Roth Mysterion-inspired ‘34 show-truck

[bisc63]

Looks cool. It's gonna drink fuel, so I'd put a polished tank from a big semi truck in the bed, sort of a moon tank on steroids!

[chris chabre]

The ideas I have floating around in my head!!! Are you thinking about selling those wheels and tires by chance?

[CabDriver]

7 hours ago, afx said:

The FE in the AMT '60 Ford is very nice as well as the AMT '66 Comet.

 

Good tip, thank you!!  I’ll check those out!

5 hours ago, Rocking Rodney Rat said:

Kool project! I like those 3D printed tires. Your cab needs more chop, IMHO! -RRR

You know, I was stuck in my mind between doing a REALLY healthy chop, trying a subtle wedge chop, or doing a bunch of work for a chop that most people wouldn’t notice.  I ended up going for the last option, but with the East-coast cutting-the-rotten-bottom-4-inches off the body thing instead 🤪.  I was trying to think if a bubble-top would work on this, but decided it probably wouldn’t.  Or something more swept-back maybe?   So many build ideas - good thing my local HL never seems to go out of stock of these kits…

2 hours ago, bisc63 said:

Looks cool. It's gonna drink fuel, so I'd put a polished tank from a big semi truck in the bed, sort of a moon tank on steroids!

Big tank coming up!  There’s a bunch of space behind the rear axle, or above the driveshaft right behind the cab.  Haven’t quite figured out the coolest idea yet…

2 hours ago, chris chabre said:

The ideas I have floating around in my head!!! Are you thinking about selling those wheels and tires by chance?

They’re probably not mine to sell, I’m afraid…the designers of most of these files sell them for a coupla three bucks for personal use but not resale.  Wouldn’t be fair for them to spend dozens of hours designing them and then they only sell one ‘set’ (the file) for three bucks to whoever feels like printing a hundred of them.

That said, there’s some great vendors like @IceMan Collections who are good at working out deals with these designers and they’re a GREAT looking part so I’m sure they’ll end up on eBay or somewhere at some point…

 

Mini update seeing as I wrote War and Peace up there anyway already…I’d been working on how to print actual 3D louvres (complete with openings) for about 100 hot rod projects I’ve got in mind - finally got a set successfully printed after a few tries this evening:

They’ll need some clean-up before paint but not too much…and it’s worth it to have those ACTUAL open louvres rather than just bumps.  Super pleased with these!

This particular test piece is also the bed floor for the truck - drops in just like this:

They should actually be the other way around if there were cooling anything…but they’re just for looks and because I had the dumb idea to try and make them work…

You’ll have to peek inside the bed to actually see them anyway once the bed sides are on, but I’m pleased!

Thanks for looking - more soon!

[TooOld]

Whoa those louvers are nice , great work Jim !

[paul alflen]

Cab Driver, 1st time I've ever seen a open 3-d printer louver on anything! Great job! I can see now you are going to be A GREAT INNOVATOR FOR 3- D PRINTED PARTS! Thanks for the inspiration!

[Spex84]

On 2/14/2022 at 9:32 PM, CabDriver said:

They’re probably not mine to sell, I’m afraid…the designers of most of these files sell them for a coupla three bucks for personal use but not resale.  Wouldn’t be fair for them to spend dozens of hours designing them and then they only sell one ‘set’ (the file) for three bucks to whoever feels like printing a hundred of them.

You're a man of honor, I see As a designer of 3D parts I find it encouraging to hear this sentiment expressed. It's why I don't sell digital files...yet. Eventually 3D printers will become so ubiquitous that the tide will turn.

And dude, those louvers are spectacular!

[Mr. Metallic]

On 2/14/2022 at 10:32 PM, CabDriver said:

They should actually be the other way around if there were cooling anything…but they’re just for looks and because I had the dumb idea to try and make them work…

Those louvers aren't meant to bring air in for cooling, like a scoop. In old hot rods they were either meant to let hot air out of an enclosed space (engine compartment) or allow air flow through the body that develops at speed (air under the car getting trapped in the interior/trunk) So in this instance they would be allowing air that's trapped under the truck to escape and alleviate any lift it could cause at speed. 

That being said, that louvered panel is sick. Glad you got it tp print successfully. Now, if you could print it on a thin enough piece that would allow you to bend it slightly to make a trunk lid or roof side panels.

Just had a thought, what if you made another louvered panel for your roof insert?

