1981 Chevrolet C20

[BigBlockLyle]

Hey guys, this is a project that I started about 3 years ago. I started with an 84 GMC kit minus all the 4x4 parts. I cleaned the cab up, found the correct grille, corrected the dash, working on correcting the door panels. Then this project sat dormant for about a year and a half, until a fellow member here, send me the second bed I needed for the LWB conversion. For this I used the tutorial from Terry Jesse. For the suspension up front, though it may not be correct, I stole it from a Lil Red Express that I got from another member here, since mine was a 2 wheel drive. I got to looking through my wheel box and I found a set of aluminum style mag wheels that are 8 lug, fitting for a 3/4-1 ton truck, and decided to use them. I think this truck is coming along really well, and the 1:1 would be very happy to see this being built. Well, enough blabbering, on with the pics.

Here it is when I first got the resin grille for it. Thank you Cargostar.

Start of the doorpanel correction, corrected tailgate band, painted grille, and front bumper (found a chrome one to replace painted one)

First attempt at correct dash.

Another body mockup.

Then it sat dormant in a box for a while.

Edited January 11, 2011 by BigBlockLyle

[BigBlockLyle]

Then after the first of the year, I pulled it out and did the LWB conversion. Thank you Mr. Chevelle for the second bed and thanks to Terry Jesse for his great tutorial.

Terry Jesse's Longbed Conversion Tutorial

Work started on the conversion.

Finished the bed, and mockup.

[Tumbler75]

Lookin' great! I can't wait to see more on this awesome build. Don't let it sit so long next time. Keep up the great work!

[BigBlockLyle]

Then I proceeded to correct the frame for the added length of the longbed. Made the parts from styrene that happened to match the frame when doubled up.

My next project on this was the dash. Somewhere in between the the last time I had done anything with it and now, it had disappeared, luckily I had a second dash in my parts box. I redid the dash to look like the 81-87 truck dash or the 81-91 Suburban and Blazer dash.

And finally a mockup with the new wheels and tires.

[BigBlockLyle]

And finally the 1:1. Istead of posting a ton of pics, I'll post my YouTube video.

[mikemodeler]

That is coming along great and nice to see a long bed. Sure would be nice if Round2 would reissue the Fall Guy truck as I have some projects I would love to do.

Have you thought about having the bed cast by one of the resin guys? Not sure what it would take to cast it but I would think it could be done easily enough. There was someone selling a resin long bed but from what I remember it was a real rough casting that needed a ton of work.

Keep the pictures coming!

[kerc]

This is my favorite Chevrolet truck design ever. The side window shapes and lack of trim around them, the concave section around the body, the serious (and not angry) look of the grille and lights...These pickups have a graceful design that unfortunately many people overlook.

This is gonna be sweet.

Edited January 11, 2011 by kerc

[BigBlockLyle]

That is coming along great and nice to see a long bed. Sure would be nice if Round2 would reissue the Fall Guy truck as I have some projects I would love to do.

Have you thought about having the bed cast by one of the resin guys? Not sure what it would take to cast it but I would think it could be done easily enough. There was someone selling a resin long bed but from what I remember it was a real rough casting that needed a ton of work.

Keep the pictures coming!

I know, I wish they would re-release them too, I would buy a case of them at least.

Yes, I have thought about that, and I'm looking for a caster right now, just trying to find one that I feel would do it justice so it doesnt end up like the ebay one (which I have and have comparison shots of in the link below)

Trust me, there will be plenty more pics to come.

http://s1138.photobucket.com/albums/n524/JohnnyDodger91/My%20Bed%20vs%20Resin%20Bed/

[BigBlockLyle]

This is my favorite Chevrolet truck design ever. The side window shapes and lack of trim around them, the concave section around the body, the serious (and not angry) look of the grille and lights...These pickups have a graceful design that unfortunately many people overlook.

This is gonna be sweet.

It's my favorite too. I have always thought they looked mean. Mine sure did going down the road at night with all my lights on. I had chicken lights on it.

Trust me, its gonna get sweeter by the time it's done.

[MyBradKeselowski]

Looking very good, I like the grille...

[Casey]

That eBay bed is very rough, like it never got sanded with anything finer than 220 grit paper.

If you are thinking of having copies cast, take a look at the eBay bed, and see why the areas bewteen the outer bed sides and the bed liner are filled in- it would be near impossible to cast your bed with those narrow, deep channels between the bed sides and bed itself.

If you're having copies made, you may want to consider doing the bed as a three piece assembly, with R & L bed sides, and the rest of the bed as the third piece.

[BigBlockLyle]

Small update, got the engine assembled and painted black like the 1:1 had. While it may not be totally correct, it is for the truck. I will post pictures of the mostly built engine this evening.

Edited January 12, 2011 by BigBlockLyle

[BigBlockLyle]

Ok, heres some pics. Wouldve been uploaded sooner, but the camera was dead.

[retrobuilder]

I had an 81 chevy (real truck). wish I still had it. now i will have to build one in scale too. nice truck btw, looks like it is comming along fine.

[charlie8575]

Very nice job, Ben. That bed was especially nicely-done.

I'll look forward to the end result.

Charlie Larkin

[Jordan White]

Any updates on this build?

[Boreham]

great lookin truck...

is that escort for sale../trade/barter/exchange for a letter with contents of value..??

Edited June 27, 2011 by Boreham