MGL Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 This is almost done but since I'm waiting on the last couple of parts I will put it here for now. First the story. I learned how to drive in my Dads tow truck at about 12 or 13. No power steering, 4 speed with about a 400 lb pressure plate, manual everything. I drove that truck all around near the shop and when I could I would ride with whoever was towing a car. Eventually Dad would send me out with guy's that had never towed cars before, I would hook up, and they would drive back. The day I got my DL, I was towed several cars. So in '93 I was in the Navy and dad closed up the shop and the truck was parked at my uncles house, never to move again. So now that I'm looking to retire in a couple of years, I went and looked at the truck and its still in pretty good shape for sitting for over 20 years and I think it may become my first project after I retire. I have been wanting to do a model of this truck forever but never saw anything close enough to try. Then about a month ago I saw the Super Stones Ford and decided I would use that as a starting point and build my own. I also got the 77 GMC wrecker kit but it turned out all I used from it was the boom end, the winch, and the wheels. So hopefully I can figure out how to post some photo's and show you what I have done so far. Constructive criticism is always welcome as I intend to re-visit the tow truck theme again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGL Posted March 12, 2015 Author Share Posted March 12, 2015 This is the truck as it sits today. Unfortunately its 3000 miles away so all my references were pre-existing pictures or google. The first attempt at the bed was just way out of scale. These beds seem to have been mounted randomly from on truck to the next, some lining up with the bottom of the cab, some extending below, and then when you look at the top of the bed compared to the rear window it kind of skews the perspective. This truck worked mostly in Prince Georges County Maryland and S.E Washington D.C, so those map books were always in the truck. Mechanically the truck was always kept in good shape but like all shop trucks it took a beating. It always bothered me that we had a body shop but our tow truck was never straight. If I had my way it would have been straight, black, and spotless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGL Posted March 12, 2015 Author Share Posted March 12, 2015 Scratch built PTO driven off the transfer case that came with the kit. I tried to put a little surface rust on the muffler, this was before I really got to looking around on this site and found all the great tutorials on weathering and rust. At this point in the build I was planning on just using the 78 grill but then I saw Kris from M.A.D. mention he had just done the correct grill so I sent him an e-mail and he blew me away with the service he provided. I can't say enough about how happy I am with the grills and distributors he sent. The cable is picture hanging wire, the parking brake cable is one strand from the picture hanging wire. This was my first attempt at decals and I think I sprayed the clear on a little to thick. I also should have trimmed them closer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGL Posted March 12, 2015 Author Share Posted March 12, 2015 The sling from the GMC wrecker kit was ok but I wanted articulate it and one of my kids just needed a new bicycle inner tube so I tried gluing a piece of rubber to a scrap piece of sprue and it worked great. So now the sling articulates and has rubber straps. The bed is pinned and would extend in and out except I didn't plan for that from the beginning so the cable doesn't flex so well. My next one I think I'm going to put a small hand winch up top in the frame and maybe use braided fishing line for wire rope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 (edited) Real great work on this build. Is it close to being finished??? Edited March 12, 2015 by slusher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGL Posted March 12, 2015 Author Share Posted March 12, 2015 (edited) Slusher, its close, I've got clearance lights and rear marker lights coming, and tomorrow I'm going to make the HOLMES plate that goes below the cable on the crossbar. I would like to find the correct wheels but so far I haven't seen any of the 4 hole ford 8 lug wheels. My Dads shop specialized in VW's so it only seemed fitting to try it out on one. The 4x4 is just about the most important accessory for any sling truck, it keeps the hard parts off the shiny stuff. The chain is from the LHS, the hooks are fishhooks bent and filed. The brake lights are scratch built but the three running lights I trimmed out of the 77 GMC wrecker kit. The mirror's and horn were my first attempt with BMF, I wish I had tried that stuff years ago. I guess I didn't mention, I filed down all the trim and raised the top of the windshield to get it even with the door glass. I also didn't realize I missed detailing the inner door panels until I had the cab and bed attached and I really don't want to fight that again right now. The fire wall detail on this kit is pretty mediocre. No master cylinder or even a hint of a heater core. My son is working on a Revell "70 Torino which by the way is an impressive kit for the price, it even has a PE grill, so I am thinking about trying one of these resin casting kits from Hobby Lobby and copy the master cylinder from that. The battery cable is a paper clip, I flattened out the ends a bit to simulate the terminals. I think next time I will just put a bit of 2 part epoxy on the end and shape, file and scribe the terminals. The fuel line is also a paper clip but I can see now in the pictures it's a little bit too big. Edited March 12, 2015 by MGL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGL Posted March 12, 2015 Author Share Posted March 12, 2015 I started adding the u bolts on the diff, I still need to do the outer ones but I ran out of paper clips. Drilled the exhaust, and I had to take about 3/8 " out of the frame, exhaust, and drive shaft, you can see plates on either side of both frame rails. After looking around here I get the impression most of you that know what your doing would have drilled and pinned it so next time I will try that. The transfer case had to be turned around to drive the pto but I think it works out ok. The kit came with an automatic but the real truck had a