78 Chevy Silverado Plumbing truck tribute

[Vince311]

Not sure starting another project, with four stalled projects on the bench, is a good idea. But... planning them is my favorite part. 

This build is a tribute to my dad's Plumbing truck, from the early 80s. I hope to get this started this year.

It's got a few unique elements to it that should be a challenge. Here is my build sheet thus far.

 

EDIT: updated build sheet with new plan of attack. 1/23/24

 

Edited January 24, 2024 by Vince311
revised build plan

[mikemodeler]

Nice tribute and looks like you are on your way to getting it done. Just a note on that donor kit- it is 4wd and has the different front end (81-87 model years). Check with Kris Morgan at Morgan Auto Detail, he has resin 78 Chevy longbed kit that also includes the bench seat. Has the side trim molded in and the grille. You will need a donor chassis and the Deserter kit can be elongated or you can buy a long bed frame from Texas 3D Customs. You will still need to fabricate a front suspension and depending on how accurate you want it to be, there might be some 3D printed options.

[Can-Con]

Yea, what Mike said.  , ,PLUS , , That e-bay grille is from a 1'24 Monogram kit. It won't fit the MPC pickup. Wrong scale and wrong front fenders and hood for it.

It's be easier to just get the Revell/Monogram 1/24 scale kit to start with.

[Vince311]

2 hours ago, mikemodeler said:

Nice tribute and looks like you are on your way to getting it done. Just a note on that donor kit- it is 4wd and has the different front end (81-87 model years). Check with Kris Morgan at Morgan Auto Detail, he has resin 78 Chevy longbed kit that also includes the bench seat. Has the side trim molded in and the grille. You will need a donor chassis and the Deserter kit can be elongated or you can buy a long bed frame from Texas 3D Customs. You will still need to fabricate a front suspension and depending on how accurate you want it to be, there might be some 3D printed options.

@mikemodeler @Can-Con

thanks for the review!

Yes, aware of the conversion from 4wd to 2wd. I've seen at least one 3D kit that facilitates this. Somewhere I read about a guy using a NASCAR chassis as well. ??

The long bed conversion seems to be the real challenge. The Mad Modeling (Morgan Auto Detail) bed is designed for a 1:25 kit. Thus the Deserter kit.  I originally wanted to use the GMC snow plow or Big Game truck, as those have the proper front clip. But alas, both are 1:24...and won't work with the MAD bed. hmmm.   

Then there is this route.

Edited January 14, 2024 by Vince311

[leafsprings]

1 hour ago, Vince311 said:

 

Then there is this route.

Bingo! IMO, that is the best way to go, much less headaches than the alternatives. 

[mikemodeler]

I would contact Kris at MAD, here are pictures of his 78 Chevy Pickup resin kit, mastered by Tom Ellifritt. You get the side trim, bench seat, correct grille and bumper, filler panel below the grille and a cab and bed that look like kit pieces, not clunky resin casting. I bought one from him and IIRC it was $70 plus shipping. It might be more but the Deserter kit will get you the tail lights, rear bumper, glass, drive train. You will either have to extend the kit frame or find one and of course the front 2wd suspension.

 

This kit is NOT on his website, so email him or contact him here on the forum.

 

 

[Vince311]

9 minutes ago, mikemodeler said:

I would contact Kris at MAD, here are pictures of his 78 Chevy Pickup resin kit, mastered by Tom Ellifritt. You get the side trim, bench seat, correct grille and bumper, filler panel below the grille and a cab and bed that look like kit pieces, not clunky resin casting. I bought one from him and IIRC it was $70 plus shipping. It might be more but the Deserter kit will get you the tail lights, rear bumper, glass, drive train. You will either have to extend the kit frame or find one and of course the front 2wd suspension.

 

This kit is NOT on his website, so email him or contact him here on the forum.

 

 

whoa buddy! indeed...that is sweet! I'll reach out to him. cheers!

