55 chevy 4x4

[erikwst]

I want to build a 55 chevy 4x4 pickup, I saw a 1:1 years ago and liked it. I've been through most of my parts kits and some of my unstarted kits and can't seem to find the axles or springs to raise it aprox 3 to 4 scale inches.

Anyone ever build something like this? What kit will have the best running gear?

thanks Erik West

[randx0]

unfortunately there aren't many good 4x4 kits most of the time scratch building is your best option.three or four inches suspension lift could easily be accomplished by extending the shackles and using risers on the leaf springs . plastruc or evergreen plastic strips should do the trick. if you need kit parts to get you started look for the revell mad mudder it hasn't been out for awhile but has some good parts. you could also try the amt ford pick up from model king or the amt ford bronco . also check out desert racing modellers site it is the best place for off road models.and don't forget to check out the military section of your local hobby shop as the 1/35th large trucks have tons of usable parts for an off road rig.hope this helps good luck! and welcome aboard.one more thing check out so real concepts they have some sweet wheels and some diecasts that may interest you ,you know for parts.

Edited October 30, 2009 by randx0

[buba39]

i have a crew cab 55 chevy pick up that uses the axles from the repop fall guy pickup you will have to cut the springs and move them so they will set even with the stock 55 frame

[Aaronw]

I built a '60 Chevy 4x4 a few years ago.

It wasn't really that hard, particularly if you are not too worried about being completely accurate. They were simple solid axle trucks with leaf spring suspension. I used a piece of brass tubing to make the front axle along with a resin differential. The transfer case was resin. The 1/2 ton trucks which is what the '60 chevy kit is used coil springs up front, but the 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks used leaf springs. I made the springs (front and rear) from styrene strips glued together. The front differential is usually off set unlike rear differentials, so if you take a rear axle out of another kit for the differential you will still need to make the axle to get the off set. The transfer case on those old trucks were pretty simple, you can probably cobble something together from styrene that looks close enough.

Yes I forget to paint the bottom of the cab, it has been taken care of.

[erikwst]

Aaron,

Very nice, I've managed to get 3.25 out of the suspension and found another 4 in a body lift

thanks for you help and input

Erik

I built a '60 Chevy 4x4 a few years ago.

It wasn't really that hard, particularly if you are not too worried about being completely accurate. They were simple solid axle trucks with leaf spring suspension. I used a piece of brass tubing to make the front axle along with a resin differential. The transfer case was resin. The 1/2 ton trucks which is what the '60 chevy kit is used coil springs up front, but the 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks used leaf springs. I made the springs (front and rear) from styrene strips glued together. The front differential is usually off set unlike rear differentials, so if you take a rear axle out of another kit for the differential you will still need to make the axle to get the off set. The transfer case on those old trucks were pretty simple, you can probably cobble something together from styrene that looks close enough.

Yes I forget to paint the bottom of the cab, it has been taken care of.