MPC 1984 GMC Pickup (Video Review) 2016 Reissue

[hpiguy]

Did a quick review of this reissued kit that's been in high demand for some time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdtfK114kaM

 

[mikemodeler]

Thanks for posting this review, doesn't look like much has changed. I wonder why they included a set of wheels that don't fit the tires? 

I will be picking one of these up, not that I need one, but ya know, what the heck!

 

[Can-Con]

Nice job Chris.

BTW, that "mystery body part" you thought might be a visor is actually the apron that goes between the bumper and grille of the older versions of the kit.['78 to '80]

[hpiguy]

Nice job Chris.

BTW, that "mystery body part" you thought might be a visor is actually the apron that goes between the bumper and grille of the older versions of the kit.['78 to '80]

There ya go, that makes far more sense. Thanks! 

[Toast]

Been watching these for a while, just too much for what I want to do. I'm really excited for this release.

Did they ever make a stepside kit?

[Repstock]

i don't think you can have turn signals on the grille AND the bumper. I believe the grille turn signals are correct for an '84. The bumper turn signals need to go. One more thing, and I'm sure this has been mentioned before... What's up with that seam on the side of the bed? What's it supposed to represent? Still a good kit to see back on the shelves, I'll have to pick up a few.

[mikemodeler]

i don't think you can have turn signals on the grille AND the bumper. I believe the grille turn signals are correct for an '84. The bumper turn signals need to go. One more thing, and I'm sure this has been mentioned before... What's up with that seam on the side of the bed? What's it supposed to represent? Still a good kit to see back on the shelves, I'll have to pick up a few.

Tom,

The front bumper was left over from when this kit was issued as an 1982 model, which would have been correct as the 81/82 model years had the turn signals in the bumper and in 1983 they were moved to the grille.

The seam on the bed represents a compartment that was featured on the truck this kit was based off of from the TV show The Fall Guy. In real life it is not a part of the 1:1 and should be filled in. Also, the 1:1 truck from the show was actually a long bed where as this is a shortbed.

Toast,

I believe there was a stepside kit, but my feeble memory seems to remember that kit being a Monogram or Revell and was a 70's version. MPC might have done a stepside, there is a post here about the history of these trucks and which kits were issued. If there was a step side, it has been out of production for awhile but you might be able to find one at a swap meet or on eBay.

[av405]

So if I understand the review correctly, this can be built as a 2WD model so long as the builder provides his/her own tires?

[unclescott58]

Thanks for another great review Chris. I got a lot of mixed feelings on the this kit. Don't know if I should buy it or not. I really want to build a close to showroom stock version of this truck. And I don't see how it can be done with the kit set up as it is.

At least you can lower the suspension to a more stock height. But, will the wheels and tires supplied with this kit fit with the suspension set up that way?

I can overlook most of the other problems in the kit. As noted the compartment doors on the side of the box can be filled in. Is cover for inside the box required to be used if one wants to use the roll bar? And it looks there are holes the front bumper for the brush guard. Do both brush guards in the kit use those same holes? The turn signals in the bumper? I'm not sure what to do about those? Strip the bumper, fill them in with putty, then All Clad them? Or ignore them? Pretend the vehicle was in an accident where either the bumper or the grille was replaced by the wrong year piece? 

[Can-Con]

So if I understand the review correctly, this can be built as a 2WD model so long as the builder provides his/her own tires?

No, only the 4X4 front suspension is in the kit, not the 2WD, which was only in the first annual version of the kit in '78. It can however be built with a stock suspension height if you leave out the riser blocks for the ends of the springs. The 2WD front suspension from the AMT Chevy van and the Revell mid '60s Chevy pickups could be adapted with a bit of work.

BTW, You'll also have to find proper wheel backs if you want to use regular size tires, the ones in the kit will only work with the 1/20 scale tires included in the box. I tried cutting them down but still wouldn't work properly.

 

And, these last couple issues and the original "Fall Guy" truck were the only ones with the smooth side box. All the annuals from '78 to '82 and the "Hardcastle & McCormick"  version had stepside beds. 

