Re: Utility Truck
 

Thank you for the complement Catrik. I got a wee bit more done on the floorpan last week, but not much, so no photos this week.

I was thinking of making an old truck mountable cable crane to go on the back, similar to the style of the one made by Seilbagger (see his thread here).

However, this build is constantly changing as I go. Now I am going to make more of an old truck mounted forestry / hedger machine, using linear articulators and booms. I am doing this because I think it will be more usable around the yard. I have a old weed eater that I am going to convert into a cutting head to trim my yard with.
I still want to build a crane but I have bumped it down my build list.

Re: Utility Truck
 

Got the cab doors mounted. They are made from 1.2mm sheet I cut from some old draftmans A1 sized plan draws we pulled from a dumpster (one mans trash is another mans treasure). They had a nice fold in them so I used it as the top of the door. I don't plan on having side windows.

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB43b.jpg

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB44b.jpg

I drilled and tapped M3 into the flatbar hoop, M3 nuts & bolts on the door.

Re: Utility Truck
 

This is a call heavy duty, nice job

Re: Utility Truck
 

Yip, getting heavy alright, weighed in at 5.7kg before I put the cab doors on.

Was able to fab and mount the rear of the cab, will start front windscreens next week.


http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB45.jpg


http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB46b.jpg


http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB47b.jpg


http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB48b.jpg

I need to cut a bit out the side to allow batterys to be put under the seat, I'll make it look like a access panel or toolbox and hinge it.

Starting to look more like I had it in my head every week. :)

Re: Utility Truck
 

Its really taking shape.Great sheet metal work.

Re: Utility Truck
 

Already looks like you are gonna need sturdier tires on the front :) Do you have anything in them now, like foam or something?

Re: Utility Truck
 

Thank you for the comments.

Catrik, currently has standard foams in the front tires, I plan on beefing them up with more to get rid of the flat tire effect.

Re: Utility Truck
 

Been awhile, but got some time on the truck this Saturday.

Finished up the door latches, made from bit of rod, a nail and a ball point pen spring.
Also, added hand rails made from a pushbike spoke.

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/fb49.jpg

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/fb51.jpg

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/fb52.jpg

quick update video on YouTube here: http://youtu.be/88bLPSI9Ikg

Re: Utility Truck
 

Made a little progress on the cab interior last weekend.
Fabbed up the cover for the spur & motor, blew a bit of sheet, left the holes there to plug weld some gear levers through.

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB54.jpg

Begining the dash mock up.

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB57.jpg

Re: Utility Truck
 

Looking good :) Are you going to mig weld everything and grind all the welds (pain in the *** IMO) or just tack with MIG and finish with soldering? I think is it faster and easier with so thin metals.

Re: Utility Truck
 

@Catrik: Pretty much just tack it where there is no load, weld it where it needs it.

Doing more detaling of the cab interior, using nails and scraps of sheet for peddles and gear levers. Conctrete reinforcing mesh & scrap rods for steering wheel.

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB58.jpg

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB59b.jpg

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB60b.jpg

Re: Utility Truck
 

Bit more done on truck interior, moving onto the rest of the cab next.

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB61.jpg

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB63b.jpg

Re: Utility Truck
 

Front window screen frame. Going to be an old style split screen.

Squaring up the rear of the cab before building onto it.

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB64.jpg

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB66.jpg

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB67.jpg

http://steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB70b.jpg

perpex windows
http://steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB71.jpg

Re: Utility Truck
 

Nice Build, the sheet metal work is very nice. You are up there in the skill department. Keep up the good work. Cant wait to see how you finish it up and paint it.

Re: Utility Truck
 

Thank You Cammo. There is only one colour for an old army truck: Olive Drab :o)

It has been an interesting build for me, definitely the longest build I've done, been about a year now.

I have fabbed up the roof and will weld it on once I finish up the windscreen hinges.

http://steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB72.jpg

Re: Utility Truck
 

Your truck motivates me on my tank build, I need to finish it fast as possible so I can start working on similiar truck+trailer :D What total dimensions and weight do you have so far?

Re: Utility Truck
 

hehe, yeah man get to it :)

I am at the workshop tomorrow hopefully, and I am curious about current weight myself, I'll weigh her up and let you know. I expect it to be pretty heavy by time it's finished, it's called Fat Betty for a reason lol.

I wasn't planning to, but recently I have been thinking about a sound module, I think I'll use a TSB mini from Benedini. I have heard the RC4WD worm drive can be pretty noisy, so if it drowns the sound module noise I'll put it in another build.

Re: Utility Truck
 

Got a little done on the window hinges.

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB75a.jpg

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB76a.jpg

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB76b.jpg

I weighed it up, currently 6.2kg as it stands now.

Re: Utility Truck
 

Made a deck out of some recycled slats and framed it with cut in half 12mm square tube.

http://steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB79.jpg

Welded on roof and cut out rear window.

http://steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB81.jpg

Wheel clearance

http://steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB82.jpg

Strapping under deck, still just mocked up, will fab chassis mounts next week.

http://steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB84.jpg

Once the deck is done it'll help me with getting an eye for the width of the steps, wheel guards etc which I should be getting to in a few weeks hopefully.

