Dodge 9 Car Transporter

[Mopar - D]

Here is my reference picture of my project.

I've picked up the AITM Dodge L -1000 day cab and will use the White Frightliner as my donor. I've drilled the holes in the AMT car hauler ramps that I plan to use for supporting the car over the cab. Just received the Fujimi car transporter that I plan to modify from a true 5th wheel to a lower trailer attachment the goal I have is to have 6 cars in the trailer and 3 on the cab.

I have enought factory stock 1968 Mopars to fill it up. I will be be getting started on this project next week end.

[gnygren]

cool project. will watch this one.

[Mopar - D]

I've been checking out the trailer and I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get the 6 cars to fit on the trailer as my 68 MOPARs are big long cars so we will see how many I will be able to get in it.

[olsbooks]

VERY interesting. Going by the cars on it, that is a mid/late 80's stuff on board and somebody spent some serious coin getting that Dodge up to snuff.

Dodge, Ford, Reo, White, GMC (crackerbox) all had some homely looking cabovers in the mid/late sixties. But Dodge had to take the cake with those dog dish headlight bezels. So ugly they are kind of pretty in an odd sort of way. Obviously the 1000 stylists did not play with, influence, or even talk to the Bighorn hood stylists...or perhaps they were seeking redemption.

Thanks for sharing your prototype. I would never have thought such a beast ever existed. Very cool.

Edited December 14, 2014 by olsbooks

[Jim B]

This should be an interesting project. Looking forward to your progress. Looks like it's heading from the port with a load of new Nissans.

[72 Charger]

I will be watchin too

[mackinac359]

The Dodge is cast by Dave at www.aitruckmodels.com - sleeper and non-sleeper versions.

The Big Horn stylists had planned a restyle to the COE - but Dodge killed the concept and soon got out of the Class 8 truck business. I seem to recall that the stylist/engineer who did the Big Horn had his hands on the Diamond Reo Raider too?

Tim

VERY interesting. Going by the cars on it, that is a mid/late 80's stuff on board and somebody spent some serious coin getting that Dodge up to snuff.

Dodge, Ford, Reo, White, GMC (crackerbox) all had some homely looking cabovers in the mid/late sixties. But Dodge had to take the cake with those dog dish headlight bezels. So ugly they are kind of pretty in an odd sort of way. Obviously the 1000 stylists did not play with, influence, or even talk to the Bighorn hood stylists...or perhaps they were seeking redemption.

Thanks for sharing your prototype. I would never have thought such a beast ever existed. Very cool.

[disabled modeler]

Very cool project....!

[Chuck Most]

Count on me watching this one. I also have to ask, what are you planning on doing with the Fuso?

VERY interesting. Going by the cars on it, that is a mid/late 80's stuff on board and somebody spent some serious coin getting that Dodge up to snuff.

Can't be any earlier than late 1983- that's when Toyota started selling their vans in North America. It does look pretty well-maintained for something that couldn't have been any newer than 13 years old at the time!

[Mopar - D]

Thanks for all the encouragement on my project I have 2 weeks off work for the Christmas holiday and plan on getting a lot of work done on this durn that time.

Chuck as for the Fuso I'm not sure at this time. If I decide I don't want it I'll let you know.

I'm going to go with a red with white stripes on this one. Not sure on the color for the frame yet either black or red?

[Chuck Most]

I'd go with a red chassis.

[kilrathy10]

This is going to one to watch, for sure.....I hope you have time to get it done, before April......I want to see this bad boy.....Just a heads up, I have one in the planning stages, as well..... Just got the email for this coming year's contest schedule......This is gonna be cool......

[Mopar - D]

JT I've got 2 weeks off over Christmas and plan a lot of hours on the bench working on this one.

[tbill]

will be watching as well, this is gonna be cool

[Mopar - D]

Started cutting today on the front section of the trailer to lower it even with the bottom section. Currently the trailer is 42 1/2' long and I will need to add about 4' more to be able to get 3 American cars in the bottom section. I'm not sure if I should add it to the center section or to the rear section behind the wheels. I'm thinking behind the wheels will be better. Stated on the cab frame and will checking to see if that will need to be lengthen too.

[kilrathy10]

Great start to this one, Man....I'm thinking you have the right idea for extension....The rear portion seems a little short to pass for an American setup.....So, I would have to agree....The rear portion is the way to go....

[Hessel Hemstra]

Quite a build you're working on. The Mitsuwa/Fujimi kit is a fine one.

Hessel

[Mopar - D]

Thanks JT I'm going to go with about a 4' extension on the back.

Hessel thanks yes the Mitsuwa/Fujimi kit is a nice kit so far the trailer has fit together with out any problems. The only thing that I've been working on to figure out is the front top section of the trailer where it is in the lowered position instead of the raised. I'm going to change it to the raised location

[1930fordpickup]

This is cool. I like the Dodge cab.

[Mopar - D]

Worked on the cab frame and engine and checking to see if I'm going to add a little to the frame. I'm thinking maybe a inch just to make sure I've got room for 3 full size cars. Question I have is what color should the Cummings engine be ? Here are some pictures of the mock up so far.

[Mopar - D]

Added 1" to the frame to make it a 200" WB and have decided to use the tires from the car hauler kit they are nice Briggestone tires. I now have plenty of room for a full size car on the truck bottom level now comes my own engineering/design for the top level. I Went out the other day to my LHS and picked up a lot of evergreen in different size tubing and channel. Here's the mock up with the extended frame.

[Mopar - D]

Today progress : I've made the cab attachments and primed the engine and frame. I've also started checking to see how the upper level will look with the car. I'm now designing how to support the upper racks. Here's the updated pictures.

[kilrathy10]

Looks great, so far....You should be able to make a pretty nice rig out of this.....Can't wait to see how you are going to fit 2 of those Mopar Beasts up there, though......This I gotta see.....

[Mopar - D]

Got some color on the engine and fuel tanks spent some time on how I'm going to install the exhaust stack and the can muffler on the frame. Getting closer on how the top cars will be supported. I'm working getting the truck chassis and components installed first so I don't have any interferences with the car supports.

[kilrathy10]

Again....Looking pretty sweet, Dude.....