72 Ford sport custom slammed

[Marc1969]

Hello all. This is my first posting on the bench. I am doing a 72 Ford Sport custom, kit by Moebius. I have been watching anything on motortrend channel and all the car shows. Was going to just do this strait out of the box, but I started thinking. Then I went surfing to find some slammed inspiration and found a little beauty named EL DIABLO, which I believe is a 72 Ford. Well the light bulb came on and my take on the original was hatched. I’ve only built 7 1/2 auto models (1/2 was the gods laughing at me and my silliness), so lucky #9 was born. I never realized starting to model 16 months ago, I would take a perfectly good kit and cut it up so much. ***on a side note, this kit is top notch, great detail, minimal flash and great fit. Been a joy so far working with it. I can imagine building out of box would only have minor issues, if any. **** So here is my take on EL DIABLO. 
 

I’m lowering it to about 2mm from the ground, as going from 15-16 inch tire to a 22 inch tire. I started by tracing the frame on a piece of paper, making notes of mounting locations for body & bed. I mocked up a rear end with styrene, making sure it fell within Frame parameters, etc. cut and fabricated rear end o the frame. Not the cleanest looking, but I’m happy with it. I put some supports so I could set the diff/axle in place to mock up stance. Cut out the bed to fit tires. Cut out small areas as needed, as didn’t want to cut anything, if not necessary. I Fab’d the cage for the drive shaft and notched the cross member, in order to allow travel between parked and ride height. It’s obviously not going to go up & down, but trying to make it mechanically correct for once. I had to notch the bottom center of cab and open up the floor of the cab/tub. This will allow for the driveshaft to clear as it goes up & down.
I was planning on doing a 4 link suspension with air pads/cylinders and all the fixings that go with it. I have looked around and thought I could build it myself, so I did. I think it’s to scale and it actually moves, as I drilled and used paper clips to pin the stabilizing bars & the slot where it mounts to rear axle. Got an idea to make cylinders and will mount to rear axle. That’s all for now, thanks for looking, constructive comments encouraged. 
 

ps - apologies for the order of photos. 

[Marc1969]

[bisc63]

Good work. Looks like you're on target for your reference!

[Cool Hand]

This is the type of build I enjoy and like to see. Of to a good start with the frame work. 1:1 Inspiration will be a good motivater for sure.

[slusher]

Very cool project you have going…

[Bills72sj]

Nice fab work. I have learned that it is very time consuming. Following.

[NOBLNG]

Wow, if you’ve only built 7-1/2 models, then you certainly have done a lot of homework! Excellent realistic mods so far. Looking great!? 

[Marc1969]

On 4/8/2022 at 1:18 AM, bisc63 said:

Good work. Looks like you're on target for your reference!

Thanks, trying to go slow, enjoying this so much. Got an update coming

[Marc1969]

On 4/8/2022 at 4:29 AM, Cool Hand said:

This is the type of build I enjoy and like to see. Of to a good start with the frame work. 1:1 Inspiration will be a good motivater for sure.

Thanks, update coming

[Marc1969]

On 4/11/2022 at 10:11 PM, slusher said:

Very cool project you have going…

Ty

[Marc1969]

On 4/11/2022 at 11:45 PM, Bills72sj said:

Nice fab work. I have learned that it is very time consuming. Following.

I have a plan, but trying to be patient and think it out before making a cut or change. Ty

[Marc1969]

22 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Wow, if you’ve only built 7-1/2 models, then you certainly have done a lot of homework! Excellent realistic mods so far. Looking great!? 

Thanks a lot, appreciate it. Truth be told I also did 2 armored and 2 planes and a small boat. Autos are where I found my niche. Yes lots of research and homework. Really enjoying the customizing. I have viewed some of your stuff and you are really talented. The mudder you built is bad ass, I think it was a jeep rubicon, but might be wrong. Really good motivation  for me to strive for. 

