Markeb01 Build Thread

[Grizz1963]

Made me smile, especially toward the end when you spanked it a bit.

[Ta2Don]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Made me smile, especially toward the end when you spanked it a bit.

[piratexpress1369a]

what a difference ..they sound great ...

[markeb01]

Thanks guys! It sure is more fun to drive now. If the weather holds up we'll be heading out this afternoon and try capturing a better video with my IPhone rather than the dash cam.

[jonzcustomshop]

sounds great! what kind of 4 speed is that?

[markeb01]

It's a Richmond Super T10. It is the W model with the 2.64 1st gear. It has worked flawlessly since purchase.

My only disappointment has been that it isn't as distinctively loud as a Muncie Rock Crusher, but I didn't want to put up with a 2.20 low gear. With the gear drive and the mufflers I'm not sure it could be heard anyway!

[markeb01]

Sitting in the house watching all the rain and hail, I got bored enough to start working towards creating my first 1/64th scale 1962-63 GMC stepside shortbed. And it only took 4 trucks to get it done:

Here’s a mockup of the finished product:





Obviously there’s a lot more work to be done. The frame needs to be shortened, and the back of the cab built. I’m not sure I have the skills to fabricate the Buick grille bar and bumper bullets, but stranger things have happened! I’m also not sure what color to paint it – Blitz Black like mine, or maybe red or something colorful that might show up better on something so small.

This panel truck donated the GMC grille and front bumper:



And this truck was tubbed with deep wheels in the back so it donated the chassis:



This one had the skinny wheels shown in the previous photo. It provided the bed and rear bumper:



Before disassembly it looked like this:



And one of these offered up the cab, hood, and glass:



It may take a while to complete as I have lawn tractor parts due to arrive tomorrow or Thursday. It’s a high priority to get back in service so it may take some time to get back to this project.

[likaroc13]

That's neat Mark! Look forward to seeing more of it, & the new mufflers sound nice as well.

[Ta2Don]

Diggin' the way you wrap your mind around projects...

[piratexpress1369a]

where did you get the panel truck ...but i need a 63 window but 65 will work too

[markeb01]

I don't remember where I picked it up, but it was a couple of years ago. It has Yogi Bear on the hood, his face on the doors, and Jellystone park on the sides. Markings underneath include Thailand, Mattel, and Hot Wheels. I don't see any dates, but it does seem to have an E01 marked.

[duallyjams]

Why not mock up 73 rear fenders to see how they would look and I would go with a brighter color being 1/64 scale.

[markeb01]

I actually have one with the 73 rear fenders already, but it's with the 64-66 cab:





Thought this time I'd try one that looks more like a stocker, since the only wrap around windshield model I'm aware of is that slammed fleetside.

[markeb01]

I gave the truck a bath tonight in prep for a photo session tomorrow. Looking things over, I noticed it appears time to replace the shiny rear window trim. The first installation was a complete failure back on Post 749 (Page 30 of my build thread). I subsequently installed a 2nd chrome bead lock shown on Post 781 (Page 32). The second bead lock had minor problems too, but turned out well enough to live until now. Here’s what it looks like today:



\

Even from a distance the lower right corner looks like a chunk of lead instead of chrome or stainless trim. I’m going to miss the extra bit of shiny stuff, but I’m not going through the replacement process a third time. I still have the black rubber bead lock in perfect condition that I originally installed with the window seal in 1998, so it’s going back in as it only takes minutes and requires no effort at all. Hopefully tomorrow if nothing else gets in the way.

[markeb01]

Well that didn't take long. All of about 5 minutes. Pulled the damaged chrome bead lock and stuck in the black rubber one. All set for another 20 or 30 years!

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by markeb01

Well that didn't take long. All of about 5 minutes. Pulled the damaged chrome bead lock and stuck in the black rubber one. All set for another 20 or 30 years!

Or until you decide to change it back to chrome. We know how you like to tinker with subtle things like that! It was a darn quick fix though.

[Ta2Don]

Looks good, especially for more photos...

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by likaroc13

Or until you decide to change it back to chrome. We know how you like to tinker with subtle things like that! It was a darn quick fix though.

Well I have learned to “never say never”!

I did find it interesting that with the chrome bead lock off the truck, it holds its shape and lies completely flat in the corners:





If a person had a template like this to form/mold a new one ahead of time, it could probably be installed by hand without the use of the tool which would greatly minimize the risk of damage to the delicate finish during installation.

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Looks good, especially for more photos...

To be honest I’m not all that disappointed with how it looks in black. Maybe not fancy, but it looks purposeful anyway. It would probably be easier to do a 3rd time, but when I match my laziness up against my ambition, lazy frequently wins!

[1963c-10]

Ive had the same issue with both my chrome lock beads and will also probably go back to the plain black bead. Had a buddy whos a professional install guy do both and both came out the same. 2nd one wasn't as minor, but after a few months the clear over the chrome started to come off again.

[markeb01]

Thanks for the input, good to find it's not just my amateur installation technique.

[1963c-10]

No, they got me too. And your installs are very meticulous.....so I wouldn't fault that. It seems that the slightest pressure on install causes it to loose adhesion to the lock strip. Like you.....Its not overly bad....but my OCD will eventually cause me to go back to the plain strip.

[markeb01]

Finally got a chance to capture a decent picture today. The sun was just too harsh to do any better with the equipment I have, but at least the one photo shows all the latest cosmetic changes to the outside of the truck – lowered bumper bullets and front license plate mount, complete hood ornament and base, illuminated 54 Buick portholes, H4 low beam lamps, and repositioned dash cam above the inside mirror:



And this snapshot shows the black rear window bead lock restored to its original position:



Unfortunately the racket from the new glasspack mufflers doesn’t come through in photos!

[Grizz1963]

Lovely photos Mark.

I do like the horses in the background too.

You guys really do have space out there.

The new company I start working for in June is based in Seattle, guess that's 4 days by horse from you.

[markeb01]

I thought the horses were pretty photogenic and a nice touch, but they aren't always cooperative with posing!

There are 3 lots on our end of the street and 2 of the 3 are half acre. The 3rd is a double lot/full acre. It's a lot to maintain, but the space and separation are certainly nice.

[clemdaddy]

always enjoy dropping in and seeing what you've got going on and you never disappoint.
truck looks great and like rian, love the shot with the horses. a ranch setting just seems natural with an old chevy truck.