'34 Ford pickup Rat

[voyager]

I'm sure everyone has a stack of kits to build and mine recently got bigger thanks to Harley. My main problem is starting a kit as I can't get past the thought that it won't turn out as good as I see it in my head. Anyway, the point - yes there is one! - I thought I'd do a simple build just to try some rusting techniques so pulled this out...



The box says 'build one of three ways' , well as we all know, there are plenty more ways than that! ;D

First job was to get that roofline down so out with the razor saw and 1/2 an hour later...



I decided to use the wire wheels from the 'stock' build with the original tyres on the front. I discovered the Slicks in the '55 Nomad take the same diameter wheels but they obviously need widening. I attached the front part of one to the Dremel using the post that holds cut off discs and held an x-acto knife while it was spinning to slice the rim off. Can't find any plastic tube 15mm diameter though to widen them. I've painted them red (see first pic) and will do the centre caps with Alclad. The chassis needs changing so I can lower the floorpan then I need to 'Z' the rear of the chassis to drop the suspension. Then ther's the grille shell to drop between the rails and I want to try a photoetch grille, engine to plumb, bomber seats to scratch, bed to shorten etc etc... arrgghhh, so much for a simple build and I haven't got to the paint yet!!!!!

[Lee Croden]

looking forward to seeing the progress on this one

[Dave Neave]

That's one of my favourite kits, so I can't wait to see how it goes.Here's a couple I have built.

[voyager]

Great builds Dave, don't think I'll bother now! ;D



Just kidding..

Couple of bits done. I chopped the rails out of the chassis so I can put a dropped floor in. As it won't be seen, I could have faked it but I decided to put new rails in.



Front wheels painted and assembled, tyres scuffed



Rear wheels widened, need repainting of the banded rims



I've also painted the engine block the same red, just deciding whether to weather the engine or leave it as a clean, colourful contrast to the rest of the rust!

[voyager]

This is getting silly now, every time I look at this 'simple build' I think of something else! Like Dave's green version, I have just cut the solid centre from the grille shell. I was going to use a Model Car Garage etched grille but can't find anyone stocking them over here. Hiroboy are OOS and the actual MCG website hasn't been updated since 2006 and they don't reply to emails so I'm thinking something custom. The lowered floor isn't going to work as the spaces between the rails would be too narrow to fit a seat in so the chopping of the rails was a waste of time, as was cutting up the floor which I've now replaced with plasticard. I want to drill the visor but the one supplied is moulded to the window frame and is solid so I'll have to make a new one. I've also decided I don't like the engine so will be putting something better in. I like the flathead but want something bigger (again, a bit like Dave's. ) I would have got one of the Gibson ones with something spectacular on top like THIS but most are out of stock And then I was looking at the front suspension and thinking how poorly moulded it was then found www.streetrodderweb.com/tech/0911sr_hot_rod_front_end/index.html and wondered how hard it would be to scratchbuild one Oh well........

[Dave Neave]

Chop first, think later, that sounds so familiar

[andyx]

The grill with the kit with horizontal slats is pretty good with a black wash, the kit is so good; you will want more later anyway, so a simple build will grow confidence & inspire for later

[voyager]

Had a bit of time so,



this is the rear of the windscreen frame/ visor. The screen surround obviously needed chopping to match the roof and I wanted a drilled visor so cut the visor off, chopped the screen posts, added a new top frame from plastruct then sanded the back of the visor to thin it and drilled some holes...





The grille shell had a solid centre so I've cut it out, ready to fit a new centre. It was going to be a photoetched one but difficulties in getting one mean it may be something different



Finally for now, like most car kits, there is no interior above the body waist line so I've made some inner door panels from 2 sheets of 30 thou card, cut out the windows and painted the inner bits black. I'll make frames for them, then glue them in and paint...

[Dave Neave]

I like that drilled visor, looks really cool.

[Harley]

Just out of idle interest, what was the point of a drilled visor? Yes it looks kool (I think) but it makes the visor a waste of space. Did it cover up an awkward seam or something?

[voyager]

I think it was to let the air out from underneath to reduce drag ;D Now it just looks cool (IMHO).

[voyager]

Hmm, as usual not going as quickly as I hoped. I bought a Gibson engine from SNC as it is going to be in the open, I thought it would be nice to have a detailed engine. Steve didn't have many in stock (I wanted a big intake - injector stacks or something) but I got a 383 Magnum anyway. After some painting, I thought something wasn't right and posted this on the Model Cars mag forum

Hi, I'm having trouble with this



The instructions are not too clear










and don't show the gearbox at all. I fitted it where it seems to go but the bottom hangs down showing a flat piece at the front.





and the front casting that has the pulleys and radiator cap etc has no detail on the back which shows when in place




and finally the intake manifold seems too short and you can see the inside of the engine



any help please?

Someone has sent the link to Ross Gibson (Rick who runs Scale dreams?) and another said the intake is correct but even looking at the pics he linked to, it seems strange that you can almost see 'into' the engine under the intake. The main thing though is the lack of detail on the back of the pulley assembly and the fact the radiator filler (?) isn't fully round like on the picture on the label. Anyone built one of these before?

[voyager]

Right, not using the Gibson engine, I'll try and work out what is wrong later but I'm going to have to get some building done

Cab painted (may get some signwriting?)

[Dave Neave]

That's looking good, keep on it.

[Harley]

Sorry, missed the bit about the Gibson engines. The intake is correct, a lot of cars would have what was called a "valley filler" plate under the intake which basically did nothing more than cover up the pushrods and cam assembly.
The non rounded parts aren't correct! I've had a few Gibson engines and the street versions do tend to need work on the ancilliaries. Of course, if you were using them in a stock application then that "flat" surface probably wouldn't show anyway but stick it in a rod and it's the proverbial sore thumb.
Some nice faded lettering would look very kool. A friend of mine has a full size 32 pickup which has been carefully painted to look like an original work truck which has been rodded, but not yet painted!