Resto Rod Autocar

[Gary Chastain]

Wow, this took a lot of time, engine mounts done, radiator/intercooler done, now build piping to connect intercooler to motor, then waterlines. Still got to finish steering. 

[BK9300]

Lots of time, yes, but look at the results!  Looking really good.

[Biggu]

That engine is like a jewel there.... sure is looking good, so far..... it will only get better from here..... I can't wait....

[Gary Chastain]

24 minutes ago, BK9300 said:

Lots of time, yes, but look at the results!  Looking really good.

 

5 minutes ago, Biggu said:

That engine is like a jewel there.... sure is looking good, so far..... it will only get better from here..... I can't wait....

Thanks guys, you both have been a big help, thanks

[Gary Chastain]

Mock-up time. I have two sets of fenders, round and flat. Which looks better?

[Biggu]

Heavy flat steel.....

[Old Buckaroo]

I vote round, flat fenders are normally affiliated with chipped up / rusty white wheels and day cabs.  Not nice looking polished wheels from the construction company's Ive seen.

My two cents

Edited December 4, 2024 by Old Buckaroo

[Gary Chastain]

Digging thru kits and parts I found these rear fenders, they kinda go with the front fenders.

[Scott Eriksen]

I like the round fenders Gary,,keeping with the "resto rod" theme 

[Gary Chastain]

6 hours ago, Scott Eriksen said:

I like the round fenders Gary,,keeping with the "resto rod" theme 

Kinda agree with you, loosing the Resto rod idea. 

[Gary Chastain]

I have been away for a few days driving 7 hours down to see my daughter and her family for Christmas and then drive 7 hours back before a snow storm hits us later today. But, 14 hours of windshield time gives a model builder tooooo much time to think. I am not quite happy with the Autocar, sssooooo gonna do some mock-ups tomorrow after I get some sleep. Stay tuned. 
 

oh, by the way, I thought of a couple more builds……….Squirrel 

[BK9300]

Seems like always more ideas than time to build them!

[Jürgen M.]

Yes, Gary, I know the feeling! Been in the road a lot too and now I've got so many ideas, I'll probably be busy with till end of 26!

I took would tend to the round fenders in this case since it's a resto rod. Just fits the Image better! Any other variation would look better with the other ones.

[Gary Chastain]

Well, Ihave totally lost my mind. I have not been happy with my build, it became to industrial and not enough hot rod. So it has been sitting while I figure out what to do. I am starting over with the frame , ordered some parts custom wheels, fenders that look more hot rod, lowered rear suspension and will make another try at it. 

[BK9300]

Going to be awesome - plans always have to be ‘dynamic’!

 

[Gary Chastain]

Will modify the front springs and build air bags for an air front suspension. Thanks Brian for sending that to me. This will allow me to adjust the ride height to match the rear lowered air springs  

[Pete68]

On 12/3/2024 at 3:22 PM, BK9300 said:

but look at the results! 

Exactly look at the labor of love. 

[Pete68]

Awesome updates Gary looks like you have this one going your way so far. Waiting for next session. 😂 

[Pete68]

18 hours ago, Gary Chastain said:

air front suspension

That will be cool Gary.  Back in 1991 I drove a Brand New Beautiful Peterbilt 379 that had a air ride front axle it was a little different than the old spring ride I was used to. I really didn’t like it because I couldn’t feel the road as much and actually rode a bit stiffer other like the 1989 Pete 379 I drove before that. 

[Gary Chastain]

41 minutes ago, Pete68 said:

That will be cool Gary.  Back in 1991 I drove a Brand New Beautiful Peterbilt 379 that had an air ride front axle it was a little different than the old spring ride I was used to. I really didn’t like it because I couldn’t feel the road as much and actually rode a bit stiffer other like the 1989 Pete 379 I drove before that. 

 I Have never ridden or driven an air front suspension. Drove old farm trucks when I was young, learned to drive a GMC crackerbox that rode like BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH, then a GMC General and a multitude of other trucks. I would imagine that the airbag mounted on top of the front axle would transmit a rough ride right to the frame, then driver. 

[Pete68]

10 minutes ago, Gary Chastain said:

rough ride right to the frame

Yes it did especially back in the eastern states where back then the roads were terrible. Very cool you rode in a Crackerbox always liked the looks of that truck but never really wanted to build a model of one. 

[Gary Chastain]

Some progress. Finally finished the steering up and it works (parts from the junk pile), all the chrome wheels are in the purple bath removing the crappy chrome. Starting to mount fenders but the air suspension is in the way, so custom aluminum locating rods being fabricated as I install. 

And….USPS has now lost the parts I ordered last week, so I am moving on with this build as is. 

[Pete68]

On 12/14/2024 at 1:39 PM, Gary Chastain said:

USPS has now lost the parts I ordered

What is the deal with them this year and it’s not just because of the Holiday season. I’m sorry to hear that Gary I’ll still be watching 

[Gary Chastain]

2 hours ago, Pete68 said:

What is the deal with them this year and it’s not just because of the Holiday season. I’m sorry to hear that Gary I’ll still be watching 

Thanks Lee, yup it is frustrating, so the plan now is just keep building with what I have. I bought another Autocar kit with the plan of another build with the idea of a lowered show truck with custom wheels. For now, just marching on. 

[Gary Chastain]

Making progress but really not photo worthy. Making all the brackets to mount fenders, the air suspension and fuel tanks are creating impedances. Got the wheels stripped and refinished, grill is stripped and ready for many modifications. Finish fenders and front brakes and chassis is ready for paint. Got to find room for air tanks yet.