Re: Willys Project M-38
 

Wow - Thanks guys, I appreciate ALL the kind words. Adding ALL the small body details to these Jeeps is what really makes them super scale in my opinion, and is well worth the extra effort. This one is by FAR turning into my favorite build to date..( sorry Clampy..:lmao:) Its not even together yet and I keep coming up with more stuff to do to it, it never ends..! LOL "thumbsup"

More to come soon..!

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

Hey Guys, little update for ya -

Well after MUCH thought, I really wasn't happy with the "plain-jane" flat aluminum front bumper I made for the Willys. Granted there really wasn't anything wrong with it, but it just didn't have that "cool" factor I was looking for when I made it.

So I started digging thru some old 4x4 magazines and looked online to find some custom Willys bumper pics. I eventually found one that looked similar to one of Warns Jeep TJ bumpers, which I thought would look Awesome on this build. Then It dawned on me, I remembered buying a set of MSD scale "Warn" aluminum bumpers WAYY back in the day (when they were still available). All I had to do was remember where I stashed them, and hope I still had them ! After rummaging around for a bit I finally found them (whew) and after mocking one up, I thought it looked Perfect..!! These bumpers were MADE for these 1/6 Jeeps..!! :mrgreen:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5294.jpg

I then had to modify the aluminum mounting cradle I originally made for the winch. Instead of the mounting plate being on top, I simply moved it down, and the winch is now recessed into the bumper. I am also re-using the 3Racing roller fairlead with this Warn bumper set-up, should look killer when all done..! ;-)

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5297.jpg

Then came the finish bodywork - sanding, filling, sanding, filling again, etc, etc... What FUN..! :lmao:

I first shot it with "Ruddy Brown" primer -

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5310.jpg

I let it dry for an hour or so, then shot it with regular primer grey -

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5309.jpg

Then I let the works dry overnight. This morning I shot it with Gloss RED ( my final color choice..) The color in the picture looks more brown than red, but trust me, its Red :ror:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5311.jpg

This was the point where I had a descision to make. Did I want to leave the glossy paint alone and go for the "brand-new" resto-mod offroad jeep, OR weather the CRAP out of it and make it look as If someone bought it unrestored bone stock and built a sick wheelin' rig with what they had....





It WASN'T a tough descision....... :mrgreen::mrgreen:






http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5323.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5327.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5332.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5330.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5324.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5328.jpg

Weathering this was 100% the correct thing to do with this body. I still have a little more to do, then its time to start the re-assembly process and hopefully get it driveable within the next few days. Stay tuned..! "thumbsup"

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

Could you throw this body next to say a Hilux. I wanna see the size factor.

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

Heres todays progress...

I cut and shaped these out of the Hot Racing aluminum diamond plate sheets I bought from RPP hobby. I can just picture ALL the other neat projects I can now build with this stuff..! ( It looks totally awesome, and is super easy to cut and work with !! )

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5336.jpg

Here they are test fitted and installed... I also thought about using a nice freshly painted jerry can for this project - mmmm... Nope, used and abused wins every time..! :)

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5337.jpg

As cool as these guards look all nice and shiny, that just ain't gonna cut it on this build, so they will be sprayed satin black.:twisted:

Here you can see I also added an extra rear spreader bar, and some "OH $hit" handles to the rollcage I got from BigSki.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5344.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5346.jpg


And heres a few more outdoor pics..

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5350.jpg

These corner guards will look GREAT once they get all scratched and banged up from the rocks..! :mrgreen:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5352.jpg

And heres the front end with the freshly installed front bumper/winch unit, headlights and directionals. Jeez, its actually starting to look like a Willys now..! :ror:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5353.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5347.jpg

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

Can do bud "thumbsup"

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5355.jpg

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

Thanks

I see every one is building these 1/6 but I would think going 2.2 class 3 would be about right.

It doesn't seam that much bigger that the Hilux. Does it seam like it would work as class 3?

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

Great progress so far! Darin (reddevildemo) wrote the BOOK on weathering these rigs."thumbsup" I used the same diamond tread on my orange Jeep, it has been unbelievably durable, I used GOOP to hold it on the body. I've intentionally driven the jeep into rocks just to put some scuff marks on it. I'll have to update that build thread, I finally got my over heating issue under control so now I can drive the Jeep in the summer heat.

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

"thumbsup" That looks real good. Outstanding work...

