1972 Ford F100 Prerunner

[Jay's Customs]

Recently started work on this one; the 1972 Ford F100 Sport Custom by Moebius Models. Due to my fascination for the extremely simple Twin I-Beam front suspension on these trucks, I can't help but make it funtional. It won't be my first time building a working suspension like this, the first time being on the 1980 Ford F150 by Revell (posted on this site years ago) where I made a fully working Twin Traction Beam suspension up front. However, it was built as a stock truck, so the rear flex only came from the box stock leaf springs. This one will be MUCH different as it will be a long travel prerunner suspension. All I've done so far is the links to the rear suspension because the front is proving to be a little more difficult;

The ball joints are from a small scale rc crawler and the springs will be from the same. As seen in the eighth picture, this setup can achieve extreme flex and travel. Also in that pic is the '80 F150 mentioned above. This last pic is what it should look like when the suspension is fully compressed and with some extra weight all around I hope to get it to flex on dioramas without being pushed down or held. The hood scoop is made to look like those found on some HD dump trucks of the same body style.

I have many things planned for this build so stay tuned.

Comments welcome!

-Jay

Edited September 2, 2019 by Jay's Customs

[66belair]

Very interesting build, going to follow closely.

[Jay's Customs]

Got some cage work started on the back to hold the coilovers. Also made hoops for the front. Most of this will get small screws and glue just to ensure that nothing falls apart once completed.

More to come soon.

Pointers are appreciated!

[hjracing]

Great start, I'm glad to see prerruners being building

[average_joe]

Very interesting build, and that is some crazy flex! Following along for more updates, and looking forward to seeing the front suspension. Will you be installing a panhard bar for the rear?

[Jay's Customs]

3 hours ago, average_joe said:

Very interesting build, and that is some crazy flex! Following along for more updates, and looking forward to seeing the front suspension. Will you be installing a panhard bar for the rear?

Actually being that it is a 4 link suspension, with enough triangulation in the links a panhard bar isn't necessary. But just to make sure the axle wouldn't move side to side (because the amount of angle for the links is restricted at this scale and size), the triangulated top links are fixed to the same joint, making sway impossible.

[leafsprings]

These trucks did pretty good with the basic twin I beam and rear leafsprings too!

[leafsprings]

[Jay's Customs]

That is so cool! Thank you

[larman]

Nice work!

[WickedWelder]

That's awesome work so far. Can't wait to see the rest of the build. I have a f150 flareside kit I'm wanting to build as a pre-runner.