First time modeling

[WayfromSmoke]

Hey guys I’m new to modeling and building an AMT lighting. I jumped into it full force and it’s slowly moving forward I molded the rear(still cleaning up) and bought a iceman v1 frame… I’m going to do away with most of the sub chassis that the model comes with and use sheet plastic to go under the body … I also had to use the “engine cover”🤣 so the height of the intake wouldn’t be a problem i have to trim out inner fender on the front still and the suspension is just mocked up not glued…any and all advice is welcome and yes I know I’m over my head for my first project 🤣🤣

Edited September 5 by WayfromSmoke

[NOBLNG]

Welcome to the forums Johnathan. That is an ambitious initial project, but you will find everyone here very helpful. Just ask and someone will eventually chime in. One bit of advice I can give you is don’t get too hung up on making everything perfect. Just try to improve a bit with each new project.

Edit: Check out the “How do I search for answers already posted here” in the Q&A section.

Edited September 5 by NOBLNG

[WayfromSmoke]

Thanks! Figure if I get ambitious on this I’ll get all mistakes done🤣

[TopherMcGinnis]

Welcome to the hobby! The main thing is to HAVE FUN! Each build is practice for the next one. 

[johnyrotten]

Cool looking build and welcome to the forum. 

[Can-Con]

I applaud your guts for jumping in both feet. Don't get discouraged if you make a mistake along the way, remember it's just plastic and you can always change it. I do it all the time.

Over the years I've come to like building modified pickups and other customs best myself so I'll definitly be watching and cheering you on. 👍

[Mark W]

First build? Nice!

[Zippi]

Welcome to the forum Johnathan.  At a boy, that's the way to get after it 👍

[MeatMan]

Welcome Johnathan!

[Valvefloat]

Welcome and enjoy all the great resources Model Cars Mag site has.

[WayfromSmoke]

Thanks for the encouragement guys! 

[customline]

It looks like you're off and running already, Johnathan. Is there an "inspiration"  truck or are you shooting from the hip? Where are you going with this build? What's the plan?

[WayfromSmoke]

Honestly I’m a ford truck guy so I figured my first model should be a ford truck🤷🏻‍♂️ then the body style is my favorite one from the “fuel injection era” as I call it lol and I’m a low rider guy at heart so the bagged and bodydropped look is what I’m going for… I guess it’s somewhat from the hip honestly… I’m just doing to it somewhat what I’d do in real life I guess… I just bought the amt 1978 f100 so I’m going to try and mimic my 1:1 truck without the dents and such 🤣 so I guess that one will have inspiration it’s lowered now too 

[Lemcoplasticworks]

Nice start! Can't wait to see it finished 🔥

[meechum68]

Looking good! Let's see how this goes! 

[Mattblack]

Looking good. The thing with modeling is you can always flip back and forth, from a detailed/modified build to a simple curbside if you feel you're getting bogged down.

[WayfromSmoke]

On 9/27/2025 at 2:39 AM, Mattblack said:

Looking good. The thing with modeling is you can always flip back and forth, from a detailed/modified build to a simple curbside if you feel you're getting bogged down.

I’ve already got 2 more models lol 😂 

[bytownshaker]

Welcome to the forum, that interesting project your building.

[Geno]

Welcome Jonathan, looks great so far. Just enjoy and have fun. Sometimes you can get too hung up and it can take the fun out of it. Experiment also, you'll be surprised at what you can do. Now go kick some butt. You got this.💯👍😎

Edited October 11 by Geno

[WillyBilly]

On 9/10/2025 at 4:11 PM, WayfromSmoke said:

Honestly I’m a ford truck guy so I figured my first model should be a ford truck🤷🏻‍♂️ then the body style is my favorite one from the “fuel injection era” as I call it lol and I’m a low rider guy at heart so the bagged and bodydropped look is what I’m going for… I guess it’s somewhat from the hip honestly… I’m just doing to it somewhat what I’d do in real life I guess… I just bought the amt 1978 f100 so I’m going to try and mimic my 1:1 truck without the dents and such 🤣 so I guess that one will have inspiration it’s lowered now too 

 

The good thing is that kit offers 2- or 4-wheel drive choices

Edited Monday at 11:40 AM by WillyBilly

[WayfromSmoke]

4 hours ago, WillyBilly said:

The good thing is that kit offers 2- or 4-wheel drive choices

Yessir 2wd for me 

[Sledsel]

On 9/10/2025 at 4:11 PM, WayfromSmoke said:

Honestly I’m a ford truck guy so I figured my first model should be a ford truck🤷🏻‍♂️ then the body style is my favorite one from the “fuel injection era” as I call it lol and I’m a low rider guy at heart so the bagged and bodydropped look is what I’m going for… I guess it’s somewhat from the hip honestly… I’m just doing to it somewhat what I’d do in real life I guess… I just bought the amt 1978 f100 so I’m going to try and mimic my 1:1 truck without the dents and such 🤣 so I guess that one will have inspiration it’s lowered now too 

That kit has the camper special bed which is incorrect for your build. Contact Section 8 Hobbies for a standard 8' bed.

Edited Thursday at 04:09 PM by Sledsel

[WayfromSmoke]

41 minutes ago, Sledsel said:

That kit has the camper special bed which is incorrect for your build. Contact Section * Hobbies for a standard 8' bed.

You mean the little box on the side of the passenger bed? I plan to do away with that using putty and a little sanding… I haven’t had the chance to really dig in and check out the parts though does it actually have a box in it or just the door on the bed side? I build at my brothers house so the kit isn’t accessible at the moment

 

and thanks for that site I’ll be ordering from them regardless a few things I want 😂😂

Edited Thursday at 01:07 AM by WayfromSmoke

[Sledsel]

15 hours ago, WayfromSmoke said:

You mean the little box on the side of the passenger bed? I plan to do away with that using putty and a little sanding… I haven’t had the chance to really dig in and check out the parts though does it actually have a box in it or just the door on the bed side? I build at my brothers house so the kit isn’t accessible at the moment

 

and thanks for that site I’ll be ordering from them regardless a few things I want 😂😂

The wheelbase is longer on the camper special. Frame is the same though. Attached are photo's to help.

The Section 8 beds are nice and can be ordered with or without trim. I bought several.

Edited Thursday at 04:13 PM by Sledsel

[WayfromSmoke]

1 hour ago, Sledsel said:

The wheelbase is longer on the camper special. Frame is the same though. Attached are photo's to help.

The Section 8 beds are nice and can be ordered with or without trim. I bought several.

Oh snap learned something new I always thought they as same length bed thanks man!!!