Moebius 71 Ranger Pickup

[Petetrucker07]

I'll be ordering a few this week. Probably 4. I plan on building 1 right away.

[Monty]

I got my 69 today....most surfaces have a texture you can easily feel (like the Hudson? worse?)

also the kit reeks of some sort of oil-like smell, but nothing feels oily but I got the smell on my fingers after handling it...so it'll need a good cleaning before anything else.

To build a base truck, I'll have to remove a lot of trim, not hard but kinda tedious.

Overall, I'd give it a B+ assuming I won't need to sand every inch of it before painting it....

Is polishing the molds too expensive nowadays? I would like them to discontinue producing "textured" kits....

I remember that being an issue. The reviewer I read was initially concerned by the appearance but went on to say he had no problem painting over the bare surface.

The smell, OTOH, might be a concern. I don't recall any other kit review where that was an issue, but I think Moebius switched production partners, so who knows what's going on there. It'll be interesting to see how many others encounter this as well. Those who don't usually wash their kits before working on them should probably reconsider. I'd suggest using Dawn dishwashing liquid till the smell is gone.

Edited June 22, 2015 by Monty

[mike 51]

I remember that being an issue. The reviewer I read was initially concerned by the appearance but went on to say he had no problem painting over the bare surface.

The smell, OTOH, might be a concern. I don't recall any other kit review where that was an issue, but I think Moebius switched production partners, so who knows what's going on there. It'll be interesting to see how many others encounter this as well. Those who don't usually wash their kits before working on them should probably reconsider. I'd suggest using Dawn dishwashing liquid till the smell is gone.

I've heard of severe fish-eye problems with poorly cleaned 54 Hudsons...but simple cleaning as you suggest seemed to fix that problem. Mines soaking in Dawn as I write this..I'll report back if that isn't enough to clean it. Mine will get plenty of sanding to remove the non-base model trim, but I don't have to shorten the bed n frame or hunt up the 6/stick combo so it'll be ok. One other thing, the headlight surrounds look to be too big.? .

[Monty]

One other thing, the headlight surrounds look to be too big.? .

I guess I was so hyped over the trucks finally being available I never even looked that closely at the grille etc. Here's the one Chuck Most did:

Now you've got me curious. Got a good micrometer? If you get a chance, take an OD measurement of the lens and post it.

Edited June 22, 2015 by Monty

[mike 51]

I see these trucks everyday...hard to ignore some features...the headlights themselves look fine but the housings look too big.

The box art refers to an "optional" rear bumper but my kit only has one rather clunky looking step-bumper,no factory style bumper as shown in the box art,the instructions show only the "optional" step bumper. The box also says "chrome bumperS" plural but only the front one is plated.

So I'm assuming mine is NOT simply "missing" the other bumper.

If it's shown ON the box, it should be IN the box. Moebius should provide both bumpers if they're gonna claim they are included...imo

The shift linkage on the 3spd is for a floor shifter and I believe the hubcaps are for a F250 (not positive).

I guess "we" weren't quite critical enough about the test shots they provided...

it's too bad, they came very close to a A+ kit,but settled for a B-/.C+ instead.

Edited June 23, 2015 by mike 51

[jeffs396]

I see these trucks everyday...hard to ignore some features...the headlights themselves look fine but the housings look too big.

The box art refers to an "optional" rear bumper but my kit only has one rather clunky looking step-bumper,no factory style bumper as shown in the box art,the instructions show only the "optional" step bumper. The box also says "chrome bumperS" plural but only the front one is plated.

So I'm assuming mine is NOT simply "missing" the other bumper.

If it's shown ON the box, it should be IN the box. Moebius should provide both bumpers if they're gonna claim they are included...imo

The shift linkage on the 3spd is for a floor shifter and I believe the hubcaps are for a F250 (not positive).

I guess "we" weren't quite critical enough about the test shots they provided...

it's too bad, they came very close to a A+ kit,but settled for a B-/.C+ instead.

Chuck's pre-production build has the chrome rear bumper???

[mike 51]

Yes Jeff, that's the one shown on the 69 box too but it's not shown in the instuctions and it's NOT in the box.

I think Moebius should offer to provide the bumper shown on the box for those of us who want what we paid for......

Edited June 23, 2015 by mike 51

[wku88]

Mike, I'll gladly swap a chrome rear bumper from the '71 for your step bumper from the '69!

[mikemodeler]

Chuck's build is of the '71 F100, not the '69 F100 Mike51 is referring to.

