Converting Revell's 1999 Silvarado to 4x4?

[Aaronw]

So I have a couple of these kits but all of my ideas involve making it a 4x4. I don't believe there is a resin conversion out there but hoping that maybe there is a kit with the proper front end, or lacking that maybe some one has done such a conversion and took some pictures along the way.

Open to ideas.

Just looking for stock-ish height no need for a big lift.

Thanks

[jeffs396]

Aaron, you can use parts from Revell's Escalade, or AMT's Escalade EXT...

[Aaronw]

Well that makes things easier. I always forget about those kits, only modern Chevy 4x4 I could think of was the snap Tahoe which wouldn't be much help.

Thanks

[explorer2770]

Aaron,

If you have the Revell Escalade, that would be the easiest to add. Just cut off the Silverado's mounting brackets and add a strip of 0.040 thick styrene to the bottom of the chassis to raise the suspension up to the correct ride height.

The picture below shows what I have been looking at to use in my builds. Bottom left: AMT Escalade EXT mounting bracket is a little wider than the Silverado's frame. Top left: Die-Cast Promotions' Chevrolet Express van mounting bracket, is not as wide as the Silverado's frame. Top Right: Matchbox 1/24 scale 1999 Silverado 2500 front suspension, definitely larger than the Silverado's kit. Bottom Right: Revell Escalade front mounting bracket, fits just about right.

I'm experimenting with modifications to the Silverado front suspension for future builds and have begun modifying that kit suspension parts to save on chassis modifications. I plan to swap in the Revell Escalade front axle on the 3500's I'm building since it will accept the metal axle tires from the AMT Chevrolet 3500 snap kit.

As a side note, the transfer cases are molded to the chassis for both Escalade kits, as well as the Express and Suburban. If you don't have any spares, shoot me a pm and I might have an extra or two laying around after this weekend.

[MsDano85gt]

pretty cool scaveging to make something work out!

[plasticdrag]

The funny thing about the Revell 99' Kit is that I always figured the front frame/subframe assembly was molded following a 4WD chassis as it certainly doesn't resemble any 2WD 1:1 I have been under. It's way too thick and sits too far below the flat cab rails to have been modeled after the 2WD truck.

[jeffs396]

The funny thing about the Revell 99' Kit is that I always figured the front frame/subframe assembly was molded following a 4WD chassis as it certainly doesn't resemble any 2WD 1:1 I have been under. It's way too thick and sits too far below the flat cab rails to have been modeled after the 2WD truck.

Agreed.

Our 1:1 2002 Tahoe 4WD has lower A-arms and skidplate that resemble the Revell '99 pickup assembly. Reconfigure the kit parts with scratched torsion bars and the Escalade's axle assembly, along with the Revell Jeep Rubicon T-case and you'd have a fairly accurate representation I think...

[Aaronw]

Interesting, so potentially most of the conversion could come right from the box with a little creative gizmology and a stock of styrene. I've got a few spares I think would work for the transfer case.