough? I've used Tamiya spray lacquer and like it, but now I want to step up to airbrushing lacquers. Just wondering how it's all done. Thanks. Lee

My preference is put clear over the color and sand/polish the clear.

What is the tire made of?