Mopar´s Project

Hi fellas! The Brazilian "Small Dreams" Forum (www.small-dreams.com/Forum) was running an e-group with the SHOW CAR subject. Unfortunately, I missed the deadline, but I´ll keep my WIP.

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 it 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

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

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
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

(red lines to provide better view of the new pieces)
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

New inner fenders (and its pins)
http://images112.fotki.com/v110/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_096-vi.jpg
http://images56.fotki.com/v362/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_097-vi.jpg
http://images16.fotki.com/v377/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_098-vi.jpg

Little work in the booth´s rear panel
http://images58.fotki.com/v279/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_099-vi.jpg

The new gas pipe (since I have altered the nozzle fuel to the tailgate)
http://images32.fotki.com/v1047/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_100-vi.jpg

And the new line on the rear (made with scriber and a tape as guide)
http://images51.fotki.com/v103/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_101-vi.jpg

Working with the wheels. Made all holes to put ScaleHardware´s rivets
http://images16.fotki.com/v377/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_108-vi.jpg
http://images53.fotki.com/v249/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_109-vi.jpg
http://images107.fotki.com/v780/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_110-vi.jpg

Little finish toutch...
http://images58.fotki.com/v279/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_111-vi.jpg
http://images57.fotki.com/v300/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_112-vi.jpg

Finalizing the front grille
http://images58.fotki.com/v511/photos/8/1720258/9495927/front-vi.jpg
http://images51.fotki.com/v102/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_113-vi.jpg

PRIMER TIME!!!!!!
http://images57.fotki.com/v1354/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_114-vi.jpg
http://images12.fotki.com/v335/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_115-vi.jpg
http://images58.fotki.com/v279/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_116-vi.jpg
http://images12.fotki.com/v335/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_117-vi.jpg
http://images57.fotki.com/v1354/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_118-vi.jpg
http://images58.fotki.com/v279/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_119-vi.jpg
http://images57.fotki.com/v1354/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_120-vi.jpg
http://images58.fotki.com/v279/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_121-vi.jpg
http://images12.fotki.com/v335/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_122-vi.jpg
http://images112.fotki.com/v386/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_123-vi.jpg

Thanks and sorry for the long post!
Comments are welcome!

1 word for your work: Amazing!

I love that front conversion. And I'm very curious about your paintjob now :)

Kris.

TOP NOTCH.. for sure!!

Wow...makes my stuff look pretty shabby!

Awesome!! nice built!!

Keep the progress going. Beautiful, and one of the most detailed truck ive seen built in a while!!

WOW!! amazing build. Wish i could do work that well. lol.
Will keep an eye on this one

:eek2::eek2::eek2:

That's cool! I really like where this is going. Awesome build. You guys in Brazil can do it!

looking very tough, nice work!

All of you guys...Yours words make me happier and more committed to the project. Really really thanks.!!

_________________________
Christmas´s update:

Unfortunately it happened what I was afraid ... the entire front modification resulted in a hood fitting problem and alignment of the headlights did not matched as well.

Big Lens and a huge gap
http://images60.fotki.com/v778/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_124-vi.jpg

So, extra help from my fella styrene
http://images52.fotki.com/v1565/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_125-vi.jpg

Test to check the fitment and little work on the front grid
http://images44.fotki.com/v301/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_126-vi.jpg

These extra little styrene pieces over the lens took the hood fitment to a wrong place. So I had to sand a little more in the front and the result was this.Now I have to replace with epoxy putty. Stay tune for more updates. Thanks for looking.
http://images52.fotki.com/v1565/photos/8/1720258/9495927/Dagnum_127-vi.jpg

Not only amazing work but you document it very well too...keep it up!

Wow what a fantastic build up!

Ô prego, vai terminar esse ????????????????????????:runaround:

cara, mais uma aula do excelente plastimodelismo brasileiro.

trampo de primeira.

vê se termina essa, caramba

vou acompanhar

Amazing work!!

Can't wait to see how this turns out.

It is fun to help guide little hands that are just getting into modeling (and everything else!)

Absolutely mind blowing!!!!!

This is great!!!!!!!
I appreciate well executed builds and talent, and even though this truck may not be my style, your talent draws me in and makes me want to see more.
I too cant wait to see paint on this sucker. You are setting quite a bar for yourself with this build.
Stay strong and keep it up.
I love the pics with you and your helper. Kids are great aren't they!?!?!
Great work!
Andy