Chuck Most

Not a pickup if it doesn't have a box. I suppose I should clarify... Ford didn't make a dually pickup (with a box ) in the modern era until 1980- you could order dual rear wheels on the heavier-duty Ford pickups in the '30's, but they were pretty rare and Ford didn't offer the option for very long.

*Blows dust off the topic* *Jiggles the switch* *Topic lets out a hum* IT WORKS!!!

It does have a salt spreader. I'm not sure if it was ever a highway truck- the red paint on the cab and hood looks like it might be factory, and I've never seen any red plow trucks in use by any of the local municipalities, but I suppose that can't be ruled out. It is set up like a lot of the old municipal plow trucks. I do want to build something like that F700- rust, planks, chain, and all.

THANK YOU! The other thing I've noticed, something that came to my attention when I was working in the auto parts business, it that sometimes it seems like the descriptions are not only vague and uninformative, but written in such a way to be confusing to the customer. For instance, something like a rear driveshaft U-joint for a pickup truck may be listed as being for "long wheelbase models only". Huh? Does that mean a long bed? Or an extended or crew cab? "Long wheelbase" covers a bit too much ground. Rather than listing the actual wheelbases- or if the driveshaft was single or two-piece, they'd have something idiotic like that in the description. Somtimes a part might differ depending on GVWR rating... and the description didn't say which one the part was meant for, meaning a person wanting to order that part online might have a 50/50 shot at getting the proper one. I can't tell you how many times I answered phone calls from customers who'd tried to order what they wanted off the site, only to throw up their hands in frustration and call in. Sometimes they'd read through every possible description and piece together enough to figure out what they needed, but yes, a lot of those onlne descriptions leave more than a little to be desired when it comes to clarity.

For a while, I thought the Sears/Kmart merger would work out. They'd never top Walmart, of course, but the two companies best-sellers complemented each other- for the tools and appliances, Sears had the Craftsman line, and Kmart was doing fairly well with its "softline" stuff, like the Martha Stewart Living products, which were exclusive to Kmart for a time. Sears never did well with softline products... remember those "Come see the softer side of Sears" ads from the '90's? But the Craftsman stuff seemed to do pretty well when Kmart started selling it, at least at the Kmarts in my area. Same story with the Kenmore appliances. Trouble is they've fallen into the same lockstep every other major retailer has been following- run the store on a skeleton crew of mini-wage part timers, squeak by on the bare minimum with store upkeep, and cut selection. That, and they want to hold the hands of those minimum-wage part timers constantly, making it so they can't even take a leak without permission from a supervisor, but on the other hand, they don't want to train them in any way with regards to performing their job, or about the products they sell. I guess that second point is just as well, considering the rather high turnover rate in most places like this... why spend the time enabling your employees to do things like return an unwanted purchase from a customer without manager supervision or teaching the employees about the products they sell when they likely won't stick around long enough for it to matter? Modern retailers don't want "lifers" anymore. Quality has been suffering too- I have no idea if the modern Craftsman tools or outdoor equipment are any good. All the Craftsman tools I have are '70's vintage hand-me-downs, and they all work and look just like new (so what's that tell you about the quality of the old Craftsman stuff?), but the Kenmore appliances aren't something I can vouch for. When my mom's old (early '80's) Magic Chef washing machine finally crapped out, she replaced it with a new Kenmore, after hearing so much over the years about how well-made the Kenmore products were. My mother went through two of the Kenmore wasing machines in as many years- the second time she didn't even bother trying to get it repaired or replaced. The Rent-A-Center-sourced Whirlpool she has now has been functioning perfectly for several years now. The old Kenmore stuff was pretty good, but the stuff I've been hearing about the Kenmore products they're selling now aren't as favorable. Take into account that the appliances are a big part of the "niche" market Sears has managed to grab onto, and the current sorry state of big-box retailers and the way they are run... and I can't say I'm shocked.

They aren't out yet, but once they're available you should be able to order them through Auto World.

