Ford bumper guards

[kjc99]

I am working on a replica of my 1:1 (pictured) using the monogram 91 F250 and I have these little bumper guards that I would like to put on the model. I have seen them for the 79 Ford Pickup but not for this body style. If anyone knows of some resin ones or has any tips on how I could make them I would appreciate the help.

[Kit Basher]

I can't help you with the bumper guards, but you might want to take a look at this WIP: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=44306&hl=%2B1990+%2Bf150+%2B4x4. You may find something useful there. I look forward to seeing the progess on your truck.

[kjc99]

Oh I've already gotten some helpful hints from your WIP Hugh, love how your truck came out you did some amazing work. I used your guide to cut my cab and interior, still have to do the frame though. I also have to figure out the suspension because not only would I have to lift it to the 4x4 height, mine has a six inch lift so I have to go extra high. Also gotta get my hands on a toolbox for the bed.

[Kit Basher]

That suspension sounds challenging. I guess you're going to try to match the way your 1:1 is lifted? Also, is yours is an F250 (hard to tell in the pic)? I'll be watching to see how you pull it all together, I'd like to do a couple of lifted 4x4s myself! BTW, Great looking truck!

[kjc99]

I am using the 1:1 as a reference for the lift. It isn't to complicated looking but I haven't started on the model's suspension yet so I will probably find it to be harder than it looks , I'm using the F250 rear axle and the '80 bronco front suspension. I am at a point where the truck is painted and the interior is done (which looks almost identical to your models interior but my 1:1 has power windows) I just have frame and engine left. The 1:1 is an '89 F150 xlt lariat not an F250 but funny enough I actually get that question a lot from people who see it in person, it does have the look of the 250. I was also wondering if you ever figured out the badge problem you had with your model, I have a decal that will work but it's kinda lame looking compared to the big badges on the truck, and how did you make those mirrors they look 100 times better than the bronco ones.

[Kit Basher]

Still no luck on the badges (although I haven't tried very hard). I'm still hoping to get a cab that has them molded on, and make copies, but no joy yet. I agree decals would be lame. The mirrors were pretty labor intensive, but not terribly difficult. I used sheet aluminum, cut, bent, shaped, and drilled. The brackets that mount to the door are basically copies of the ones on the 1:1. I drilled the brackets and the body where the 1:1 bolts would be, and pinned them with copper wire and epoxy before painting. The wire sticks up enough to simulate bolt heads. Some itty-bitty pins with actual heads would be even better. I BMFed them after painting. The arms were the easy part, strips of aluminum, bent to shape, drilled and pinned where they attach to the brackets. The mirror is the Bronco mirror drilled and pinned to the arm. Sounds like a lot of work, but worth it IMHO.

[kjc99]

Wow those mirrors do sound like a lot of work but I think I might give them a try. I had an idea to actually cut the molded in badges off of another truck and then BMF them, problem then is I have to either scrap a whole cab of the truck I cut up or fill in the area where the badges were to try and save it.

[Kit Basher]

The technique I am hoping to try, if I ever get a cab, is sometimes called "foil casting". It's explained in detail elsewhere on this site, but basically involves pulling a mold from the badges on a cab, filling the mold, and applying the badges to your finished truck. If I understand the process correctly, the badges are already BMFed as part of the casting process. I've never tried it, but at least it doesn't do any damage to the donor cab. If you can't find info on it, let me know, and I'll PM you my understanding of how it's done. (For what THAT'S worth! )

[kjc99]

I found those posts, I'll have to try that method and see how it comes out.