Re: Utility Truck
 

Looking great
what colour are you going to paint it?

Re: Utility Truck
 

Thanks grumpygrady, it'll be OD in color.

Deck is now done

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB95.jpg

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB96.jpg

Got the steps done also.

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB97.jpg

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB100.jpg

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB99.jpg

Welded a bit of scrap rod to hold the shape of the fender on the body.

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB101.jpg

Although it has the wood deck on it now, it was made as a utility base, here is the beginings of a puner head to go on a kind of truck mounted forestry machine. A cheap 11v electric puner that should be easy enough to modify.

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB103.jpg

Re: Utility Truck
 

Air filter made, not quite finished, but pretty close.

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB116.jpg

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB117.jpg

Re: Utility Truck
 

Your making some really good progress!! I think its looking great

Re: Utility Truck
 

Wow Cyanide,
You have done a fantastic job, I read through your whole build log yesterday when I found the thread, I want to build something similar, only in 1/6 scale,no excuses now,got to get on with it now,thanks for the inspiration, a super truck.
cheers for now,
Richard.

Re: Utility Truck
 

Thanks Richard, wow a 1/6th scale truck? that will be a biggun for sure! I am not exactly sure what this one is, I think it's close to 1/10th (ish).

I havn't been able to get a whole lot done on her as far as fabbing in the workshop goes recently, some health issues are delaying my plans right now, I did get the electrics fit out done, and now I've stripped it back down to do the final touch ups and detailing back at the workshop, here is a video of the electrics on YouTube: http://youtu.be/89GhqDOvDPc

Poser photo in the back yard
http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB120.jpg

Re: Utility Truck
 

Nice looking truck....You do nice work.

Re: Utility Truck
 

Awesome build! Can't wait to see finished truck.

Re: Utility Truck
 

Looks authentic. Are you going to "weather" it any??

- RCT

Re: Utility Truck
 

Thank You guys, I am pretty please with how it's turned out so far.

Yep, I am purposely going to not prep the metal and only give it a quite light coat of Olive Drab so the rust will come through, will try to leave as much of the cab roof and perhaps bonnet as it is with the rusty patina. In other parts I may take to it with light sandpaper (steps & hand rails) to give it the old used look.

I have since touched up the parts on the chassis where I wanted to fill in or fix old welds and knocked back the ugly with a flapper disc, added some tanks while I was at it.

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB124.jpg

I only have the 'fake' engine block left to build and it's pretty much ready for paint & final assembly. I hoped to have her done before the end of this year, but I was diagnosed with cancer not long ago and with surgery, radiation & chemo therapies coming up she'll have to wait a bit to get the last bits done, I was so **** close to finishing it too, argh! but of course the health must come first. Stay tuned, I will get her finished.:)

Re: Utility Truck
 

She looks great Marc. When you're finished it will be a One-of-a-Kind. Excellent :) :D :)

I'm sorry the cancer is being a such a pain in the @$$, but keep up the good fight.
I'm glad that you have found this passion we share to take your mind off of such things. :D :D

God Bless and just remember... If you don't piss off at least one person every day, you're doing it wrong :lol: :lol: :lol:

- RCT

Re: Utility Truck
 

I'm taking it easy recovering post surgery before starting the radiation & chemo, but have almost finished the radiator over the last few days. Once it is mounted in the engine bay I can start the engine block.

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB129b.jpg

Re: Utility Truck
 

Looks great. Such detail is just outstanding. :cool:

Hope you feel better. I know how the ICU can be; B-O-R-I-N-G :eek:

Just hang in there and try to feel well. :)

- RCT

Re: Utility Truck
 

Nice build. It looks mean!

Re: Utility Truck
 

I like your radiator!
Cheer's, Neil.

Re: Utility Truck
 

Thank You for your kind words guys!

I've pretty much completed the 'fake' engine which I will store surplus wire inside of through a hole in the bottom (most the electrics are mounted to the fire wall).
Made from various bits of junk (pencil tin, old HO loco body, wood, 3.5" floppy motors, switch, bike spokes, dog food tin lid, drinking straws, mic, there's even an old turntable cartridge on it :) ).

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB133b.jpg

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB134.jpg

Still need to add the exhaust pipe to the manifold to complete it and fix the paint on the radiator pipes, but I should be hitting the chassis & body with sprey cans pretty soon. :D

Re: Utility Truck
 

Finally finished up the fab work, last details of wing mirrors and bonnet support finished today. Next is strip down, paint (Olive Drab) and final fit out. Here is some pictures of it before I strip it back down again.

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB138.jpg

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB139.jpg

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB140.jpg

Re: Utility Truck
 

It keeps getting better!
Cheer's, Neil.

Re: Utility Truck
 

very nice!

Re: Utility Truck
 

Finally finished!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

http://www.steelrats.com/builds/fatbetty/FB146.jpg

Here is a wee teaser video and a bit of a show 'n tell. I will do running video this weekend I hope.

Teaser Video: http://youtu.be/xITjSleyrBw

Build Thread Slide Show: http://youtu.be/PsVee8CEHPw