Love it. Not Revell's finest effort, but in the right hands it makes for a pretty convincing little replica. Whenever it is, it won't be soon enough if you ask me! Quite a few versions of this I want to build, and that number doubles when you count the resin Wagoneer conversions I want to build as well....

It's a Ford. The graphics on it are vinyl- the paint job on the dump box and wheels look like it was done with a roller.

Very cool! I've had a similar idea kicking around for a while, I just haven't figured out how I want to tackle the rear suspension on mine yet.

Just a few I spotted on a Sunday drive last week.

There's already a guy working on quite a few beds (and other items) for these kits. So there's hope if anybody wants a standard Styleside bed for one of these.

I'd say keep the '66 chassis- there's no real need to replace it with the '65 component. I'm sure some will say the '65 chassis is better just because it has more separate parts, but the '66 just looks better to me. There isn't anything wrong with the '66 kit's 427, but if you wanted an engine with better block and head detail you could always borrow the appropriate bits from a Revell Thunderbolt/Fairlane, as others have mentioned.

Check out the Ertl IH Paystar/Transtar Conventional kits- they have something that looks like a good match, though you'd need to cut it out of the IH dash.

Even though I like the look of the newer front end better, that's a top notch conversion all around. Correcting the cargo doors makes a big difference with that model.

Always nice to see another Michiganite- the correct term for us. The whole Michiganian vs. Michigander thing is just silly.

Thing is, Bon Scott (who, of course, Brian Johnson replaced upon Scott's death) wasn't even AC/DC's original vocalist- he replaced the original vocalist, Dave Evans. In fact, it was Evans' son who was the one going on and on about the end of AC/DC after Malcolm Young's health issues earlier this year. But, yeah, AC/DC is a prime example of how well a band can weather lineup changes. I mean- they've been through more drummers than spinal tap, and at least a couple of bass players. Despite that, you know exactly what you're getting when you hear AC/DC is putting out a new record.

Very cool! Nobody'd be expecting that old girl to be packing ARDUN heads.

It's held up pretty well- not only in terms of the model itself, but the style in which it's built. Very nice!

Nice! I have more than enough Hudsons myself, but I still need to do one in NASCAR livery.

Watch out for characters like that at shows too- this has been a few years ago, but a buddy examined what he at first thought was a Herb Deeks 1-1/2 ton cab and chassis for the AMT '50 Chevy kit. Upon closer inspection, it was a fake- and a very poorly done fake at that. My friend asked the guy about its origins and the seller got evasive. Obviously my friend bought nothing from this vendor and told others at the show to do likewise. I'm sure behavior like this is more prevalent online than at shows these days, but still, be warned either way. If a deal seems too good to be true or the product you see in front of you doesn't measure up to the quality of the caster who allegedly produced it, walk away- and don't be shy letting people know about that vendor and his shady practices.

It is- what John pointed out in his post is correct, pretty much blow-by-blow as far as the historical content. I can't vouch for all the commentary on its reliability and problems, but I don't have a lot of first hand knowledge in that regard, but what he posted was pretty much the the history of these engines- 6 or 8 cylinders. You and I may have had similar isolated cases- I've never been too impressed by any of the SBCs I've owed, and I agree 100% that seeing another one in a street rod is about as exciting as drying paint at this point.

Now I want to build another White Freighliner dual drive... in the color scheme you used in your rendering!

This was done as a CBP here- http://offroadmodels.proboards.com/thread/1475/build-memory-great-friend-larry?page=9#page=1 This is the American SATCO (Aoshima) kit, treated to a lift, a solid front axle conversion, and clearanced wheel openings to accomodate the Mickey Thompsons from the Revell Wrangler Rubicon kit. Those tires fit the Aoshima wheels just fine, by the way. Paint is Ford Grabber Green, though you might be hard pressed to know since this one's been slinging a little mud.

Nice way to welcome yourself back! I'm hoping it won't be another 50 years before we get to see the next one.