1/25 Mack DM800 logging truck

[CrankyCrafstman]

Ok, Jeff said I had to post this build. It's a MPC 1/25 Mack DM800. I'm converting it into a very heavy off road logging truck. 

  As some my know this kit is a REAL challenge. There are tons of fit issues. The cab, the front axle, the hood parts, etc.

 So here we go again another truck build.

This is the kit I'm using.

this is the engine in the kit ENDT 865 V8.

This is the paint scheme I'm shooting for.

Inspiration for front wheels.

Inspiration for rear wheels.

The tires that I'm using the tire on left is the front, middle is from the kit, right is the rear. These are 4' in diameter! Scale.

Another veiw of the tires. Front is a 13:00 R 24.5 RoadX the rear is a Firestone 13:00 R 24.5 side armour.

This is the headache rack I'm using. It's from Paul at ST Supply.

This is the hitch for the truck for the AMT Peerless logging trailer. That's it for now be back with more soon.

Ron G 

[Jeff]

Right on Ron. I love your vision and where this is heading. Heavy off road haulers is an open canvas. There are so many variations to what is and what could be. This has all the ear marks of a fabulous result. I will look forward to your engineering on the repairs required for this kit. Your skills will shine here.  Can’t wait for the next update. I will be taking notes for future repairs I may have to endure. Keep on truckin , buddy!

Jeff

[Martinnfb]

This is going to be good, pulling out my comfy chair

 

[CrankyCrafstman]

Hey all 

  Here are some more pictures of my DM800 build.

The bolts on the differentials looked weak, so I replaced them with Meng bolts.

After a coat of flat black.

These are the wheels that I'm using for this build. They are 6 spoke Mack Daytons from Paul at ST Supply.

Here they are with the tires mounted. The rear ones didn't fit there tires, tires had larger hole then the wheels, so i rapped them with black electrical tape to get them to fit.

Another veiw of the W/T's.

This veiw shows what they look like on the axle.

This view shows the rear suspension and the brake chambers. The chrome parts are the slack adjusters from the kit and the brake cans are from Kootenay in Canada.

This is a mock-up of the W. B. she's pretty short because those switch backs up in the mountains are pretty tight. Be back soon with more updates.

Ron G 

[CrankyCrafstman]

Hey all 

 Here are some more pictures for you to look at.

This is the kit engine. I cut off the transmission and replaced it with one from Jamie at Mo'luminum.

Another veiw of the engine and trans.

This is the frame for it.

Bottom veiw of the rear suspension. I added drain plugs to the rear ends.

This is a mock-up of the truck.

This is the front wheel centers just after I painted them.

This is the wheels and tires all ready to mount.

This is the rear wheels and tires with the kit chrome center caps.

This view shows the mock-up after i moved the front axle forward 6" it is now 13' 6" W.B.

another veiw of the truck, I'm not going to use the rear fenders.

This shows kinda what it will look like. The log I made from 2" square 12" peice of balsa wood carved and covered with brown creape paper. I'm going to make longer logs for this about 18" or 36' scale.

[FullArmor]

So cool!🤯

[Jeff]

Ron , this is quickly becoming an epic build. Those steel armor tires are what this kit calls for to be sure. Personally I always thought the F/A was too far back and made the tuck look unbalanced. The fact that you moved it forward made a HUGE difference to my eyes and is now looking much more like a real set back. Excellent call and an outstanding up date. I also love the fact that you de-chromed a lot of this kit. That takes the toy like look away and makes it look far more like the real deal.Your log looks amazing! I LOVE this. 
Jeff

[CrankyCrafstman]

Hey all 

  I now have everything mounted to the frame that goes on it. It's now ready for paint. 

Ron G 

[CrankyCrafstman]

Hey all 

  A little more done on this build.

Drive shaft painted black and the slip yoke painted with Green Stuff World chrome paint.

Engine painted Mack gold.

Detail painting of exhaust, starter and filters.

This view shows the engine mounted in the painted chassis.

This is a mock-up of the truck. The headache rack is from PAUL at ST Supply. Log bunk is from the AMT Peerless logging trailer kit.

