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Post by mrmetallic on Mar 18, 2019 6:09:02 GMT -5
Over the last few years I've accumulated a few cool items from my friend Chuck Darnell, each with the stipulation that I need to actually build them. With the full intent of doing so with all of them eventually, I figured I better at least start making good on the promises. I got this one at the Spring 2019 KKIM meet. It was wrapped up in a plastic bag, and is a true "barn find", spider egg nests and all. But, we both saw the potential in it. It had been mostly assembled at one time, but was coming part. As I started cleaning it up I discovered that nearly all the unique parts for this version were present. The basis of the model will be the MPC Hogans Hero/WW II Jeep kit.   The original kit had an interesting method for doing the off-road tires, by wrapping a patterned rubber piece around a white plastic inner tire. Unfortunately, there were only 3 present in the bag, and the rubber was starting to dry rot anyway.  So, I dug a set of wheels and tires out of the Baja Bronco from Revell. (Yes, I realize I have the wrong wheels up front, this is the first mockup.) There's obviously a little bodywork to do, but otherwise should be pretty straight forward build. I will have to come up with an x brace for the roll cage.  |
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Mr. E Modeler
Snaptite
It's never too late to have a happy childhood!
Posts: 27 
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Post by Mr. E Modeler on Mar 18, 2019 16:00:45 GMT -5
Great start on a fun looking build!
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Post by mrmetallic on Mar 19, 2019 10:17:48 GMT -5
Great start on a fun looking build! Thank you. This build is a little outside my normal comfort zone. I'm a hot rod and custom guy. But this is proving to be a fun departure. I have several vintage SUV (back when they really were "sport" vehicles) projects teed up for the future, including several Broncos, jeepster/commando's and IH's. |
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Post by fordrodnkustom on Mar 19, 2019 11:03:36 GMT -5
Cool project you have there. It's always good to build something different once and a while.
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Post by harron68 on Mar 19, 2019 11:40:47 GMT -5
Big tire Jeeps are around even in suburban driveways! Cool work, Best to you in the wrap-up!
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Post by mrmetallic on Mar 20, 2019 9:50:02 GMT -5
Big tire Jeeps are around even in suburban driveways! Cool work, Best to you in the wrap-up! I'm only calling it the Swamp Buggy Jeep because that's the name of the kit. I'll snap a pic of what's left of the box when I get a chance. |
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Post by harron68 on Mar 20, 2019 13:16:28 GMT -5
Yes, when ABC Saturday "Wide World Of Sports" ran the occasional Southern Swamp Buggy" races with their 'Sippy Hole' of deeper water (1960s-'70s), the tires were big, but in comparison with the no-sidewall car tires of today, the aggressive tread of big tires on Jeeps now make them look huge in comparison. Again,thanx for an interesting creation.
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Post by mrmetallic on Mar 22, 2019 5:59:25 GMT -5
Got the suspension sorted out. It needs to ride higher for tire clearance, so I mounted the axles under the springs instead of on top as designed. I pinned the springs to the axles for a secure mounting. I was in the process of making brackets and u bolts to give the illusion of holding the axle in place, but the shock mounts were going to interfere with that. Suddenly this simple project was getting complicated, so I decided to delete the u bolt details.  Working on the roll cage. I have pinned the cage to the body for secure mounting. I will have to scratchbuild some upper cross braces because everything I have in my parts box isn't wide enough. I also have the minimal bodywork taken care of.  |
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Post by plowboy on Mar 22, 2019 10:01:19 GMT -5
This is cool little project! I don't think I've ever seen the Swamp Buggy version built. The wheels and tires from the Revell Bronco are perfect for it! I've been wanting to graft the front clip of the HH Jeep to a Commando body. But, haven't got around to it yet. I just finished restoring an MPC '67 Jeepster a while back.
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Post by mrmetallic on Mar 26, 2019 6:23:47 GMT -5
As usual, I tend to complicate things for myself. I spent my bench time this past weekend fabricating a hard top for this build by extensively modifying a Revell Bronco top. After spending a bunch of time narrowing and shortening the thing I come to find that it doesn't fit the profile of the windshield well at all. As I am sitting there pondering how to rectify the issue I realize "What the hell am I doing?" and put the top in the spare parts box. Now I can get back on track... I like the idea of the fold down windshield, but it's not meant to work with the stylized cowl of the swamp buggy version. Not a big deal. I used the cowl as a template and traced the profile of the bumps onto the windshield, then removed the portion so now they mate together. I had to add notches to insert the windshield pivot points into. Not sold on the look yet, but everything fits, and I'll paint the parts and decide during final assembly.  The swamp buggy version-specific radiator and shroud is not meant to work with the grille, but I couldn't bring myself to build a Jeep without that iconic piece, so I modified the grille to fit. This will also give me an opportunity to upgrade the headlights to bucket and lens system rather than the provided chrome molded lenses.  Stance check. Only a couple things left to sort out and then I should be ready for paint.  |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2019 15:12:33 GMT -5
Very cool project you have.. I'll be following along as I'm working on an Italeri flat fender.
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Post by mrmetallic on Apr 23, 2019 9:10:11 GMT -5
This has been back-burnered for a bit. I got wrapped up in another project, as usual. I did order the AMT parts pack dirt bike set, so I think I will add them on a trailer behind this when I get back to it.
Thanks for your interest eveyone
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Post by harron68 on Apr 23, 2019 9:59:42 GMT -5
I don't often comment on "stance" but in this case, excellent. Also, I like the idea of improving the grill/headlight area. Using real look bucket and lens is always a better (if often harder) way to go. WAY TO GO!
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Post by fordrodnkustom on Apr 23, 2019 16:28:50 GMT -5
This has been back-burnered for a bit. I got wrapped up in another project, as usual. I did order the AMT parts pack dirt bike set, so I think I will add them on a trailer behind this when I get back to it. Thanks for your interest eveyone Now that will be the perfect addition to this build! Good idea. |
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Post by fordrodnkustom on Apr 23, 2019 16:33:48 GMT -5
Yes, when ABC Saturday "Wide World Of Sports" ran the occasional Southern Swamp Buggy" races with their 'Sippy Hole' of deeper water (1960s-'70s), the tires were big, but in comparison with the no-sidewall car tires of today, the aggressive tread of big tires on Jeeps now make them look huge in comparison. Again,thanx for an interesting creation. I remember that! Used to watch whenever I could. More recently one of the cable channels (don't remember which one) carried those too but I haven't seen those races covered for quite a few years. In the later ones the wheels were huge diameter with small paddles on them with the idea being with the help of much cubic horsepower to sort of skim across the surface thus avoiding the sippy hole. Fun stuff to watch. |
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