PROGRESS Ford Lightning *Custom*

After all the work I did on the True Street Cobra, I couldn't leave "well" enough alone on this build. So I cut some parts off:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/238578tony_16-med.jpg

And then added some parts:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/238578tony_17.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/238578tony_18.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/238578tony_19.jpg

Comments? I also made a bed cover for it, not sure I'll use it...no pics of that one, sorry!

Nice idea with the grille. You going to bling it out?
Looking forward for more progress.

It'll be blue with a "billet" grill, is that bling? I also need to decide on some wheels for it...it's gonna model the truck I hope to eventually get, someday...

me like me like...nice work on the grill,definetly have it lowered with sum dubs and a bed cover!!

It'll be blue with a "billet" grill, is that bling? I also need to decide on some wheels for it...it's gonna model the truck I hope to eventually get, someday...
Hell yea, close enuff. Some 18'' or 19'' deep dish chrome would look tight. What color you got in mind?

This color:

http://images5.fotki.com/v59/photos/2/24434/869230/DSC03314-vi.jpg

Excellent job with the grill. This is going to be another great build. The colour blue in the picture looks like the Skylines bayside blue.

the color is acualy sonic blue

That's lookin' good. I have one 80% done, also in blue (non-metallic) right now. Cutting open those grilles is probably the single best thing you can do to improve the exterior. - Mark

Awesome job.

I hated the honeycomb grills the '99 Lightnings had. The picture is of a stock '03, and they've had that grill since 2001. My only regret with this model is that it comes with the red taillights, also a 99-only option.

wow, that grille is impressive! nice work can't wait to see how it turns out.

Very impressed with the new grill

That grill looks badass! How did you make it? Just strips of styrene?

im very curious as to how you made the grille too.

I used .015 X .060" styrene strips for the grill. It's the right look, but it's really flimsy, not sure how much I'm gonna worry about that...now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna paint the interior :bananasmi

Nice grille! It reminds me of the dubcity F150 for some reason.
I got stuffed on my F150, had no bonnet and only one back light so I ripped the engine out and put it in a `66 Mustang, and that is all the lightning got used for.

I was going to put the 5.4 or a 4.6 in an AMT '69 Mach 1 kit I have...but then I got inspired on the Lightning so the Mach will be getting a 4.6 instead...maybe the supercharged '98 Saleen motor :grinyes: I gotta stop thinking about other models! I have a pile of boxes staring at me right now screaming "build me, build me!" Great, now cardboard boxes are talking to me. No more painting tonight!!

AMT mach 1...hmm that is the kit im working on right now for teh AFMOTY.....as for the engine swap...keep your eyes open...i think you'll like what i have in the works...im tryin to keep it under wraps for the most part

Between the mods you've done so far and the models you've done in the past, this is a guranteed stunner. Lookin' forward to seeing what you do with it after all.

I gotta stop thinking about other models! I have a pile of boxes staring at me right now screaming "build me, build me!" Great, now cardboard boxes are talking to me. No more painting tonight!!

You're not the only one to fall victim to this disease. I've yet to find a listing for it in the DSM-IV, but there are enough of us to warrant it, I think...

ya. i can't seem to shut those boxes up. they keep trying to tell me how and when to build them.....

how did you make the grille, looks good so far

Got the thing painted. The paint in the bottle was Sonic Blue. The paint on the truck...isn't. So...should the color stay, or go? I can't decide.

The bottle (pic from company website):
http://www.thebroadroom.net/images/beauty/2004_q3/milani_blue_nile.jpg

After a few mistcoats:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/238578light7.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/238578light6.jpg

Then, about 24 hours and a light rubbing later, the wetcoats:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/238578light3.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/238578light5.jpg



Then, after about 48 hours of drying, 4 hours of rubbing and polishing, the clearcoat:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/238578light1-med.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/238578light2.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/238578light4.jpg

I still need to polish and wax it. It's a little orangepeeled, but I'll have to deal with it. Or....repaint it. It's a decent color, just not what I was initially going for. I'm so confused on this one right now!

I think it's time for a new camera. This one...the autofocus doesn't work and the flash is intermittent at best. I have my fingers crossed for a digital for Christmas!

it looks like the whole hood is an orange to me :P

Well after examining the pictures again, that last one of the hood was before the polishing and clearcoating. It isn't that bad anymore.

I believe "True Blue" by Boyds would be a closer match to Sonic Blue.
Model Car Garage makes a photo etch "billet" grill for the Lightning.
To make the clear taillights: Take the red ones (with a tooth pick or such glued to the inside) and press them into some "klean clay". Or brush a thin coat of Liquid Latex on them. Then remove (like a home made frozen popsicle)Then just pour some clear resin in your temp mold. Whallaa!!!!

John

Im building a Revell Lightning now. Of course I am trying to get it as close to replicate my real Lightning. Silver with a black powdercoated billet grill.
Let me know if you need me to take any reference pictures for you.

Awesome color!! nice job with the grills too!

A little orange peel is ok . I realy like that blue , looks good to me :sunglasse .

Without the flash on it, the color is really purple. I mentioned that I wanted some Ford touch up paint to a friend, if he ends up getting it the truck will get stripped. If not, it'll stay irridescent lavender.

nice custom grills, looks much better!

The colour looks really good, can't wait to see more progress.

Well, finally got settled in for this semester and pulled this model back out for a continuation of the build. I'm wrapping up the engine tonight and hope to start on the suspension/chassis later this week, depending on classes.

Here's the engine so far:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/238578engine_pulleys.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/238578motor_side.JPG
(sorry for bad photo quality, I only have MSPaint on this computer)
Ooh...those bolts need some more work...

I also think I have the wheels picked out for it:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/238578lightning_wheels-med.JPG
That's not how it's going to sit, the body has no frame right now.
(notice how much shinier it is after hours of buffing and polishing! :biggrin: )

That's what I have so far, yes that's a tonneau cover but I don't know if I'll use it or not, depends on if I have enough paint. I didn't notice when I took the picture, but it does fit, it's just set on crooked right now. Well, I think the paint has had a chance to dry so back to work!

very nice.

That looks really cool. And i really love that type of blue paint. I will follow this thread with interest :)

the stance is great, but it seems the cab is a little too away from the front

the stance is great, but it seems the cab is a little too away from the front

It had no chassis at the time, I just set the wheels into place to show the style and size. It's actually gonna sit a little higher than that, and the cab/bed will be closer. I'll have some pics up later showing the finished grill and maybe some suspension....

(oops this is 99civichic)

As promised, I did a little work on the body yesterday and today, here's the completed truck bed:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/238578beddone.JPG
Yeah yeah, red taillights...I like em better anyways.

The grill:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/238578grilldone.JPG
I think it will look a little better with a radiator behind it. The headlights are in too, but where'd they go?? :p

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/238578grill2.JPG

Still needs some cleanup.

What pickup trucks are made for:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/238578body1.JPG

the grill looks very good

Some teasers from the mock-up process before final assembly:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/238578mockbed-med.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/238578mockside-med.JPG
Bed won't sit right, I think the chassis is a little warped, I'll do some trimming to lower the back and make it sit right. The Tonneau cover will fit better as well when I'm done.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/238578mockfront-med.JPG

Wheels aren't on all the way, they won't really slant like that when it's done.

Almost there.....

Hey,

Looks really nice. I like the grille. Looks like the current version. Keep up the great work.

Frank X.

keep it up!