Mopars project

Hi fellas!

The Brazilian "Small Dreams" Forum (www.small-dreams.com/Forum) was running an e-group with the SHOW CAR subject

So, I decided to enter with this "double Mopar" project. The intention is reproduce this shot:
http://images45.fotki.com/v153/photos/8/1720258/9495927/MoparProject-vi.jpg

But first, let´s begin with the “lower” one.

It will be a Dodge Dakota with the front clip from a Dodge magnum… so, I called it “Dagnum” (exactly like 1:1 real pickup project showed in all magazines few years ago)
http://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt329/leandro_braz/Lbraz/0709mt_02_z2000_dodge_dakotafront_passenger_side_v iew.jpg

The “material”…
http://images110.fotki.com/v606/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_000-vi.jpg
http://images58.fotki.com/v511/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_001-vi.jpg
http://images114.fotki.com/v145/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_3-vi.jpg
http://images16.fotki.com/v3/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_003-vi.jpg
http://images116.fotki.com/v107/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_004-vi.jpg
The paint schema will follow the paint schema from Slixx´s decals sheet of 2007 Gary Selcizi Oakley 4X Champion Charger Funny Car Decal

First step: change the front and align the hood
http://images12.fotki.com/v216/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_005-vi.jpg
http://images114.fotki.com/v145/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_006-vi.jpg
http://images54.fotki.com/v1615/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_007-vi.jpg
http://images56.fotki.com/v124/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_008-vi.jpg
http://images109.fotki.com/v146/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_009-vi.jpg
http://images58.fotki.com/v511/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_010-vi.jpg

Then, little work on the interior (tunnel) , putty in all holes (shaved style), new floor, new rear inner fenders, primer to see what still needs more attention and a little modification on the wheels. (sorry for the bad quality pics)

http://images53.fotki.com/v140/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_011-vi.jpg
http://images57.fotki.com/v496/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_012-vi.jpg
http://images116.fotki.com/v107/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_013-vi.jpg
http://images59.fotki.com/v112/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_014-vi.jpg
http://images12.fotki.com/v611/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_015-vi.jpg
http://images55.fotki.com/v119/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_016-vi.jpg
http://images45.fotki.com/v153/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_017-vi.jpg
http://images12.fotki.com/v611/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_018-vi.jpg
http://images53.fotki.com/v138/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_019-vi.jpg
http://images57.fotki.com/v283/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_020-vi.jpg
http://images50.fotki.com/v1557/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_021-vi.jpg
http://images56.fotki.com/v124/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_022-vi.jpg
http://images58.fotki.com/v506/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_023-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v131/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_024-vi.jpg
http://images12.fotki.com/v611/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_025-vi.jpg

More putty in the rear lights (it will be like the Caddy´s Fleetwoody… vertical) and rear door. More engine test and new firewall
http://images17.fotki.com/v10/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_031-vi.jpg
http://images53.fotki.com/v140/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_026-vi.jpg
http://images45.fotki.com/v153/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_027-vi.jpg
http://images107.fotki.com/v70/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_028-vi.jpg
http://images59.fotki.com/v112/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_029-vi.jpg
http://images12.fotki.com/v611/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_030-vi.jpg

A pause for the cause: my prince, my life, my everything: his first steps into the modeling!
A little extra help for Daddy!
http://images45.fotki.com/v148/photos/8/1720258/9294833/gu_01-vi.jpg
Is he awesome or what??

So, the next step was little registered by photos, but in terms of project´s forward… was huge:

THE STRUCTURE!!
Drew the chassis in paper and did some fit tests. Then, went to the plastic and cut it all!!!
http://images57.fotki.com/v139/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_032-vi.jpg
http://images114.fotki.com/v145/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_033-vi.jpg

To certified that all pieces will fit right, I glued this main peace with white glue (this is responsible for join rear and front parts) It´s hard to view, but it is there rsrsrsr
http://images58.fotki.com/v132/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_034-vi.jpg

And I just put others pieces together until the chassis design get done
http://images59.fotki.com/v112/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_035-vi.jpg
http://images108.fotki.com/v105/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_036-vi.jpg
http://images112.fotki.com/v233/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_037-vi.jpg
http://images56.fotki.com/v127/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_038-vi.jpg
http://images108.fotki.com/v613/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_039-vi.jpg
http://images108.fotki.com/v105/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_040-vi.jpg

Here, the next steps:
http://images112.fotki.com/v233/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_041-vi.jpg
Green and red: suspension arms
Black: air bags
Brown: support bar (to fix the shock absorbers)
Yellow: shock absorbers
Orange: gas tank
Blue: air compression
Pink: air tank (this will be the only unit that will be positioned above the bed. All other will be under the bed…)

I hope you guys enjoy it and all comments and suggestions are welcome!

