I need info on the AMT/R2 Dodge Van kits.

[Oldmopars]

I have been asked to design High Tops that will fit the 3 Van kits currently out. I have a Ford and a Chevy kit and I was able to measure the roof on those, but I do not have a Dodge Van yet. 

Can someone measure and maybe post a picture, of the roof. I need just above the drip rail side to side, back, middle and front. I also need total length from the back to the front at the middle of the windshield above the gasket and at the sides same place. 

I will be getting a Dodge van kit, but I don't have one yet. This will help me figure out if it is a reasonable idea to do or not. 

I already know the Ford is SWB and the Chevy is long. This means at least 2 High Tops. Ambulance variations are also possible. 

If a picture of the roof, from straight up could be posted, that would help a lt. 

[Tom Geiger]

The Dodge is a long wheelbase van.  I don't have one handy to measure.

The van was issued annually from 1971 through the early 1980s.  The perimeter of the roof would remain the same, but they did redo the roof ribbing as it changed on the 1:1s.

Here's an album of the versions:

https://public.fotki.com/modelcitizen/model_cars/my_model_car_box/dodge_van_kits/

[GLMFAA1]

The actual ambulances from that era were the tradesman with the windows on the passenger side (they had a name for it but it's not in the memory bank right now). They were also the extended body and extended wheelbase. Kit wheelsbase is scale 109 inch where as majority of the ambulances were the 127 inch wheelbase. When Dodge went to a standard wheelbase of 109 inch most ambulance conversion ceased on Dodges. To do a true Dodge ambulance of that era you need 3 van kits, one windowed and two non window vans to stretch the body.

Here is patched together body to make long wheelbase tradesman.

This a Braun ambulance of that era.

This is an Ampar ambulance note the rear extension and the blank between front door and side doors.

I'll check my stash and get the roof measurements for you.

greg

 

[Tabbysdaddy]

Cool, something I can help with. The width is the same but the Chevy is 1/8" longer. I measured the length at the center and edge of the windshield. 

[Oldcarfan27]

You gonna make one of these?

Edited July 3, 2022 by Oldcarfan27

[GLMFAA1]

Here are some measurements:

My stash of Dodge vans

greg

[Oldmopars]

Wonderful, thank you all. I think I could make 2 sizes then one for the Chevy/Dodge and a short one for the Ford. 

Maybe a couple of different styles of each.

What would you all want to see?

[GLMFAA1]

Here are some suggestions for raised tops. Some tops left the cab roof alone and cut after the driver's compartment for the raised portion. Some carried over the raised roof marker that was on Cadillac ambulances. Note some roofs are angled and have light pods that are vertical to the ground. good luck in your endeavor.

greg

[Oldmopars]

On 7/4/2022 at 8:33 PM, GLMFAA1 said:

Here are some measurements:

My stash of Dodge vans

greg

Any chance you would be willing to trade one of your old style Dodge van bodies with a grill? PM me and we can work something out. 

With the new Dodge van kits, even a bad body would be fine as long as the front is still good.