My '69 only has the unplated step bumper for the rear, haven't received my '71 yet.

The box art for the '69 does refer to chrome bumpers, but alas there is only the front bumper in chrome. Am I upset? No, but I can only speak for myself.

[Chuck Most]

As far as the oily smell and any paint adhesion problems, I've not nothing. Granted, the yellow/white pickup was a test shot. But the gray beater I built later was an early production kit, and I had no issues with that. I do tend to clean the parts before primer and paint, so that may be a factor. Can't say I ever really took a good strong whiff of either one, though. I'll check out the kits I should have in my hands later this week.

The surface texture is no worse on these than on the '54 Hudsons... again, it isn't a problem unless you really love the color of the gray plastic and don't want to paint it. A little primer and wet sanding and it's not there anymore. And since any modeler worth his salt is going to be priming and wet sanding anyway... much ado about nothing on that matter. I seriously don't get why people gush over a polished, glossy raw plastic body when all they're going to do is sand, prime, and paint it anyway.

I've got no problem with the headlight housings- other than the fact there's no cut line or any type of engraved line, so it's easy to go a little too far if you paint them freehand, as I did. I'd like to see how those would look when painted by someone with a nice, thin brush and a much steadier hand than mine. In other words... if you look at my '71 again the headlight bezels may look bigger just because I think I painted more of the surface area around the headlights black than I needed to.

[Brett Barrow]

My 69 only has the step bumper. Yeah, that might be a problem. Only the step bumper is shown in the instructions, but the box does mention the others.

[Chuck Most]

As far as that bumper goes... could be nothing more than an honest mistake. Remember when the box art for the Revell '50 Olds stated printed whitewalls, but the kit only came with decals for the tires? Revell did offer replacement printed wide whitewall tires, thus "making an honest man" of the box art. Sure, that was Revell, but I'm sure Moebius will take care of you if you want the chrome bumper.

[mike 51]

As far as the oily smell and any paint adhesion problems, I've not nothing. Granted, the yellow/white pickup was a test shot. But the gray beater I built later was an early production kit, and I had no issues with that. I do tend to clean the parts before primer and paint, so that may be a factor. Can't say I ever really took a good strong whiff of either one, though. I'll check out the kits I should have in my hands later this week.

The surface texture is no worse on these than on the '54 Hudsons... again, it isn't a problem unless you really love the color of the gray plastic and don't want to paint it. A little primer and wet sanding and it's not there anymore. And since any modeler worth his salt is going to be priming and wet sanding anyway... much ado about nothing on that matter. I seriously don't get why people gush over a polished, glossy raw plastic body when all they're going to do is sand, prime, and paint it anyway.

I've got no problem with the headlight housings- other than the fact there's no cut line or any type of engraved line, so it's easy to go a little too far if you paint them freehand, as I did. I'd like to see how those would look when painted by someone with a nice, thin brush and a much steadier hand than mine. In other words... if you look at my '71 again the headlight bezels may look bigger just because I think I painted more of the surface area around the headlights black than I needed to.

A soak in Dawn got rid of the odd smell...the texture is "distracting" but of little consequence apparently.

The painted headlite doors on the 71 seem to negate the problem I'm precieving on the 69.

This is the second Moebius kit in a row to have parts shown on the box that differ from. what's in the box...a practice I'd like to see ended.

Edited June 23, 2015 by mike 51

[mike 51]

As far as that bumper goes... could be nothing more than an honest mistake. Remember when the box art for the Revell '50 Olds stated printed whitewalls, but the kit only came with decals for the tires? Revell did offer replacement printed wide whitewall tires, thus "making an honest man" of the box art. Sure, that was Revell, but I'm sure Moebius will take care of you if you want the chrome bumper.

Yes I remember the Olds issue ...I don't think the F100 problem was a "mistake" (except in judgement) but I'm confident Moebius will make it right if asked.

Edited June 23, 2015 by mike 51

[mike 51]

Mike, I'll gladly swap a chrome rear bumper from the '71 for your step bumper from the '69!

Thanks...but I fully expect Moebius to provide the bumper "promised" on the box.

I just sent them a polite e-mail requesting the "promised" bumper.

I'll post their response....

Edited June 23, 2015 by mike 51

[wku88]

Fair enough. My offer stands for anyone who wants to trade bumpers.

[mike 51]

Fair enough. My offer stands for anyone who wants to trade bumpers.

I do appreciate the offer...I know a few guys who got the 69s who might be interested in a swap, I'll ask around.

