"Sour Apple" Squarebody Chevy [or maybe GMC? ]

[Can-Con]

Started in depth on this one today. 

The truck was gifted to me by a friend who passed a couple years ago. Sat in limbo until now as I'm missing the stock bumpers, which another friend may have a set to replace them.

As you can see, she's a bit rough.

So far I've done a bit of cutting and a mockup with the wheels and tires to check the planned stance. Going with the fleetside bed as it will be 2-tone with the chrome trim separating the colors.
 Looks like all I'll be using from the original kit will be thee cab.

Edited January 14 by Can-Con

[ybsluos]

I like it Steve.  I’m sorry about your friend.  I restified a 63 Vette that came to me from a late friend.  It’s a nice way to honor our lost friends I think.  Also your buddy had done some nice blending of the flairs and the paint scheme and interior appealed to me.  It definitely looked more 80s era and your version is very current looking…..just the way many 1:1 vehicles and bikes etc. get updated.  That’s cool.  I’ll be watching this one.  -Mark

[Can-Con]

19 minutes ago, ybsluos said:

I like it Steve.  I’m sorry about your friend.  I restified a 63 Vette that came to me from a late friend.  It’s a nice way to honor our lost friends I think.  Also your buddy had done some nice blending of the flairs and the paint scheme and interior appealed to me.  It definitely looked more 80s era and your version is very current looking…..just the way many 1:1 vehicles and bikes etc. get updated.  That’s cool.  I’ll be watching this one.  -Mark

Yea, I think I remember Bob telling me it's from the very early '80s. 

I think he'd approve of what I have in mind.  ,, and he came off as a bit of a "sour apple" himself sometimes but he was a great guy when you got to know him. 

[TopherMcGinnis]

Nice Start!

I've got one in the long queue line here. My Uncle had a '78 Silverado that I absolutely LOVED. I've got the paint for when I get to it. This isn't a picture of his truck, but it was these colors. It had Keystones with Firestone Firehawk RWL tires. I've got a set of wheels too.

How do you plan to do the trim? Ive got a picture from an online parts supplier showing the trim in place. I'm not sure how to print it in 1:25 scale to pre bend styrene to make the trim.

[Spicychips]

Love that interior, just paint or is that diamond pattern raised?

[Zippi]

The changes are looking good Steve.  

[Can-Con]

13 hours ago, TopherMcGinnis said:

Nice Start!

I've got one in the long queue line here. My Uncle had a '78 Silverado that I absolutely LOVED. I've got the paint for when I get to it. This isn't a picture of his truck, but it was these colors. It had Keystones with Firestone Firehawk RWL tires. I've got a set of wheels too.

How do you plan to do the trim? Ive got a picture from an online parts supplier showing the trim in place. I'm not sure how to print it in 1:25 scale to pre bend styrene to make the trim.

Haven't really thought that far ahead yet.

[Can-Con]

7 hours ago, Spicychips said:

Love that interior, just paint or is that diamond pattern raised?

They are raised on the seating surfaces. I'm pretty sure those seats are from am old Revell van kit.

 

I won't be using any of that interior on this build.

[espo]

Wish someone would offer a new UpToDate version of these square body trucks. As a former owner of both a '74 and a '79 short bed step side body style I'd be a buyer for a few.  

[Can-Con]

2 hours ago, espo said:

Wish someone would offer a new UpToDate version of these square body trucks. As a former owner of both a '74 and a '79 short bed step side body style I'd be a buyer for a few.  

I'm bett'n Revell will be in the near future as a carry-on from the "Stranger Things" Blazer seeing the way the kit frame was layed out. 

[slusher]

Looking forward to see you work on this build Steve!

[Can-Con]

Been working on the frame mods. I "Z-ed" the back 1/2, removed the spare tire and made a new rear crossmember.

First I cut the frame apart on the diagonal, using the crossmembers as reference points to make the cuts the same on both sides.

The place where I cut was very thick. Gives me lots of gluing area but the drop would have been more then I wanted so I carefully cut a couple scale inches out of the diagonal so it would give me a more modest drop when glued back together.

Then the 2 parts fit snugly back on top of each other and I added a couple small squares of sheet plastic to strengthen the joint.

Compared to the old frame in black, you can se this gives me about a 6 scale inch drop and I could easily still use the stock rear axel and springs if I wanted. But I'll be using the C4 Vette rear end from the AMT '34 Ford hotrod under the back of this one.

Planned ride height when finished 

 

Edited January 14 by Can-Con

[slusher]

Looks good, Steve!   Do you have plans for the black frame?

[Can-Con]

17 hours ago, slusher said:

Looks good, Steve!   Do you have plans for the black frame?

Yup, The leftover parts will make an '84-ish GMC stepside. OR I might try to get an '86/'87 Chevy grille.

Either way, I have enough parts tp build another complete truck .

[slusher]

1 hour ago, Can-Con said:

Yup, The leftover parts will make an '84-ish GMC stepside. OR I might try to get an '86/'87 Chevy grille.

Either way, I have enough parts tp build another complete truck .

That’s good!

[Can-Con]

I now have the rear suspension sorted out. 

I added an extra crossmember to attach the center section to and cut the rear spring mounts off the frame and repositioned them to act as shock mounts.

I'll be de-chroming the plated parts before paint.

[Steve H]

Really nice work Steve. I like your approach to the back half, well played. Stance is KILLER. 

[Mattilacken]

Nice build! and nice work on the rear suspension.

[Can-Con]

Here's a mock-up of the frame and suspension up on wheels. Had to make a couple tweaks to the rear after taking the pics but I'm happy with it now. 

Also filled the holes in the hood and roof and doing the finish work on them.

A good buddy set me up with a couple printed LS engines and I'll be using one on this build.

Here's a closer shot of the custom valve/coil pack covers he did up for me.

A nice surprise as I didn't know he could even do something like that.

[Can-Con]

Did some more bodywork . 

Not quite finished with it but you get the ides.

I'll add the body side trim after I get the body to my likeing.

Seriously considering reworking those rear wheel opening lips, just doesn't look right to me. Doesn't match the front ones.
 

Edited February 7 by Can-Con

[slusher]

Nice body work and a nice set of wheel and tires…

[Can-Con]

Got the frame pretty well ready for paint. 

Smoothed it out pretty good, made a tubular tranny crossmember and relived some area on the inside of the frame for header clearance.

Also did a mold and cast a 4L-60 transmission copied from the Revell '99 Chevy pickup kit.

 

[Can-Con]

Chassis is almost done. Need to add the front uprights, make a steering rack and tie it all together so the wheels are poseable.

But anyway, here it is in color. Haven't decided on the shock color, leaning towards yellow. Also thinking about a very light beige for the engine and tranny. All that bare aluminum just doesn't do it for me.

[Can-Con]

Chassis is ready to go except for the shocks.

I know it looks severely low with the bodywork on but rest assured the ride height and wheel travel would be more than adequate for a few quick laps around a track or a spirited drive on a winding road.

Here's a look at my scratch made rack and steering linkage.

[1930fordpickup]

I am glad i looked at this build. Oozing of coolness.