Cool Hand Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 (edited) When I first seen this kit when it was re-released recently, my thought's straight away were what a great candidate for a ute conversion. So sourced a couple kits from Model Round Up, then thought about it for a week as to how to approach things and how I was going to build it. First things first pick some wheels. After deciding the wheel's, they were fitted to some new 2mm brass axles. Then the ride height was roughed in. Still need to tweak the front and level things out a bit. Just how I like them, Low! Worked out how I was going to cut and re work the roof. Edited July 25, 2021 by Cool Hand 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatz4u Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 love it so far, will keep watching, wish we had utes on this side of the big pond... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 Looking pretty kewl. The stance is nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandboarder Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 Great idea!! The wagon is a great base with the tail gate and 1/2 of the tray. Your chop looks well planned up and a good choice. 5 stud MK 1 are a good choice very Japanese while retaining a classic centreline look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cool Hand Posted July 25, 2021 Author Share Posted July 25, 2021 Thanks for showing an interest fella's. Cutting the roof was going to be a bit tricky. So I used a technique I learned from building gundams which made the process easy. Started with some scribing guide tape. Layed it out where the roof was to be cut. Loaded up a 0.1mm scribe and went to work cutting the roof. Spot glued back together for a mock and to work out where to proceed next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mchook Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 Now that is cool! I'm watching for sure, keep up the great work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatz4u Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 keep it going... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam I Am Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 You sure made that look easy. WoW! How are you going to tackle the RHD? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve H Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 Luke, this is going to be wicked !! Awesome start, brilliant planning for the roof cuts. I as like low, so I’m in for the ride… I’m guessing black for the body colour! Cheers, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darbo Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 That is awesome looking Luke, will be following this build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belugawrx Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 Great looking chop 👍 Im following this one...what have you decided for the paint work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Geiger Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 Neat! I have an original Ute / pickup that someone built back in the day if you wish to see one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 Real nice surgery.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claude Thibodeau Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 Hi Luke! Great project, and clean workmanship! Your technique to blend the roof sections reminds me of the way we weld frames on 1/1 rods when we want to increase the strenght of the joint by having a longer weld. Clever! CT 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixties Sam Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 That is super cool! Very creative work! Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cool Hand Posted July 31, 2021 Author Share Posted July 31, 2021 (edited) Thanks for the encouraging words. The technique used on the roof was learnt from Scale Auto magazine, similar to what they used on a roof chop. On 7/26/2021 at 3:35 AM, Sam I Am said: How are you going to tackle the RHD? Hmm, could probably just cheat and do a custom dash. On 7/26/2021 at 10:48 AM, Steve H said: I’m guessing black for the body colour! LOL! more than likely, depends how the body work turns out. On 7/26/2021 at 10:31 PM, Belugawrx said: what have you decided for the paint work? Havent decided yet, but as mentioned above will probably end up black if I cant decide on another colour. Edited August 1, 2021 by Cool Hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cool Hand Posted July 31, 2021 Author Share Posted July 31, 2021 Before finalizing the roof, thought it would be best to sort out the bed first. So went to work modifying the interior tub. Before. First up removed the seat. Also removed spare tyre well Roughed in the bed walls, wheel tubs and new floor from sheet styrene. More sheet styrene used to fill on the tops around the bed sides. Still doing rough and fitting work, final finishing work will be done once all is sorted. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Lacy Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 What a fantastic idea! Nice work reworking the roof and very nice work cutting out the seat and scratch building all of the bed structure. Can’t wait to see more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatz4u Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 Luke, who makes the cutting tool?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cool Hand Posted August 1, 2021 Author Share Posted August 1, 2021 18 hours ago, Dennis Lacy said: What a fantastic idea! Nice work reworking the roof and very nice work cutting out the seat and scratch building all of the bed structure. Can’t wait to see more! Thank you very much Dennis, appreciate getting a comment from you. Im getting some inspiration from your wagon build as to what I can do for an engine. 17 hours ago, thatz4u said: Luke, who makes the cutting tool?? Border Model line engraver set. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted August 1, 2021 Share Posted August 1, 2021 Very clean OEM looking bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve H Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 Well…. You made that look easy didn’t you. Bed looks great. I’m going to have a look for one of those tools, I’m pretty sure I need one of those! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLHCAHZ Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 Amazing. Really clean work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misha Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocking Rodney Rat Posted August 3, 2021 Share Posted August 3, 2021 Yowza!!!! I'm REALLY liking this one. I like to see surgery and this one has the surgeons skill level to 11! Now you guys (you and ADL) have got me thinking of building one of these little wagons. I have an idea for one...hmmm...I actually have a really old original (?) issue that's kinda clapped out, so I'll get a new one.... -RRR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.