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Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Is Complete

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  • Member since
    May 2011
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Is Complete
Posted by Mr Mike on Saturday, February 27, 2021 8:21 AM

My new project is the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon from 4 years ago.  This is a curbside kit, which means there is no engine or transmission to assemble.  The body will be painted with Model Master Big Bad Blue Lacquer and the interior will be painted with a combination of Tamiya Nato Black, Tamiya Semi Gloss Black and Model Master Acryl Gunship Gray.  One of the things I am considering is changing the back of the roll cage to protect the rear passengers.  Currently, the roll cage design shows a raciness with a fastback style.  

More Wrangler to come...

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Saturday, February 27, 2021 8:54 AM

Waiting Patiently!

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: East Bethel, MN
Posted by midnightprowler on Saturday, February 27, 2021 12:07 PM

Looking forward to this.  Been thinking of getting it, but I wish it had stock tires.

Hi, I am Lee, I am a plastiholic.

Co. A, 682 Engineers, Ltchfield, MN, 1980-1986

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

Ask me about Speedway Decals

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by Mr Mike on Saturday, February 27, 2021 12:39 PM

Thanks guys!

midnightprowler

Looking forward to this.  Been thinking of getting it, but I wish it had stock tires.

The new version of this kit is out and it is basically the same, but it is a stock Wrangler.

I have been working on the roll cage for this Wrangler.  I cut off the rear bars and trimmed them to sit level at 1 1/16 inch and then I added a 1 1/16 inch length of .100X.100 styrene stock to the bottom of the rear uprights.  I plan on adding a strip of .080X.188 styrene stock for a rear crossmember.

More Wrangler to come...

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • From: Oregon: Beautiful tree country.
Posted by treehuggerdave on Saturday, February 27, 2021 2:27 PM

This'll be a fun project to watch as it progresses.

The box art gives us a clue as to what to expect Yes.

Looking forward to more posts.

Dave

Phil. 4:6-7   Jer. 29:11-14  John 3:13

On the bench - Hand made '50 Lincoln "Tail dragger"  1956 DeSoto 'vert., Resin '60 Chrysler 300 , Modelhaus resin '58 Pontiac hardtop kit.

Been a "Plastholic" all my life. Love this stuff.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by keavdog on Saturday, February 27, 2021 3:53 PM

I ordered that kit from Hobby Lobby but they sent me the vanilla yellow one.  Got it for no charge though.  I'll follow. Wanted one to sit next to my Bronco

Thanks,

John

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by Mr Mike on Saturday, February 27, 2021 5:11 PM

Thanks Dave and John!

I got the paintbooth up and running and sprayed the Jeep this afternoon.  The body and the chassis was painted with Model Master AMC Big Bad Blue.  The flipside of the chassis is the interior floor and that got a coat of Tamiya Gunship Grey.  Then I ran out of paint!  Off to the LHS tomorrow.  The frame got a coat of Tamiya TS-29 Semi Gloss Black and tomorrow I'll detail the rest of the frame.

More Wrangler to come...

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: East Bethel, MN
Posted by midnightprowler on Saturday, February 27, 2021 5:17 PM

Nice color.  Which version does hobby lobby have? 

Hi, I am Lee, I am a plastiholic.

Co. A, 682 Engineers, Ltchfield, MN, 1980-1986

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

Ask me about Speedway Decals

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by Mr Mike on Sunday, February 28, 2021 7:25 AM

midnightprowler

Nice color.  Which version does hobby lobby have? 

 
Thanks Lee.  I have to presume that Hobby Lobby would have the newer stock version.  I got this kit from the Classic Plastic Model Club raffle several years ago.  
  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Sunday, February 28, 2021 7:42 AM

Hi;

 I like the fact your mods on the Top Bars are better looking than the Kit piece!

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by Mr Mike on Sunday, February 28, 2021 8:38 AM

Thanks Tanker-Builder!  I wanted the top bars to look like they were part of the kit piece.  Just some careful cutting and gluing!

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by Mr Mike on Sunday, February 28, 2021 10:54 AM

I put the wheels and tires together and what a job that was!  I figured the installation would be easy to do, but it was difficult due to the stiff tires.  A quick mockup to check my progress.

More Wrangler to come...

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: East Bethel, MN
Posted by midnightprowler on Sunday, February 28, 2021 11:24 AM

Looks great.  How did you weather the tires? 

Hi, I am Lee, I am a plastiholic.

