leafsprings

Couldn't wait to check out the list of new AMT truck models on the side of boxes at hobby stores back in the 70's, I was sure AMT was going to cover the Chevy GMC tilt soon after the Ford tilt came out. Well, we got the Matchbox version, but not what I was hoping for.

IMO, the only wheels that look right on an older west coast log truck are Motor Wheel Corporation's "Centruelight".

Sounds like a great upgrade, IMO, looks better than a 2WD already! Were lucky Moebius gave us this long awaited body style in a longbed version so we can make 3/4 ton 4x4's possible.

I'm assuming Moebius does not have the luxury of using official blueprints like AMT had when doing the 60-'63 F 100 back in the day when the trucks were new, so, what is being used to research and sculpture parts? Is 3d all off photos?

Oh, I see, " it's " is referring to the utility bed, confusing because it was a resonse that quoted Art's Flareside box comment. I thought there might be a chance of getting a never been done before 8' Flareside option.

Just to be clear, are we getting the correct long bed Flareside? The Ford 8' Flareside is not as simple as stretching the bed, as is with the case of building a longbed Chevy stepside. The longbed 8' Ford Flareside is deeper and wider than the 6 1/2 Flareside already covered excellently be AMT's '53 F 100.The most notable feature in the subtle inner fender tubs.

The real reason its taking so long, the body literally needs a lot of work. I would say its not a crisp casting, it was rather rough and lacks some detail. The front fenders had to be re shaped and the hood was a bad fit. However, it is getting closer. The hoods lower front lip was flat, had to be beveled upward and side hood body line had to be cleaned up. These are small details that most people may not notice, unless they compare to a photograph of the real thing. Next is working on the grill.

Was there any other kit besides the Ford that came with actual dealership mudflaps? Found this in a Ford truck dealer directory.

X2! Were so used to seeing all that chrome on typical highway Petes, we almost forgot that they were other simple no nonsense workhorse versions!

The heavy duty conventional used the larger front end, but basically the same cab. Dan models offers an excellent heavy duty Ford cab identical to this one. Interestingly the cab styling on the heavy duty trucks continued to the 1969 year model, while the medium duty styling ended in 1966. To get an idea of the weight capacities involved on a heavy duty T 950 below, the max GVW is 62,000 on the straight chassis, a 12, 15 or 18K front axle and 38 or 44K rear axles

The F 600 shown is considered a medium duty truck. The beefier end of the medium duty line was the F 700 and F 750 (same sheet metal styling). The most common wheel size on F 600 was 2 piece 20". Optional was the 22.5" solid. The F 750 ( black and white photo) used the common 10 lug Budd or spokes in 10.00-20.

This wheel is the most common wheel found on '61-'66 F 350's, its a 2 piece 16". The optional wheel was the solid 17.5". All F 350 came with the 6 lug pattern.

An AMT 1964 F100 would have been nice back in the day but, obviously would have required a lot of retooling. The '66 is similar bodywise..The '62-'63 styleside can be built combining the Dan models '62 Ford cab or Motor City '63 Ford pickup cab and the bed of the AMT 1960 Ford pickup. All F 350's ( bottom photo 1 ton ) and most 4x4's came with larger cut out front fenders ( the bottom scallop line is cut out of the standard fender). IMO, the AMT '53 Ford is the best donor for a 6' flareside (stepside). Hopefully the 8 and 9 ft Flaresides will become available someday to really add to the variety of build ideas.

That is correct. The first red flag on the 5.7 was that they were only available on 1/2 tons.

I'm pretty sure no AMT kit, car or pickup, came with the standard 223 six cylilnder engine ( used between 1954 and 1964 ). Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. However the Chevy Six looks very familiar ( distributor on right side, manifolds and carb on left side), with a little valve cover reworking, it would be very unique sight seeing a 6 banger under the hood!

The plot thickens, here is a '80-'81 brochure that does list the 3406 for 9000 series.

Sounds logical, build a 9000 series for the big power! Louisville 9000's were always big fleet favorites. Jim B is correct, the Cat required the longer L front end, however other Detroits and Cummins cleared LN's. But maybe you can build a bigger non stock doghouse. This data from '75-'76.

These trucks came with a hood scoop that connected to the air cleaner via air duct. Tried to duplicate the real one from factory photo. May just end up being a dump since its already on a Louisville dump frame.

Yes, same hood that came with kit, only difference is the primer. Will fabricate side hood emblem spears and front emblem with bare metal foil

Update to the slow build. Most of the frame completed. The 2nd generation 359 frame used for mock up was replaced with a donor Louisville Dump frame, with Hendrickson suspension. 534, Spicer main and aux trans, Timken 11K front axle, 38K DP rear axles, full air and 10x20 tires and Budd wheels are in place. Dodge L 700 gas tanks used. May have to fab an air cleaner or something. Now for more body work and paint.

Maybe Ford had a better idea? Just kidding. But, IMO, the biggest failure was big plastic not covering the Chevy GMC tilt, something I assumed would happen after the Ford tilt came out in the mid 70's. But we did get the Dodge L700, the ugliest, shorted lived and least popular of the 3, go figure.

I agree. Moebius are you listening? AMT dropped the ball with the square doors when they surely had a chance in the mid 70's to cover the most popular pickup in America.

Nice job! Wagon wheels were the rage back then, original wheels on 4x4's usually disappeared less than a month after driven off the dealerships lot. Is the orange engine a clue it is a '73-'76?

Custom Cab interior for early '70's AMT kit. Note the white steering wheel still being used. Ford went to black wheels for all cabs around 1977.

Vantastic job Repstock! Super realistic and very inspiring as usual. It appears to have the 16.5 tires and full wheel covers off the 1 ton AMT F 350 pickup, which is correct for the deluxe 1 ton E 300 models. The hubcaps off the '69 and '70 Moebius pickups would be correct for base model 1 ton E 300's.