1929 Ford Pickup 12 -1 Nearly Done!

[Tom Geiger]

A bit funny to post since we're debating rat rods in another thread. I started out with this old built up that was never finished. I got it in a group of six such parts kits from a small time dealer. It may look okay in the photo, but it's a real glue bomb with crummy paint and glue everywhere. I liked the flat green paint, even though it was runny and messy, so I decided it deserved better!

My intent was to do a quick build to cheer myself up. I've always wanted to own a 1:1 like this, so maybe someday. But like most of us, a model will do for now. Wheel and tire set came off some forgotten diecast but I squirreled them away for a build someday. This is someday. I carved off the fenders, which were an integral part of the chassis. I lowered front and rear suspension a tad.

Close up of tire / wheel. I dunno, I like 'em. Decals were done by me a few years ago and have been sitting waiting for a project. Would be better with a white background, but it kinda works for this build. Note that I left the side skirts that attached to the fenders because the exhaust will play off on this piece, exiting right in front of the rear tire. And I think it makes the truck look a bit lower than it actually is.

These photos are a bit behind as this quick and easy project has already gone down the merry path. The Caddy engine has been wired and plumbed, the interior is being completely redone and I've constructed a custom exhaust system from components, the way I'd want my 1:1, including mufflers and side exhaust. The Model A grill shell is long gone and replaced.... to be continued..

Edited December 2, 2013 by Tom Geiger

[slusher]

Nice lookiing truck to rebuild Tom...

[PappyD340]

Looking good Tom, I like it!!

[cobraman]

Very cool !

[Ace-Garageguy]

Cool little rod-truck. Your decals really work with the look and color. Nice save, and even more interesting because it's something you'd like to build in 1:1.

[Toner283]

Cool looking little truck. And leaving the splash aprons in place was not entirely uncommon back in the day. To remove the front fenders, the running boards and the rear fenders on a Model A was a simple job you need merely needed to unbolt them and lift them off. To remove the splash aprons was considerably more involved. You have to unbolt and lift the body to get them out. They are pinched in between the body and the frame rails.

Oh, and the funny thing is I think those wheels are off of one of the Jada "Rat Rods" diecasts.

[Tom Geiger]

Oh, and the funny thing is I think those wheels are off of one of the Jada "Rat Rods" diecasts.

Ha! I knew they were off a diecast just from the construction of them. They had no wheel back and several strengthening ribs inside. I had to carve those out to get proper wheel back / drum brakes on them.

And thanks for validating the splash aprons! Ya know someone will say I left part of the fender. The bottom edge of them will be rough and rusty and you will be able to see the exhaust peaking out from below.

[Tom Geiger]

Been a workin' on the truck! I originally said I wasn't going to do any engine details, but went overboard anyway. I made the air cleaners from a few old parts and some plastic tube. A bit tough to detail out since it's an old built up part.

Here it is with the belt drives pinned in place. You can also see the dip stick in this shot.

I fitted out an exhaust system to fit under the truck and exit right in front of the rear tires. It's pieced together from odd parts cut to the proper lengths and pinned together.

And here's the exploded view. Once the engine is in place, I'll connect up through the hole in the spash apron. Then the pieces can be rotated etc until I am happy with the fit and position, just like installing a 1:1 exhaust. Once happy with the install, all I need to do is add a few drops of glue at the joints.

I'll start weathering things in the morning.

[kendog261]

_{Are those diodes used for fuel filters?}

[Tom Geiger]

_{Are those diodes used for fuel filters?}

They are indeed. I bought a pack at Radio Shack maybe 20 years ago and still have a bunch. I'm told they sell them in much smaller packs these days.

[Tom Geiger]

A bit of progress since our last photo set... we are not only up on wheels but we have a driving chassis. Engine is in place, front end is complete, rear is attached. All four tires touch the ground.

Exhaust is in place and fits like I wanted it to. Yea, this is a truck I want to drive around so it has mufflers! Little widgets I added include a oil drain plug and you can't see it in this shot, but there is a master cylinder attached to the left frame rail.

