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Post by Hemi on Nov 6, 2016 20:22:01 GMT -5
OK, so now you all have seen the "Donor" frame, and the fun I had with it.......... NOW comes that resin frame all that removed, and rebuilt suspension will be going on! EXACTLY the same frame, BUT its missing a few vital parts, It needs a gas tank, and both inner fender wells. Other then that it looks just like the frame thats in the Little Red Express, only longer! And missing details, this particular frame however, like I have mentioned, is resin! SO, who ever "cast" it, didn't do to bad, but, I need to add inner fenders (I think they removed them, to make molding easier!) BUT, the fuel tank the master copy NEVER had it.... SO, as if I remember correctly that was an added part in the kit (you had to glue it in yourself!) A few resin mold "bubbles"? -YEP, thats one way to tell resin from a glance! The "engine bay" in the frame, needed "opening" was a fine thin sheen of resin here, like an onion skin, this was made with a 2 part mold! Thats where the 2 separate parts, separated! (say that 3 times fast!) As you can see, I also had to open the little section behind that transmission cross member as well. Along with I had added a "pad" to mount the trans mission too, as the original truck had a half breed 360 - 440 in it, and the transmission was a bit.................bigger in diameter so, I needed something to bring the tail shaft up on the transmission, and I had to get the front mounted as the stock engine mount (just like my other frame in this build, would not work "as-is" so..... I have to make 2 completely different engine mounts per truck due to one being/having a Big Block in it "Mopar 440" and then the current one having a small block in it, "Mopar 360" SO, yep its the same way in real life too the mall block engine mounts are a bit longer and a bit more, pushed up, to meet the block, where the big blocks were pushed down to meet the block in about the same manner, just higher on on and lower on the other due to "deck height", the mounts weren't on the same "plane" from the big block to the small block and they compensated this by length and placement of the mounts on the truck frame! Over-all look of the frame upside-down! Notice closest to you lowest part of the picture, that frame rail, NO gas tank attached to it!? The truck this was molded from, I am not sure if it came with a glue on detail part, or simply did not have a fuel tank on the frame rails, (IT certainly could have been behind the seat! BUT I'm not 100% certain on that so.... I KNOW where the step-side tanks were however (I've owned several), and got one even today..... Just the other side! This picture is the one that would show how the tank would be again the furthermost away frame rail! A few more to follow, STAY TUNED!
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Post by Hemi on Nov 6, 2016 20:22:54 GMT -5
SO..... I got the suspension on the way, I got the frame almost ready for it, and then it comes down to "stance" this was and has got to be a STOCK height truck, thats how my Dad had his THAT I do remember, Problem being, is will it work? I kept as much as I could "stock", BUT could I pull it off with the tires and rims I had? NO, I got a bit more help from yet again Vince! (Thanks man, you have not idea how much hide you been saving!) LOL He sent me these: These are the best ones for the size I recall and my uncle speaking about over the phone the other night. The "singled out one" is ratty, and will be used NASTY side hidden as a spare tire! -Just to get rid of the thing! Its the only one I have and its plenty good on one side for a spare! Then, I haven't mentioned rims..... These rims, well IF my memory serves me right, they seen 3 or maybe even 4 Dodge trucks my Dad owned! WHY he loved them, I could not tell ya, BUT I know he did..... I know at least once he had them sand blasted, and powder coated! Never to need much upkeep after that, they STILL exist today, on the '84 Dodge Power Ram my cousin got that was also one of my Dads trucks! (thats how he got the rims!) My Step-Mother sold the truck to him AFTER Dad passed this past spring. As 8 vehicles is about 5 to many for her! LOL I just wished I was closer, I probably have that truck too I lived closer! BUT they were white, gloss white on a gloss black truck. They had I believe a red and blue stripe in them originally till Dad had them powder coated then those were gone, but.... they still looked pretty good! THEN, last but not least..... A picture of the cab, and the straight bed..... This is what Dad's looked like..... Imagine it black, 4x4, stock height, white spoke wheels, stock tires, and if I can find something once in awhile a bed cover NOT a "tarp" but like a top over the bed, with whatever you can imagine in the thing he was ALWAYS hauling stuff for himself or others so..... At times seems as tho he stored things for short periods of time too.... In the summer however the bed got cleaned out, and the top was removed, and used to haul but not to "store" for any length of time. -Thats a part, I'm not sure ANYONE makes (at least I haven't seen any) Thanks for looking and following for those out there following this thread! More to come when I'm able! ENJOY!