Edited February 17, 2022 by Mr. Metallic

[Rusty92]

Looking really great so far. I might have to depart with some of my savings so I can purchase a printer. Work like this makes me want my own so bad. Everything looks killer on this build. 

[bobthehobbyguy]

Great use of new technology. Definitely a game changer. 

Its nice you can get files or design your own parts. Definitely fun watching this project come together.

[chris chabre]

LOVE IT!!! Im gonna have to find a source for those wheels and tires, last I knew Joel (Iceman Collections) isnt taking any custom orders

 

[CabDriver]

On 2/15/2022 at 5:17 AM, TooOld said:

Whoa those louvers are nice , great work Jim !

Thanks Bob!  Hope you’re doing well!

On 2/15/2022 at 5:36 AM, paul alflen said:

Cab Driver, 1st time I've ever seen a open 3-d printer louver on anything! Great job! I can see now you are going to be A GREAT INNOVATOR FOR 3- D PRINTED PARTS! Thanks for the inspiration!

Got a long way to go to learn this stuff…but it’s exciting!  Thanks for the kind words!

On 2/16/2022 at 12:25 AM, Spex84 said:

You're a man of honor, I see As a designer of 3D parts I find it encouraging to hear this sentiment expressed. It's why I don't sell digital files...yet. Eventually 3D printers will become so ubiquitous that the tide will turn.

And dude, those louvers are spectacular!

I hope, at some point, you consider selling your stuff - you have some BEAUTIFUL pieces that I’d love to try printing myself!  But you’re right, like anything digital it’s way too easy to pirate them right now.  

 

 

7 hours ago, Mr. Metallic said:

Those louvers aren't meant to bring air in for cooling, like a scoop. In old hot rods they were either meant to let hot air out of an enclosed space (engine compartment) or allow air flow through the body that develops at speed (air under the car getting trapped in the interior/trunk) So in this instance they would be allowing air that's trapped under the truck to escape and alleviate any lift it could cause at speed. 

That being said, that louvered panel is sick. Glad you got it tp print successfully. Now, if you could print it on a thin enough piece that would allow you to bend it slightly to make a trunk lid or roof side panels.

Just had a thought, what if you made another louvered panel for your roof insert?

Good insight - thank you!!  I can actually design these with the right curve to make a trunk or a hood or anything I guess - or design those parts from scratch and just make the louvres part of it.  It’s exciting that the idea worked though!  Lots more fun to be had with THIS trick now I know it’s possible!

4 hours ago, Rusty92 said:

Looking really great so far. I might have to depart with some of my savings so I can purchase a printer. Work like this makes me want my own so bad. Everything looks killer on this build. 

I’m super pleased with mine!  3D printing has a steep learning curve and if I didn’t know 2D design it would be a lot more limiting (plus I took a course in 3D stuff specifically to help learn some of what I needed)…but the potential is HUGE with this stuff!  There’s already multiple kits out there that you can download and print and have a ready-to-build full detail model kit printed the same day.  Incredible!

3 hours ago, bobthehobbyguy said:

Great use of new technology. Definitely a game changer. 

Its nice you can get files or design your own parts. Definitely fun watching this project come together.

Thanks Bob!

1 hour ago, chris chabre said:

LOVE IT!!! Im gonna have to find a source for those wheels and tires, last I knew Joel (Iceman Collections) isnt taking any custom orders

 

Here’s a link - might be worth contacting the guy to see if he’ll print and mail a set!

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/various/hot-rod-dirt-racing-wheels-tires-w-spinner

[CabDriver]

So, a little more progress today after a snowstorm got me sent home from work…

I really wanted to start work on the interior, but I’m not quite far along enough with the frame yet.  Got a floor roughed in as a starting point…

…and some risers made for those bomber seats…

But I really need to figure out what I’m doing with the engine and trans first.  I really want to use an FE block (the Mysterion that I’m referencing with the frame ran a couple of those and the kit comes with one so it seemed fitting) but this being such an old kit the detail isn’t the greatest.  I was stumped on what that transmission was meant to be too, until @Dennis Lacy pointed me in the right direction; it’s meant to represent a Ford toploader three-speed but doesn’t look close enough to one that I could figure that out.