Edited June 23, 2015 by mike 51

[mk11]

The rear chrome sport bumper from the amt F350 kits would most likely work too.

I don't know about a 'steadier hand', Chuck, but here's how my grill turned out...

... and here's the F100 hubcaps you need...

got mine (three sets!) from Don and Kevin has them too apparently

mike

Edited June 23, 2015 by mk11

[Ron Hamilton]

I started on my '69 last Saturday night. I like the model so far as to how it assembles. The front suspension is a little fiddly, but it looks pretty good once assembled. At this time, I pre-built the various assemblies in order to paint them in their various colors. That 240 6 cylinder is very nice, and well done.

The only major rub I found with this one so far are the feed tabs inside the pickup bed are very pronounced, and have to be dealt with before painting. I did a little research on the truck, and I came to a conclusion. The truck they measured must have had a few modifications and aftermarket items, such as the below eye line mirrors, which while useful, are from a later year Ford truck, and the rear step bumper, which is an aftermarket item.

I looked at Chuck Most's, Mike Wikland;s. Sean Svendsen's and Steve Goldman's builds of these trucks, and they are giving me an idea of the direction I am going to take on my build.

I only wish that Mobieus had included the chromed small rear view mirrors and the chromed smooth rear bumper with the '69.

[Chuck Most]

On the subject of rear bumpers... keep in mind that they still weren't standard equipment back then. Of course there was a factory Ford rear bumper available as an option (I want to say it came standard with the Ranger XLT trim but don't quote me on that), but quite a few of these trucks had (and still have) aftermarket bumpers. Even in cases where the pickup came with a rear bumper, a lot of guys would replace the dainty factory piece with a heavier-duty step bumper. Basically, that means pretty much anything could be considered "correct" if you don't like either the chrome Ford bumper or the plain step bumper.

[RAT-T]

I believe that's Prairie Yellow and Wimbledon White. Here's the link to the page I got it from http://www.schmitt.com/viewimage.asp?ID=5135

GREAT REFERENCE PICS ON THAT LINK BRETT, THANKS

[mikemodeler]

On the subject of rear bumpers... keep in mind that they still weren't standard equipment back then. Of course there was a factory Ford rear bumper available as an option (I want to say it came standard with the Ranger XLT trim but don't quote me on that), but quite a few of these trucks had (and still have) aftermarket bumpers. Even in cases where the pickup came with a rear bumper, a lot of guys would replace the dainty factory piece with a heavier-duty step bumper. Basically, that means pretty much anything could be considered "correct" if you don't like either the chrome Ford bumper or the plain step bumper.

I worked at dealerships in the early '80s and almost all base model pickups came from the factory without a rear bumper. As Chuck mentioned, if the truck was a higher trim package then it did come with a factory bumper and by the late 80's all trucks were mandated to come with bumpers from the factory.

I'd like to think the reason why I had an impressive upper body in my youth was due in part unloading truck bumpers and stacking them in the back of the parts department!

[Chuck Most]

I once asked my great uncle why he got an aftermarket bumper for his '68 when he bought it new. He said for about a third of the cost of what Ford would have charged for their factory bumper, he could go to Tractor Supply and get a better-quality step bumper. That bumper outlasted three trucks, and it's been ages since I've seen an unrestored Bump with a factory rear fender that wasn't mangled or rusted out... so he must have been onto something with that line of thinking.

[Ron Hamilton]

I sold new trucks for over 30 years. In the '70's and 80's and even into the 90's, the rear step bumper was not standard equipment, and most of the trucks we stocked at our dealership got an aftermarket bumper, unless it was the top of the line, loaded, truck. We did the same thing with trailer hitches. The factory pieces were nice, but a lot of aftermarket items were just as good, if not better, and cost a whole lot less. When I was selling fleets, unless the buyer requested the factory piece, they always got a good quality aftermarket piece. We kept the Class III trailer hitches, argent painted and chromed rear step bumpers in stock, as some customers liked having the choice.

Personally, I liked the look of the factory rear bumper than the aftermarket bumper. At the present time, I am rebuilding a MPC '78 Chevy Pickup, and the rear step bumper included was an aftermarket piece.

The '69 Ford project has stopped me from working on the Chevy, plus we are dealing with 95 degree heat. I want to put some primer on the Ford, once I make a few detail changes, which I will discuss in another thread.

[lanesteele240]

My lhs guy said mine will be arive in the moring. ?