 

[av405]

Ahh I see, thank you. I think I'll still pick up 2 of these kits as I never had a chance to buy any of the previous releases. I have a 1981-1982 Chevrolet grill from Modelhaus that should go well with the 1981-1982 bumpers on this kit.

Edited March 13, 2016 by av405

[Toast]

Cool, good to know. I remember holding onto one of these when our Walmart was closing out of model kits. Didn't really have time to build anything then so i put it down. Regretted it every time i looked on eBay.

I'll pick up a couple of these. My favorite style full size pickup. 

[Longbox55]

There is another major error in this kit besides the bumper; The transfer case is 100% incorrect for the year truck it is supposed to be. The original 4x4 version of this kit, the '78 Annual, was tooled with the NP 203 full time transfer case, which was a very common on those trucks back in the '70s with automatic transmission. That transfer case was dropped in 1980, and replaced with the NP 205 part time for '80, and the NP 208 part time (1/2 and 3/4 ton) in '81. MPC did not alter the tooling to reflect those changes. The Monogram kit from the same ere has the NP 205, which was used with manual transmission trucks, optional on automatics.

Other smaller errors, the intake and carb are incorrect 2bbl units. While not so bad for a later truck with the 305, the 350 trucks should have the Rochester Quadrajet. Also, in addition to the tool box engraving, the bed has the gas door on the right hand side for the optional 2nd gas tank, but no tank is molded to the frame. Neither problem is too difficult to take care of for accuracy.

[Atmobil]

Thank you very much for the review. I want to get a couple of these

[dieseldawg142]

.....

Edited May 10, 2018 by dieseldawg142

[disabled modeler]

this is one of my fav kits. have 4 or 5 of the orig, just picked up the re-issue yesterday. pretty much exactly the same, some diff decals. even though the opt rims are diff size, i like the style & they can be used with aftermarket tires or whatever. yup, it has it's faults, but waaaay less than any revell squarebody. i see this kit as good raw material for a crewcab, crewcab dually, longboxes, etc. I will definetly be grabbing as many as i can afford.....

little biased, own a '85 crew.....

Dan... I wish my 84 was in as good as shape as yours...and a crew cab...LOL...

[my80malibu]

Sure wish the 78 chevy stepside  would be re released.

[jeffs396]

With this reissue, it's the PERFECT time for a caster to step up with an 8' bed...

[Aaronw]

Any suggestions for a stock wheel / tire combo?

I've still got a few of the $7 Walmart era kits, but will pick up another one or two.

[Aaronw]

With this reissue, it's the PERFECT time for a caster to step up with an 8' bed...

and an '82 grill...

[Nova-ss]

Dan... I wiChris 84 was in as good as shape as yours...and a crew cab...LOL...

me too....Chris

[Nova-ss]

I'm super happy about this kit..,yes it has its problems but its a good place to start for building a pickup of this time.I want them for parts...yes crews and making a 8ft bed isn't bad when you have the parts ...like now.and parts that are less money then over paying just for parts.....Chris 

[disabled modeler]

I'm super happy about this kit..,yes it has its problems but its a good place to start for building a pickup of this time.I want them for parts...yes crews and making a 8ft bed isn't bad when you have the parts ...like now.and parts that are less money then over paying just for parts.....Chris 

I here you there Chris....makes it worse when you need parts for old ones from the 60s/70s.  I have a huge list of parts I need to find I can afford or trade for from someone...someone has to have them laying around in a parts box or parts car...just have to find them.

[tim boyd]

Not sure if this was mentioned previously, but the '78 MPC annual kit was a Stepside, and it was 2WD. I do not recall this kit having a 4WD option, but since I don't have the box art in front of me, I can't say this with 100% certainty.  

It was a very well done kit; excellent SBC casting (down to the finger grips on the oil filter IIRC) and some very nice custom version accessories.  I built it when it came out, and it sits in my case today.   TIM

[dieseldawg142]

...

Edited May 10, 2018 by dieseldawg142