I'd like a bit of input from guys who build Customs

[Guest Mustang3.8]

I like your idea, Nick. I would leave the top as is, lower the the suspention, add white wall tires, keep the wooden bed sides, and add stacks. If you need a set, I have the ones from my Little Red Express Dodge.

[Outspoken]

I've got a idea for a custom brewing in my head and I'd like some input from the custom builders here, I've never built a custom by any strech of the mind.

Below is a sketch of the Idea's I have,

this is a stock '53 ford, if you look at this and the above picture you'll notice some things I've taken into consideration.

What do you really care...........you'll just botch the build and then whine and cry when the flaws get pointed out.

The thing your best at is hosing people on trades.

[Jordan White]

What do you really care...........you'll just botch the build and then whine and cry when the flaws get pointed out.

The thing your best at is hosing people on trades.

[Nick Winter]

Nick I looked over your idea, (a good one BTW), & read all the replies while thinking everything over.

One thing to keep in mind is, what is going to best fit the design ideas you have & give you the best theme?

The photo Mike posted of Chip Fosse's customized 56 F-100 is an excellent example of this. Further perusal of the truck at Chip's site gives more input.

The "basics" of customizing, (chopping, channeling, sectioning, shaveing trim & the like), work across all customizing era, from 50's style taildraggers to modern interpretations like Chip's truck.

It's when you get into the little nuances & details one does to make their work unique are where the idea of a theme to base it around comes into play.

An example is the Boss 429 you mentioned in your build. That engine doesn't really fit the theme you have with the skinny Firestones, steelies & baby moons. If you want to go that route with the tires & wheels, a rodded version of the kit's flathead, (hop up parts from an AMT 49 Mercury will drop right on that 53 flathead block), a Ford Y Block, (as found in the AMT 56 & 57 Fords, the 56 even offers a nice dual 4 BBL option), an early Hemi, (like the DeSoto one in the 53 F-100), or a rodded Cadillac, (Revell 49 Mercury, AMT 49 Ford, Revell Parts Pack), are some better options for that wheel/tire combo. If you wanted a more modern or more powerful engine in it, then rims like on Foose's truck or similar would fit that theme better. Oddly enough, the more modern rims will work nicely with the rodded engine choices I mentioned! It seems that up to date rims work with different combos more than up to date engines/drivetrains do.

A great option to consider for parts along these lines is the recently reissued AMT 1925 Model T. Wide WW tires, a choice of chrome reversed rims or full moon style wheelcovers, & a rodded Lincoln engine with a choice of three carbs, or a Latham blower with 4 single carbs, that would be a good way to go, & all those parts are in that kit.

With the idea that you have for this truck, to me it just seems to have more of a 50's/early 60's custom vibe than a more modern one, thus I'd consider abandoning the Boss 429 idea for something along the lines of what I mentioned.

Now, onto the body modifications, other than the wood sides. A top chop always works, looks good on 53-56 F-100's, & is relatively easy to attempt on this kit. Get some 3 MM tape, (in 1/25 scale, 3 MM is almost exactly 3 scale inches), & use that for your cutting guide. Align the tape where it's going to work best on the chop, (a hint here, on that cab, you can cut below the rear window, leaving it stock height, & still get a nice chop), & cut along the top of the tape first. Once you've cut the rook off, then cut along the bottom edge of the tape & remove the amount to be chopped. Make sure all your cuts are straight & even, realign everything, & reattch the roof.

I wouldn't recommend sectioning the body on this one, as that can be a bit daunting if you've never attempted it before, espcially since you have to work around the molded in front fenders, & decide if the pick bed, (& possibly the rear fenders as well), would need sectioning also.

If you need any other ideas, input or advice on this, let me know!

Thanks Mark, the tires were the first name I thought of.

As for the engine i'm limited to a 429 boss, a 390, and that's it I think.

Edited April 21, 2010 by Dukefan69'

[Nick Winter]

The 390 will actually work ok, if you look at the build as something of an early 60's custom, as it's the same basic engine externally as the 352 & 406, (being from the FE engine line from Ford), so it would work for that era/theme.

Ok A 390 It is.

