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Raising the floor would require some surgery but it doesn't look like anything you would have trouble doing. Raising the whole bed may be an option depending on how the bed lines follow the lines of the cab. If you don't plan on detailing the inside of the bed and a bed cover could work well with the overall look, just cut a small opening in the bed floor to allow the bag mounts to go up into the bed floor. Than as you mentioned a bed cover would hide everything and keep the lines between the bed and the cab looking stock. Again, great job on the rear suspension and I like the fuel cell mounting. Another option might be to cut a hole in the bed floor to allow the mount to inter the bed floor. The floor of the bed might not be any thicker than the bag mount. This would allow the bag mount to become a design element of the bed floor.

Spring has finally sprung and ideal painting temps have returned. My wife is complaining about the "rattling" sounds coming from the basement and the hum of the air compressor. I'm painting everything I can get my hands on.

I think your "lights" idea is very creative. You had asked for constructive ideas, my offering for what it may be worth. Hiding the batteries in the bed is great. You might even think about a load of lumber for a hiding place. I would have the wire leads exit toward the back of the cab to better hid them. The wires could run between the interior and the body going forward. I like how you have two different types or color of lights. The headlamps look like the newer style blue/white LED headlamps and the grill mounted Fog Lamps have the more yellowish color. This is all very well done and I, and I think others, will look forward to seeing your builds in the future.

I'm very impressed with your rear suspension design . I'm wondering if the upper Air Bag mounts are going to effect how the pick up bed mounts to the frame. Looking at the stock frame and your new frame it appears that the stock frame has the bed mounts level with the frame "kick up" and your modified frame has the Bag mounts on top of the frame. You may have already compensated for this on the bottom side of the Bed.

This looks like a very well designed Service or Taxi vehicle.

Very clean looking and the tire and wheel swap looks perfect for this. Is that a roll bar I see in the interior ?? Was that in the kit or part of your interior upgrades ?

Very creative, and it looks as if in 1:1 it would be useable also. I like that you pointed out all of the different parts you used, it might be hard to determine otherwise. All of the different design elements flow together smoothly.

Beautiful looking Camaro. I always liked that blue color on these and your build represents it well. Nicely detailed and you remembered to paint the wheels the way they were on the 1:1.

Great looking truck. I like all the chassis and drive train detailing you did.

Beautiful looking custom. With all of the body changes everything flows perfectly. Great looking paint and interior.

One interesting thing I noticed in the pictures is the door lines. The door lines look as if the lower part of the door was shortened and the leading edge goes up into the roof portion. This makes it look as if they have installed some sort of Gull Wing door setup. The grill, if this is the design you're going for, could be done with fine jeweler's wire. I have some 26 gauge wire from JoAnns Fabrics but you may want something just a little thicker which they also offer. The front Roll Pan could be done with either spruce from the kit you're working with and cut a notch for the chrome bumpers. Another way would be to use some Plastruct tubing. The license plate area could be created with some very thin sheet plastic or use part of a roll pan from another kit that has the shape you want. The Grill opening could be formed in the same fashion. The Head Lamps could be made from hollow tubing. The hood intakes would be again formed with thin plastic sheeting and blended into the hood. The rear you could do much the same making the basic shape of the roof vent and the license plate area out of plastic sheeting. You will need todo some shaping with body putty to blend it all together. The rear Roll Pan could be created in the same fashion as the front bumper. The Tail Lights remind me of '56 Chevy's but extended taller than stock. Plastruct also offers square plastic in several different sizes that could be used in shaping the Tail Lights. Chopping the top is something you need to plan out before you start cutting, unless this is something you've done before. The rear window reminds me of a '49 Mercury or Ford. The Windshield and side windows could be done free hand. Greg Myers suggestion of using the front and rear styling options from some of the older kits may very well be an easier starting point. You don't have to use the whole part if you don't want to., just cut out what will give you the shape you're looking for and use that.

Like so many others, I have followed this build. Just when you think it couldn't possibly get any more detailed you add something else. Now ice and snow build up. I have learned a great deal watching this build, and I thank you for sharing your ideas.

The Camaro and the BMW could be done with a simple Wrap, although that wouldn't happen if they were mine. The Camaro/Corvette Truck thingy ? My guess is the guy owns a junk yard with a lot of late model stuff. The black Corvette, see your fathers Oldsmobile posted here somewhere. The next two are Photo Shoppe. The Jeep SRT, well I'll bet the dealer will not honor any warranties on that drive train. Again the Camo Wrap is a little interesting.

Great looking paint work. I like the wheels and tires also. Very clean trim.

I like this a lot. Your Corvette reminds me of a friends '75 Corvette the same color and wheels.

Turned out great. I notice that the rear door looks like it may open ? The rear side panel looks like it could be replaced with a window also. I like the wheel and tire combo.

That Ski Rack is amazing.

Back in the day every one went up at least 1 or 2 sizes anyway so I'd use them. If you change your mind later it wouldn't be that hard to change them.

I like the wheels and tires. I wonder if they are a styling statement or for the type of driving this rig sees. Neat old truck, I'll bet it could haul home anything he's buying.

YARD WORK. It is a pain in the you know were at one level and a very satisfying thing on another. Yesterday was spring preparedness day. I did the major service on the riding mower. Removed the mower deck for cleaning and lube all the joints. Changed the blades. changed oil and filters for oil, gas, and air. The push mower got the same treatment. Helped my wife clean out leaves and dead plant debris from all the planting beds and the plantings around the house. Mowed and edged the yard. Evening on the deck after a great steak dinner. Finished the last glass of Paso Robles Zin. as the lighting started to appear just after the sun went down. For us it was a great day and there just aren't enough of those.

The beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I didn't make that up the saying has been around longer than I have. The saying does tell the story though. It is hard to say your true feelings about someone's work when they're asking for your opinion. While you want to offer constructive encouragement you don't want to come across like your criticizing their work. I have seen some paint work that has more orange peel than an orange, but the builder is proud of their work. What do you do ?? I guess we all have different standards as to how we think something should look or the style in which it is built. More than once I have had to bite my tongue and said nothing.

Thank you for sharing your photos. A very wide variety of models. I'm not a ship builder, but have always been fascinated by all of the rigging and deck details. The dioramas are outstanding. A lot of great looking big rig trucks and farm equipment.

The vent window removal is a good idea. This is often done on 1:1 trucks along with the door handles removal. Another thought since you're trying to smooth up the body. Remove the drip rails above the doors. Believe it or not they were an extra cost option thru about '77. The grill is another area that can change the way your model will look. I would check any on line images to see what you do or don't like. The earlier 1:1 pick ups had the grill deeper in set. Most common was a simple tube bar grill.

That might be a great idea. The NE residency raises the question of rust, but the pictures sure look good. It doesn't look like it has been off road at all. If it runs and drives as good as it looks someone should grab it.

I like the interior colors they go well with the exterior. These are great kits but they sure eat up the chrome foil.