Post by 78KW on May 24, 2017 23:32:41 GMT -5
I've been meaning to try this but kept putting it on the back burner.I have had this idea floating around for a few years. I will be building a 1972 R Model Mack in the future. ebay junkyards purchased over the years gave me a junked MPC DM 800 and a junked amt R Model.
I always feel better experimenting on junk cabs, so here goes. A saw, glue and putty, and some patience is really all you need. Oh, and of course, an MPC/Ertl DM cab and an amt R cab.
The pre-1973 Mack conventional cab is known for it's flat rear wall. The cab sides/doors are also flatter. The DM 600/800 kit cabs represent pre-1973 cabs. The amt R cab is a 1973 and up. Note the more rounded rear wall and slight outward curvature of the cab sides.
What you will be doing is moving the cowl from one cab to another. I didn't finish the cab(gluing and puttying) but will post a photo of the cab in the future.
Here are the first cuts to be made to either cab. Cut along the line at the front of the door on both sides of both cabs. Shown here is the R cab.
Here is the DM from the left with the R Model cowl.Study this pic and the next to see where your cut across the bottom of the windshield will go. This is for either cab.
Notice the difference on the right side once cowls are switched.
Here it is with an amt R Model hood
I showed a pre-1973 R Model, but you should be able to get a post 1973 DM/U cab using this method as well. I think That may be the harder conversion of the 2.
Also, to be accurate, use the DM dash board in the R Model interior tub. There may be other changes necessary but start there. The DM kit wheels are also pre-1973 so if you are going with spokes, they would be more appropriate. Reverse what I said for a 1973 and up DM/U.
I know I only gave some basic info, but I mainly posted this to give you an idea of where to start. I hope it helps.
I always feel better experimenting on junk cabs, so here goes. A saw, glue and putty, and some patience is really all you need. Oh, and of course, an MPC/Ertl DM cab and an amt R cab.
The pre-1973 Mack conventional cab is known for it's flat rear wall. The cab sides/doors are also flatter. The DM 600/800 kit cabs represent pre-1973 cabs. The amt R cab is a 1973 and up. Note the more rounded rear wall and slight outward curvature of the cab sides.
What you will be doing is moving the cowl from one cab to another. I didn't finish the cab(gluing and puttying) but will post a photo of the cab in the future.
Here are the first cuts to be made to either cab. Cut along the line at the front of the door on both sides of both cabs. Shown here is the R cab.
Here is the DM from the left with the R Model cowl.Study this pic and the next to see where your cut across the bottom of the windshield will go. This is for either cab.
Notice the difference on the right side once cowls are switched.
Here it is with an amt R Model hood
I showed a pre-1973 R Model, but you should be able to get a post 1973 DM/U cab using this method as well. I think That may be the harder conversion of the 2.
Also, to be accurate, use the DM dash board in the R Model interior tub. There may be other changes necessary but start there. The DM kit wheels are also pre-1973 so if you are going with spokes, they would be more appropriate. Reverse what I said for a 1973 and up DM/U.
I know I only gave some basic info, but I mainly posted this to give you an idea of where to start. I hope it helps.