[MikeMc]

I chuckle on the suicide doors on these Effies...

When I did this one ...(Nick...check out the chop)I wanted some custom touches, Chopped lid, Reversed Hood, Suicide Doors, Lowered, Big Rubber, and a monster motor The suicide doors will be reversing a door handle in the mirror hole, mirror is moved inside.....look!!

Nick...I like the idea of a 429 in this one...this body is meant for the Big Wide Motors...like the 429 and the SOHC

this picture shows both motors side by side...the carbs are different..I love the SOHC so thats my choice. and if you are using a 390...

whats a few inches among friends

Edited April 21, 2010 by MikeMc

[Chuck Most]

The thing your best at is hosing people on trades.

You're. The thing YOU'RE best at is hosing people on trades.

Now, back to the matter at hand...

I'm not sure about the stake bed on a custom, but it just might work. I'd also say the top needs to be chopped- maybe three or four scale inches. I'd lower it, as well. How much kind of depends on whether you want it to represent a custom truck that still 'works for a living' or not. I'd definitely go with orange for the cab.

Man- I am still not sure on the stake sides, but a flatbed would certainly be cool. Then again, I'd really need to see the actual buildup with the stake bed before I could cast a final verdict.

[Nick Winter]

Dude Ive agreed with a couple of your points but you're CROSSING THE LINE HERE!!! If your issues w/ Harry and possible other "certain members" then keep it to that but leave the kid outa it......... he's working on his rep and his skills are improving everyday.

If you do have issues you aint gonna get taken seriously like this. Just CHILL and adress things like an adult!

Nick -- sorry for puttin that ^^^ in your thread. Im proud that you searched out advise prior to gettin in over your head. The biggest thing to remember when building a custom (wether in scale or 1;1) is to start small ... take baby steps (no offense) and get used to each mod (and the consequenses) one at a time and take yer time. Ive done A LOT of customizing (aka whacking, hacking, and thrashing) so if u need / want any pointers on the execution lemme know the situ and I'll attept to assist.

What needed inmproved on my trading rep, I've never screwed anyone before, I've gotten screwed twice, but my end always leaves. Well, I'm going to finish my current rig before I move to this one, but I'm only 2 springs 4 a arms and a crossmember away from beeing done my chevy, ooops I forgot spindles, how could I forget spindles, anyway, I'll still have to strip the truck, and dig for parts, but I'm going to start by removing the trim and smoothing it, after that I may fill the line between the windsheild and roof top, that will be done regardless of if I chop it or not.

You're. The thing YOU'RE best at is hosing people on trades.

Now, back to the matter at hand...

I'm not sure about the stake bed on a custom, but it just might work. I'd also say the top needs to be chopped- maybe three or four scale inches. I'd lower it, as well. How much kind of depends on whether you want it to represent a custom truck that still 'works for a living' or not. I'd definitely go with orange for the cab.

Man- I am still not sure on the stake sides, but a flatbed would certainly be cool. Then again, I'd really need to see the actual buildup with the stake bed before I could cast a final verdict.

if I do go with a Flathead, I'll have problems, considering I don't have a Flathead, it will represent a 'works for a living' truck, infact I will be making some crates and even adding oranges to them.

[highway]

if I do go with a Flathead, I'll have problems, considering I don't have a Flathead, it will represent a 'works for a living' truck, infact I will be making some crates and even adding oranges to them.

Nick, I think you misread that, I didn't see Chuck say anything about a flathead, he said a flatBED would be cool.

[Nick Winter]

Nick, I think you misread that, I didn't see Chuck say anything about a flathead, he said a flatBED would be cool.

I'll be damned I must be blinded by all the talk of flatheads.

Nick, i was'nt refering to your trading rep, just your rep in general which has been on the upswing. Don't tell me your gonna get mad at me for sickin up fer ya now is ya??

Ok and no I was just curious to what you meant.

[Nick Winter]

Something like this Chuck? keep in mind I did this quick and slopily,

[Hornistfuller]

something like this?

just a 20 min sketch

[Nick Winter]

something like this?

just a 20 min sketch

That's pretty cool.

[Hornistfuller]

why thank you. ^-^