[choc-ice]

Amazingly* there's not a slot car version of a 1982 GMC Sierra 2500 pickup truck. Even though it was the coolest pickup on TV at the time and Scalextric had a sneaky try with this one

And AFX released this one

I searched for a 1:32 scale version and found a few, actually worse than finding nothing because it was a series of dead-ends!

There was a new diecast GMC truck I got from the US, it's approximately the right series but the casting is quite poor and it's a little smaller than the advertised 1:32 scale. Amazingly Britains who make farm toys also did a 1982 Chevy truck which I thought would be a good start. I was wrong.

Instead I went for what I know and found a 3D CAD model which I was able to accurately scale to 1:32. The bull bar and spotlights were too fragile so they'll need to be made again, but it's a good start I think

My fascination with film cars isn't just from seeing them on TV (cracking youtube link here) but the story behind them. For a while the production company bought pickup trucks and destroyed them in stunts, but unlike the Dukes of Hazzard they soon built a special jump truck which could really take the ramp at speed and survive the landing. The engine was moved backwards, the whole truck made lighter and it was just 2 wheel drive to save weight.

*Of course it's not amazing, you'd have to be out of your mind to do a pickup truck

 

[scuderia_turini]

Love it. Recognised the lyrics immediately - a great show.

I recall that the truck belonged to the Fall Guy's side-kick though ??

I have a 1:32 Ford Bronco that I thought about putting on Ebay, I know what I'm going to do to it now...

Kind regards, Leo

 

[Julian_Boolean]

The Fall Guy is currently on ITV4 twice a day during the day, having just had a week off work sick, it's been the highlight of my day, well Heather Thomas was.
And the truck definitely belonged to Colt not Howie.

 

[choc-ice]

Don't worry mate, I'm sure Heather Thomas is in her sick bed now being perked up by seeing you

 

[choc-ice]

I've got a little ahead of myself here; the 3D bodyshell looks like this, the wheelbase is actually a millimetre longer than the '72 Cadillac bodyshell!

The spotlights and front bull bar didn't make the cleaning process, they'll be remade either with metal wire or as different castings but I'm not sure how to make them crash-proof

Checking clearance. The wheels are 16 inch and tyres are 35 inch. The whole bodyshell is lifted by a few millimetres to give clearance for the tyres and to make it authentic to the TV truck

 

[Julian_Boolean]

QUOTE (choc-ice @ 18 Mar 2012, 20:44) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Don't worry mate, I'm sure Heather Thomas is in her sick bed now being perked up by seeing you

You do know that the telly only works one way, don't you.

 

[scuderia_turini]

QUOTE (Julian_Boolean @ 18 Mar 2012, 20:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The Fall Guy is currently on ITV4 twice a day during the day, having just had a week off work sick, it's been the highlight of my day, well Heather Thomas was.
And the truck definitely belonged to Colt not Howie.
I don't know why I thought it was Howie's... Needless to say, I spent a lot of time on YT after posting ;- )

Leo

 

[Wraith]

Choc-ice

What 3d CAD do you use?
Hw do you get it from cad to model?

Thanks

Colin

 

[distantkiwi]

Looks like a new chassis will be in order for this one. It will have to bounce at least once after a jump.

 

[choc-ice]

kiwi, I'm interested to see how this one jumps, I think the tyres will help it bounce but I don't know what'll happen to the guide. Of course I'll need to get some custom tyres made up, these things are never as easy as you'd hope.

QUOTE (Wraith @ 19 Mar 2012, 02:55) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>What 3d CAD do you use?
Hw do you get it from cad to model?
Just the same as I did with the '72 Cadillac. I didn't do any of the 3D modelling myself other than the wheel inserts, just imported the CAD file, got the surfaces stitched together so it can be made, had it made on a 3D printer and the next stage will be to get them resin cast.

The Cadillac turned out very well, thanks to the skill of the guy who does the resin casting. I did the same with the Blues Brothers police car too and the resin shells should be done this week.

Basically it's to show that anyone can create a bodyshell with the help of others and file bureaus that are commercially available.

 

[Ember]

I know the truth. All this work is just practice and build up to your piece de resistance of the truck from BJ and the Bear.

 

[choc-ice]

I've seen a few 1:32 truck model kits around, it should be the work of a mere moment to get it motorised?

Your ideas make mine look sensible and well thought-out

 

[Mr Modifier]

Had you considered one of those raid type guides on a LONG drop arm? Your jumps would have to have a gap in the middle for the drop arm of course but you would give yourself a chance of driving off from a small percentage of landings. Now that would be worth a slo mo video!

Oops - time for a new chassis design!

 

[petestrike]

QUOTE (Ember @ 19 Mar 2012, 10:34) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I know the truth. All this work is just practice and build up to your piece de resistance of the truck from BJ and the Bear.

no...the A team van i reckon!!

 

[choc-ice]

QUOTE (Mr Modifier @ 19 Mar 2012, 14:50) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Had you considered one of those raid type guides on a LONG drop arm? Your jumps would have to have a gap in the middle for the drop arm of course but you would give yourself a chance of driving off from a small percentage of landings. Now that would be worth a slo mo video!

Oops - time for a new chassis design!
That's an interesting idea, I might give it a try, although connecting the steering linkage to the guide could be tricky...

Before that I need to source some 16" wheels, design some 8 spoke inserts and get some custom tyres made, I can't believe a tyre like that exists already? Then there's the graphics that need to be done; logo for the bonnet, GMC badge on the tailgate etc

QUOTE (petestrike @ 19 Mar 2012, 20:19) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>no...the A team van i reckon!!
Something that's often seen in chases, nobody else makes and is from a dodgy old TV show? I'm way ahead of you, in fact it's one of the reasons I need to do a new chassis - the van has got so little overhang front and rear

 

[distantkiwi]

Wow, oh wow, I think I love you choc-ice

edit: typical, I make statement like that and it leads the 2nd page. Doh!!!

 

[Jamie]

The Scalextric version was a bit of a let down when compared to the the Airfix (1/24) Model.

http://www.vintage-airfix.com/images/Box-T...l%20Guy%20Truck

James

 

[choc-ice]

But even the Airfix model wasn't quite right; it's the short wheelbase truck but it should be the long wheelbase one

 

[choc-ice]

QUOTE (choc-ice @ 19 Mar 2012, 09:39) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I'll need to get some custom tyres made up
Custom wheels and tyres now made!

They're 16 inch in scale, the wheels are SLS nylon like the chassis, the tyres are custom made from a 3D file I created. Computer modelling tyre tread is difficult so I indulged myself with the raised lettering which you can pick out with a white pen. Well, it was the '80s...

 

[choc-ice]

Bodyshell arrived today, Steve Francis worked miracles with this one, the draft angle inside the pickup bed made it quite a challenge.