Ultimate Weekend Warrior GBP 77 GMC

[Fat Brian]

This is my entry in the Ultimate Weekend Warrior GBP. I'm starting with the Monogram plow truck. I was going to use American Satco Super Swampers but the dudnt feel quite big enough so I borrowed the tires out of a Mad Murder kit. I was going to use it's axles too but they're a bit wide and the truck looked like a roller skate. I ended up using the stock axles and making my own spring perches and shackles. The chassis is almost done, just a few more bits before it's time for the body work.

[NOBLNG]

I've looked at this kit a couple of times and have been tempted to buy it. Any paint planned for it?

[mikemodeler]

That kit looks vaguely familiar ! Nice start, might have to see what I can find to play along, although work has me pretty busy maybe I can find something simple.

[Fat Brian]

5 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Any paint planned for it?

Not finalized, probably something simple to fit the builds theme.

[Fat Brian]

3 hours ago, mikemodeler said:

That kit looks vaguely familiar ! Nice start, might have to see what I can find to play along, although work has me pretty busy maybe I can find something simple.

I hated for it to go to waste so when this GBP popped up it seemed like the perfect candidate. 

[thatz4u]

after all that work & planning, Revell releases this kit in a 4wd version......

[Fat Brian]

54 minutes ago, thatz4u said:

after all that work & planning, Revell releases this kit in a 4wd version......

The plow truck is four wheel drive, it's just not lifted. Part of the purpose of this build was to save this specific kit from the parts bin after Mike and I both robbed it for parts. I did end up getting the camo version for the partially corrected tires and gun rack but I would have built the suspension this way anyway because the kit lacks a lot of detail. I might be ready to post a major update tonight.

[Fat Brian]

I'm a bit late with the update but I think it was worth the wait. The part I robbed from this kit was the bed so I had to replace it with something. I built the flat bed from Evergreen and some diamond plate. Once I had the bed I needed to populate it with something. I added the roll bar, a storage box on the driver's side, a jerrycan rack, a bed mounted fuel tank, a tool box, a spare tire mount, and a welding machine with a post for the leads. I cut the front fenders for more tire clearance and used the rims from the Deserter truck.

[mikemodeler]

Love that bed, looks spot on and useful.

[Fat Brian]

6 hours ago, mikemodeler said:

Love that bed, looks spot on and useful.

Thank you, I think I might shorten the stacks in the final assembly. They're just tacked on so I could snap some pics and get a feel for the look of it.

[LouO]

I like this! This is exactly the sort of stuff I envisioned for this Community Build.

[NOBLNG]

Very nice! Good fab job on the flat deck.

[Fat Brian]

1 hour ago, LouO said:

I like this! This is exactly the sort of stuff I envisioned for this Community Build.

Excellent, I'm glad to hear it.

[KWT]

Dang... I may have to just withdraw from the build now..

Dang fine job so far.

[Fat Brian]

I've been working on the frame and getting the engine together. I've got the shocks on and added a steering stabilizer. I took the engine from a mid 2000s NASCAR kit and am building it to look like a small block crate motor. It's been a while since I plumbed an engine and it felt nice to flex those muscles again.

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Looks great very realistic build! I've seen many very similar. Fender trimming is spot on!  All it need is a kink in the hood.

Did you scratch build the welder?

[Fat Brian]

1 hour ago, DRIPTROIT 71 said:

Looks great very realistic build! I've seen many very similar. Fender trimming is spot on!  All it need is a kink in the hood.

Did you scratch build the welder?

I did, I just looked at pics online and copied the basic shape and layout. It looks more like a Lincoln unit but I'm going to paint it medium blue like a Miller unit for a bit of color. If you look closely behind the stack I put louvres on the front for the radiator, I cut up a 32 Ford hood side to get them, and since ed I took these pics I put an old hub cap on the back to simulate the end of the generator. I'm going to use some gauge decals for the dials. 

 

Edited April 25, 2018 by Fat Brian

[Fat Brian]

The interior of the GMC is very weak and the door panels are almost completely flat. I'm going to be building a few of these kits eventually so I figured I'd try my hand at dressing it up a bit. I cut the seat out and built an actual tub for the interior. Then I added the arm rests and wood trim along with the door handles and window cranks. I also added a floor shifter and removed column one. The dash is stock but I robbed the gauge decals from the Camo truck. I went with a brown two tone figuring it would hide dirt better than other colors.

[Foxer]

This is looking pretty cool ... what better way to put an un-plowed truck back into action!

[NOBLNG]

Looking good. I like the welder truck concept.

[Fat Brian]

I finished the top end of the motor with a Holley carb and an air cleaner from Kris Morgan at M.A.D. I added the fuel line with anodized aluminum wire and the connectors are drilled out hexagonal rod. I also made a carb spacer from Evergreen stock and used wire from the bolts.

[mikemodeler]

Don't forget the A/C compressor, that pulley is suspended in air!

Looking good, nice details.

[Fat Brian]

39 minutes ago, mikemodeler said:

Don't forget the A/C compressor, that pulley is suspended in air!

Looking good, nice details.

I ain't forgot it, I just can't figure out which part it is so I've got to dig out the USA-1 instructions to check. It'll be on there next time I promise.

[Fat Brian]

The cab is about ready for paint, I reworked the grille area because I hate how the kit treats the front turn signals. I cut the turn signals off the grille and filled the resulting hole with sheet stock. I saved the signals and sanded them down and reshaped them a bit and will add them back after the paint is done. I also added drip rails to the cab.

[Mercuryman54]

Brian, Looks great so far!! You may have noticed, but when they made those directional tires the left side are going in the wrong direction!! I don't have it handy right now, but i turned them around to make them right.. I know they don't have the Ground Hawg lettering on that side. What I did was make a mold of the lettering then smeared black RTV into the letter mold. then attached them to the smooth side of the tires!

Dennis