I've been away from the board and slots in general for a while, and I got an urge today, so I grabbed this Ertl F-150 from the local tractor supply store. I've always wanted to do one of these, even though I generally don't like extended wheelbase Tjets...

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rwurtz/images/f150-01.jpg

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rwurtz/images/f150-02.jpg

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rwurtz/images/f150-03.jpg

It was pretty straightforward. First, dremel out the bed so the chassis fits in. The rear screwpost was already in the right place. Then lop the front off a junk Tjet chassis (don't worry, I got this one with a big chunk already taken out of the rear--it was unsalveageable) and mate it to the front of the main chassis.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rwurtz/images/f150-04.jpg

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rwurtz/images/f150-05.jpg

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rwurtz/images/f150-06.jpg

I did a pretty lousy job--there's just a flat rectangular piece of plastic above the two chassis pieces with the black screws threaded into it. If this thing sees much use, the threads in the plastic will give out and I'll have to figure something else out. But for now, it was a quick and dirty way to get a new unusual car running around my track. It's kinda weird having the fronts so far ahead of the guide pin... when you hang the tail out, the front wheels actually move inboard towards the inside edge of the turn...

--rick

Hi Rick,

nice to see you back again! :)

I like this conversion (unfortunately not too many suitable plastic bodies are to be found over here...)!

I´m not a fan of these "wheelbase extensions" in general either, but what I always do when I have to is turn the guidepin around (or glue it in place), so the pin is in line with the front of the pickup shoes. This way stretched cars are cornering much, much better!

Errr - did you see, what ´nuther Dave did with a shower curtain on his JL Vette lately? I´m sure he´ll send you a spare piece for a tonneau cover! :hat:

Greetings from Germany,

Claus

rick,

Doesn't look bad. How does she handle? As long as it is, should be a blast sliding into the cars in the other lanes to take them out of a race. :devil: Dave

Have dremel...make more trucks.

Another nice adaptation Rick. Fits right in with all the other cool ones on your layout.

Got a long wheelbase dilemma myself. Joez found and gifted me this ultra cool nostalga piece. He knows I have a quirk for the unusual. Needs a little minor carpentry work as the rear chopping block is split! LOLOLOL

Fabbed in nineteen and 70 ish. All balsa construction with cabinet maker jointage, it sports a reflector tape front bumper and grill. This thing is gonna swing the turns like a garden gate! :thumbsup:

Gonna use it to haul livestock or monsters ala Bobzilla...maybe some kitbashed livestock monsters...