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Post by Bri on Mar 28, 2007 21:03:38 GMT -5
I dug into the re-issue of AMT's Chevy Bison kit tonight. Can someone just answer me one thing? WHAT WAS I THINKING? ?? At the present time I currently have the frame in 5 clamps to keep it straight while the crossmembers dry. The frame rails are warped beyond belief and I'm just hoping the clamps and crossmembers will help straighten it out. I tried the warm watwer method and that didn't work either, so we'll see what happens now that the crossmembers are glued together. I'm wondering which direction I want to go with this truck at the present time. There aren't many custom Bison's on the road today, that's for sure, so I'm wondering if just a good ole work truck is in order for this project. I'm not even sure what color I want to paint this thing yet. Any ideas are more than welcome. Also, is the engine in this kit the green that was so prevelant or was it Cat Yellow? I'm thinking it was green, but I'm not sure. If it was that green, is there a true match in spray or bottle form? Sorry for the questions, just trying to make sure I get everything right with this wonderbucket of styrene.
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Post by chevymaniac on Mar 28, 2007 21:21:43 GMT -5
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Post by Bri on Mar 28, 2007 22:02:50 GMT -5
He definitely did a good job on that Bison, that's for sure. I'm still at a loss for a color scheme though. Maybe black and silver or red and orange or something along those lines...I don't know. I'm also wondering what trailer will look good behind this thing when it's done. Decision...decisions....
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Post by dieseldoc on Mar 28, 2007 22:38:03 GMT -5
You were not, ::)what else can I say. now you see first had my distain for AMT kits. so I'm wondering if just a good ole work truck is in order for this project Well at least the frame is pretwisted for you, that'll be one less step in the weathering process and will add a ton of realism. By the way I have a couple of built wreckers that ole work truck could hang from. ;D
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Post by 455 Rocket on Mar 29, 2007 5:27:17 GMT -5
Bri, I'm currently working on this truck. I built the whole frame first including the front springs and axle. At the rear, I added the axle mounts, but no axles or air bags. I then took out the hairdryer (thank God the wife has one, as I haven't needed one in years) and heated the frame. I only had to lower the rear section a little, no side to side twists. Look on Hank's Truck photos. He had a couple of Bisons and GMC Generals.
I painted my engine green. I mixed up some dark green, flat tan and some flat black. I guess its close. Look at my post to see the color. Napa Auto Parts may have the correct color.
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9900ix
CDL Student Driver
Jeff
Posts: 668
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Post by 9900ix on Mar 29, 2007 15:27:28 GMT -5
Wow now I'm scared to even open Mine now
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cfnutcase
Local Delivery Truck Driver
Posts: 300
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Post by cfnutcase on Mar 31, 2007 21:22:22 GMT -5
I built 2 of those kits, I hated both of them, just did not like building them, and did not like the way they looked when done, so they both went on ebay, never missed them and will never buy another one, that has to be about the worst kit ever! Jim
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Post by DoubleBarrel on Apr 5, 2007 9:36:34 GMT -5
Not sure if I want to get this kit or not unless I just use it for parts....
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Post by Bri on Apr 5, 2007 12:00:09 GMT -5
As of now my frame is still clamped to a flat surface in the hopes it will take the twist out of it a bit. I actually blame the manufacturer for the way the kit was packaged. the frame reails were taped with packing tape and crammed into one of the plastic bags which i am sure contributed to the twisting of the rails. I will take the clamps off tomorrow and hopefully be able to start adding the suspension pieces and get it all ready for paint.
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Post by 455 Rocket on Apr 5, 2007 12:29:02 GMT -5
Another area to watch out for is the #3 axle. When I went to install it, it would have been out of alignment. I had to shim the left side forward.
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bsoder
Local Delivery Truck Driver
Posts: 100
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Post by bsoder on Apr 6, 2007 20:56:44 GMT -5
Are ya havin' fun yet!!...hey I'm sure you'll beat it into submission ;D ;D
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Post by Bri on Jun 11, 2007 7:06:06 GMT -5
Just a quick update on this nightmare. I dug into the kit again last night, finally unclamping the frame to see just how much bend I got out of the frame. I'm not happy at all at this point as the frame is still twisted terribly. I will most likely take out the hair dryer tomorrow and heat the frame in the hopes of being able to bend it back into something useful. I did glue the engine halves together last night though and started removing the seams and mold lines from the cab. I found the hood to be warped almost as bad as the frame rails too, so I will have to toy with this piece as well in the hopes of being able to make it mate up with the cab cowl in a decent manner. I'll be lucky if I have this thing done for next year's NNL East at this point. I will get some pics posted this week sometime for sure, probably tomorrow...
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Post by caddyman338 on Jun 11, 2007 13:07:36 GMT -5
hey bri if ya want to donate the truck i will take it from ya
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Post by 455 Rocket on Jun 13, 2007 19:32:53 GMT -5
Make sure to attach the hood to the bumper first, before glueing the cab. I also had to shim the cab in back, but that could be because I did not use the sleeper. Overall, it is a nice looking truck.
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Post by Bri on Jun 17, 2007 13:02:55 GMT -5
I did a little more work to the Bison today. The front suspension is attached as are the set of rear leaf springs. I also glued the sleeper together and will probably paint the frame either tomorrow or Tuesday. The frame has actually begun to straighten out which is making it a little easier to assemble the chassis components. I know I've been promising pics and I will definitely get some up tomorrow. Not a whole lot to see right now except some bare white plastic pieces glued together though. After seeing Oliver's Ford LTL rig, I got really inspired to get back to work on this Bison and am attacking it with a new fervor. Isn't it great how someone else's efforts can inspire others to press ahead with projects that are giving you headaches? ;D
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