64 Dodge D100 Pickup Pro Street

[AmericanMuscleFan]

2 hours ago, mustang1989 said:

 New levels of modeling every time I open this thread up. Glad to see you're still at this one ol buddy.

Thanks Joe!  I'm not very productive lately but I'm trying not to lose my touch I would say.  I haven't forgotten you by the way, I just have very little free time these days... ?

[charlie libby]

francis you get better everyday. what you do have time for is very nice.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 9/1/2021 at 6:41 PM, charlie libby said:

francis you get better everyday. what you do have time for is very nice.

Thanks Charlie,  I'm a little embarrassed of what I can present compared to your amazing updates!   Colder days are coming soon in our part of the world, so more time for the hobby to come... ?

[Mattilacken]

?wow. Just wow! Each part looks incredible!

[Butter 1]

Hey Francis. been a while since I have been checking up on your build. WOW!!!!! The engine fits like a glove. FYI my project (defoosing the fd100) is slowly progressing. 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 9/8/2021 at 8:39 AM, Mattilacken said:

?wow. Just wow! Each part looks incredible!

Thanks for your kind comment Anton, I really appreciate it! ?

 

On 9/10/2021 at 3:25 PM, Butter 1 said:

Hey Francis. been a while since I have been checking up on your build. WOW!!!!! The engine fits like a glove. FYI my project (defoosing the fd100) is slowly progressing. 

Thanks Ron!  I don't know how many times I installed and uninstalled it in the frame to get the right fit but I'm quite happy with the result.  I am glad to know that you are still working on your pickup and I will definitely check out your next updates.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Hello everyone,

I have finally finished the last parts for the parachute system.  Today's update focuses on the in-cab release lever that will be installed near the driver's seat.  I did use brass for the bracket and aluminum for the lever.  The lever is mounted on the bracket with a tiny brass rivet and remain functional.  I added black ABS plastic plates on the lever and everything was shaped by hand with a small file and sandpaper.  The black wire will run between the frame and the bed and the other end will be attached to the pin on the parachute.  There may be a few details left to work out, but I can say that it's done and focus on the items that need to be added to the bed, including the fuel tank, the battery and its holder, and the kill switch.  Comments and questions are welcome.

Francis

The wire retainer was made with a brass band and a small brass tube from Albion.

The brass tube was welded and filed to the desired shape.

The bracket was handcrafted from brass and shaped to fit the cabin floor.

The lever was hand made with thin aluminum sheet.

Black plastic handle added.

Another view.

Another one.

Final product.

Handle installed on the bracket. Both the handle and the wire bracket are adjustable.

Test adjustment to its final position.

All components together.

[charlie libby]

are your parts getting smaller or i the dime getting bigger.very nice

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Thanks Charlie, It's just an optical illusion, the American currency is more stable than my building techniques... ?

[mustang1989]

On 8/31/2021 at 7:31 PM, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Thanks Joe!  I'm not very productive lately but I'm trying not to lose my touch I would say.  I haven't forgotten you by the way, I just have very little free time these days... ?

I hear ya. I'm productive alright.....it's just not on the forums. Work around the house is kickin' my a$$! 

Edited September 16, 2021 by mustang1989

[Mike Williams]

That's a very nice setup, Francis.  Cleanly executed and looks very convincing.  This is one of those simple and very effective designs, anything more is unnecessary.  Perfect, a keeper for my files.

Mike..

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 9/18/2021 at 2:43 AM, Mike Williams said:

That's a very nice setup, Francis.  Cleanly executed and looks very convincing.  This is one of those simple and very effective designs, anything more is unnecessary.  Perfect, a keeper for my files.

Mike..

Thanks Mike!  I'm very glad you like it, sometimes the simplest design can do the trick and in this case the majority of the lever system will be barely visible when the seats are in place.  I had to make one anyway to make the system plausible... ?

[absmiami]

I love the smell of brass in the morning …

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Hello everyone,

I finally found some time here and there to make some of the details to put in the bed.  A little more stuff to add on the pile... ?  The kill switch is the first of the three parts to be made, the battery support (and the battery of course...) and the fuel tank will follow as time permits.  I hope to get back to you soon with more updates, comments are always welcome.

Francis

The support bracket is made from 0.005'' aluminum.

Main body in the rotary table.

Kill switch terminals.

Most of the components of the kill switch, the shaft is a copper rivet.

The lever is functional.

Lever pulled outward.

Handle made from a styrene sprue.

Handle in place.

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi Francis!

Well, my friend, this thing will pass NHRA inspection in a blink! Well done!

I would not want to be their tech inspector when time will come to check your fuse box to see if the burn wires inside the fuses are still intact... Judging from the kill switch minute components, the electrical fuses will obviously feature microscopic details!

CT 

 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

29 minutes ago, Claude Thibodeau said:

Hi Francis!

Well, my friend, this thing will pass NHRA inspection in a blink! Well done!

I would not want to be their tech inspector when time will come to check your fuse box to see if the burn wires inside the fuses are still intact... Judging from the kill switch minute components, the electrical fuses will obviously feature microscopic details!

CT 

 

Thank you Claude!

It is always reassuring to have your approval my friend...  My workspace is getting dusty and I'll have to switch (not kill switch...) to second gear soon before I forget the assembly sequences I had planned.  I hope I don't blow a fuse myself as far as my patience is concerned... ?

[Mr Randy]

The detail is over the top?

[AmericanMuscleFan]

3 hours ago, Mr Randy said:

The detail is over the top?

Thanks Randy, I really appreciate your comment!

Francis

[Bainford]

Heh heh heh

Don't know what else to say. Mind continues to be blown. Impressive, as always, Francis.

[Mike Williams]

Smiling now...Francis, that's the best use I've seen for styrene sprue leads!  Wonderful.

QUESTION:  Concerning the parts added, for instance the kill switch assembly, will all of these be removed for painting procedures?

Mike..

[charlie libby]

hi francis. looking great as always.your switch is a nice touch .great detail. did you machine the bolts?

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 10/14/2021 at 3:48 PM, Bainford said:

Heh heh heh

Don't know what else to say. Mind continues to be blown. Impressive, as always, Francis.

Thanks Trevor, sorry for the lack of updates lately, but things should get back to a more normal pace (slow though...?) in the next few weeks.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 10/17/2021 at 2:57 AM, Mike Williams said:

Smiling now...Francis, that's the best use I've seen for styrene sprue leads!  Wonderful.

QUESTION:  Concerning the parts added, for instance the kill switch assembly, will all of these be removed for painting procedures?

Mike..

Thanks Mike!  I think the colored molded sprue is a good trick when you don't want to paint small parts and when you are a little bit lazy... ?

To answer your question, all parts will be removed before painting the body, the kill switch is no exception, it is only mounted temporarily to check the fit.

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

18 hours ago, charlie libby said:

hi francis. looking great as always.your switch is a nice touch .great detail. did you machine the bolts?

Thanks Charlie!  I don't have the patience (or the time...) to machine the bolts, in this case they are brass and come from Scale Hardware.

Francis

[gasser59]

38 minutes ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Thanks Charlie!  I don't have the patience (or the time...) to machine the bolts, in this case they are brass and come from Scale Hardware.

Francis

Model Motor Cars bought the inventory of Scale Hardware so that's where you can find these small nuts, bolts and other minute pieces.