robtangie
RCTalk Member
Since my truck showed up with an ugly hummer body I done most of my build without it in mind figuring it would still make a good beater body to keep from scratching up the roll cage and such. The shell itself could look better had it been a different color so after days of weighing out my options and finally coming up with a plan I decided to tear into it.
I started by re-trimming the body and wheel well lines to give a cleaner look. I also took a chunk out behind the front tires to allow it to set lower on the frame without hitting as it turns and articulates. Next I cut out the rear section of the top with plans to bring it down to resemble the military style hummer.
I then used some fuel to strip the green paint off the shell. Carefully stripping right up to the existing red strips with some Q-tips. Added a 90 degree bend to both rear side window sections and to the tail window section giving some structure to remount the top back down to. Then trimmed the actual top to fit on much as a bed cover. Plus a couple more cuts in the rear deck to allow for engine head and rip cord access.
Added a few coats of black and let it dry over night then this morning began using CA glue to connect the rear window sections. Then more CA to mount the bed cap (which had been the top) back down... To assure a good fit I drilled and placed five bolts down each side. Lastly I gave the outer bed cover a last shot of paint...
I don't think it turned out too bad considering what I started with and had to work with. It still maintains as my beater body but looks much better. Below are the progression photos of the build.
Regards,
Rob.
#1. Beginning shots of the hummer shell as I got it.
#2. After cutting away the top and stripping the green.
#3. The final product,,, still a beater shell.
#4. Mounted...
I started by re-trimming the body and wheel well lines to give a cleaner look. I also took a chunk out behind the front tires to allow it to set lower on the frame without hitting as it turns and articulates. Next I cut out the rear section of the top with plans to bring it down to resemble the military style hummer.
I then used some fuel to strip the green paint off the shell. Carefully stripping right up to the existing red strips with some Q-tips. Added a 90 degree bend to both rear side window sections and to the tail window section giving some structure to remount the top back down to. Then trimmed the actual top to fit on much as a bed cover. Plus a couple more cuts in the rear deck to allow for engine head and rip cord access.
Added a few coats of black and let it dry over night then this morning began using CA glue to connect the rear window sections. Then more CA to mount the bed cap (which had been the top) back down... To assure a good fit I drilled and placed five bolts down each side. Lastly I gave the outer bed cover a last shot of paint...
I don't think it turned out too bad considering what I started with and had to work with. It still maintains as my beater body but looks much better. Below are the progression photos of the build.
Regards,
Rob.
#1. Beginning shots of the hummer shell as I got it.
#2. After cutting away the top and stripping the green.
#3. The final product,,, still a beater shell.
#4. Mounted...
