1977 Ford Motor Home

[Oldmopars]

I recently picked up 2 of the Coke Ford Vans. My plan for one of them is a motor home. 
My plan is a 175 in wheel base and about 24ft total length. 
I started by cutting the frame. I used 1-2-3 blocks to keep it all square. I extended it 2 inches to reach 175 scale inch. 
I cut the cab behind the doors at the rear door line. From all the pictures I can find, this seems to be the right spot. 
I am using wheels/tires from Scenes Unlimited. 
I have not decided if it will have a full interior or not. 
Here is the progress. 
 

[EngineerBob]

Good start, looks just like a bare motorhome chassis as delivered. What are you going to use to make the motorhome?

[Zippi]

Looking pretty sharp so far Scott.  I like your 123 blocks.  I retired a year ago and was a CMM programmer.   I used them all the time on my setups.   

[Oldmopars]

2 minutes ago, EngineerBob said:

Good start, looks just like a bare motorhome chassis as delivered. What are you going to use to make the motorhome?

I am not 100% sure yet what to do the box out of. I have a lot of just flat sheet styrene, but I plan to see if I can fine some textured styrene sheets that would look right. I may be looking at Rail Road siding or something like that. 
Let me know if you know of anything that would work. 

[Oldmopars]

6 minutes ago, Zippi said:

Looking pretty sharp so far Scott.  I like your 123 blocks.  I retired a year ago and was a CMM programmer.   I used them all the time on my setups.   

I work on Water Jets and I need them for doing different calibrations. Figured they would work for this too. 

[cobraman]

Cool project !

[EngineerBob]

18 hours ago, Oldmopars said:

I am not 100% sure yet what to do the box out of. I have a lot of just flat sheet styrene, but I plan to see if I can fine some textured styrene sheets that would look right. I may be looking at Rail Road siding or something like that. 
Let me know if you know of anything that would work. 

I've been thinking about building a vintage looking COE Motorhome and haven't come up with the motorhome portion yet myself. I considered the vintage motorhome model kit but they're pretty pricey. I also considered making the 'box' from scratch from textured styrene siding but didn't think I could get the details, windows, vents, etc, just right. I'm keeping my eye open for something unconventional to start with such as a toy trailer or a trailer christmas ornament or something. I'm looking forward to what you come up with. By the way, checkout an old post here, "Ford 1941 COE camper hauler" to see a scratchbuilt motorhome/hauler.

[Smoke Wagon]

That’s a great project. Another c class camper was done a while back on the forum, but it used a Dodge B van cab and chassis. Are you planning to use the engine that came in the Ford van kit or are you planning on swapping in a 460? 

[Oldmopars]

4 hours ago, Smoke Wagon said:

That’s a great project. Another c class camper was done a while back on the forum, but it used a Dodge B van cab and chassis. Are you planning to use the engine that came in the Ford van kit or are you planning on swapping in a 460? 

I have not found a 1/25 kit with a correct 460 yet. I am told none exists. So, unless I find something, or maybe see if there is a resin option, the stock small block will have to do. 

[iamsuperdan]

Awesome project! 

[hct728(Bob)]

Neat project! Check out Evergreen Plastics #4530 Corrugated Metal Siding, just slightly smaller profile than the side panels of the Open Road Camper kit. And 0.040" thickness is just right for a rigid side wall and it's smooth on the inside. Evergreen also has nice corner strips available too for securing the edges..

[Oldmopars]

Perfect, thank you. I ordered some. 

[Smoke Wagon]

18 hours ago, Oldmopars said:

I have not found a 1/25 kit with a correct 460 yet. I am told none exists. So, unless I find something, or maybe see if there is a resin option, the stock small block will have to do. 

Fair enough. One would think it would at least be available in resin. There’s a 1/24 scale 460 in the Revellogram ‘91 F-250, but it’s an EFI engine. 

[Modelbuilder Mark]

Cool project, ready to follow.

[Kit Karson]

Very interesting approach... I'll be watching over your shoulder, OK? -KK

[leafsprings]

22 hours ago, Oldmopars said:

I have not found a 1/25 kit with a correct 460 yet. I am told none exists. So, unless I find something, or maybe see if there is a resin option, the stock small block will have to do. 

The 429, introduced in 1969 cars, is in the same engine family as the 460.  Wonder if there are any car kits with the 429?  Here is a "cutaway" chassis photo.

[Jordan White]

On 9/21/2021 at 7:23 PM, leafsprings said:

The 429, introduced in 1969 cars, is in the same engine family as the 460.  Wonder if there are any car kits with the 429?  Here is a "cutaway" chassis photo.

The AMT 1973 Cougar Street Machine comes with an optional 429 engine, and it is also 1/25 scale.

[mchook]

My father drove a 77 1 ton Ford van when I was young and it had a 351 Windsor in it. My friend had a 1 ton that had a 300 6 cylinder too. Just more options to aggravate you.? Oh ya, great project, I'll be watching.

Edited September 23, 2021 by mchook
forgot text

[Oldmopars]

Thank you all. I have ordered the Evergreen and now I wait. 
All of the 429 engines I have seen are of the Cobra Jet style with the big valve covers. I am sure Ford never put one of those in a van. So, I think 351 it is. 

[Tom Geiger]

You gotta do the full interior!  It’s not all that difficult since everything is straight lines. I did the Dodge van trailer and have a 51 Chevy camper half done in my pile!

[SuperDave]

Boss 429 was in that MPC Cougar mentioned above, while a good 429 Cobra Jet can be found in the Revell '70 Torino kit.

[Oldmopars]

Well, I now have the sheet plastic for the camper box. I also just got a Lincoln kit that has a MEL, that could be as large as a 462. I may put that in as I plan on a Boss 429 in the Lincoln. 
BTW, the new 70 Galaxie kits (cop and taxi) both have a Boss 429 engine in them. The 351 may find its way into the 70 Galaxie. 

[vincen47]

This one is right up my alley. Great progress thus far. It’ll be a nice build, I’m sure.

[slusher]

interesting project. I am definitely on board sir..

[deuces wild]

On 9/19/2021 at 7:01 PM, Oldmopars said:

I recently picked up 2 of the Coke Ford Vans. My plan for one of them is a motor home. 
My plan is a 175 in wheel base and about 24ft total length. 
I started by cutting the frame. I used 1-2-3 blocks to keep it all square. I extended it 2 inches to reach 175 scale inch. 
I cut the cab behind the doors at the rear door line. From all the pictures I can find, this seems to be the right spot. 
I am using wheels/tires from Scenes Unlimited. 
I have not decided if it will have a full interior or not. 
Here is the progress. 
 

Gotta love them 1,2,3" blocks.... I have a few sets of those.....?