78 Ford pickup "Cactus Dan" (updated pics)

Modelbuilder Mark · May 1, 2017

"Dan" bought the old Ford from his dad who bought it new, and restored it prior to opening his landscape business, so the weathering should show dirt and use, but will not represent the nearly 40 years since it was built. When he started his landscape business, he decided to go ahead and use the truck, so it sees it's hard days of work, but he still maintains it, so it is meant to represent a truck that is used but not abused.

I have been working on it off and on for a couple months now, and have taken pics but have not posted anything, so this will be a bit of a catch up.

I wanted the truck to to have a lower stance than the 4X4 setup, and the kit does not easily allow for it. After reviewing my options, I decided the best was to simply notch the frame to lower the mounting points.

I also had to notch the wheel wells to accommodate the upper control arms that that now mount higher on the frame.

I wanted the grill to look a little more realistic, so I ground away the back, but it went a bit too far.

soooo,I cut the entire center out and made a new one.

While it does not look "correct", it looks OK.

Also, since it is going to have a logo on the door, I removed the side molding.

The right rear fender has a molded in tool door, but when you turn the body over, there is just a giant gap, so I created a "box" to be behind the door.

There is also an issue like this with the cab, other than the pan that inserts into the body, when you turn it over there is no floor so again there are these very large gaps.

I am using some very deep dish rims, but when they are put in the tires, there is not enough room for a wheel back that will look realistic. So I cut the lip off of rims, to create a backside, then I can insert the Scenes Unlimited backing plates. Scenes Unlimited tires as well.

The motor is mostly kit, but I made a dipstick for the power steering pump, and a bracket for it as well. I also used a photo etch alternator bracket.

Made some shackles from wire

The start of the weathering, also some extra bolt heads on the tank and other areas.

More soon.

Edited June 27, 2017 by Modelbuilder Mark

afx · May 1, 2017

Nice looking project Mark.

Foxer · May 1, 2017

A working truck working here!

disabled modeler · May 1, 2017

Nice work..!

espo · May 1, 2017

Great job on the chassis. Very realistic looking.

Modelbuilder Mark · May 1, 2017

Thanks guys. I appreciate the kinds words. I will have some more updates this week.

NY Modeler · May 1, 2017

Absolutely outstanding work. Following this.

Slotto · May 2, 2017

Those pipes are very convincing. Great build

Fordboy1975 · May 2, 2017

Nice!

i like the idea of the box inside the bed, I would have never thought to do that.

Maindrian Pace · May 2, 2017

Great weathering, love the oil stain at the bottom of the rear end cover - I've never seen a 1:1 that didn't have that.

Modelbuilder Mark · May 3, 2017

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the kind words. I have only weathered a few vehicles, and really this will only be my second to this extent. I have been trying to learn from those that do this well, and capture what I can. The oil leaks are inspired by what I see on the older vehicles around here. I will be using even more Mig Ammo and other similar projects on this model, and hope to do it justice.

Modelbuilder Mark · June 25, 2017

Just a few updates as it is slow going, which is usual for me with bench time at a premium. Body and frame joined, starting some wiring and weathering. The weathering went a little further than I wanted, but I think it will still be passable. The kit supplied decal for the front of the hood looked bad to my eyes, so I retied to use liberal amounts of decal solution to remove it, but it started to lift the paint, so now I either have to paint the hood again, leave the front of the hood weathered more than planned, or spray the hood into primer like it has been replaced. My least likely action will be to respray the hood white.