37 Ford pickup chopped & dropped

[Plowboy]

I originally started this model over seven years ago. Didn’t like the first mockup and boxed it. A couple of years later, I got it on the bench again, fixed my mistakes, hit a roadblock and boxed it again. Last year I got it back out again determined to finish it. I had most of it painted except for the body. I just needed to get in on it and actually work on it. 

I can't remember every modification. So, I'll list what I can remember. I made a drop in the frame just behind the front axle to get the drop I wanted and drilled the front axle. On the rear, I shortened the frame, cut the cross member loose, boxed the ends and mounted it on top of the frame. The engine is from an AMT '53 Ford pickup with scratch built headers and details. The cab got the floor raised to drape it down past the frame and a 3.5 inch chop. The bed was shortened, bed sides were modified to match the bottom of the cab and I raised the floor. The grille surround was modified to lean back and the grille was opened. Not intended. But, the hood only needed and an additional scale inch in length and openings added to fit. It really ties everything together. Paint is Krylon Ivory and Dupli Color Bright Red. 

Thanx for checking it out! Any questions, just ask. 

[espo]

Great looking truck. Very cleanly done and looks very doable as a 1:1 build. I like how you Z'd the front cross member 

[tbill]

Another beauty off of your bench! You sir have got ‘ the touch’ , everything you show us has all the right style cues and clean subtle well thought out details. Well done !

[Sam I Am]

3 hours ago, tbill said:

Another beauty off of your bench! You sir have got ‘ the touch’ , everything you show us has all the right style cues and clean subtle well thought out details. Well done !

What he said. ?

[ChrisR]

Looks great!!

[fordf-100]

Super clean build, very cool!

[Fairfax]

Awesome construction. Beautiful !

[Koellefornia Kid]

Awesome build!

[peter31a]

Very cool hot rod 37!

[Jantrix]

16 hours ago, Plowboy said:

 

 

Thanx for checking it out! Any questions, just ask. 

Opening a grill is always tricky and the more grill bars you have, the harder it gets. Please explain how you opened this grill so perfectly as to not destroy the piece. It probably the best opened grill I've seen. Absolutely terrific work. The bed sides are especially cool. How did you do the raised detail? Half round stock?

[thatz4u]

looks like a hot rod from the DIY school of automobile building, way kool

[Plowboy]

5 hours ago, Jantrix said:

Opening a grill is always tricky and the more grill bars you have, the harder it gets. Please explain how you opened this grill so perfectly as to not destroy the piece. It probably the best opened grill I've seen. Absolutely terrific work. The bed sides are especially cool. How did you do the raised detail? Half round stock?

I used a Dremel with a little ball shaped router type bit and ground out the backside until I could see the chrome through the styrene. Then, I took 220 and sanded it until the pieces between the bars fell out. Then I sanded it with 400. Really easy. The bars are pretty thick and them being close together actually helps. But, it does take a fairly steady hand with the Dremel and patience. I did all of this while it was still attached to the sprue.

I didn't do anything on the raised detail on the bed sides. I just cut them so the detail would line back up. They're cut in front and behind the rear wheel. I did add styrene to the bottom to make them on the same level as the cab.

Edited November 19, 2019 by Plowboy

[Chuckyg1]

Yea, this is cool. Like the color palette. How hard was the chop? Have this kit & would like to try.

[Plowboy]

11 hours ago, Chuckyg1 said:

Yea, this is cool. Like the color palette. How hard was the chop? Have this kit & would like to try.

Thanx! Wasn't very hard at all. I just had to half the roof and make it longer to line back up with the pillars. Worst part was adding the windshield frame. If you don't want to lengthen the roof, you can lean the A pillars back. But, I personally don't like that look. Plus, even though the roof is the original length, it looks short.

[Chuckyg1]

Thanks for the rest insight. Does sound very doable. What did you use to fill the gap, spare roof?

[slusher]

Absolutely beautiful custom!!

[cobraman]

Very sharp ! Well done !

[Dennis Lacy]

Glad to see you share this one over here, Roger, it's one of my favorites from your bench. I think you nailed it from every angle!

[alan barton]

This is very cool, Roger, rat rod proportions without the rat rod detritus everywhere. Like everyone else, I am very impressed with how cleanly you opened the grills and how sharp the bodywork is on your chop top.  It's a neat truck.

Cheers

Alan

[restoman]

Very nicely done!

It's got that eye-grabbing appeal all over!

[Earl Marischal]

Smooth, clean and a great colour combo.

I'd drive it!

steve

[PappyD340]

Sweet custom hot rod, well done!!

[Plowboy]

On 11/20/2019 at 9:07 PM, Chuckyg1 said:

Thanks for the rest insight. Does sound very doable. What did you use to fill the gap, spare roof?

You're welcome! No, I always use styrene. I'd hate to butcher a kit for a piece of the roof.

[Plowboy]

On 11/26/2019 at 7:12 AM, alan barton said:

This is very cool, Roger, rat rod proportions without the rat rod detritus everywhere. 

Alan

Thanx Alan! I had never thought of it that way. But, now that you mentioned it, the influence is definitely there. Maybe this is what a rat rod could look like painted and finished? 

Thanx to everyone for all the great comments! I appreciate them!

[Gerald Haney]

super clean build!  Great work!