Something different for the Beer Wagon

[donculley]

I haven't been in any mood lately to build, but I have to get out of my slump, so I'm going to try something I haven't done before - a kitbash. I've had some ideas for an old reissue Beer Wagon I've had sitting around ,and I have collected other bits over the years that got thrown in the box . First of all, its a great classic kit, but I never really liked the old chain drive with a big V8 engine, so off it goes.


Removing all the chain spindles and transfer case really weakened the frame , so I added some sheet plastic to the frame and a brace with some junk sprue


An old part from a gluebomb Beer Wagon fits right in to stiffen the frame up !


More to come ...

[donculley]

The maltese cross didnt go with my idea , so I cut it out and made a round window , so it looks like something you may have found on a 1920s truck


Test fitting rear body which was made from flat stock . It sits a little low , but I found that the bed of the Beer Wagon underneath will bring it where I want it. The test fit seats were too big for the cab

I lengthened the running boards by cutting some old Dragon Wagon fenders I had in half and grafted them onto the Beer Wagons . I cut down the Dragons rear fender so it curves up to the wheel , but will support the bed. The running board supports were cut from the Beer Wagons side stakes .

[TooOld]

I like what your doing with this one , great to see you back at your bench !

[kabdriver]

Welcome back to the bench dude! Making a great start - I’m excited to see more on this one, looks great SO far!! 😍

[donculley]

Man , do I have a messy bench ! Test fitting some pieces . You can see the running board supports that were cut from the Beer Wagon stakes. I think they worked out perfectly.
With the chain drive gone , I needed to get something to get the truck moving . I tried a few things, but in the end I wound up using a diff from the Garbage Truck . I never realized it before , but the G Truck and the B Wagon share the same suspension parts ! The molded in partial driveshaft was sanded off and a "real" one is from the parts box.

[badroadahead]

Looking good. It will be nice to see the BW without the chain drive.
Tell me about mess benches. No matter how big your bench in you end up with about an 8" spot to work....if that!

[Dennis M]

Looking good Don'' great start.

[donculley]

Some more progress on the Beer Wagon . Went a different direction with the exhaust- I took some Groovy Grader headers and notched the B Wagons block so they fit underneath. Because of the fit, I had to move the block forward and grind down the front of it, but no one ever sees it on this kit anyway.


I also want to change the intake set up .This is the test fit ; the hood had to have a slight modification - Does anyone recognize what kit this was from ?


Lots of progress in the cargo area ! Box is nearly done . The front stops are part of the Beer Wagon's stake body cut down .The ridges on the sides of the bed were part of the chains which I cut off to give it an antique wrought iron look ( don't know if it works, but I like it ! )

[chromecop]

This build is coming along really nice!!!!

[Bert]

Nice work Don. I never liked the chain drive either. My last bash of that kit was a wheelstander. Keep going my friend.

[kabdriver]

I like those headers on there Don! Nice work!

[timj]

Nice work so far Don, it's looking good.

[donculley]

Thanks for the compliments guys , it took a while , but it finally is finished !