Chuck Most Posted January 19, 2015 Posted January 19, 2015 Here's the victim... I built this back in 2006 or 2007, shortly after Model King reissued it. It was one of the first weathered junker models I ever built, but I've never been happy with it. The more I learned about the 1:1 trucks and the kit itself, the less I liked it. So earlier today I pulled it off the shelf and took it apart for a "resto". It will be rebuilt into something a bit better than it is now, but still a beater. So far, I have removed the side trim, and I'll be using the '78 Custom (base model) grille from Morgan Automotive Detail. The hood will (probably) stay red, but will be weathered a bit. New cab color will be blue. I'm not sure what I'll do with the bed- change it to a 133" wheelbase version (obviously with the frame changed to match) or just stick a flatbed on it. Since I don't feel like tearing the chassis apart, the coil-sprung front axle is staying, so the wheelbase will probably be shortened. An engine/trans swap might be in the cards, as well. And since I have the decals for the dash gauges, I might redo the inside too.
JTalmage Posted January 19, 2015 Posted January 19, 2015 I want to turn mine into a short bed too. Also, a tip on the weathering, the inner fenders were galvanized so they really didnt rust like the rest of the body, but they did get a chalky gray color (plus whatever motor oil/power steering fluid is caked on there! LOL) and some did eventually rust at the tops back by the firewall.
mikemodeler Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 I will be watching this Chuck, should be interesting to see what you come up with! I have several of these to build and will be converting one to a shortbed.
slusher Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 It would be nice if there was a 300 six option for this kit. So many of these trucks had 300 six in them around here. I will tune in for the build Chuck...
Chuck Most Posted January 20, 2015 Author Posted January 20, 2015 Wheelbase is now 133", and the glass and interior are back in.
Platerpants Posted January 22, 2015 Posted January 22, 2015 seeing this on facebook and here. guess ill see all the updates on this Beauty? Rust Bucket?
Chuck Most Posted January 23, 2015 Author Posted January 23, 2015 I remember about fifteen years ago there was one of these running around in my area, and it had an '87-'97 style bed. Might go that route...
62rebel Posted January 23, 2015 Posted January 23, 2015 if you really want to portray the typical F-series rust issues, drop the front of the cab a bit, just behind the front wheels. the cab mounts rust out like used Charmin there. it means having to arch the front fenders upward and that will give a reason for the usual poor hood fit on these kits. the rear spring hangers are weak as well and many an F-series owner has the right rear leaf spring slamming against the bottom of the bed, if there's any metal left there to slam against. grind some nice big holes in the bottom of the cab corners just behind the doors as well. i've even seen some crusty ones with rustout all the way across the header above the windshield and above the door tops. that's what the Atlantic salt air does to trucks around here.
hjracing Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 I remember about fifteen years ago there was one of these running around in my area, and it had an '87-'97 style bed. Might go that route... In my opinion, this will be the way!
Tom Geiger Posted January 24, 2015 Posted January 24, 2015 Kewl work Chuck! I love this truck, I built one of the box art trucks for Dave! Here's one that just speaks to me. I am planning on building it one day, complete with the rust and primer patches. This was a frequent visitor to my neighbor back in NJ.
Chuck Most Posted January 24, 2015 Author Posted January 24, 2015 Kewl work Chuck! I love this truck, I built one of the box art trucks for Dave! ^That one?^
Tom Geiger Posted January 26, 2015 Posted January 26, 2015 ^That one?^ That's the one! And Doug Whyte photo shopped my dog Ted into the scene. Ted died a few months ago.
Chuck Most Posted January 29, 2015 Author Posted January 29, 2015 Bed has had the wheel openings "rusted", the rub strips have been removed, and it's been hosed off with inauthentic MDOT Orange...
slusher Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 I like this newer bed better then the old one Chuck...
Chuck Most Posted January 29, 2015 Author Posted January 29, 2015 New shoes... Factory Ford alloy wheels with lockout hubs on the front from an AMT Bronco, and Firestone ATX radials from an AMT/Ertl '93 Ranger 4x4 promo.
Kris Morgan Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 Nice one Chuck. It is very typical of a Michigan truck.
Chuck Most Posted February 1, 2015 Author Posted February 1, 2015 Over the course of this very snowy afternoon, the truck has sprouted a certain appendage...
Randy D Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 Hi Chuck, Love what you are doing to this one !!!! randy
Chuck Most Posted February 2, 2015 Author Posted February 2, 2015 Engine's pretty well sorted out- it's a 351M cobbled up from various pieces from the old spare parts grab bag.
Casey429 Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 Looking good, Chuck. Looks like a lot of snowplow warriors we see here in PA too. Although Dentside Fords aren't as common in ratty form as they used to be, I remember seeing more than a few with later beds. Easier to find and bolt right on, so why not?
Chuck Most Posted February 3, 2015 Author Posted February 3, 2015 Bed is mounted. I went with the "wraparound" style back-up light lenses, to date the bed to '87-91.
Kris Morgan Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 Very cool. Now if you could just come over and do a few passes up n down my street. I have 16.7 inches of snow out there.
slusher Posted February 6, 2015 Posted February 6, 2015 Truck looks so much better then when you started Chuck, I really like the weathering...
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