'85 Dodge Service Truck

[Southgate]

I thought I'd posted this here, but someone inquired about a picture of it in another thread, and I couldn't locate it. Bear with me if this is already here somewhere...

It is somewhat of a concept model; what if Dodge carried the L-700 over to the newer van body style? Or at least, what if a shop built up a custom service truck based on a Dodge van for a cab?

The chassis consists of a Transtar frame flipped upside down, and a working front and rear suspensions added. The utility box and crane are scratchbuilt. The engine is a 440/727. plus the usual assortment of parts box pieces...Dan

[tiny]

Nice work Dan!!

[rabbit1212]

Dan,
Now THAT is a REAL Dodge truck when they used to build trucks that could get the job done and this could definitely get the job done! You did an awesome job on this build and being an old school Mopar guy I really like what you have done here. EXCELLENT workmanship.
Paulie

[Bri]

Excellent execution on a great concept. The working suspension is also a sweet looking feature. You did a fantastic job all the way around.

[studioman3]

great looking truck, sweet crane, Awesome suspension!

Tim

[towguy76]

what van kit did you start with? The only ones i can find are the ambulance kits which have an incorrect grille (it seems to be a combination of a 77-78 grille, inner turnsignals, and headlights with the outer turnsignals from an 80s setup). I had an 84 and my father had an 81 with the 4 headlight setup and wanted to build a model version of them.

[Southgate]

I just noticed that this surfaced again. I started with an earlier MPC release of this van, before they goofed up the grill. It was molded in black plastic.
Here's another one with the correct grill on eBay:

cgi.ebay.com/MPC-1978-DODGE-MAGIC-VAN-MODEL-KIT-MINT-SEALED-/320568680876?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa361e1ac

[gatormarcstaug]

That is cool!!!! Real nice build!!
I want to do something like that with the Lil Red Wagon truck. Make it a 4x4 and put a utlity body on it!

Gator