Ford Flareside comparo...

[mk11]

Thought a comparison of the majority of Ford Flareside kits was timely with two majorly looked forward to Ford pickup models coming on-stream in the near future. Didn't realize I had them all until recent forays into the stash.

 

Boxes L - R: '80 red monogram krusher, '80 revell night rider, '53 mpc flip-nose, '53 gray amt and the '56 revell pickup box. Have to look again for the monogram '55 box.

Fenders are (l-r): mpc '53, amt '53, monogram '55 and revell '56. MPC and AMT fenders are very close in size.

 

 

The '53 mpc and amt boxes are identical in size to each other and to the revell '56 box aside from from minor engraving differences and the clearance bumps for the mpc slicks. Any of these 1/25 boxes will be perfect for the new moebius bumpside. This series and size of box ended with '72 production. No 1:1 short flareside was offered from '73 to '75.

 

 

The revell and monogram '80-'86 boxes are identical in size. Note that these would be the proper style box to use on '77-'79 pickups using the '53-'72 rounded fenders.

The short flareside box reintroduced in '76 was a one year wonder with taller flared sides; created by Ford's cutting down lengthwise the 8' flareside box. This was a wider design with both sides moved out two inches with the wheelhouse arch sticking out on the inside. This change was necessary because of the wider axle used in the '73-up trucks. The flared top on the '76 box was flattened for the '77-up trucks.

 

 

 

 

mike

Edited September 23, 2017 by mk11

[mk11]

Now the question of scale differences arises... they're not as far apart as most people think. Here's the 1/24 krusher and the 1/25 amt box contrasted. Despite the width difference, partly by scale and partly by the newer wider design, the sidewall height is very close to identical.

 

 

This one shows how the monogram '80 wheelhouse inners are not far off the inner width of the '53 box. The width of a single saw cut for sectioning widthwise will probably bring this close enough to scale that it can be used with the rounded fenders on the soon to be reissued AMT 78/79 pickup.

 

Here's a contrast of the monogram '55 and the revell '56 fenders. The narrower '55 fenders would be a good choice for the brave soul attempting a stock build of that '56.

 

 

Hope this clarifies some of the mystery on this stuff...

 

 

 

mike

Edited September 23, 2017 by mk11

[Casey]

Not sure if this'll help much, but here are the Monogram '55's bed parts:

...and the bed floor, molded as one with the cab floor and running boards:

[mk11]

Thanks, Casey. IIRC, it was the same width as the other 1/24 boxes.

The Quadzilla/Krusher and Night Rider aren't all that easy to find, but the re-issued monogram '80 ranger has the same box they had.

Here are the factory measurements for the '53- '72 and '76- '86 flareside boxes.

 

Note that the above pic shows the '53-'72 8' flareside but the shortbox measurements are in the text. It was only 49" wide, with flat inner walls.

77-86

 

 

mike

Edited September 25, 2017 by mk11

[mk11]

A look at the actual '76 and '77-'86 short flaresides...

'76  -same box as 77-86 but with one year only flared tops

77-86   77-79 with round fenders, 80-86 with the squared off fenders... same box

53-72 box

 

AMT F350 info...http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/80867-amts-ford-f350-pickups/

 

 

mike

Edited November 1, 2017 by mk11

[leafsprings]

Thanks for the excellent in depth review of the flareside beds. Yes, it does get confusing after '76, but luckily the '67-72 Moebuis kits can get by with the '53 F 100 bed. It just requires a reworking of the running board step. I'll keep this thread in mind when attempting the '77 thru '79 Flareside.

[Eshaver]

Thanks for the excellent in depth review of the flareside beds. Yes, it does get confusing after '76, but luckily the '67-72 Moebuis kits can get by with the '53 F 100 bed. It just requires a reworking of the running board step. I'll keep this thread in mind when attempting the '77 thru '79 Flareside.

Yes indeed Tommy ! I own a 1978 Step side and people are all the time mistaking it for a much older truck too . The big reason for the extended width was that camper shells weren't fitting the Step side beds . Sure a 4 X8 sheet of plywood fits flat , but try to find certain parts to rebuild the real deal with .

[leafsprings]

Here is my shot at a '71 flareside, maybe do a 4x4 next!

[Atmobil]

Nice one, modeled after the FMT?

[leafsprings]

Used the  AMT '53 F 100 bed.  Running boards cut down and in a slightly  higher postion to be level with bottom of cab. Tail lights are from a Ford C series. Hopefully, I'll have correct F 100 bottlecap hubcaps  soon!

Edited November 12, 2017 by leafsprings

[mk11]

Looks like moebius is joining the party with their own shortbox. The early mockup, however, shows a middle stake pocket that never existed on the 6' box.

mike

[stavanzer]

And on another thread Dave from Moebius has stated that the middle stake pocket problem has already been noted, and should be corrected.  I'm looking forward to having another Stepside Ford Kit in the future,