[NOBLNG]

Why thank you in return for the compliments Marc. I certainly don’t hold a candle to some of the extremely talented folks on here. They are my inspiration and although I’ll never have an award winning paint job, I am having fun with it and that is what this hobby should be all about.

[Marc1969]

Sooooo, here is my latest update on my project. I have gained a whole new appreciation for scratch builders. I guess I’m doing some scratch building, modifying for sure. I never realized the time that goes into this hobby. I have made some progress, but it’s SLOWWWWW. I’m cautiously working and spending a lot of time just looking at it and getting my plan set in my head. I’m not a fly by the seat of your pants kind of guy, so trying not to have to do anything twice. This is very satisfying, but anxiety filled when making some cuts to certain important parts of the truck.

anyways, got the front end of the truck modified. Narrowed bumper, made grill and light one piece. Cut out the hood vents and added hood supports and primed( Going to frame out grills for the vents & install metal mesh). I have Fab’d the interior center console, dash and made door panels. I am using the bucket seat from kit and adding the center & seat cushions & vent grill. Embossing will go down for carpet, painted Italian red. Interior is going to be Ferrari red leather by gravity colors(Spain). 
primed the 5.2L ford voodoo engine and will be cramming it into the engine compartment. Couldn’t find the Coyote engine in the 1:1, as I the whipper blower I foundwouldn’t fit right. Had this for a GT4, so said WTH and putting it in. 
The rear tubs are done, just not welded in place. The bed is not going to follow the 1:1, as I want tho try to incorporate a real wood bed. Got the air ride kit accessories and will be installing. Finally got the front end frame notched and ind air ride mounts  set. Got some play to get stance just  just right, but that won’t be done for a bit.

That’s all for now, MODEL ON…

[Marc1969]

[Marc1969]

[slusher]

Great modifications, your interior looks like your inspection picture and the hood. Nice progress…

[dino246gt]

Great project! Looking good!

[Marc1969]

On 4/29/2022 at 1:57 AM, slusher said:

Great modifications, your interior looks like your inspection picture and the hood. Nice progress…

Thanks for the look & comments

[Marc1969]

On 5/2/2022 at 12:56 PM, dino246gt said:

Great project! Looking good!

Thanks for looking

[beeRS]

Loving that slammed look. Keep it going with this cool project. 

[CarbonNglass]

Ok so I have been seeing this on a bunch of scratch built pieces.  But my question is what are you using to pin the 4link together?  I'm assuming that it has movement to it still?  I'm going to be starting a custom Ford as well and wanting to make sure I have some ducks in a row.

[cobraman]

There's some great work going on around here.

[Marc1969]

6 hours ago, CarbonNglass said:

Ok so I have been seeing this on a bunch of scratch built pieces.  But my question is what are you using to pin the 4link together?  I'm assuming that it has movement to it still?  I'm going to be starting a custom Ford as well and wanting to make sure I have some ducks in a row.

I just used a paper clip and snipped it  on each side after sliding thru the drilled holes and the loop at top of the stabilizing bar. For me, it allowed me get it set and move a bit to set, to anchor to the frame. The ones I did were my first attempt, so I think they could be done a little cleaner, but not going backwards. 

iceman collections and mypartsbox420 on eBay, sell some great aftermarket items, especially the lowered suspension items.

I saw someone make the independent suspension arms on the front by bending wire/paper clip to shape with a loop at the top of the arm, to fit the strut(top & bottom). Then bent the ends 90 degrees and slid ends into round hollow stock, that can me mounted to frame. The arms float up and down nicely. I bought the front kit already, and compared the 2 and wire seemed a little thin, but think it works and would be to scale.

Iceman collections sells a universal lowered frame that is adjustable in length and comes with entire suspension parts, bags and brakes, if you want to spend 30 bucks and make it easy on yourself. 

 

[Marc1969]

2 hours ago, cobraman said:

There's some great work going on around here.

Thank you sir