Dodge L700 pumper

[rnagle]

In addition to a logging rig, another type of model I haven't built yet is fire apparatus, this little fellow (found in a book on fire trucks from Canadian manufacturer Pieere Thibault) will be a great way to make use of an L700 kit!

[Muleskinner]

Now that is definatly a fine looking fire little rig. I wish I would have found a picture like this when I was building them.

William

[rnagle]

I had a copy of "Building Model Trucks" as a youngster, saw the L700 pictured there, never saw the kit or even prototype photos until I discovered Hank's Truck Pictures a couple years ago, and Lindbergh reissued the kit. Good to have this little fellow available in model form again.

[dptydawg]

Robert, the town of Kincardine had an L700 pumper way back when. It was either a King Seagrave or a Thibault. They should have some pictures of it in their archives. The AMT ALF pumper body is not to different from the Thibault body so its a fairly easy conversion.
Carl

[tufftin]

That is a cool kooking unit.
Good luck on the build and keep us posted.
Mike

[slurrydog]

Another nice project Robert, good luck with it.
Boy those L700 were ugly
Dave

[Ryan Rønning]

Never seen one of those.

[rnagle]

Here are the 2 kits that will provide most of the needed parts:

[rnagle]

Rough mockup and "guesstimating" from photo shows ALF body is fairly close match for lower compartments & wheel arch, pump panel area needs to be shortened, wheelbase requires extension of 1-1/2 scale feet.


Frame rail extended using .030 x .250 styrene strip inside web, will build up outside of web & flanges with suitable size strip.

[Muleskinner]

You dry run your models like I do sometimes. Lay em out on plastic and draw around them or do a trace and put in the cut marks. This looks to be a very promising build.

William

[rnagle]

"Measure twice, cut once". Of course, I went through a lot of "&**^&%%! Cut it twice and it's still too short!" before I learned that.......

Completed frame rails, .060 ended up being required thickness to match kit parts. Cut a section from .060 sheet to fill in web, .060 x .080 strip worked for flanges. 1/16" styrene rod on rear springs replaces molded-in kit locating pins for rear axle to correct axle placement, kit pins put axle off centre to molded in U-bolt detail on spring pack.

[rnagle]

Basic frame went together nicely, although frame rails area a little heavy the crossmembers key into place well. Used .032 brass wire for kingpins and added styrene disks on steering knuckles in place of kit parts.


Rolling chassis mocked up, looks like ride height needs some adjustment. Pump body & full tank of water would have this little fellow right down on the rear springs!

[Muleskinner]

Coming along real nice there Robert. Looking forward to seeing it completed. I really like the front end mods you did on the frame.

[rnagle]

Thanks William, started the body today. ALF kit parts modified by shortening pump panel area & laminating styrene sheet to match thickness of body side. Also brought pump panel area up to same height as hose bed and removed molded on lip at top of sides along hose bed.

[gator]

Robert,
That is cool. I had a similar idea and was going to make it a 4x4. I think that would even it one some on the ride height. What you have going on there is very nice.

Be Well
Gator