View from the other side. Just need to paint the rest of this and she will be done. That's it for now be back soon with more.

Ron G 

[Jeff]

You sure are doing a GREAT job of 'massaging' the fit issues with this kit, I have heard some stories that it is almost 'unbuildable', but this is quickly becoming a show stopper ! I still say that fact that you moved the F/A forward has set the balance of this to look much more realistic, she is really looking the part of a heavy off road logger...... I'm totally impressed and am waiting on the edge of my chair for the next installment..... excellent job so far !

Jeff

[CrankyCrafstman]

Hey all

 I made some progress on this build. I have the cab, fenders, air cleaner and grill painted orange.

I added some rubber flares to the fender edges, real rubber. There flexible so look like the real thing.

Flares on the other side.

I also added some diamond plate to the fenders.

Here it is in a fresh coat of Tamiya gloss orange.

Another veiw of the rig. I'll have to mask off the areas that won't be painted black. Then I'll spray on the Tamiya semi-gloss black.

The grill will be black with this orange insert. The letters will be painted with green stuff world chrome paint.

This is a mock-up of the truck. Still have alot to do on this build. Plumbing, detailing and weathering, also need to make the 18" or 36' foot long scale logs. I make them from balsa wood and when I've carved them to the shape I want I cover them with brown creape paper. Well that's it for now be back with more updates soon.

Ron G 

[CrankyCrafstman]

Hey all 

 I thought I would show how I do my logs.

This is what I started with. 2" x 2" square by 12" long balsa wood peices.

I carved off the corners in order to get it round. I then glued the corners back on were I wanted them.

Another veiw of the log.

Once the corners were glued back on I carved them to shape the bottom of the log.

Bottom of the log. 

This is it covered with brown creape paper.

This veiw shows my log against the AMT Peerless logging trailers plastic log.

Veiw shows the creape paper bark effect.

Another veiw of the log.

Another veiw of the log.

To make the growth rings I took a stainless steel brush and placed it on the end and twisted it till it formed the rings. 

View of the other end of the log. Well that's how it's done, pretty simple and easy to do. And it gives a great look.

Thanks Ron G 

[Martinnfb]

Is there a diagnose for this level of awesomeness ?   Sweet build Ron, a joy to follow.

Cheers

Martin 

[CrankyCrafstman]

Thanks everyone 

[Jeff]

Brilliant ideas and execution. That looks spectacular. As I mentioned this is turning into a show stopper. Time for me to take all my trucks, pile them in the drive way and back over them with my Tahoe. This is really good stuff and I really like the trees. I eagerly await the next instalment.  
 

Jeff

[CrankyCrafstman]

Hey all

 Not a big update, but I did get the black painted. My eyes 👀 😩 just weren't cooperating.

Well that's it for now.

Ron G 

[Jeff]

Looks like they were working just fine from where I sit. Paint looks great. 

[GusMac]

Looking great Ron and those logs are awesome. The crepe paper is such a great idea.

[CrankyCrafstman]

13 hours ago, GusMac said:

Looking great Ron and those logs are awesome. The crepe paper is such a great idea.

Thanks 

[BlrwestSiR]

Incredible work as always. 

[CrankyCrafstman]

34 minutes ago, BlrwestSiR said:

Incredible work as always. 

Thanks Carl 

[CrankyCrafstman]

Hey all 

 I have the interior all painted. Also I painted the cab lights, turn signals and marker lights with Tamiya clear amber & red.

Interior tub with the seats. The seats are actually darker but it doesn't show.

Dashboard and clutch pedal. I still need to paint all the gauges and knobs.

Steering wheel and column.

Twin stick shifters, hand brake, brake & throttle pedal, Steering shaft and luberfiner.

cab lights, turn signals and marker lights.

This view shows the red side of the turn signals.

These are the intake pipes. 

Veiw through the drivers side window.

Veiw through the rear window.

Veiw through the front windows.

interior tub showing the twin sticks.

Another view of the interior tub. Well that's it for now be back soon with more updates.

Ron G 

[Jeff]

I love this !!