Co. A, 682 Engineers, Ltchfield, MN, 1980-1986

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

Ask me about Speedway Decals

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Sunday, February 28, 2021 1:20 PM

Yes;

   But; You did it like a practicing engineer with good sense would've! Oh, and I like that particular shade of Blue!

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by Mr Mike on Sunday, February 28, 2021 4:52 PM

Thank you guys!  How did I weather the tires?  I left them in the bag! Cool  I didn't do anything to them.  That is the way they came out of the bag.  Yes, I am using my brain a bit as I work on this Jeep.  I have plenty of complex model kits to build, but this Jeep was simple and every now and then, you need to build something easy and simple. 

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by Mr Mike on Monday, March 1, 2021 7:21 AM

I finished the suspensions last night before turning in.  Red springs on an otherwise black suspension which will need some detailing anyway.  I did a mockup to check my progress!

More Wrangler to come...

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by Mr Mike on Monday, March 1, 2021 11:22 AM

I went to find the hood latches to paint them and they were gone!  I must have used them elsewhere.  With ingenuity being the mother of invention, I created a set of hood latches.  The interior is mostly done.  I just have to add a rear cross bar and do some touchups.

More Wrangler to come...

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by Mr Mike on Monday, March 1, 2021 2:12 PM

Guess what I found...the hood latches!  I had this one piece floating around the bench top and I never really looked at it until a short while ago.  It got me to thinking, "Where did I see one just like it?"  I looked in the box and there it was on the bottom!  Why there were seperated from the parts sprue, I don't know.  After looking at some pictures on Goggle Images, some Jeeps had lights mounted on the front bumper and I got to wondering if I had any left over from my '32 Fords and I did!  With the lenses!  Now, to decided which decals I need before I apply my clearcoat.

More Wrangler to come...

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: East Bethel, MN
Posted by midnightprowler on Monday, March 1, 2021 4:53 PM

Yes hard to believe those tires arrived like that.  Very strange.  Almost look like they were weathered with pastel dust.

Hi, I am Lee, I am a plastiholic.

Co. A, 682 Engineers, Ltchfield, MN, 1980-1986

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

Ask me about Speedway Decals

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posted by goldhammer on Monday, March 1, 2021 8:00 PM

I like the red springs, you installed the Rancho lift kit.

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by Mr Mike on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 11:20 AM

Thanks Lee and goldhammer!  The more I look at the tires, the more I like them like that!  The red springs adds a little detail to the suspension.

This was not easy to do!  Adding aluminium-colored foil to the rear of the body.  Too many "bumps" to work around and I ended up tearing the foil in a couple of spots.  The sides was easier to do, but presented there own challenges with dealing with the rough surface.

More Wrangler to come...

  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Posted by goldhammer on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 11:39 AM

Nice work on the diamond plate. 

Did the rear corners of a CJ in kitchen foil, pressed in the pattern using a pencil eraser and the wrecker body floor of the old Midnight Cowboy kit.

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by Mr Mike on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 2:17 PM

Originally, I was going to use Testors Metalizer Aluminium Plate, but I was worried about brush strokes.  Then I remembered the aluminium foil that I was given for another model and I used that instead.

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: East Bethel, MN
Posted by midnightprowler on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 4:10 PM

Looks great.  I agree on the tires. 

Hi, I am Lee, I am a plastiholic.

Co. A, 682 Engineers, Ltchfield, MN, 1980-1986

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

Ask me about Speedway Decals

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by Mr Mike on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 4:12 PM

I worked on the lights this afternoon.  I drilled a 1/16th inch hole and added a piece of 1/16th inch styrene rod and left it a little long so I can detemine how I want to mount the lights later.  I painted and added the side steps and the exhaust tip.  While I was at it, I added a piece of styrene to the back of the winch since it was open and I don't like leaving things open even if they don't show.

More Wrangler to come...

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by Mr Mike on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 9:02 AM

Happiness is clearcoating with NO problems!  The body, rear bumper and fender flares have been clearcoated and will be assembled shortly.  These parts were painted with Tamiya TS-29 Semi Gloss Black and will be ready for assembly soon.

More Wrangler to come...

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: New Braunfels, Texas
Posted by Tanker-Builder on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 12:08 PM

Hi;

 Now, that's good looking. I have a neighbor with a real raised Rubicon. His springs are bright Yellow!

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by Mr Mike on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 7:38 PM

My Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is complete.  I would like to thank everyone who has viewed and commented on my WIP.

  • Member since
    May 2011
Posted by Mr Mike on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 7:39 PM

A few more...

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by keavdog on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 8:13 PM

Turned out great Mike!  Dig the baby blue color.  

Thanks,

John

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