A little 3D printing later and I’ve got something much more realistic to work with:

 

Needs some work still, but a much better starting point.  As for the block, I’m either going to have to pick up a kit with a better FE, or maybe try modifying a kit motor that I have already to backdate it to the right look.  Is the Revell 32 Ford motor an FE, does anyone know?  Got a tonne of those, but I’m not sure how close a 60s T-bird mill looks like a 90s Mustang mill.  Need to do some more research!

The more I add to this frame the crazier it looks - I love it so far!

Thanks for looking - more soon!

[chris chabre]

quickly becoming one of my favorite projects Jim!!!!! every update is more awesome than the last!

[Cool Hand]

Incredible talent being showcased with the use of the 3D technology, going to be very interesting to see all your future projects and how you incorporate the tech. 

[MeatMan]

Can't believe I haven't seen this build!

Great work on the 3D printing. The detail on your smaller parts is awesome. I haven't been able to make the smaller stuff work.

I love where the truck is going too.

[1930fordpickup]

This is still looking great.

With the engine in the 32 Ford from Revell, that is a small block 302.  Do you have the Revell Foose Ford truck kit ?  That has a nice engine also. 

[cobraman]

Good job on your parts, they look great !

[Phirewriter]

I really like were this is going! The louvered panel is a great touch as well! A one piece frame for the Mysterion would be a great time saver for building that kit, in addition to being much stronger than the multi piece assembly. I'll be watching with great interest.

  A printer is in my future as well, we're exploring this technology at the company I work for but on a bigger scale (indoor and outdoor signs) so hopefully I'll be able to utilize what I learn for my purposes. I'd like to be able to design my own stuff as well as utilizing existing files.

[CabDriver]

Thanks fellas!

On 2/19/2022 at 12:41 PM, 1930fordpickup said:

This is still looking great.

With the engine in the 32 Ford from Revell, that is a small block 302.  Do you have the Revell Foose Ford truck kit ?  That has a nice engine also. 

Thanks for the heads up - I did a BUNCH of research on Ford FEs this week - you’re right, that Deuce motor isn’t one 😂. I DO have the Foose kit, but I already robbed the motor out of that one…

On 2/19/2022 at 8:28 PM, Phirewriter said:

I really like were this is going! The louvered panel is a great touch as well! A one piece frame for the Mysterion would be a great time saver for building that kit, in addition to being much stronger than the multi piece assembly. I'll be watching with great interest.

  A printer is in my future as well, we're exploring this technology at the company I work for but on a bigger scale (indoor and outdoor signs) so hopefully I'll be able to utilize what I learn for my purposes. I'd like to be able to design my own stuff as well as utilizing existing files.

If I could’ve found a Mysterion parts kit I likely would’ve just used the frame from that and saved myself a BUNCH of work (or at least had a good starting point) but here we are 🤪. What kind of signs do you do?

 

This week’s project was mostly centered around the motor, seeing as that was holding everything else up.  I considered buying one of the AMT kits that has a better FE, but I really didn’t want to wait for one to show, and Hobby Lobby/Michael’s didn’t have anything useful.  So, I laid one out in software so I could print one:

I couldn’t find a good printable FE online, but I found some useful parts and robbed what I could and recreated what I couldn’t.  I wanted to use the kit oil pan and valve covers ideally so it took some figuring out to get this layout to proper scale AND have those AMT parts fit ok…a couple of elements are slightly off now as a result, but it’s WAY better than what the kit comes with.

First rack of parts right off the printer:

And some snipping, cleanup and curing later we’ve got something to work with:

Whilst that stuff was printing, I was thinking about battery boxes - I’d seen this cool design for a 50s Pepsi cooler that someone sells a file for online, and figured that would be a fun little detail.  I’ll paint it to match the  body, most likely, but if someone peers in close enough they’ll see what whoever built this thing repurposed a little cooler:

Next project was an ‘wooden’ insert for the roof - I had the idea of carrying the hole-theme through into a few other little details but mixing in some different materials and finishes…plus, I was thinking of how old aircraft wings are assembled with the slats and wanted something that looked like that, a little:

And in place:

Next major thing to figure out is the bed…I’m undecided if I’ll run a tailgate or leave that off, but I printed a quick design of one anyway to play with:

Tricky thing will be coming up with something that still looks RIGHT on top of that weird frame, but still ends up looking like a 34 truck…it’s a design challenge, but I like design challenges…

Quick end-of-week mock-up - now I know for sure how the engine and trans fit I can get to locking them in place and getting serious with the interior stuff:

Thanks for looking, more soon!