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Post by Hemi on Nov 6, 2016 20:23:14 GMT -5
SO, with the weather being NIICE out its been difficult getting "A LOT" done on any modeling but I did manage a little bit..... I got to looking at that old Donor frame, that I'm trying to save as its styrene for my Railroad truck build as I'll be doing extensive frame work to it for that model, BUT I was more interested in the suspension to go under my Dads '79 Adventurer 150...... SO, I seen that the crude steering details they at MPC made way back when, it was good for the time back then, BUT, I thought I could improve upon it.... Went from this: Removed from the styrene frame..... Better view as the part itself. I think that steering tie-rod, could be improved in detailing so, I went on to do a bit more then just replace the missing "rod" MPC had originally with the part. Heres what I made it to be: Right side up, removed from the leaf springs, for detailing and height adjustment. I also added the drag link that would connect to anther rod that goes to the power steering, this detail wasn't even one the model, I made it myself, and added it from pictures of a real Dodge Adventurer truck! -It is a bit different from what I had in my Power Wagon! I knew there would be differences, BUT I tell you all, theres a bit more building these 2 trucks then I ever thought in the beginning, more then just the exterior, and interior...... AND even the motors! Notice, I removed a bit out of the mount where the rear mounts to the leaf springs! to lower the stance a bit, as my Dads real truck didn't appear "lifted" and left this part of the model alone, it would have made the truck look "lifted" BUT, it also wasn't "lowered" either, altho, thats what I've sort of done here, is lowered the trucks frame and body over the tires.... NOT a "low Rider" but more of a family truck sort of height! Same front axle, flipped over looking at the bottom! I got to paint this thing an getting it ready BUT I may as well get as much detail on it as I can before it gets painted! More to follow right after these short messages! ENJOY!
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Post by Hemi on Nov 6, 2016 20:23:39 GMT -5
So as I mentioned, I didn't get "A lot" done, BUT what I did get done was pretty intense. I got the front axle ready for paint, and some more details, BUT I also got the tires on rims, and some detail done to them as well! White spoke wheels, on the times as I pictured earlier..... Looks really good! I got to add chrome lug nut bolts yet and the front set of wheels needs to have some sort of lock-in, lock-out hub assemble done to the rim but other then that the set of 4 look really good! (I have to also make a spare), BUT with a white steel wheel on it! -Which is coming too! I got a spare steel wheel to use, I just got to do a little detail work to the wheel and then paint it white! A little different angle and a bit closer..... NOW comes the fun! Flipped over tires! Top 2 side-by-side are the front tires, and the lower 2 side-by-side are the backs! The top 2, have disk brakes, (rotors) as you can see, with calipers, the rotors, and calipers I MADE! The caliper has a hole drilled in it to except the brake line and fitting! BOTH sides drilled to have the caliper behind the axle center, as the real one would have! Then you can see the rear tires with DRUM brakes, Again, the DRUMS I MADE! I have yet to drill them for the brake line and fittings! Being "pre-made" these ALL will be "directional" to the truck! I want to get the wheels and tires on the axles this time BEFORE the axles are mounted ot the suspension, to adjust the height of the truck accordingly to what my Dads would have been! Building this way, will allow me to do that, AND add as much detail as I can just like I did my model of the truck I was building way back when..... Next part to be handled is the rear axle! A bit of work needs done before I can get to where I am on the front! Thats it for now! More to come when I'm able, ENJOY!
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Post by Hemi on Nov 6, 2016 20:24:21 GMT -5
A few more "updates" on this build..... Not much, but something, something meaning a bit of "small" details ready to go! I too kit upon myself, to make my own "power steering" on this model just I did on my truck in this build, as the kit, neither of them, came factory or stock with such, and me, being me, I LOVE details, so I just HAD to add it! With that being said, a part that came from the stock pil 'O parts I got, I salvaged the lower power steering, that leads to the drag link. Granted, as you can see the white is the power steering "housing", that I had to remove the steering shaft from one end, and make it go on the other (NOT added here), with that, I needed to make the drag link, which is that metal "dog bone" detail seem here as well as "pin" it to the steering box, and have some sort of "spacer" as well, which is out of a necklace kit I bought for numerous detailing uses.... Fittings, spacers, you name it. Same thing different view. To show "depth" of the detail in itself. It will be mounted OUTSIDE the drivers side frame rail! As you'll see. Remember this truck is a bit different from the common "Power Wagon" we all know and love! I got a bit done/added to on the frame as well. I went and am still working on the rear suspension to get it "level" as it was all broken up.... NOW however its being done with heat! As they're solidly, mounted in place on the frame for the rear axle! BUT, I got to thinking AFTER mounting the rear leaf springs, what about the transfer case!? Hows that going to "sit" on a "low" 4x4 truck? As the actual model itself, seems to have been "lifted" and I brought it back down to "family 4x4 truck" standards.... I did NOT want the transfer case to sit so low that it was barely off the ground, BUT to sit in such a way, it wasn't to far up in the frame to cause alignment problems to the cab with the interior tub. SO, I got to looking a bit and needed to make some more modifications, to the frame. The dark gray part is the transfer case mount. The whole square inside the frame rails, and the webbing" between the cross members had to be removed. As I needed the thickness of the frame to get the new transfer case mount in it! And "high" enough to look right. I even went as far to relocate the transfer case "cross member" mount, to the HIGHEST location of the locating blocks on the insides of the frame rails. To look as an "angle" mount from the cross member part of it, (if any of this makes sense) Then while messing, I went to "sturdy" up the rear leaf springs. These things were/are brittle as they're old, and I MEAN OLD, and were from a Glue bomb I mentioned I got for mere parts. A LOT of little things, to allow me to move on to the bigger things..... MORE to come just after these brief messages!
