Jordan White Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 If you don't recognize the name at all, check out John Carpenter's movie "Big Trouble in Little China". In the movie, Kurt Russell drives a 1985 Freightliner FLC that he's named the Porkchop Express. From my searches on the internet, I've only seen one other person build this, and I noticed several issues when compared to the movie truck (plus the underwhelming build quality). Because of this, I decided to tackle this using the newer version of the Italeri Freightliner FLC. Biggest change I'll have to do is lengthen the sleeper, as well as raise the roof. I'll also have to fabricate new fuel tanks since the movie truck appears to have smaller diameter tanks than stock. Finally, there will be a few other parts from the various parts kits Italeri put out that I will add. First thing I did was purchase a set of 10 hole Alcoa wheels from Ben at Class A resins, with the domed center caps for the front and rear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petetrucker07 Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Great idea. I love that movie. Very under rated IMO, special effects were way ahead of the time, at the time. I will be following the build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redneckrodder Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Should be very cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Most Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinfan5 Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Very cool indeed, going to be watching Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redneckrodder Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Force Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 I liked the movie and will for sure follow this build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan White Posted September 11, 2014 Author Share Posted September 11, 2014 I should have some updates tonight, I'm mainly getting the frame assembled and getting it prepared for paint. I've picked out a dark blue metallic for the chassis. On the movie truck, its hard to tell the actual color since its fairly dirty. Some pics make it look black, others blue. I figured a nice dark blue that will look blue or black at certain lights and angles would work perfectly. It will also contrast well with the white cab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaronw Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 I've got the same project in (glacially slow) progress, if you are painting the frame then you have already passed me up. I will definitely be watching to see how you handle the many issues. Any idea how you are going to handle the decals? I've never been able to find photos with enough detail to work from, they are all screen shots from the movie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan White Posted September 11, 2014 Author Share Posted September 11, 2014 (edited) Yeah that's where my references have come from too. I'm still trying to figure out how to do the decals, though I think the logo will be the toughest part. I think there might be some sort of merchandise in Google images that it could be pulled from. What I did was watch the movie using VLC media player, and it allows you to take screenshots. If you get the blu-ray version, then you'd have the best clarity. Edited September 11, 2014 by Jordan White Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr mopar Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Something like this: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan White Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 Yeah that's the one I referenced in the first post. It has some inaccuracies as well as some build issues that were the reason I'm trying to do so much research. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilrathy10 Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 Definitely can't wait to see how you tackle this one.....It would be nice to see this one "done right"..... Good luck....I, as well, will be watching this one..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan White Posted September 13, 2014 Author Share Posted September 13, 2014 Been a bit slow moving since I'm building around work and homework. Right now I'm trying to get the chassis completely assembled so I can paint it all at once like it's done at the factory. I've also got the brakes/hubs mounted to the axles that came with the wheels. Here's the frame with the air tanks and suspension installed. I filled in the rear mudflap mounts and the unused fuel tank holes (had to drill out different holes since the mounts will be moved back a bit). Axles and front spindles with parts from Class A resins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabover Kid Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Thanks for the good laugh, I forgot all about that old movie!! Looking forward to watching, keep posting!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truck parts Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 How did you raise the roof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan White Posted September 21, 2014 Author Share Posted September 21, 2014 I haven't gotten to the sleeper yet, still trying to get the chassis painted (had bad paint, trying something else). When I do though, I'll probably just use sheet styrene since I don't have any extra sleepers to use to extend it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan White Posted September 24, 2014 Author Share Posted September 24, 2014 Chassis is painted metallic blue, all that's left is to paint the airbags black and do some detail painting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailking120 Posted September 25, 2014 Share Posted September 25, 2014 Looking great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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