Wip: '94 F-150 Xlt 4x4(update 1/5/08- Two Toned!)

[Casey429]

I managed to fin the longbed version of AMT's kit at the LHS last week. It was open and complete, but not started. I also got it on sale, 40% off! I knew as soon as I got my real truck I was going to model it, I just had to get the longbed.

Here's what I will be building: My new/used 1994 F-150 XLT 4X4

First order of business, make it a 4X4. Luckily I had the remains of a Revell 1980 Bronco which donated its TTB front suspension and transfer case. I took most of the TTB and adapted it to the AMT radius arms and I-beam ends. I also added a second pair of shocks as my truck has the quad shock option. The oil stain is on the real thing, a product of a Ford design flaw. The way the oil filter is mounted to the engine, it is impossible to get it off without spilling oil. The plus side is it will prevent rust .

I also added some aluminum stick to the front wheels for the 4X4's longer hubs. I will make up some automatic 4X4 decals on my computer.

Next order was changing the 5.8 engine to a 5.0. Not much of a problem as the two are pretty much externally the same. I know the valve covers and some other exterior pieces will swap around. So, I scraped away the center of the 8 on the intake plenum to make it a 0. I also dirtied up the engine slightly as it is a used truck with 91000 miles.

I shortened the fron gas tank to a 16 gallon units as opposed to the 19 gallon. All part of the 4X4 conversion. This will not get weathered because I just installed a new front gas tank in my truck.

I also painted the tailgate trim black. AMT is incorrect that the strip is red relective, at least for the year. 1987-91 had red, 1992-96 was black.

I also opened the grille. If you look real close, you can see the recesses painted Testors steel. My truck has a darker color, but the testors was the closest I had on hand.

Here's initial Mockup. I think I may need to drop the front a tad to get the slight rake my truck has.

Sorry about the long first post, I'm just so excited to be building MY TRUCK!

Edited January 6, 2008 by Casey429

[lizardlust]

First off, congratulations on the new truck, Casey!! I just hope you didn't have to sell the F-250 in order to get it(I have an 86 F-250 4x4 with a 460 as well). If I were you, I would leave the stance as it appears. Looks as if you are well on your way to a well-done replica of your ride!!

[Casey429]

No, Kurt, I still have both F-250's, the '77 and '85. I've got a WIP of the '77 going too, but It's definitley a long term one. The good thing about this version of the AMT kit is it has a sunvisor in it. I will still need to make a tonneau cover.

Her's some pics of the '77 WIP. I need to get a hold of some Dana 60's and a Bigjeepzz grille. I think I'm going to grab an AMT "The Cat" '73 Cougar for the engine and I have a C6 from a '66 Fairlane.

I modded the bed to a standard longbed and have since finished the bodywork and made my own rear leaf springs. Fronts are next.

[Brian Fishburn]

Casey, the 1:1 looks great, and the model is coming slong nicely. I have a long stalled project of building a replica of my daily driver- a 96 F150 Eddie Bauer 4X4

However, do NOT waste your time duplicating the emblems for the auto locking front hubs. The auto locking front hubs are absolute junk. It's not a question of whether or not they'll let you down, only when.

[Casey429]

However, do NOT waste your time duplicating the emblems for the auto locking front hubs. The auto locking front hubs are absolute junk. It's not a question of whether or not they'll let you down, only when.

I've heard that from a few people. I've already decided to nix that plan and make some Warn decals for the project. I'm going to order a set of Warn manual hubs for my truck and get them on before winter hits.

[Casey429]

Here's whats been going on since the last post.

I got the interior done. It's pretty straightforward witht the black and silver trim. Hoever, I added a photoreduced Kenwood KDC 222 radio, like my truck has. I also assed a photoreduced guage cluster since my truck does not have a tach like the kit inturments do (tach was an option back then).

I also added the Warn Decals to the front hubs. You can also barely see the prefoiled F-150 badges.

Made a plate...

And did the first full mockup.

Thanks for looking! Comments and questions welcome.

[dub]

Hey, cool subject! That interior is looking great. Good job with the license plate. Are you going to try the inspection sticker(s) too? I would be interested if so...

[blazinNmorehead]

Thats a cool build and really good idea. I wish I could find a 2nd gen. 4-door blazer to build mine.

It looks great.

[fireguy14]

Great work! I have a '96 F-250 4x4 extended cab with a 460 in it. Awesome truck, and still going strong with 171,000 on it. Did you take pics of your own dash or did you get a pic somewhere else? Have a couple of these kits myself and I really like how you did yours. Later.