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Post by Hemi on Nov 6, 2016 20:24:49 GMT -5
Now, a LOT of really little work all on one sub-assembly of the truck. The front axle! Brake lines, hard line and hose and fittings, you name it. I made my own front disk brakes with added calipers from another glue bomb I had.... All to be put together on this truck to make it look the part. Just like my Power Wagon, earlier in the build, I had to make A LOT of the axle parts myself, as I do not think nor believe details as such are even made for us in this hobby BUT, I'm not complaining, I'm saying it as I enjoy seeing just hot far I can push myself, to make different details like this! Passenger side tire, rotor, brake, all the lines and ALL the fittings for that side, as well as brake line "hard line" to mount made and placed on rear differential casing.... The "hard" brake line in silver, has a mid-line "T" fitting to have the line front the master cylinder come down to it from a hard line ALSO to have a fitting to have a hose to meet this "T" fitting...... A LOT of "line-work", hard piped, and fittings to hose and such..... the "hose" you'll see from me, won't be "braided" its all as factory in this builds, as "rubber", right to the brass fittings that I make myself! Just the other side.... Same side bit better view maybe..... You can see my rubber brake line hose from the hard pipe on the rear, to the caliper on the rotor! In these views, you may be able to also see, the "mount brackets on either side from the ends of the hard pipe to the hose that goes to the calipers..... The hose is needed for the knuckle movement of the steering axle. A bit better side-to-side of the axle, showing a good view of the mid-line "T" that will connect to a hose that goes to the master cylinder. Over all view..... Not to bad for a couple hours work! Front axle is ready to be installed on the truck frame! BUT I have to get the rear one in the same shape first as then after that comes the shocks to the suspension, for the front. (Those shocks I didn't use on my truck), may come into use on this truck remember this one is stock height, my truck wasn't stock height! -We'll see! I'm pleased so far! More to come as I've made progress! ENJOY!
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Post by Hemi on Nov 6, 2016 20:25:06 GMT -5
So as I promised, MORE progress has been made..... To start out, as you all VERY WELL KNOW by now, I have a few of these trucks! (3).... BUT because of the difference from one to the other, I had to find ways to make things "happen"..... This is where it gets FUN! I went and looked through the parts I had for the "stock" frame to the short step-side bed truck (I wasn't going to be using this frame on my "Dads" truck, I did however use the stock frame on my truck!) BUT that was due to Dads having a long 8 foot "straight" bed (Sweptline is what Dodge called them). But anyway, the frame on Dads truck I choose the resin version I had, as I need the styrene version for HEAVY frame modifications on the frame rails to handle a utility bed. Meaning, the factory frame that came with my Dads truck model was of the short step-side bed, and wasn't going to be used on this particular truck! WHICH, is what I'm getting too here. That short frame, I needed the inner fender wells from it, to fit onto the resin frame (was resin cast without them) SO, I get out my handy razor saw, only to find that particular blade too wide to make the cuts needed to remove just the inner fender wells, without "hurting" the frame all too bad (I want to save it for a rainy day!) SO, off to look for a more suitable way to remove them, and went looking through my handy blade selection I have for thee ole Exacto knives I got.... Found a "keyhole" type blade, thin and pointy at one end with some serious teeth on it. Will do the trick! I get out my pin vice, drill a hole just big enough to whittle the keyhole blade, in through it to begin "sawing"..... Here is the frame, BEFORE I began all this: Clean, nicely cast, it ought to donate well to the cause.....and it did! Left the frame a little bit of a mess (I'll have to clean it up), BUT it donated the inner fender wells I need for Dad's truck...... BOTH inner fender wells, came off nicely, and I got one cleaned up right away to see what all might be involved, I'm glad I choose to do this the way I did, I kept the donor frame for something later, and gained the needed inner fender wells for under the hood of my Dads truck in this build! More to come right after these short messages! ENJOY!