[1930fordpickup]

What about a tow truck boom in the bed? it would give you something else to print up also.  The Tail Gate is cool. Are the holes in the tail gate for 64 Ford taillights? 

The Roof insert looks great. Plends right in with the rest of the mods.

Edited February 21, 2022 by 1930fordpickup

[MeatMan]

The engine looks good. I've been working on a Y-block myself.

I've had to convince myself that it doesn't have to be perfect since its just for myself.

[mchook]

I love this build! The hole 3d printing thing is sooo amazing. I wish I could do something like this but I'm completely computer stupid. Like Andy (1930forpick) said, "What about a tow truck boom in the bed? it would give you something else to print up also." That would be cool, and if you need a boom to copy & print I would send you one. It's the wrong scale but maybe you could change it to the right scale. I don't know how it all works, or if that it even possible. Let me know if you're interested and I'll send it out.  Anyway great job and I can't wait to see more. Oh, and here's a pic of the tow boom.

 

[CabDriver]

22 hours ago, 1930fordpickup said:

What about a tow truck boom in the bed? it would give you something else to print up also.  The Tail Gate is cool. Are the holes in the tail gate for 64 Ford taillights? 

The Roof insert looks great. Plends right in with the rest of the mods.

 

13 hours ago, mchook said:

I love this build! The hole 3d printing thing is sooo amazing. I wish I could do something like this but I'm completely computer stupid. Like Andy (1930forpick) said, "What about a tow truck boom in the bed? it would give you something else to print up also." That would be cool, and if you need a boom to copy & print I would send you one. It's the wrong scale but maybe you could change it to the right scale. I don't know how it all works, or if that it even possible. Let me know if you're interested and I'll send it out.  Anyway great job and I can't wait to see more. Oh, and here's a pic of the tow boom.

Good idea fellas!  I’m not doing it for this one, but I’ve got a version of this kit sitting on the shelf waiting for exactly that treatment!  @mchook - that’s a really kind offer, but the kit actually COMES with a boom and parts to build it like that already!  I’ll probably do that one later in the year here

15 hours ago, MeatMan said:

The engine looks good. I've been working on a Y-block myself.

I've had to convince myself that it doesn't have to be perfect since its just for myself.

That sounds like a cool project - all this stuff is time consuming but it’s fun!  Makes me respect the people who are REALLY good at designing parts who sell their files - I’d always rather support one of them and buy something if it’s out there.  Pity I keep thinking of weird stuff that I have to develop myself 🤪

 

Mini update from this evening’s time at the bench - finished up the design for my bedsides and did a test print:

Also made motormounts and started a trans tunnel, but they’re not very interesting…  more soon!

[CabDriver]

So, I didn’t update this build for a while because I’ve just been cleaning up parts and designing little doodads and whatever and learning some stuff…but I figured it was time for an update anyway…

Got the body all cleaned up and into primer - I’m doing a paintjob inspired by the old trucks that the NYPD used back in the 30s.  I have no evidence that they ever used ‘34 Fords (they were much bigger, more like fire trucks generally) but they were green with gold lettering and I liked the idea that someone in the 60s found an old cab somewhere and built something Roth-inspired around it.

Military modelers use a trick where they pre-shade underneath their paint with different tones to give a simple paintjob a little more depth and realism, and because the Wicked Colors paint I’m using is a little translucent I can use that same trick to make this almost-90 year old paint look like it’s aged a little:

I’m not going for a patina’d look here, just really old but clean lacquer (or I guess enamel maybe?  Whatever they were using back in the day…)

Next up, twelve coats of Wicked green:

Followed by some lettering in Vallejo Old Gold:

Aside from the body, laid out a steering wheel design that I’d had in my head for EVER…

…and printed one of those (along with a dash, that I’ll get to in a later post…

Printed some B17 oxygen tanks to use as a gas tank:

Conveniently, these things came in dark green for certain applications, so they work with the color scheme and are unusual enough that I thought it would fit with the theme I’m going with here…

Oh, and I stumbled upon a new grill that caught my attention so I printed one of those too:

Finally getting to the point where there’s not much left to design on this thing (thank God - this was basically like designing a whole kit!) so it’s about time to start spraying some colors and doing some assembly.  More soon!

[Mattilacken]

Awesome project!! Incredible What can be made with some 3d skills and a printer! Think I have to get one of these for work😄