Since I can't work on my REAL truck...

[andgott]

I had Triple bypass surgery about two weeks ago, and am kind of limited in my activity at the moment... I am not supposed to lift more than 10 lbs- I told my wife that a wrench ways WAY less than that, but she didn't buy it.

So, While I'm waiting 'till the doctor says it's OK to start turning wrenches again, I decided to work on a model of my truck... The only '66 I know of that's available is the Wix bank, so in a Morphine-induced haze while I was in the hospital, I found & bought one on E-Bay with the intention of dressing it up a bit-



First, I took it all apart, and stripped it down to bare metal. I cleaned up the castings a bit, and filled the holes where the door handles, mirrors, attach-



A new coat of paint-



This is one of the color schemes I'm considering for mine.... This is the one that the wife likes best, so it'll probably be the one I go with

And, So far, she's looking decent-







I stretched out the frame to make it a LWB like mine, since the bank is a SWB model.

I have a lot more detail to go. I plan to scratch build a stake bed for it, since that's what I think I'm going to end up doing with my truck.

It's been a fun project, and something to help keep me busy and pass the time as I recover. Hopefully I'll be up and running in a few more weeks on the REAL truck!

-Andrew

[foodstick]

Its looking great ! I redid one years ago as well. If they won't sell us models,I guess we can redo toys just as easy !

[kstones63]

That looks good.
Sorry to hear about your surgery. Do as the Dr. says and you will be back to it before too long.

Kevin

[Gritsngumbo]

Looks good and good luck with your recovery. BTW, how old are you. Just curious, as I'm seeing lots of friends have major heart problems at a surprisingly young age.

[Casey 65]

Congrats on being up and around after your surgery! Keeping busy with the Mini-Slick will be good for your mental fitness. Since you are going with a stake bed would you be willing to sell the short bed from the Mini-Slick?

[andgott]

Thanks... I just wish it was as quick and easy to work on the real thing!

BTW, how old are you. Just curious, as I'm seeing lots of friends have major heart problems at a surprisingly young age.

I'm only 34- All this came as a bit of a shock. I've never had health issues- I had a physical every 6 months for my employer, and the worst I was ever told was that I should start to keep an eye on my cholesterol... I've never smoked, always tried to eat well, and exercise quite a bit. I guess you just can't stop genetics.

I'll also say- NEVER ignore the warning symptoms. I had some chest pain a few times at work. I kind of blew it off at first, thinking I just was in bad shape since I had been a little less active recently. I had just climbed 26 flights of stairs, has more chest pain, and felt dizzy, but still didn't think much of it, but went to get my blood pressure checked out, since it was high. A few weeks and several tests later, and the blockages were found in my arteries. I would have had a heart attack- My "Widowmaker" was almost plugged- and it likely would have killed me had it not been caught and fixed.

-Andrew

[Gritsngumbo]

Wow! That's truly scary. Good luck on the recovery.

[Toyz]

Glad to hear you are on the mend, and thanks for sharing details which may make some of our "youngsters" aware of the possibilities!
Paul

[simonscr]

Love the mini build! Great color scheme too! Wishing you the best on your health.

[William-in-St George]

I think your work on a small truck post surgery is great therapy. I hope you are doing well and continue to get stronger.

[1965fordf100]

Sorry to hear about your heart problems, thankfully they caught em and were able to get you fixed up! I'm 34 as well, so that story just hit a little close to home!

I like the truck remodel! Looks good!

[andgott]

Thanks, Everyone. Getting stronger by the day and looking forward to getting back to work on the truck! I had a followup appointment yesterday with the cardiologist, and I am looking at at LEAST 4 weeks until I can get back to work, if not a little longer. Hopefully I'll be able to turn a wrench a bit before then!

In the meantime, I did a little more to the "mini Slick"... Still a little more to do-



Got the new bed almost done-



It's keeping me busy- And sane!

-Andrew

[simonscr]

Looking nice! What did you make the bed out of?

[andgott]

Looking nice! What did you make the bed out of?

Thanks. I scratch built the bed out of styrene plastic and wood.

[Alan Mclennan]

Glad to hear your still with us Andrew, I have had some experience with what you had, my first wife died of it at the age of 28, so look after yourself and do as the Doc say`s!

I really like what you have done with the Wix Slick...

[andgott]

Pretty much done now.







Now I've got to find another project to keep me busy... 4-5 more weeks to go! Grrr.

I might start working on some of the smaller parts, like the dash, trim, etc... It'll help keep my sanity without overdoing it!

-Andrew

[Greg D]

This is not your first model build is it.
Looks great!
Actually there is a model out there,
they have a 66 SWB and a 63 SWB with a late bed.
1/25 scale in resin.


http://www.motorcityresincasters.com/63F100.htm

http://www.motorcityresincasters.com/66f100.htm

[Alan Mclennan]

Hey Greg, as a guess I`d reckon they flopped that off the Wix bank truck...

[mac]

that came out really good!

after an injury i was on bed rest for 3 months and then "take it easy/ no exertion" for 3 additional months, it was terrible. i hope they let you turn wrenches soon man.

[andgott]

Thanks- I've built a few models before, but never a car/truck... I've done some railroads, ships, and planes. I am also an artist, so a lot of the 'skills' translate pretty well.

I didn't know those resin models were out there- Though for the price difference I think that I did fine with the bank, It was a LOT cheaper from E-Bay ($14 w/ shipping, since it didn't have a box). It doesn't look like the detail is any greater for my purposes. If I wanted to do a fully detailed model, with engine, etc, the resin one would be the way to go.

-Andrew