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Post by Hemi on Nov 6, 2016 20:25:32 GMT -5
-So, while I was thinking on how I was gonna go about the added inner fender wells, I got to thinkin', I probably ought to get that steering box on the outside of the drivers side frame rail, as once the inner fender well is in place, getting to that or making the inner fender well fit, this be thee BEST time to get that in place! A picture to show a bit of "depth" of the actual added detail: Then in these pictures I went ahead and did some fine "clean-up" of the edges around the wheel openings in the floor pan to take the inner fender wells without a problem.... The seen pencil line on the frame rail "side" is the location of the CENTER of the axle placement on the suspension, to center the wheel in the opening, and center of the fender itself on the body, and be even on both the front and the back, spacing. This WILL disappear when the frame and underside is painted, BUT will guide me, when I go to tape off the location as to where the axle will glue to the leaf spring, and allow me to glue it in place when the time comes. ALL the mounting locations will be taped off before the frame is painted! EVERYTHING is looking good about now! SO, stay tuned! More to follow!
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Post by Hemi on Nov 6, 2016 20:26:04 GMT -5
Then once I sat the frame aside, I began trying to "fit" the passenger side inner fender well in place on the frame. Only to find that the stock resin cast opening, was to large to add it as I removed the plastic one from its frame. I wasn't going to cut the floor pan of the plastic one, in order to fit it here, (be difficult to mud it in to look the part, SO, I went and added shim plastic to the inner fender wells, and a small section of angle plastic, to "glue" to the adjoining floor pan! They look a bit rough, had filed the first one (passenger side) right after its removal and before the drivers side was removed.... One filed up nicely and one was removed, and then this picture was taken! Contoured GREAT, and corners "notched" to fit around the frame rails! Un-cleaned edges on the angle plastic mount..... BUT it is notched here too! Then came the FUN..... The drivers side! REMEMBER I added that steering box? WELL because of my "detail adding ways" I had a fun time contouring this one, as with my truck in this build, I added power steering lines from the pump on the engine, to the steering box, mounted to the frame! And whats stopping me from doing that same thing to this model? Absolutely NOTHING! SO, having said that, I had to contour the inner fender well on the drivers side, to accommodate both the power steering box, on the frame, AND the power steering lines from the engine, as well as the steering shaft from the steering wheel!!! I added that also to my truck! It got that treatment as well as the added shims, and angle mounts on both ends! I have to say "contouring" wasn't too bad to get the inner fender well to sit in the same contour as the frame, the contour trouble area was where that steering box was, BUT, I managed to get it to fit and look good all at the same time. MOST of this detail for mounting purposes, will disappear when the truck goes together as the rear will be covered by the firewall, as well as the front with the radiator core support, and all the detail on it, BUT, is needed "extras" to mount solidly to the frame! Front of the driver side fender well...... Cleanly done, and ready to be put in place! More to follow!
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Post by Hemi on Nov 6, 2016 20:26:24 GMT -5
OK now that BOTH inner fender wells were removed from the donor frame, and cleaned, and then sat up for installing, I got right to it..... Looking at it from the passenger side of the truck, you can see the opening in the fender well to allow me to add a steering shaft from the steering wheel, as well as all the pipe work from the power steering pump on the motor. Looking from the drivers side.....Granted, BOTH these pictures show the "open" corners.... I have to go back and "fill" those in. ONLY the opening for the steering will be open when all said and done! Coming up next, is something NEVER done.... These 2 trucks had never seen each other unless in passing, I took the 2 models to see if the height from one to the other was good for both trucks "stance"!!!!! Stay tuned!
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Post by Hemi on Nov 6, 2016 20:27:03 GMT -5
As I mentioned in my last post, I HAD to see what the stance was between the 2 trucks..... My Power Wagon on the left, Dad's Adventurer on the right! Under a bit more light...... I say, the stance is PERFECT, my truck was built to sit high, as it was, the real ones were about as you see these 2 models, Dads truck on the right, needs a bit of work to get it where my Power Wagon is, BUT I think this is GREAT!!!!! Mine was was built purposely to sit high (I wanted to go muddin' in it) Dad's was a "family 4x4 truck" and sit at a high "stock" height as he added slightly bigger tires and rims to his..... I'm VERY pleased with this work so far, on BOTH trucks! Got a ways to go on my Dad's, BUT it will happen.... I got to sit and detail up the rear axle for his and then figure out its suspension as well as shocks for both..... Ought to be a fun task! SEEING these last few pictures of both trucks front-to-front like that...... WOW! As always, more to follow as things are done! ENJOY!