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

WOW, looks like a perfect barn find project crawler to me. Faded look turned out great. I'll have to look into that diamond plate you guys used, looks much easier to use then the plastic card stuff. I am absolutely in love with your grill/headlights too !! I may try my hand at a copy of that for my current project.

Thanks Bigski for the props. Detailing these things is the funnest part for me.

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

Update Time :mrgreen:

Well I've been working on this thing non stop every night after work, and every free chance I get. Heres where we're at as of now...


First off, I got the seats painted and mounted up ( still need to add the seat belts)

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5362.jpg

Then I made up this diamond plate tool box out of styrene ( wrapped with the same stuff as the quarter panel guards) which now holds all the electronics and wiring for the cooling fan, headlights, and various other switches I've installed. ( the actual on/off switch for the truck, and on/off switch for the winch control as well) Its a crammed fit, but its all in there..! :ror:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5361.jpg

I then started adding a few more scale details.....

Sleeping bag and ammo box

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5391.jpg

Muffler with polished aluminum tip

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5388.jpg

Then I made up a custom soft top ( out of real canvas), scale Petersens "4Wheel & Off-road" magazine for the front seat as well adding a scale fire extinguisher, leather hold down strap with buckle for the jerry can , scale tow strap with "D" rings and a "Warn" winch hook pull strap.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5369.jpg

Then once I got it ALL together, wired up and runnable, I FINALLY got to drive this beast tonight..!! :mrgreen::mrgreen:.

There are still a few bugs that need to be worked out here and there but overall I'm VERY pleased at how this Jeep runs and drives. Its SOO realistic crawling over the rocks and dirt hills. Heres a few pics. I also picked up a set of RC4WD Rox Lox on Steelies to bang around in the rocks with ( I just can't bring myself to wreck the CAC's yet :ror:).

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5408.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5402.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5399.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5377.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5381.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5370.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5394.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5416.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5412.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...ler/willys.jpg

Then the sun went over the hump, so I hit the lights for the first time.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5427.jpg

I still need to finish up the windshield, and then detail the windshield frame. I've also got a few other scale tricks up my sleeve planned for this one, so stay tuned..! "thumbsup"

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

Looking good, could you tell me where you got the seats, I've been trying to find something similar for mine.

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

Thanks "thumbsup"

The seats I used came out of a 1/6th scale Newbright Jeep Wrangler TJ. They were a perfect fit for this rig, and were really easy to mount into the body tub.

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

Very nice indeed. Great use of those seats too, I was wondering what they would look like in one of these. I have several of those myself, I'll have to remember that for the future.

Diggin' the bikini top, I tried one but yours my friend, well you nailed it.

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

very nice... love the top and the electronics box "thumbsup"

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

It looks great, very well done."thumbsup"

You gonna put a driver in the seat? I swear it takes forever to find the 'right' action figure for a driver.

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

Thanks guys, Honestly I've never really been one to put driver figures in my scalers but yes, I too think this one seems to need one - any hot spots to find super detailed 1/6th scale driver figures..?


Well it was 80 degrees and sunny today, so I took the ole Willys out for another spin thru the rock garden. Not that its a huge deal, but I did disassemble the steel rims and I painted the inner most ring flat black ( which makes a HUGE difference in the overall look IMO). I also added some front locking hubs as well. Axial SCX-10 stock black plastic wheel nut covers look perfect on these 6th scale jeeps with just a few painted details. Heres a few pics - enjoy

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5445.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5443.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5447.jpg

Then I pulled out the ole' 1:1 to snap a few pics with its new little brother... :ror:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5451.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5450.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5454.jpg

Hows this for my new hood ornament..?? :lmao:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...r/HPIM5458.jpg

More to come soon "thumbsup"

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

1:6 figures on ebay... phicen makes some really nice detailed and seamless female bodys...they're kinda spendy though...

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

X2 for fleaby to find a 1:6 'male action figure' :mrgreen: Your Jeep turned out great, it's the motivation I needed to get back to my blue one."thumbsup"

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

Thanks, well it looks like we're even then as your blue jeep was the inspiration, and motivation I needed to get back to building this one..!! :lmao: "thumbsup"

Re: Willys Project M-38
 

Awesome job, I love the look with the 1:1, I am jealous of BOTH of these Jeeps !!
Can I ask a favor? What is the width at the lowest part of your Grill? I am trying to get the Rod going but it is hard with out the body in hand.

Thanks