mrmike Posted December 12, 2010 Posted December 12, 2010 I had built this model many years ago and it was due for a good cleaning. After completing Vic's Dakota Sport, some of the items I wanted to add were left off and will be added to this one instead. I will be adding a light bar, shop signs, dual tailpipes, and a trailer hitch. The Re-build I started by disassembling the Ram by removing the three screws on the bottom of the chassis. Since I glued the interior to the cab, care was taken to break the glue joints. The light bar came from an old MPC TJ Hooker police car. Since it was painted, I covered it with Bare Metal Foil and painted it with Tamiya Clear Orange. The Story Vic was in need of a new shop truck and he didn't have the cash for a new one, so he started looking for a used 3/4 to 1 ton truck in good condition. His friend McNally, Boston PI, had told him of a truck that he had seen for sale in his neighborhood. Vic went over to check out a 14 year old Dodge Ram Dually that was used only for pulling a camper in excellent condition with only 34,000 miles on the odometer. After a little haggling, a deal was struck and Vic drove the truck back to the shop that evening. More to come.....
diymirage Posted December 13, 2010 Posted December 13, 2010 too bad macnally is in boston and not LA otherwise he would have tossed old vic the keys to an impounded 2008 escalade with 25 on it come to think if it, hes better of with the dually
mrmike Posted December 13, 2010 Author Posted December 13, 2010 Things are a little different in Boston compared to LA! LA doesn't have the potholes Boston has! This Ram will have dual tailpipes. I decided to make a hitch receiver for the Ram. I used sheet styrene for the end plates and square tubing for the receiver frame. This is the hitch mocked up on the truck. More to come.....
Clay Posted December 13, 2010 Posted December 13, 2010 Great job so far Mike, I really enjoy watching the build and the stories that go with it.
Foxer Posted December 13, 2010 Posted December 13, 2010 Things are a little different in Boston compared to LA! LA doesn't have the potholes Boston has! This Ram will have dual tailpipes. This truck has survived our salt pretty well also ... I would have snapped it up too!
dwc43 Posted December 13, 2010 Posted December 13, 2010 Looks great. Like the hitch, but it looks a tad big, probably just the pic though. You should post it in the community truck build. They allow service trucks in there. I have three trucks that I am working on in that build. Check it out at least. http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=37529&st=0
charlie8575 Posted December 13, 2010 Posted December 13, 2010 Interesting rebuild, Mike. I think I have one of those downstairs that needs a first build. Charlie Larkin
mrmike Posted December 13, 2010 Author Posted December 13, 2010 Thanks guys! The Story The following morning, Vic mapped out what is needed for his new shop truck. He'll take the light bar and the 2-way radio from the old shop truck, get a new quick connect for jumper cables, new 2-way radio antenna, and a new dual tailpipe system. He'll order the new parts shortly and when McNally arrives at the shop, he will help Vic while his other mechanics work on customer vehicles. The old shop truck will be wholesaled. The Build I have finished the hitch and receiver and mounted it to the Ram. The dual tailpipes have been installed along with custom tips made from aluminium tubing. More to come.....
dwc43 Posted December 13, 2010 Posted December 13, 2010 Looking real good. If you don't have a source for a cb radio and antennas yet, check out Sour Krauts. http://sourkrautsmodeltrucks.com/ In the center of this pic you will see the antennas 4 to a pack and one of the cb radios in front of the engine. It has raised knobs a separate mic and a coiled mic cord. These things are great. I can get you a part number and a better pic if you want them. If it shows out of stock on there site, e mail them and they will get you what you need if they can still get them according to there site.
mrmike Posted December 14, 2010 Author Posted December 14, 2010 Thanks for the link DW! A lot of nice stuff there! I gave the CBP some thought and decided against it as this project is nearly finished. I'm just adding details to it. I found an antenna and 2-way radio unit in my parts box. I cut down the radio to fit under the Ram's dash. I took a piece of black wire and wound it around a nail to make a coiled microphone cord and attached it to the microphone and radio. Sorry about the lousy pictures. My good camera died and I'm using my 1.3 mega pixel back up camera and it takes lousy close up pictures. I want a new camera, but money is tight and Christmas is almost around the corner. More to come.....
dwc43 Posted December 15, 2010 Posted December 15, 2010 Looks good. Looks like a piece from a police car.
mrmike Posted December 15, 2010 Author Posted December 15, 2010 DW, it is from a Johan '68 Fury police car. The Story McNally shows up at the shop and starts removing the 2-way radio and light bar while Vic preps the dually for the parts. When the new parts arrive, Vic and McNally start installing everything with the precision and efficiency that they have always had, knowing what the other needs instinctively. With the radio installed and tuned, light bar installed,and the other pieces on, McNally starts to button up the dually while Vic drives the old truck out front to the lot and puts a "For Sale" sign in the window. The old truck has served the shop very well over the years and now it's time at the shop has come to an end. The Build Vic's Dodge Ram Dually is complete! My thanks to all who took the time to viewed and to comment on this project.
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