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Post by Hemi on Nov 6, 2016 20:27:20 GMT -5
Well after a bit of time and a good weekend to keep me out doors a bit, I actually got a bit done to the truck in the evening! So, without going on an on, hows about a look see to what I did!? Seen here, all "clear coated" shiny... Frame got painted, and clear coated! Sadly, however the paint on this frame is a bit "odd" looking. I think due to the frame being resin for one, and 2, the paint when I went an cleaned up the air brush, seemed a bit "think" I guess, as it was left over from a pre-mix I done a while ago.... Was flat paint, and With my dad he had "undercoated" every vehicle he owned so..... The frame got a slightly different treatment, I'm not sure what that was to consist of, BUT was flat black as told to me by my uncle! SO, with knowing that, I clear coated the flat black frame, and then allowed that to dry and went back and dry brushed dullcote onto the just the frame rails and cross members. Dullcote added to the frame and cross members! More to follow these short messages!
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Post by Hemi on Nov 6, 2016 20:28:21 GMT -5
Then while at that painting, on the frame, I got the steering box, painted and detail painted, all in the while AFTER the spray painting was done, as the steering box would have been a cast iron steel color. Which, was unpainted like the color of a unpainted transmission (they're normally a matching color of bare cast iron) Then a bit different view showing detail painting I did: These 2 pictures show the gloss black bell crank that needs a ball joint, rod to go from the open hole, to the jointing, steering bell crank, on the axle spindle.... I have yet to make this part.... This won't be made to fit till the axle is ready to go into place on the front suspension! More to follow after these short messages.... Enjoy!
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Post by Hemi on Nov 6, 2016 20:28:44 GMT -5
While that was all setting and curing drying paint, or glue.... I got the transfer case loose from the donor frame, to refurbish to usable standards. Just like the transmission will be and the steering box, the transfer case would have also been a cast iron color of steel. Cast-on detail wasn't real bad, BUT it needed something more..... A good ole oil/grease pan was needed (factory detail part was merely "flat" and was a 2 part detail all together, With the added "pan" detail painted bare steel color, as it would have been, I made the part from 2 small sections of plastic sheet, one thicker then the other as the "lip" would not have been real thick anyway, BUT the sump in the pan, would have been..... I have yet to add one last detail to this part, as it needs a drain cock for transfer case fluid changes..... Short message, more to follow this one!
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Post by Hemi on Nov 6, 2016 20:29:00 GMT -5
SO, as I had firstly spoke to the uncle, this truck of my Dads, got some decor, added to it, firstly (I should have known) was the stock valve covers, removed, and replaced with chrome ones that were OEM chromes covers that were Mopar made..... Then if you look, I added the distributor, and the exhaust manifolds. This truck, unlike mine kept single side exit exhaust. Meaning, I will have to make a cross-over pipe to go from the passenger side manifold, the the drivers side, in a "Y" pipe..... Not sure what oil filter Dad may have used over the years, BUT I added mine to his truck as tho it was a OEM "Mopar" replacement part, in white. IF I can find a "Mopar" oil filter decal, before the engine is ready to go into place, I may add it to the part.... If not, "white" is good enough as the decal depending on location, wouldn't be easily seen anyway! The other side of the engine, missing the exhaust manifold, it was drying when this picture was taken. I did however get the starter in place, and if you look closely, you can see the carburetor linkage and return spring in place. The one thing this truck have had, was the California Omissions items, I KNOW without asking anyone that my Dad had removed these, (wasn't required to be inspected in the state of Pennsylvania.) SO, those parts will be omitted from the build! A shot of the back of the engine. I have to add the PCV valve, and hose, as well as some other small things. I have to add the transmission fluid dip-stick not seen here, as well as paint the transmission, (I wait till last to paint the transmission as I use it as a "handle" to hold the engine while detailing it.) A NICE head on view of the engine. A Mopar 360 4 barrel..... I need to get the holes drilled for the plug wires, and add in wire looms.... Those are next to be completed! -I also need to make an oil dip-stick that will be added to the left side of the front, of the engine. A short and sweet update to follow....
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