Well, more photos of the chassis
http://images51.fotki.com/v1586/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_042-vi.jpg
http://images59.fotki.com/v112/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_043-vi.jpg

Did the opening in the floor to receive exhaust components and for the suports of the chassi (in red)
http://images57.fotki.com/v505/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_044-vi.jpg

And the first test fit of the engine and chassi (niiiiiiiiiiiceeeeeeeeeeee geometry hum???)
http://images112.fotki.com/v233/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_045-vi.jpg

New rear lights space and new "bed" beeing preparaded...
http://images55.fotki.com/v268/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_045b-vi.jpg
http://images112.fotki.com/v110/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_046-vi.jpg
http://images15.fotki.com/v246/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_047-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v250/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_047b-vi.jpg
http://images15.fotki.com/v245/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_048-vi.jpg
http://images22.fotki.com/v814/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_049-vi.jpg
http://images15.fotki.com/v245/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_050b-vi.jpg
http://images15.fotki.com/v246/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_050-vi.jpg
http://images115.fotki.com/v607/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_051-vi.jpg

... and the new parts for rear suspension
http://images9.fotki.com/v114/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_052-vi.jpg
http://images109.fotki.com/v779/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_053-vi.jpg
http://images115.fotki.com/v607/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_054-vi.jpg

In order to start the front suspension, it is needed to know exactly where the engine must be fixed
http://images112.fotki.com/v355/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_055-vi.jpg
http://images109.fotki.com/v779/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_056-vi.jpg
http://images57.fotki.com/v496/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_057-vi.jpg

This is the goal!!!
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o278/bossolani/dom_01.jpg

FRONT SUSPENSION:
the parts (thanks Boss for the resin A-arms)
http://images59.fotki.com/v222/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_058-vi.jpg

A-arms sectioned and drilled
http://images110.fotki.com/v109/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_059-vi.jpg
http://images112.fotki.com/v106/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_059b-vi.jpg

Well, this is the result after 3 hours of cutting, filling, sanding, testing, etc etc.
http://images15.fotki.com/v235/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_060-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v114/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_061-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v114/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_062-vi.jpg

I have started to think in the color....... in order to match the sheet decal graphics, I shall use any color with beige, brown or even gold tone. And searching in my stock, I have found these:
http://images15.fotki.com/v246/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_063-vi.jpg
http://images59.fotki.com/v222/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_064-vi.jpg

Still need to decide. Almost all colors could match, but 4 of them are closer (red circle)

Well, besides the color, I figured out that the hood edge is not matching with grille shell. http://images41.fotki.com/v1305/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_065-vi.jpg

So, I put some putty and also have started to make the hood ledge
http://images110.fotki.com/v630/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_066-vi.jpg
http://images24.fotki.com/v799/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_067-vi.jpg

Now, just wait all get dry and start to sanding...


This is an effort to bring more realism to the hood: the internal structure...
http://images41.fotki.com/v1305/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_068-vi.jpg
http://images15.fotki.com/v246/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_069-vi.jpg
http://images24.fotki.com/v799/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_070-vi.jpg
http://images9.fotki.com/v114/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_071-vi.jpg

more to come...

Jeeesus! crazy work here!!

I like the proyect...im suscribed to see how it ends!

Keep that great work man!!

Wow this is insane!

Wow, unbelievable !

Great work so far! And that last pic.. Need More Clamps :D

Bravo for originality!!!! I clap my hands for this build - great idea.

wow, awesome scratch building. great to see the younger gen taking interest in the hobby. gotta keep it alive!

Very nice! I didn't even know the Durango was available in plastic.

The chassis work is amazing. You and Boss must hang out together or something. haha

Awesome, man, awesome !!!!

I am definitelly subcribed !!!!:tongue:

Thanks guys!!!

rsxse240, The resin kit is a Dodge RAM with Chevy Suburban body. It is a phanton and is not a Durango...

Quick update.. just to finish hood´s under structure.
http://images9.fotki.com/v114/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_072-vi.jpg
http://images110.fotki.com/v629/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_073-vi.jpg
http://images110.fotki.com/v615/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_074-vi.jpg
http://images59.fotki.com/v222/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_075-vi.jpg

Finalizing the bed cover... red lines to provide better view of the pieces...
It will be necessary just rounded edges

http://images112.fotki.com/v355/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_076-vi.jpg
http://images59.fotki.com/v255/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_077-vi.jpg
http://images12.fotki.com/v616/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_078-vi.jpg
http://images57.fotki.com/v512/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_079-vi.jpg
http://images59.fotki.com/v222/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_080-vi.jpg
http://images15.fotki.com/v265/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_081-vi.jpg
http://images112.fotki.com/v113/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_082-vi.jpg
http://images58.fotki.com/v612/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_083-vi.jpg
http://images112.fotki.com/v113/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_084-vi.jpg
http://images112.fotki.com/v355/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_085-vi.jpg
http://images59.fotki.com/v222/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_086-vi.jpg
http://images58.fotki.com/v612/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_087-vi.jpg

This is awesome.

Awesome suspension work. I will use elements of your suspension design when I get around to doing a truck.

subscribed. It looks great. I love it when kits are chopped up and put back together seamlessly.

WOW, how could I miss this ??

Great scratchbuilding, clean work - and bringing the youth to modelling - perfect !!

Is good....
quero ver pronto.

This is awesome.

x2!!!!