[Casey429]

I'm not sure if Im going to add inspection sticker or not. Not a bad idea actually.

171,000? thats nothing for a Ford, just change the oil every 3,000, and its good to go for another 171,000. Anyway, I took a picture of my guage luster, cause I couldn't find one on the net.

[BigBlockLyle]

Looking cool man. I am doing a simmilar style build of the last truck we had. I like this build so far. BTW, how did you do the photoreduced radio and gauges? Oh just out of curiosity, does your truck have the cargo light option?

[Casey429]

Another long update. I've been chipping away at this one when time and weather allows. The Medium Calypso (main color) was custom mixed in a spray can at the auto parts store. I bought the Dark Tourmaline (insert) off of the shelf.

The chassis is mostly done. The only thing I've got left to do is make up a dual exhaust (I want one for the real thing).

Close up of the modified Revell TTB set up.

The engines in, and I think she'll pass as the 5.0.

I also laid some color on some body panels. Heres the hood, looking good, IMO.

Heres the clear I used on it. I found it at the store where I got my paint mixed. It's some of the best stuff I've ever used from a rattlecan. It's called U-POL Clear no.1.

Thanks for looking, its down to the wire now.

[lizardlust]

Looking great, Casey! The weathering on the front suspension is particularly realistic looking - I can almost feel the grit falling in my eyes while trying to lube it!!

[Casey429]

She's got color!

I also made up the would be Flowmaster dual side exit system. Made up of brass (extension pipe), solder (tailpipes), aluminum, (polished tips), and a parts box muffler. I painted the whole thing, minus the tips with Duplicolor chrome bcause of the mix of materials. It gives a good stainless sheen.

[Luc Janssens]

Looking great, love those pre-jellybean Ford Pickups, and even more if they're 4x4s.

Luc

[Mj-Styro]

Good lookin pickup! (both of them)

Never noticed but i got the 79 ford F150 done stock wheel base. here's a pic of it.

I had the samething happen to me, Bu ti started the model project long before i got the truck givin to me, only problem is i made mine a 4x4 to move snow.

heres the 1:1

Here's the scale version

[Casey429]

Nice trucks, MJ. Your's looks like its got many miles on it, but that thing will run forever, especially if it has the 4.9 I-6. The only suggestion I would make for your model would be to strip the grille and shoot it with the dark grey Duplicolor sandable primer. It really looks like the "Argent" finish found on the base model grille. I hear ya on the styling, Luc. Other than 73-79, the 92-96 are my favorite. I call them the last of the "true" Ford Trucks. They were the last years to feature vent windows, TTB 4WD (Twin I beam for the 2WDs, Solid axles on F-250HD/F-350), and the 4.9(300) I6, 5.0(302) V8, 5.8(351) V8, and the 7.5(460) V8.

[kully55]

Very nice, coming along great. I'm building the 1:24 scale version of my wife's bronco, too. I can't wait to see finished pics of this project! Also, would you have any bronco pieces left over from your project that you pulled the frontend out of. I would buy it from you and any other pieces of ford stuff your not using.

[Casey429]

Two Toned! I still need to clean up some of the edges, but I'm very satisfied.

The 5.8, err 5.0 is looking well at home

You can kinda see the scratched tonneau cover I made. For the 1:1 PA winter, I put the fibergalss Leer cap that came with the truck back on. I don't really care for it, because I think it looks like granpaps truck now (no offense to anyone that has a cap or is a grandpap). The tonneau I had on the real thing wouldn't have made the winter due to its age (off of dad's old 89 F-150 he traded in years ago), but I'm going to get a new one in the spring. I still need to take the paint off the prefoiled emblems, make up the 4x4 decals and come up with some kind of silver pinstripes. Anyone have any ideas what I could use to stripe it? I was thinking real auto pinstripe, but its kind of thick and I don't think I could get it near narrow enough.

P.S. I got a K&N Filtercharger for Christmas along with a DeeZee satinless tailgate guard. I'll be adding these parts to the model also.

Edited January 6, 2008 by Casey429

[BigBlockLyle]

Looking good man. Yeah, these are the last "true" Fords just for those reasons. As for your pinstripe dilemma, try taking two strips of masking tape and setting them however far apart you want the stripe to be, where you want it to be, and then just mask off the rest of the truck and spray away with silver.

[JAFFA]

Looking good! allways nice to watch 1:1 referanced builds!

Keep up the good work!