[Vince311]

Had a chance to get this bad boy rolling again.
Extended the frame to accommodate the long bed. It’s not pretty, but should work. Fussing with ride height. 
door signage, license plates and seat decals designed. Got a friend doing a 3D print on the bumper mounted pipe clamp. Started getting the canopy laid out with various styrene panels. Bumper is being modded to resemble 1:1. 
ISO: needing to source the trailer/hauling mirrors. 92 f150 kit appears to have the closest. 

[Mattilacken]

Neat work there! will follow

[bandit1]

This is cool, Im wondering what are you using for the suspension on it? (Obviously the 2wd suspension is HOLY GRAIL status)

[Vince311]

44 minutes ago, bandit1 said:

This is cool, Im wondering what are you using for the suspension on it? (Obviously the 2wd suspension is HOLY GRAIL status)

Thanks! In all honesty, I wasn’t quite sure how this was gonna work out with the 2wd conversion. I understand that there are aftermarket drop kits available.I’m also not super concerned with accuracy as far as the suspension goes.
 

I’m using a 60s Chevy pickup front suspension, with a bit of blocking to get ride height. For the rear, I have the axle sitting on the frame, which has been shimmed for ride height. I’ll try to get some pics up soon. 

[TopherMcGinnis]

Where did you get the cab/bed from?

[Vince311]

3 hours ago, TopherMcGinnis said:

Where did you get the cab/bed from?

See above in Post. Mad Modeling

[Mattilacken]

Vince, i have a custom front 2wd conversion kit that i made, based on C5 lower arms and tubular uppers. You can have the files if you have the possibility to print.

Its acutaly designed for Revell's Bajja fever in 1/16 scale but works to scale down. It includes uprights,(not c5) and custom crossmember. and steering gear.

 

[Mattilacken]

Another picture of the printed part in 1/16

[mikemodeler]

20 hours ago, TopherMcGinnis said:

Where did you get the cab/bed from?

Morgan Auto Detail. Kris Morgan is a member here (Kris Morgan) and if you message him he can get you the details.

 

[Repstock]

On 1/14/2024 at 3:26 PM, mikemodeler said:

I would contact Kris at MAD, here are pictures of his 78 Chevy Pickup resin kit, mastered by Tom Ellifritt. You get the side trim, bench seat, correct grille and bumper, filler panel below the grille and a cab and bed that look like kit pieces, not clunky resin casting. I bought one from him and IIRC it was $70 plus shipping. It might be more but the Deserter kit will get you the tail lights, rear bumper, glass, drive train. You will either have to extend the kit frame or find one and of course the front 2wd suspension.

 

This kit is NOT on his website, so email him or contact him here on the forum.

 

 

 

Looking forward to seeing this progress. I should have sanded off the "Scottsdale" on the master, but it was so well done.

[Vince311]

4 hours ago, Repstock said:

Looking forward to seeing this progress. I should have sanded off the "Scottsdale" on the master, but it was so well done.

@Repstock the body is great. Love the detail. Yea, unfortunate that the Scottsdale will get replaced. Stay tuned!

[Vince311]

13 hours ago, Mattilacken said:

Another picture of the printed part in 1/16

 

@Mattilacken

Well that is cool. I do not have 3D print capability 😞 I’m using a front end out of early Chevy truck. Not nearly as detailed, but putting my energy toward the exterior details

[Mattilacken]

That looks just right! Nice work.

[Ulf]

Wow, this warms the heart of an old plumber, nice with a moodboard, a visualization of the project goal. 

[Vince311]

Working on the scratch built canopy. Wondering if anyone might have an extra utility bed from the Mobius Ford utility kits? The box latches are perfect. 

 

[GLMFAA1]

here is easier slam lock solution:

greg

[Vince311]

51 minutes ago, GLMFAA1 said:

here is easier slam lock solution:

greg

whoa! and there they are. much easier. thank you!

[Mattilacken]

There is also this 3d file for 1:1, easy to make it thicker and print it.

Locking paddle handle slam latch | 3D CAD Model Library | GrabCAD