Fabrux

Now that I didn't know!

I deal mostly with glue bombs due to the lack of recent issues of the subject material. My biggest kick lately has been mid-70s to 80s domestic pickups. Modelhaus or any other resin caster does not offer replacement parts for any of these, so getting gluebombs is the only way to go. These kits are rare enough and in high demand so the prices can get pretty steep. I managed to pick up two built Fall Guy GMC pickups for less than a single unbuilt kit. Same for a Firefighter Dodge pickup and a couple of the longbed Dodges. When trying to rebuild these kits, one has to be very careful in disassembly as, like I said, replacement parts are unavailable. Thankfully the 80s Ford pickups I have are snap kits, but I managed to get all three in the set built for much less than unbuilt or sealed examples.

I have seen them on eBay before, and I'm thinking maybe its Scenes Unlimited?

Pickup cabs on medium duty trucks (up to class 7) were used by GM up until 2002 and Ford still uses them today. Mind you, Ford switched from the F-150 cab to the Super Duty cab in 2000. The cabs themselves differ slightly from the pickup versions, usually having a flatter floor. They also tend to keep the interior from when the cab was first introduced until a new cab design is used. For instance, the Chevrolet Kodiak used the same cab and interior from 1990-2002, even though the pickup interior changed in 1995. Ford also used the same interior in the F-600 from 1980 all the way up to 1999, even though the pickup interior changed twice in that interval and the F-600's front clip changed as well.

From what I have observed, the 67-72 pickup kits are based on the previous 60-66 pickup tooling and the Blazers are completely new tooling. The parts are interchangeable between the two to a point, usually requiring a bit of finesse. My recommendation would be to cut out the underhood detail piece from the Blazer and blend it with the pickup rather than trying to swap the front clip portion of the body; I believe there will be issues getting the body lines lined up properly. Finally, before you get too in depth with the wheels they are available in resin in proper 4x4 6-bolt configuration front and back. Not sure if they are deep dish or not as I think they are copies of the Blazer rims. Food for thought!

So I'm interested in trying the Sleeperball, but I'm wondering what would be the level of sleep required? I just spent almost an hour rooting through my stash and most of the base cars I have aren't exactly sleepy!

You know, sometimes I feel like I'm in the minority when I say that that style of truck really doesn't appeal to me. Like, at all.

The RoG Lonestar instruction book is available on their website. Makes for a much easier build.

I thought that was a cement carrier. I see lots of those on the go! Not a truck or a rig, but I saw this van while waiting to pick up my wife after work and something just didn't look right.

What did you haul in that, Clayton?

1:350 NX-01 refit resin kit: http://modelermagic.com/?p=60801

Have you guys seen the newly released resin conversion kit for the 1:350 NX-01? Builds the Drexler refit. The resin portion is $195!

Now if we could just get Round 2 to reissue the trailer!

The opening for the clearance lights is a little different on the straight pickup kits, but can still work. The frame is almost the same; just a bit different at the front for the tilt hood. IIRC the interiors are slightly different, but I'm not home with my kits so can't confirm that right now. Although a better donor for a frame and possibly wrecker setup if your friend likes it better is the GMC wrecker. Its cab has the same roof insert; you would pretty much just need the front clip to build a complete wrecker.

I would like to finish two kits that are awaiting foil and final assembly: 1981 Chevy K20 and a 1957 Chevy Bel Air. I need to it down and figure out what I can bring with me to work on while I'm away at work; it would be nice to get some building done while in camp, even if I can't spray paint. Brush painting Vallejo acrylics should be fine.

The recently reissued AMT 1969 GTO funny car has those wheels.

Looks like you'd be better off starting with an FR-S model.

This kit is on my bucket list to build someday. Will be watching this build!

Here's a couple options I'd like to see: AMT 1953 Ford F-100 -Include grille and dash to build a 1954 -Optional 6-cylinder engine Revell/Monogram 1950 Ford F-1 -Restore tooling to include a stock flathead V-8 engine option -Optional 6-cylinder engine -Modify tooling to build a 1952 F-1 MPC 81-87 GM Pickup -Two separate reissues: full-width bed and stepside bed -Stock suspension building options: 4x4 and 4x2 -Include all extant grilles; should be 81-82 Chevrolet, 81-82 GMC, and 83-84 GMC -Bucket seats and bench (all these building options should be able to be issued with existing tooling and no modifications) MPC/AMT 88-98 GM Pickup -GMC Grille -Full detail 4x4 suspension -Full detail extended cab kit -Front bench seat interior -Glue kit with 95+ interior

We had about a foot of snow for Halloween at the construction site in Labrador, although that ended up being only at the camp. On the weekend, though, we ended up getting another two feet site-wide; it was bad enough that the whole site was shut down. And to top it off we were without power for an hour or so. I fully expect there to be another two feet of snow when I head back on Tuesday...

If you think cutting the bed from the cab creates big problems, try attempting to build a long bed! You've done a marvelous job with this one all the same!

I never really noticed how common having the rear tank behind the axle was until I owned a 96 built that way. Then I noticed them all over town! But, I chalk that up to being in a snowy clime and the dealers that ordered the trucks figured having the extra weight behind the axle would help with traction.

As I recall, Roger, the Blazer and Jimmy grilles can be trimmed down to fit into a pickup, but I think the GMC pickup grille is a tad too small for the opening in the Blazer body. Some shimming might be required. As for the pickup hood fitting the Blazer body, that might be more difficult.

Unfortunately I think you may be out of luck. The only thing close to the engine in your car in 1:25 scale would be the Dauntless V6 in the MPC Jeep CJ-5 kit. You could try adapting the 4.3L V6 from the AMT S-10/Sonoma kits, but I'm not sure how close that would get you.

Unfortunately, the pickup and Blazer/Jimmy parts are not interchangeable. The Blazer is just a tad bigger than the pickup, enough that the grilles and hoods do not interchange without some work. I would take pictures to demonstrate, but I am in Labrador for work and they are at home...