Dave Reutimann is a local guy in my Area down here in Florida. Atleast he was till he got his first big ride in THe DWR ( Darrell Waltrip Racing) Toyota Tundra in 2004 I believe. Ever since I saw the truck run at Daytona I have wanted to build that Truck in high detail. I started this project almost a year ago but decided to post it now. I have gotten the itch to get back on it.

Here is a pick of Dave "Truckin" at Daytona.:iceslolan

http://images36.fotki.com/v1161/photos/3/335511/5011789/17ntnfront_left2005-vi.jpg

No one makes a Toyota Tundra body so I have to make one! Or atleast close to one. I started with a Revell monogram kit of the 1998 FOrd F-150. The front end resembled that of a Toyota or atleast a good base to start with.

Quickly I got to work getting the rough draft going with .015 and .020 styrene and the lip of the kit hood to get t he basic shape I needed. I also split the bumper down the middle and took the lower half and shaped it to fit like an "underbite" that the newer trucks have. Then I added a COT style lower lip spoiler.

http://images6.fotki.com/v880/photos/3/335511/5011710/P1010012-vi.jpg

To get the hard edged flare on the fenders I made the shapes from Thin sheet aluminum and glued them in place. The reason I used metal was so I could sand on the area after blending with putty and still maintain that hard line since the plastic sands away easier and the metal remains durable.

http://images6.fotki.com/v880/photos/3/335511/5011710/P1010013-vi.jpg

After much sanding I added the first wave of primer. This happeded a few times and I wont bore you with the adjustments. It has the Tundra look and that was what I was after. Since its a SS Truck that ran at daytona I can get away with the shorter nose look it has. IF I wanted to replicate a Downforce body I would have had to buy a diecast and have it casted but that would be cheating right? :nono:

http://images6.fotki.com/v880/photos/3/335511/5011710/P1010015-vi.jpg

Here is the contoured look vert present on the Tundra. The metal worked out well in my opinion.

http://images28.fotki.com/v976/photos/3/335511/5011710/P1010017-vi.jpg

The rear bumper had to be made longer. This was achieved with square rectangle rod and blended in.

http://images6.fotki.com/v880/photos/3/335511/5011710/P1010019-vi.jpg

Finally the usual superdetail chores were completed. Roof flap was cut out and sealed in, Hood bracing added to the underside and it was hinged. Then the rear tonneau cover was remade from sheet aluminum and angled to make a hinge. Tether plates were made and the fuel filler was drilled out. Its ready for paint!!!

http://images23.fotki.com/v867/photos/3/335511/5011710/P1010021-vi.jpg
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http://images5.fotki.com/v59/photos/3/335511/5011710/P1010023-vi.jpg

FInally I made a new rear spoiler like the Daytona style one out of sheet aluminum.

http://images23.fotki.com/v866/photos/3/335511/5011710/P1010024-vi.jpg

Into the paint booth the truck went. I painted the body with a mixture of HOK Stratto blue with some orion silver added to lighten it up. I think it is a breathtaking color and represents the color of the 1:1 truck well. The body recieved one coat of dupont clear and it was set aside to dry. The decals are being made by Thad Brooks out of Georgia on his alps. Once I apply the decals I will reclear the body but this is it for now!!

http://images5.fotki.com/v59/photos/3/335511/5011710/P1010025-vi.jpg
http://images24.fotki.com/v874/photos/3/335511/5011710/P1010026-vi.jpg
http://images6.fotki.com/v880/photos/3/335511/5011710/P1010027-vi.jpg

The body is where I stopped for almost a year and now I decided to jump back on this project and get the chassis done.
The chassis pan and greenhouse area were used from the ford kit since its pretty accurate even for this newer version of the truck. However everything in the front of the firewall was not used and was scratchbuilt with .080, .060, and .030 plastic tubing using reference sources.

http://images21.fotki.com/v517/photos/3/335511/6134148/P1010011-vi.jpg
http://images28.fotki.com/v977/photos/3/335511/6134148/P1010012-vi.jpg

Rear cell was built up usinf square tubing and .060 tubing.

http://images36.fotki.com/v1156/photos/3/335511/6134148/P1010013-vi.jpg

I moved through the chassis conversion in about 2 evenings and then it was primed, based in grey and dupont clear. I will set this aside for a week or so and get other projects out of the way. But please stay tuned for updated for those interested. Supertrucks are way cool to me and a nice change of pace!!

http://images32.fotki.com/v1107/photos/3/335511/6134148/P1010017-vi.jpg
http://images27.fotki.com/v1018/photos/3/335511/6134148/P1010018-vi.jpg
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http://images31.fotki.com/v1087/photos/3/335511/6134148/P1010021-vi.jpg
http://images28.fotki.com/v1000/photos/3/335511/6134148/P1010022-vi.jpg
http://images35.fotki.com/v1153/photos/3/335511/6134148/P1010023-vi.jpg

WOW!
Amazing work!
Love how you used the metal to create the correct shape... awesome job.
Chris

That is just amazing work dude!! The body looks perfect! Nice job with the conversion.... Truly another masterpiece in the works!

Very nice, Dave!!!!

Fantastic work, good idea working with the sheet aluminium

The CTS trucks only have just a single roof flap? Man, as many races as Ive watched, I havent ever noticed that.

Awesome work Dave, and that blue is absolutely gorgeous!

Very nice, Dave!!!!

Fantastic work, good idea working with the sheet aluminium

I agree! The metal was a great idea. I still can't believe that you did the chassis in two days!!!! That would have taken me or TJ a decade! :evillol:

The paint is flawless buddy!

Keep it going!
Jamie

Without a doubt one a my favourite biulds Clay has done was his Dodge truck. I'm sure this one will join it too. Awesome work so far, on the body and chassis. 2 evenings...jeez, I'm beginning to think you're not human!! :smokin:

Fantastic Work Dave.

Colour scheme looks awesome. Blue is one of my favourite colours.
I look forward to another Uber BAD build. Clay's is really coming along too.

Looks like the cash from the OOTB builds can be spent on goodies now.

Awesome work as always Dave!!! The CTS is a nice change of pace, I'm sure. This one is shaping up nicely... literally.
Erick --

Cool subject and great to see this one. Looking forward to following along. Good to see your usual standards Dave.

Thanks guys.... the body mods could have been better but I did what I could with what I started with. Once all the eye candy detail is added it will blend in nicely.

Stay tuned but I have a certain charger to finish first.... :)

Yes, nice change of pace I agree.
This will be fun to see completed!
Excellent Dave.
Andy

The use of the metal is a great innovative idea. I have never seen a CTS truck done here like this before so I find this wip very interesting. One thing I like is that fantastic sheen on the chassis and in the fuel cell area, gorgeous.

Sweet! My LHS has about 2 dozen of these racing trucks (and I found a 1/16 Petty car tucked away in the back as well). I had one of those truck kits in my hands the other day but put it back; might have to go back after seeing this one!

I still can't believe that you did the chassis in two days!!!! That would have taken me or TJ a decade! :evillol:
Real funny Luisi. Reeeeeal funny.Although it is true

Dave, this is looking sweet!
Using the metal was a perfect way to keep the sharp edge. Awesome idea!
Color looks great too.

Real funny Luisi. Reeeeeal funny.Although it is true

:flipa:

LOL! It'll give us inspiration!!!

that's a great conversion! i am in awe. :D