four speed. I didn't find a ford four speed until I was this far into it so for now this is how its going to stay. I can't say enough about the grill from M.A.D. I wish I had the confidence, tools, and skill to open it up or to finish it in such a way to do it justice but I don't. That's why I ordered 2 of them so I can come back to it later as I figure things out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGL Posted March 12, 2015 Author Share Posted March 12, 2015 The pre-wired distributor is from M.A.D. wired with the correct firing order. You can't really tell from the pictures but I remember putting a water pump on this truck so I left the water pump with fresh paint an added some orange rtv to it. This is where I/m at for now, I still need to finish the u bolts on the rear, the clearance lights, the rear marker lights, master cylinder, heater, and figure out what to do about the inner fender wells. I don't remember how the were finished. Also, looking at these pictures, the beacon light looks to be crooked so I will take that off, level it, and then use the BMF on it instead of paint. Thanks for looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1930fordpickup Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 This brings back some good old times with my late brother. Thanks! The truck he drove was a red 78 Ford spent many week end days riding around with him. Just wondering if you checked that VW bumper before you hooked up to it like we had to do around here? Have to make sure it was good and tight and not rusted. Sure wish I could have found some pictures of that truck after he passed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjracing Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 Wow! Awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemodeler Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 Nice! If you want to create another one, there is a Revell wrecker kit called Midnite Cowboy that has a similar wrecker bed to the one you scratchbuilt, making life a little easier! Also, check with Scenes Unlimited for some wheels similar to the ones on the 1:1, I believe Danny has some that look just like them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disabled modeler Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 Nice work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misterNNL Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 You might try using some aluminum jewlery wire from Hobby Lobby for some small parts like the U bolts fot that rear diff.It's very mallable so you can make just about anything from it including flattening it with a tack hammer for handles,straps.levers and other small parts.Don't forget to go on-line and get a 40 percent discount before you go there ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Brian Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 Check this link out, I believe it's the Ford four hole wheels you're looking for. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Resin-Dually-Duallie-Pickup-Truck-Wheels-Rims-Set-Tow-Truck-Wrecker-1-24-1-25-/391074493246?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5b0ddb333e Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris Morgan Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 Mark, that looks great. Did not realize you were using some of my parts when I first opened the thread. Thank you for the kind words about them. Glad you are happy. Some mentioned that Scenes Unlimited may have wheels that match a bit closer,, If they do expect them to be of the same quality as what I sent you. Danny is a very close buddy of mine and does outstanding work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGL Posted March 15, 2015 Author Share Posted March 15, 2015 The clearance lights and rear marker lights came in. I don't like the marker lights, they seem way to big and I have found better, PE parts online. The clearance lights are ok, I would have liked to have found the type with the chrome frame that goes around the top but I will live with this. I added insulation under the hood and a HOLMES plate below the winch cable. In the future I will start making my own hood hinges so the hood will actually go up properly. I am also going to invest in an airbrush later this summer. I wonder if I try this Future that I keep seeing y'all talk about will it help blend the edges of the decals better or should I make new ones and try trimming them closer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGL Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 Made a copy of the master cylinder from my sons "70 Torino kit, turned out ok for now. I just pressed it into some clay and mixed up some epoxy and poured it in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maindrian Pace Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 Outstanding, it just has the right look and feel from every angle. -MJS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLOODBANE Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 Where did you get the grill? I see M.A.D. all over the place but no other reference. Whats it stand for? Your build looks super and good to see the 73-75 FORD (with the correct grill). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGL Posted March 21, 2015 Author Share Posted March 21, 2015 The grill came from Kris at Morgan Automotive Detail. I cant figure out how to post the link to his site but the address is www.madmodeling .com. Kris is a member of this site and provides great products and excellent service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar - D Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 Mark great work on your wrecker. Your scratch building and detail are relly bring your truck to life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsDano85gt Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 very cool truck i was tired of seeing chevy and gmc wreckers way to go FORD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darthsideous Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 Outstanding, it just has the right look and feel from every angle. -MJS Totally agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1zebra3 Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 (edited) Nice FORD Tow Truck. Great scratch building skills. Edited March 28, 2015 by 1zebra3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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