Interior is pretty much done. These are the parts box seats (I understand they were the custom seats in a 1962-3 Chevy kit) that I had originally done for my '34 Ford rod. They didn't get into that build so here they are. Seat belts are ribbon and the buckles are ones I cut off some of those plastic seat belts found in a lot of 1960s kits. Carpet is doll house carpet sheet that I tried to make look like it was just thrown in and not fitted. The door pulls were copied off photos of a real Model A pickup.

Another interior view. Still need to add a gas pedal, shifter and some more schmutz to the floor.

Side view mock up. Note that the body and windshield are just sitting for the picture. I chopped the windshield to get the car a bit lower. The exhaust is peaking out from under the side splash right in front of the rear tire. I'll have to brighten it up a bit so you see it.

Dash is wood grained and has some photo etched gauges added. Rear view still needs to figure out the tail lights and license plate. I'm thinking it will be on a plate hanging below the tail gate and set in a little bit. Bed inside will be getting a piece of weathered plywood. I'm trying not to cut out the bottom and redo the planking.

Still working on the front bits. I have a working bumper all made, but I have two front end themes. I made a track roadster nose but I'm not sure I like it. Or the traditional Model A grill. I'll have to figure that out soon because I'm nearly done. I can probably fiddle with it another evening or two with little details. It's been fun so far. Not bad for a old junky built up.

[Tom Geiger]

I guess nobody is feeling this project since I've gotten very little response. I don't get that since it is a hot rod.

Anyway, it's decision time. I originally created a track nose using the thread from here, making this one from two fenders off an AMT '53 Ford pickup. I carved it out a bit crude like it was home made. I guess I could work on that a bit if needed.

So the decision is....

Stock Model A grill shell with headlights attached to it. Or...

Track nose with '34 Ford kit headlights.

Note that the body etc are all just mocked up if they don't look perfectly straight. The bumper is from the AMT '51 Chevy kit and is permanently mounted. The chrome is flaking off it in places which is just fine, it will get dabs of rust there.

So.... vote for the nose that should be on this build!

[Danno]

Hey, Tom! I had missed this thread, but saw your post elsewhere. Started a new thread without seeing this one ~ oops.

{I'm posting this here instead of putting it in the 'spotlight' - primarily because the recent posting filter "upgrades" won't consistently recognize my profile. I've given up the struggle with it and now just 'lurk' there.}

Anyway, I digress. I like your new project but have some thoughts . . . and in the spirit of your request for input, please consider these ideas.

I like the track nose and the 'caps. But, I would drop the nose a little ~ just so it's slightly lower than the cowl - not much, just slightly. I'd drop those headlights to just above the frame rails. Then I'd narrow the bumper by cutting the horizontal face bar at the outside edges of the bumper guards. And, finally, I'd invert the resulting 'bobbed' bumper so that the bumper guards drop down from the face bar rather than extending upward as they do in your mockup.

I just think those adjustments would visually lower the frontal mass without physically altering the traditional chassis. And, I think they might add some unexpected/uncommon styling cues (especially the inverted bumper guards).

Just ~ as you said ~ some thoughts as to how I would do it. Looking forward to your decisions and the outcome of your plan.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[o-man]

I'm FAR from well versed in hot rod, but I would go with square grill. With it being a truck with a square box, I think a square grill would work better. However, it is your model so you do what you think is best! Neat watching so far.

[crazyrichard]

hey i alkso missed it , been to busy to really dig trhough the whole forum .. today i'm cathing up ..

nice build and great details , go for the track nose !! i really dig that !!

ps maybe give those hub caps a wash with some dark stuff so it sits in those stepped seems ?

Edited December 1, 2013 by crazyrichard

[Tom Geiger]

In the end I went with the Model A nose. I had started this build to create a truck I'd like to have as a 1:1 and I think I'd rather drive this around! The model is essentially done, but there are those little details that need finishing up, and some stuff you see once you take pictures in daylight. It's currently sitting in the spot of honor next to the TV in my family room. So one night this week I'll do the few bits and then I'll take photos for an Under Glass thread!