Nick's 379 build
 

Well, it's about time I shared with you guys what I have been building and how far I've got so far. So, without further ado, here's a brief resumé in pictures:
The start
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/DSC00446.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/DSC00503.jpg
Goodies
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/DSC00520.jpg
Mockup
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/DSC00524.jpg
Cab and hood ain't right for a pete, more chopping to do
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/DSC00538.jpg
Better.
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/DSC00551.jpg
Reshaped sleeper and mockup with rest of body and John's sweeeet stax
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/DSC00567.jpg

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Hot as blazez already! Very nice.

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Thanks. I've learnt a lot about body filler and sanding. Done a lot of that. Had a few setbacks, pinholes in filler. Wasn't happy with the hood sides so chopped them out and made new panels.
Got a set of Brian's super steps to polish up and fit. Could anyone give me some advice on polishing aluminium? I've been wet sanding the steps to take off any marks, working through the grades. I have a dremel to polish with. Any tips on what speed to use? Is faster better or not?
Thanks!

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Nice pics Nick! Polishing aluminum is pretty easy if you got the right stuff. The dremal will work fine but you will eat up a lot of wheels. I recommend getting a small bench grinder and putting a set of buffing wheels on it. This will be your best bet for your larger parts.

Good luck!

Brian

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

The truck looks cool Nick,now hurry up with some more progress photo's:D

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Thanks Brian for the tip, I'll be investing in a little bench grinder and buffing wheels soon.
Troy, just as soon as I finish the bodywork I'll post some more pics!
Next month I should have a bit more time to myself, my target is to finish the whole thing before the end of the year.

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Quick update:

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/IMAG0058.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/IMAG0059.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/IMAG0060.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/IMAG0061.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/IMAG0062.jpg

Tanks and steps are just sitting on the table, they will be mounted a couple of mm higher, and the lower cowl will be trimmed a few mm too. Been deliberating for ages just trying to get everything lined up but I think it's as near as it will ever be. Been working from photos so it can be quite tricky to get it right. Sitting on rims at the moment as I need to remove the lacquer to polish them up before trying to fit modified wedico tyres to simulate lo pros.

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

WoW!! this is a great update Nick! This brings a whole idea to low riders.

Brian

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Awesome job Nick....That thing is sweet!! I cant wait to see this one done..:D:cool:

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Very cool,i love it!

You are going to have fun stretching those tires around the wheels!:D

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Thanks Troy, actually I was gonna ask you if you have any tips for fitting those tyres, did you trim them at all?

Brian, I hadn't intended to build a lowrider from the outset, but it seems to have naturally gone that way! The cab work you did on your daycab convinced me to redo the windshield on mine. Really helps capture the pete look.

Brian, John, Mr Cowboy, Troy, you have all built trucks that have inspired this build so thanks for the kind words, means a lot, and thanks for sharing all your builds. Without all this information I wouldn't have got where I am now with my project.

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

I will send you a pic of what I did w/explanation when I get home tonight.:D

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Hey, thanks man! :)

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Hey Nick,
This is how I fit the wedico tires to my meir wheels.
First I ground down the lips on the inside with my bench grinder(be careful not
to nick the outer rim).


http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...5/DSC02249.jpg
In this pic,I cut off the long portion of the hub so I could use my hub covers.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...5/DSC02250.jpg

Then I wet the tire to help slide it on (this helps when you are doing a bunch of
tires).
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...5/DSC02251.jpg

When you get the tire on the wheel it will be lop-sided.
You will need to work the tire around the wheel with your fingers.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...5/DSC02252.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...5/DSC02253.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...5/DSC02254.jpg

Then you are done!
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...5/DSC02255.jpg

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

That looks great Troy. There is no mods to the tires?

Brian

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Sorry I forgot to mention that I did not modify the tires.:D

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

someone can also make wheels to fit :rolleyes: he just did 2 tonight

Troy where you get those hub covers ?

looks good , Nick :cool:

IHSteve

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

you guys lost me here! :confused:

you have a king hauler with wedico rims and whos tires??
whats the reason for this setup:confused:

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Nope, Meir wheels, Wedico tires, I believe they are going for the low-profile look.

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Troy where you get those hub covers ?

looks good , Nick :cool:

IHSteve[/QUOTE]

Here ya go Steve!
http://www.verkerk-modelbouw.nl/inde...n/Page2892.htm

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Hey great how-to Troy, thanks for that!

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Those hub covers look really nice. I assume you removed the anodize and polished the wheels? How would those wheels look if you would have used the hub covers they came with?

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Check out this link, it shows the drive wheels with the hub covers they come with.

http://www.rcmier.com/ENG/ProductView.aspx?id=160

It's just a cap that screws on the end of the hub cover, if you look at my pictures you can see the rims, all I haven't fitted is the end caps.

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

The caps look very nice Nick but I don't think I could go from aluminum parts back to plastic. I'm trying to use aluminum parts on my build when I can.

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

The Meir hub covers are fine,I just liked the more realistic domed end insted
of the flat end w/star pattern.

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

I have a couple sets of those caps that I'm not using, If your interested I'll sell or swap.

Brian

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

The mier wheels are all aluminium, including the caps. Unless you meant that comment for Troy, I'm Nick :D

I think the verkerk plastic caps look good, even if they are plastic, but it's all a matter of opinion of course.

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Sorry to Nick and Troy, my mistake. You both have very nice trucks.

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Hey no apologies needed, I certainly didn't take offense! Your build certainly sounds like it will be nice too, with all the plastic you will be swapping out for aluminium, looking forward to seeing some progress!

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Thanks Nick, kind of in the holding pattern right now, need to work a couple doubles or something to get some more hobby money for more aluminum parts. Those plastic cross-members have to go.

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

That is going to be a good looking truck when you get done with it, can't wait to see more pics of the truck!

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

i love those stax , i'll be using them on my build for sure

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Well it's about time for an update. Long overdue, I know.
It's not gonna look like much but I have spent hours making the fenders and inner fenders. I had to start again as I wrecked my first set of fenders. Time to put it down and walk away for a bit...
So here's where I'm at now:
Truck is provisionally sitting on my trailer tyres until I get the rims steve's making for me to fit wedico tyres.
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/IMAG0288.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/IMAG0279.jpg
Need to bend and glue the last bit of trim there, and also trim back the lower cowl to be level with the bottom of the fender
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/IMAG0281.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/IMAG0280.jpg
Finally I need to make that notched part of the lower cowl there to fill the gap with the inner fender
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/IMAG0283.jpg

The sleeper is almost ready for detailing, then I need to put all the rivets on and see about the headlights. Still a long way to go...

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

That's gonna be a sweet ride! I love to see you guys build these custom trucks. Its coming together nicely! Keep up the good work!:cool:

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Ok some more progress, spent ages just trying to get the look right. Does this thing look like a pete??

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/IMAG0375.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/IMAG0376.jpg

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Uh yeah this thing looks like a Pete! Great job!

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

It looks just like a custom extended hood pete...Extra long hood like the Beast...SWEET!!

http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/101_3765.jpg

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

Nick, you are doing a great job bud, keep up the good work, and YESSSSS!!!
It look's like a "PETE". :D:);)

Big John

Re: Nick's 379 build
 

It looks like a real nice Pete.:D