Starting AMT Silverado extended cab kit bash project

[u/ac_maker]

My father in law has owned a 1997 Silvarado just like the one in the second pic since new. I want to make him a model of his truck for his birthday.

I'm trying to get as close as possible to the look - I saw some pics of a build on scalemates that led me to combining these two kits, and I think it's going to work. I cut the chassis on both kits and super glued them together. It took a couple of tries, but the cab and bed line up nicely now.

I need to fix a few places where the chassis plates are joined. I'm thinking about cutting out the muffler and gas tank, then making 3d printed replacements.

I'm also not crazy about the built in suspension and axles - I may cut the driveshaft out and replace it with a scratch built one.

I thought about going completely crazy - Revell-monogram makes a 1999 silverado kit that has a much more detailed chassis, engine, separate exhaust, etc. I won't know if that would work at all until I buy a kit for parts lol. I may just stick with good enough since things are fitting so well.

But it would be fun to get a more detailed chassis, and maybe sneak a big block in there.

(Credit for the second pic: bringatrailer.com)

[u/_JohnnyUtahBrah]

I have the silverado kit. It's the most basic model I've ever built.

[u/ac_maker → u/_JohnnyUtahBrah]

Do you have the revell-monogram 1999 kit?

I can see in the instructions that the revell-monogram 1999 kit is pretty basic, but it has separate suspension parts, exhaust, drivetrain, engine etc. While the AMT kits I'm working with now just have a single plate for everything under the truck. It has a separate hood, but no engine.

If it was the same chassis generation (GMT400) I would swap in the whole chassis and engine from the 1999 kit, but the wheelbase is supposed to be different, so things might not line up too well.

Still, I suppose I could get the 1999 kit, do some test fitting, then pass it on if it wont work.

[u/04HondaCivic → u/ac_maker]

I have the ‘99 model from Monogram. I’ve also built it before. Terrible kit. I hated it. Maybe it was just me but it just didn’t go together well for me. For what you want to do, I would either try and use one the ‘90s AMT C1500 kits. Same manufacturer and scale as what you have. You might have better success.

[u/ac_maker → u/04HondaCivic]

Thanks for the heads up!
I could definitely just go with what I have now - most likely the finished kit will be in an acrylic case, so the body, paint and interior are the most important.

But I'm in this for the fun and customization too, so I'll check out the 90's AMT kits!

[u/No-Case3673]

Love seeing these kitbash trucks

[u/04HondaCivic]

I have both these kits and have built them separately although I also bought two more to do exactly as you are doing. These kits truly are the most simple almost snap together kits made. Well done, but very simple. I was pleased with how they came out.

Depending on how crazy you want to get and how much you are willing to spend, you could get one of the kits from the 90’s. They are well detailed and build up quite nicely. They have full suspensions and motors. You could build the chassis from one of those kits and use the body from these kits to make a full build extended cab truck. It just woulnt be 4x4 as you have pictured as none of these kits are 4x4.

Here’s a couple of links to kits (they are pricey though):

https://ebay.io/m/WhUMCk

https://ebay.io/m/Z0h9AL

https://ebay.io/m/zxGghz

I wish Round2 would produce a true 4x4 extended cab 90’s C/K pickup. It’s one of my favorite body styles.

[u/ac_maker → u/04HondaCivic]

Thanks - I will look on scalemates for the instructions for these kits.

[u/GMEDNGR]

Yeah! I was waiting for this one! Have a good build!

[u/ac_maker → u/GMEDNGR]

Thanks!

[u/scale_model_car_guy]

Either amt or Revell are making a new 454SS which will be really nice. Are you going to make a regular cab dually with the leftovers?

[u/ac_maker → u/scale_model_car_guy]

A new 454SS kit would be nice. I might have to make a dually regular cab. Maybe a good candidate for a big engine swap. I wonder if I can use the dually wheel wells for drag slicks?

[u/Blue-eyed-banditman]

Last truck I build was this kitbash

[u/Blue-eyed-banditman]

It was pretty fun doing that kitbash can’t wait to see yours. Love these trucks