1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

I have been wanting to do a model of my truck but have been having a heck of a time finding a kit for it. I broke down and bought a 3100 kit that will need some modifications. What all is different about the fenders exactly? I know the frame will have to be modified or built entirely from scratch. The front bumper will have to be made from scratch probably. I need to find some Budd wheels somewhere with tires. I also need to shorten the running board and add the four on the floor and the parking brake. I'll also have to fill in the corner windows because mine isn't a five window. I'll build the bed from scratch using real wood. Any suggestions on sourcing parts or modifications. How do the fenders and hood exactly need modified? Do they need made longer?

Re: 1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

I guess I should include that it's a 1:25 scale kit. Main thing I really need is the Budd wheels and tires. Other than that, I should be able to customize everything else. Here's an overlay image of how much longer the fenders and hood are. I used powerpoint and can adjust the transparency to get an idea for sure. I'll probably print out the actual size they need to be so I can figure out where to cut the fenders and hood.

Re: 1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

The medium duty front sheet metal is longer. But,no one realizes it until they try to make it fit on the wrong truck. It's visually undetectable,so I wouldn't be concerned on a model,unless you're going for a 100pt show build. Ertl makes a 1/25 scale diecast '57 stake truck and Danbury Mint makes/made an Advance design medium duty. Of course,the Danbury wouldn't much be much of a build. The Ertl will be a bit cheaper and the chassis would work well. There are Budd wheels sold by resin caster makers

Re: 1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

The only issue I see with not making the fenders and hood longer is that the wheel opening will be too small for the wheel/tire combo.

Re: 1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

I think you're right special-k, it won't really matter on this model kit whether I modify the front fenders and hood or not. Here are some pictures just to show how close they actually are in 1:25 scale. The first is the comparison to a half ton fender, the second is the comparison to a 2 ton fender, and the third is a side by side comparison as well as the body of the model itself. I think I'll just open up the wheel openings and call it good. Phew, way less work for me!

Re: 1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

It looks like the '57 stake truck you mentioned has Budd wheels, although they are six hole instead of five, like mine, and six lug in the front instead of five. It'll make a good parts truck though. The axles, frame, and wheels should work nicely, and it should, hopefully, have the four on the floor and a parking brake lever. Thanks for the tip, special-K. The Danbury mint one has a double bumper that could be cut in half to look just like the one I need. It's not worth buying the whole truck though. Maybe I can contact them and buy just that piece.

Re: 1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

Might find a broke up crappy Danbury Mint. Probably not now that you need one. Can't wait to see this

Re: 1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

Welly has basically the same Advance Design but with less detail. I found it for only $15 online but the wheels are too far from what I am looking for. I'll probably buy the Ertl and just custom make a bumper. I can't wait until this is done either. This is just a test to decide on paint scheme for my '53.

Re: 1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

I almost had a donor '57 from ebay for $15 but somebody outbid me:(

Re: 1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

There is a resin kit of the truck you are looking for. I have one. It is made by Herb Deeks. Here is his info: HERB DEEKS MODELS 1516 E SANTA ANA ST ANAHEIM, CA 92805 714-774-7326

Re: 1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

Thank you for the information. I had found somebody who had one before and emailed but they never found it. I'll try to contact them and see if I can purchase one. Do they make axles, wheels, and tires too or is it just the cab and frame?

Re: 1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

I have over 1300 model kits. It may take a day or two to find the box.

Re: 1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

Wow, that's quite a collection.

Re: 1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

I figured while I'm hunting a source for the frame, axles, and wheels/tires, I would start doing some body work on the cab. It's originally a five window cab and my truck isn't so those windows are getting filled. I used a thermoset epoxy and a set of dental picks, needle files, and some sandpaper to smooth it to how I wanted it. Here are some pics of the process.

Re: 1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

Well I found it. It comes with cab, inner fender wells (brown thing mispalced one somewhere) frame, rear axle, front axle tires & wheels, front bumper, clearance lights and drive line parts.

Re: 1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

that is a fine collection oldiron!
do you buy/sell/trade, or just a fanatic?
notice you have lots of rigs, have you ever checked out Model Car Magazine, they have a couple sections just for big rigs
http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/i...p?showforum=53

Re: 1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

I don't sell. Just buy at yard sales or going out of business sales. I just retired and started to build again. At the rate that I'm building them I should be done with them by 2314!

Re: 1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

I got the motor painted and together mostly. I will put the rest of the wires/hoses on when I get it in the truck. I know the paint is too dark but I didn't feel like re-mixing the paint. I will try to get the fuel filter lines on tonight too.

Re: 1953 Chevy 4400 Flatbed
 

Oops, I meant to say oil filter lines in the last post. I'm thinking about adding a throttle with all the linkages and cables too. By the way, please let me know if I have something painted wrong for factory correct (I know the bellhousing should be engine colored but I'm not repainting the engine as I mixed the paint for it and it's all gone now).