MPC '82 Chevy Step 4X4

[Plowboy]

I know I shouldn't start another project. But, I've been wanting to build this old kit for a while. It's been in the stash for years! I'm going to keep it simple and just make a couple of changes. No details. Just a simple fun build. First thing, I sanded the body and filled in the cab corners. You can also see the bench seat peeking up in the back window. It's from a Monogram '77 GMC. 

I opened up the grille.

One thing I don't like about this generation Chevy stepside pickup is the location of the step in front of the rear fenders. To me, the bottom of the step should be at the bottom (or close to) the cab like the previous generation. 

One thing I really like about this kit is the wheels it comes with. One issue is they all four have the locking hub detail. But, that's an easy fix. I'll be stripping them and painting them aluminum. I'm undecided about the roll bar. I don't like them. But, the bed floor has four holes for it to locate to.

Suggestions and ideas welcome!

 

 

[Smoke Wagon]

Great work on that grille and the cab. Do you plan on adding a fuel tank for the driver side or leaving the kit chassis as is? 

[NOBLNG]

8 hours ago, Plowboy said:

Suggestions and ideas welcome!

It looks like the entire box is mounted too high. Top of bed rail is even or slightly below the door handle. It should be an easy fix for You.? The only suggestion I have is to use real chain for the  tailgate…I hate those molded plastic ones.?

[Mattilacken]

Nice build! Where is that grill from? 

[mikemodeler]

3 hours ago, Mattilacken said:

Nice build! Where is that grill from? 

That is the kit grille. He opened up the backside to give it more detail.

[Plowboy]

On 12/20/2021 at 6:34 PM, Smoke Wagon said:

Great work on that grille and the cab. Do you plan on adding a fuel tank for the driver side or leaving the kit chassis as is? 

Thanx Riley! I'm not planning on it. But, you got me thinking. 

[Plowboy]

On 12/20/2021 at 8:02 PM, NOBLNG said:

It looks like the entire box is mounted too high. Top of bed rail is even or slightly below the door handle. It should be an easy fix for You.? The only suggestion I have is to use real chain for the  tailgate…I hate those molded plastic ones.?

Actually, the cab is the problem. Or the rear of it is. I added. 080 to the bottom of it and got it up right where it should be. I also added .040 to the rear of the bed. It all lines up nicely now. Photos coming.

[Plowboy]

OK guys, here's the fix for the old Chevy. First, the. 080 on the rear of the cab.

The .040 on the rear of the bed. This was necessary to even up the gap between the cab and bed.

Big difference between before and after!

The body lines now match up much better!

One question. Were this generation 4X4's named C/20s? That's what it has on the fender badge. I was thinking half ton 4X4's were K/10s and the three quarter tons were C or K 20s. 

[NOBLNG]

4wd’s were k/10, k/20, or k/30 for 1/2, 3/4, or 1 ton ratings. C designated 2wd. It does look better now, but the box is still tilted back a bit and not parallel with the body line on the side of the cab.?

Edited December 22, 2021 by NOBLNG

[Smoke Wagon]

That body is sitting a lot better now. The mock-up is reminding me of the Chevy from Red Dawn. 

 

The MPC kit depicts a K10 (4 wheel drive half ton) stepside in Custom Deluxe trim. 

[NOBLNG]

I don’t think at this era, they had C or K on the fender badge. Just the trim level and weight class. From the LMC truck site:   https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-87-chevy-gmc/cc-1973-87-fender-emblems

Edited December 22, 2021 by NOBLNG

[Mattilacken]

Nice. I did not know that there was a Chevy stepside of that year. Have only seen gmc with the dual square lamps.

[Plowboy]

3 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

4wd’s were k/10, k/20, or k/30 for 1/2, 3/4, or 1 ton ratings. C designated 2wd. It does look better now, but the box is still tilted back a bit and not parallel with the body line on the side of the cab.?

That's confusing. That truck has the gas door on the passenger side. 

Thanx for the info Greg! I thought that's how it was with the Chevies. You're right about the bed. It does need to be raised a bit more.

[NOBLNG]

2 hours ago, Plowboy said:

That's confusing. That truck has the gas door on the passenger side. 

Thanx for the info Greg! I thought that's how it was with the Chevies. You're right about the bed. It does need to be raised a bit more.

Dual saddle tanks were likely an option.

Edited December 22, 2021 by NOBLNG

[Smoke Wagon]

Standard they came with one tank on the driver side. Dual saddle tanks were a popular option. What confuses me is that MPC tooled the chassis with just one tank and on the passenger side.

[Plowboy]

On 12/22/2021 at 10:35 PM, Smoke Wagon said:

Standard they came with one tank on the driver side. Dual saddle tanks were a popular option. What confuses me is that MPC tooled the chassis with just one tank and on the passenger side.

Me too. When I built an '84 GMC years ago, I filled in the lines on the bed and the gas door on the passenger side. I hadn't even looked at the chassis yet. Then when I did grab it, I thought I had filled in the wrong gas door! I don't know if I'll fix it on this model or not. I think the easiest fix would be to just add another tank and have dual tanks. The old Monogram Chevy has dual tanks IIRC.

[slusher]

My dad had a 77 Scottsdale and it had a gas cap the color of the truck.  Fleet side short wheel base. Most Chevy trucks had the filler on the drivers side with one tank..

[Smoke Wagon]

9 hours ago, Plowboy said:

The old Monogram Chevy has dual tanks IIRC.

You’re correct, it does. I can PM you a couple comparison photos of the kits’ different tanks if you’d like. I forgot if they look similar enough to just cut out a monogram tank and put it on the MPC chassis or not. 

[Plowboy]

On 12/24/2021 at 5:57 PM, Smoke Wagon said:

You’re correct, it does. I can PM you a couple comparison photos of the kits’ different tanks if you’d like. I forgot if they look similar enough to just cut out a monogram tank and put it on the MPC chassis or not. 

I have a couple in the stash. So, I can check 'em out. 

I added another .020 to the rear of the bed and it's now parallel with the cab. The line between the cab and bed looks perfect to my eye.

The .020 gave it a tail up attitude that I don't like on a 4wd. So, I gave the front end a .040 lift to level it back out. Hopefully, I'll be shooting primer soon.

[Zippi]

Looking pretty good there Roger.  

[NOBLNG]

Yeah, thats got her looking better!?

[Smoke Wagon]

The pickup is sitting just right now. Hope you had a good Christmas.

[slusher]

Great looking stance, Roger!

[Plowboy]

Thanx for the feedback guys! It took a while. But, I finally got the old Chevy in primer! The first coat showed that I still had some work to do on the cab. The roof had a dip with a ridge around it the shape of the sunroof. So, that had to be filled and sanded again. Both cab corners just below the belt line had to be fixed. The left side had a dip that needed to be filled. The right side had a hump that needed to be sanded down. 

I also got the engine, transmission and transfer case in primer. Just have to get the rest of it primered and ready for paint. I'm kinda thinking silver for the body and blue for the interior. But, not sure.

[Spottedlaurel]

Nice progress Roger.

I must get on and build another truck/pickup! I've added another couple to the stash this year.....