First detailed look -- Round 2's 1978 Dodge D100 LWB 4x2 Sweptside

[tim boyd]

Here's an advance look at this new kit from Round 2 that has prompted quite a bit of discussion on the various model message boards and forums.

Although the tool itself is well known, the components have never been released in this exact form, and it has been a long, long time (almost 40 years IIRC) since the 1972-1979 Dodge pickup kit has been marketed in the LWB Sweptside and 4x2 factory stock form. Not only that, it was never available until now as a showroom stock, 1978 model year, 4x2, and LWB Sweptside pickup box.   One example?  The newly tooled open wheel rims and hub caps shown here. 

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Also of note - an all-new decal sheet, with a nod to our generation's leading model car kit historian, Mark Budniewski, all new box art, and a 1/25th scale dirt bike accessory.

Take a look below for further details....and be sure to use the Roll View or Full View feature so you can see my comments and info, including number of unexpected surprises lurking in these parts trees, and a look back at the assembly manual from the first ever release of this tool, MPC's 1972 annual "Baja Brute" kit.  

The current forecast is that the kit is expected to be in stores and available by mail order in early April.

See the 38 images and captions at this link......

Thanks for your interest....TIM

(Disclosure - this is a sample kit provided to me by Round 2 management without charge to me. From time to time and upon their request, I assist Round 2 with kit development elements, also at no charge to them.)

Edited March 10, 2019 by tim boyd

[Jim B]

Interesting.  I like the West Seneca, NY, location on the decal sheet.  If only the area code was correct (716), but I understand why it was done that way.

[vincen47]

Thanks for the sneak peek. Looks nice, I’ll have to add it to my list of kits to buy. 

[unclescott58]

Thanks for the look Tim. I can't wait to get my hands on this one. 

[Classicgas]

Thanks Tim. A must have.

[iamsuperdan]

Yup. Will be buying at least one of these. Probably a couple.

 

 

[Chuck Most]

8 foot bed and the bench seat is back? Yeah, I'm in.  I could have used those Rupps last year when I did the '69 F100 Rupp dealer truck.

[Robberbaron]

I've got to say, about a year ago it seemed like Round 2 was off their game a bit, but seeing some.of their recent releases, it seems like that was just a lull.  Nice to see the extra effort they put into this one.  They'll be rewarded with my $

[mikemodeler]

Nice to see the extra parts in the kit, makes me wonder if they will offer a 4x4 version in the future?

 

Thanks for sharing Tim!

[paul alflen]

Tim, Could this truck be also issued as the Dodge Power Wagon from the tv show Simon and Simon. the one Gerald McRaney drove? or was that a 4x4?

[Rob Hall]

17 minutes ago, paul alflen said:

Tim, Could this truck be also issued as the Dodge Power Wagon from the tv show Simon and Simon. the one Gerald McRaney drove? or was that a 4x4?

That was a 4x4.  Macho Power Wagon, 1979-1980.    

 

[heepey]

I hope round2 will see fit to issue it in the 4x4 form at some point in the future - like soon!

[tim boyd]

Guys.....my guess is that a factory 4x4 version is quite likely a future possibility.   I love the "Macho" idea, and the Simon and Simon idea seems cool too!   

Round 2 is apparently getting  ton of interest in this new release......of course, best thing to do to see future spinoffs is to by the one on the shelf today (or in this case, a month from now), but then again you all already knew that.....

Thanks for the comments.....TIM 

[MJStyline]

I will certainly vote with my wallet to keep releases like this coming in the future- though for every new kit I purchase I must sell/trade 4-5 others to keep the pile manageable... 

[mikemodeler]

57 minutes ago, MJStyline said:

I will certainly vote with my wallet to keep releases like this coming in the future- though for every new kit I purchase I must sell/trade 4-5 others to keep the pile manageable... 

Same here, although if you are like me, there are probably more than enough kits in your stash that won't get built so selling/trading them off is a  good thing.

 

[Oldcarfan27]

While I greatly appreciate this issue, and I will have to get at least a couple copies of it, I do wish they had included the Suzuki dirt bike and the clear camper shell from the late 70s issues of this truck.

Maybe they could see fit to include them in a 4x4 version in the future!

The only other thing I wish it included would be stock "Dodge" decals for the tailgate and stock graphics for the sides.

However, I am happy to see this "blast from the past" return again!

P.S. I don't miss the 1/20 scale racing slicks posing for off road tires, though.

[paul alflen]

Get your preorders in now I have a feeling this kit is going to sell out fast for the 1st production run. It hasn't been reissued in 41 years. Only as a monster truck. got to break my piggy bank for this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mark]

6 hours ago, Oldcarfan27 said:

The only other thing I wish it included would be stock "Dodge" decals for the tailgate and stock graphics for the sides.

However, I am happy to see this "blast from the past" return again!

P.S. I don't miss the 1/20 scale racing slicks posing for off road tires, though.

There are three or four Dodge logos included for the tailgate, in different colors.  "Custom" scripts are included on the decal sheet also!

[Classicgas]

I do wish Round2 would see fit to include gauge decals.

[Luc Janssens]

Let us hope this one sells well, and maybe just maybe with the right customer feedback they will (re-)tool a (the) 4x4 set-up and add period correct (adult toy) graphics.

Also if cost-effective a never released faux '79 annual can be created, the Powerwagon Macho truck (also used in the TV show Simon and Simon)

 

If the inserts of the cab from this release can be found (different cowl, hood and grille)

 

 

Edited March 15, 2019 by Luc Janssens

[slusher]

16 minutes ago, Luc Janssens said:

 

 

If the inserts of the cab from this release can be found (different cowl, hood and grille)

 

 

I bought the 79 and an 80 grill with the hood and cowl back about 3 years ago on EBay. I also have a short wheel base fleet side bed. Once the kits hit the shelves all the after market parts will be for sale again..

[Luc Janssens]

43 minutes ago, slusher said:

I bought the 79 and an 80 grill with the hood and cowl back about 3 years ago on EBay. I also have a short wheel base fleet side bed. Once the kits hit the shelves all the after market parts will be for sale again..

Also got the resin short bed, and several of the kits needed to make the conversion, still it would be nice to be able to just buy that kit ('79 sweptside 4x4)

everything has been tooled in the past, and "if available" it's just a matter of cobbling it all together (like it's that simple  )

 

[Rob Hall]

I've got the Fire Fighter 4x4 along w/ a resin short fleet side bed to do a replica of the '79 Power Wagon I learned to drive in. 

[Oldcarfan27]

3 hours ago, Mark said:

There are three or four Dodge logos included for the tailgate, in different colors.  "Custom" scripts are included on the decal sheet also!

Oooo, great to know!!!

Thanks for that!

I'm hoping Hooby Lobby gets it soon.

[tim boyd]

5 hours ago, Oldcarfan27 said:

Oooo, great to know!!!

Thanks for that!

I'm hoping Hooby Lobby gets it soon.

 

For any of those of you who have joined this thread in progress, I posted a link to a full review (with 38 images and commentary) of the kit release in the first message in this thread. 

So you don't have to go back there to find it, here's the link....

Here's the decal sheet from that review....the "Dodge decals at the center right also include a white version left of the blue Dodge logo....

Round 2 has prioritized decals of instrument clusters for future releases from what I am told...TIM