Nick's 379 build

[Snowman]

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



Goodies

Mockup

Cab and hood ain't right for a pete, more chopping to do

Better.

Reshaped sleeper and mockup with rest of body and John's sweeeet stax

[nenard]

Hot as blazez already! Very nice.

[Snowman]

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!

[Brian in PA]

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

[sneaky-pete]

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

[Snowman]

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.

[Snowman]

Quick update:











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.

[Tamiya Cowboy]

Very nice going to be killer when it is done..

[sneaky-pete]

Very cool,i love it!

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

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by sneaky-pete

Very cool,i love it!

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

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.

[sneaky-pete]

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

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by sneaky-pete

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

Hey, thanks man!

[Snowman]

Hey great how-to Troy, thanks for that!

[Claus]

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?

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by Claus

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?

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.

[sneaky-pete]

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

[Claus]

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.

[Brian in PA]

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

Brian

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by Claus

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.

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

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

[Claus]

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