Dodge log truck

[Rbray47]

Growing up in eastern Kentucky, I saw a lot of log trucks. Many were privateers or belonged to small family operations. Very few were modern or safe. My uncle always had a couple of really nice GMC Generals, which I hope to model some day. But, other family members had less expensive setups. I remember seeing several farm trucks with steel poles welded on and put to work. 

This build wasn't really planned as a log truck (much like the trucks from my childhood) But my wife brought this L700 kit home from Ollie's one day, and it was so ugly I had to build it. I stretched the frame a bit, and constructed everything behind the cab from plastic and aluminum tubing and angles. The headache rack mesh came from an old Fram air filter. My cat stole one of the kits tires, so I swapped them out for a set from Moebius (since completion I've found where he stashed it) 

This truck really doesn't represent those old, beat to death, examples since I had to replace the wheels. But, once I get the originals painted and mounted, I'll weather everything and add some cargo. 

[afx]

Very nice Randy.

[tbill]

That’s pretty slick, great idea and well executed, nice job on that.

[TECHMAN]

1 minute ago, tbill said:

That’s pretty slick, great idea and well executed, nice job on that.

???

X2

DJ

[Bills72sj]

Unique set up there. I see you got the cab to sit flat (not leaning forward). Any tricks to that?

[Rbray47]

36 minutes ago, Bills72sj said:

Unique set up there. I see you got the cab to sit flat (not leaning forward). Any tricks to that?

Actually, I dont remember. I *think* I may have filed the rear mount (above the engine) down a bit. It's been over a year so I may be wrong.

[leafsprings]

Nice work! The color looks dead on for an old  U. S. dept. of forestry truck,  just needs a gray roof. IMO, the Dodge kit wheels were always an eye sore. I would stick with the disc wheel theme. Scenes Unlimited and Moluminum  have an excellent choice of very realistic 10 lug 5 hole Budd wheels.

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Very nice work! I've been wanting to do a similar log truck project with a different truck for a while. There used to be a lot of similar log trucks around here. Many were build on 2 1/2 ton truck chassis and were gas burners. Your log bed and headache rack are spot on for these kind of trucks. Most were made at home with whatever could be gotten a hold of. Nice work!!

[slusher]

Fantastic Dodge log truck!

[Ace-Garageguy]

Very nice. Always fascinating to see special-purpose truck builds.

[ChrisR]

Looks great!

[David G.]

Your modifications are very well done. A nice solid looking build.

David G.

[Hermann Kersten]

Very nice build, the color fit also very good to this Dodge.

 

Hermann.

[Jim B]

That's pretty cool.  Well done.

[kilrathy10]

I think this is an awesome looking logger... I'm loving it with the Moebius wheels and tires... I never really thought of doing that with this kit... I'm loving the clean custom look... Looks like one you'd see at a truck show....

I've been there (cat), before... ?But mine just happened to be a Freightliner FLD lower fairing.... Started the model, went to work, came back and the dog had chewed it up pretty good... Had to cannibalize another kit till I developed the skills to rehab it....