Long Hauler 379 - 119

[towtrucknut1]

Thank you very much Jarda. Im still learning and this helps a TON!!!

[truckabilly]

I added a couple of items to the DTU. A coppery cable, the fork shaped extensions and other equippment, also some other lines and hoses.

















There is still some work to do. Still to add is the lighting, the chains, the hooks, etc. But it is slowly getting to the finish. Then I will focus on the truck itself.

Jarda

[towtrucknut1]

WOW Jarda that looks so good!!

[truckabilly]

Another small items on the roll. The front supports are equipped with T-handles securing them in position.









What´s a towing unit worth without the hooks? Here they go. Even though I have a few different aftermarket hooks, non of them is the right shape or size. So, I made one of my own. The eye comes from a Russian battle tank IS-3 kit. It is slightly modified and the hook turns in it just like the real one does.







Anothe pair of hooks with chains attached come out of the side pockets.





But now watch! This is where I really hit the wall! I wanted to use a mirror foil to cover the tool box doors. I wrapped the door panels in the foil so that both the face and edges were of the same quality. Unlike the BMF, this foil does not stick to the edges too well. Even though it seemed to work just fine, the foil stepped back from the edges over night and here is what I got in the end:



Even though the photo raised the detail a lot more than it actually is, there is no way that I could leave the doors look like that. But first I have to come up with some idea how to make it look better. Till then I leave you with these side shots.





Jarda

[signature600]

Jarda
There is a serious amount of detail here, weld lines, T handles, lines of all descriptions, and tools as well, beautiful work, can't wait till you finish the truck that goes with this,

[truckabilly]

The truck is waiting for a few items to be produced by other people than me. I am talking about PE parts for the interior. Also the ultra roof which is on the way finaly. I got also a new pair of resin seats. Meanwhile I continue on the towing unit. I cut off the tool box doors and applied the mirror foil in a different way.





But I am still not satisfied. As you can see the mirrored image is more like a water surface. I am not able to stick foil so that it is really even. I guess I will make a brand new pair of doors using a different technigue.
In the meantime I added some more tools.









Jarda

[78kw]

Outstanding!

Sent from my SPH-D710 using proboards

[towguy76]

Have you tried chrome mylar, or making the doors from strips of polished stainless like others use for texas bumpers on their kits?

[rnagle]

Another option for the doors is sheet aluminum, being a softer metal it is easier to work with for cutting to size, installing latches etc but can still polish up to a mirror finish with a bit of work.

Superb workmanship Jarda, looking at your photos provides inspiration to replicate those small details on my own projects.

[pat]

thats it im givin up. theres no point any more. great work.

[mart]

Great work!
If I'd seen right, the crane is coupled on the fifth wheel for occassionally use?

[78kw]

That looks great

[cebugatormarc]

Jarda,
Very intereseting project you have on the workbench, I like it and as always the level of expertise and quality of workmanship.

Be Well
Gator

[alan]

amazinggggggg

[truckabilly]

Mar 30, 2013 13:02:31 GMT -5 mart said:

Great work!
If I'd seen right, the crane is coupled on the fifth wheel for occassionally use?

Yes, Mart. The DTU turns a truck equipped with the 5th wheel into a wrecker. I do not know what is the common practise with a unit like this. How easy or how difficult it is to attach or detach the unit. If it takes to tighten some nuts and bolts besides the 5th wheel coupling. I have never seen it in action.
Jarda