Old tired wrecker

[Mustang46555]

I'm going to try and do my first ever build thread. I usually never bother to take pictures until I'm done with a build, but this time I'm going to try and do an actual thread. I've always liked the looks of the GMC Crackerbox, guess I go for the underdog, as a model railroader I prefer Alco locomotives. When I saw the start Kent has going on his Crackerbox and looked again a the square lines of the cab I figured this would be a good first attempt at scratchbuilding a cab. During the process of searching for reference pictures, I stumbled on the perfect subject for my build.

[Mustang46555]

The wrecker I drove back in the early 80's was only a 550 Holmes on a 50 series Chevy chassis, but it was every bit as worn as this one and planted the bug for tow trucks. I'll be starting with my daycab Globe Liner as the base truck. Once the wrecker body is complete, I'll move into the cab.

[Mustang46555]

Got a pretty good start today, here the day cab with headache rack and 5th wheel stripped.

Had a pretty good side view of the wrecker so I worked with the print size until the wheels matched the size of the Tamiya wheels.

[Mustang46555]

Created this full size template and was pleasantly surprised to discover the wheel base of the Globe Liner matched within roughly half a millimeter. Close enough!

[Mustang46555]

After cutting the photo up into a side template, I began cutting the sides from .060 sheet. Added a deck and now a trial fit on the chassis. The spacing from wrecker body to the back of the cab is just right with Globe Liner Cab and it measures the same front to back as the Crackerbox will. Next up is to begin work on the booms. These will be aluminum and brass with styrene for the skirting.

[Mikem]

I like this so far

[crawler07]

great work on the cab weathering. this is going to be awesome.

[frizzen]

That's gonna be wild looking! I like it.

[Mustang46555]

Thanks guys!
I hope to have an update this weekend. Been down in the shop making pulleys, blocks and getting started on the booms.

[Mustang46555]

Got the bed mounted and a start on the supports for the booms. The booms pictured are just temporary to figure length. Was going to build the lattice booms from brass tube but got concerned about flex so I had to order solid stock. Been busy making pulleys and such. After all the boom supports are done I'll cover the deck with diamond plate, also need to build the skirting for the uprights that the prototype has. Need to find a couple small crawler winches to mount and design the two manual crank winches that control boom height. Those were always a finger pincher to use in real life, I think I only changed the boom height on the Holmes I drove once in 4-5 years!

[ScottLay]

That's one cool looking truck!!

[Claus]

When I see a cabover wrecker I think of Terminator 2, it didn't end well for that one!

[Mustang46555]

LOL! That's for sure.
I actually had planed at one time to build a model of the Terminator wrecker. Wound up using the chassis on another project.

[Claus]

Originally Posted by Mustang46555

LOL! That's for sure.
I actually had planed at one time to build a model of the Terminator wrecker. Wound up using the chassis on another project.

Yee Haw!!!

[Mustang46555]

NICE!!!
I love that chase scene. A flying Freightliner!!!!!!!

[Mustang46555]

Got a few more bits made and installed for the rear mast braces and started on the front shrouding and fuel tank. Have to make a decision on material for the angle iron stringers on the booms, brass or plastic. Since the booms will be brass, I'm leaning toward K&S brass for the stringers. More expensive but stronger in case I decide to latch onto something bigger than the wrecker.

[kerst]

Looks promising!

Kerst

[TRUCKMAKER]

Looks good Dennis, have you started the cab yet?

[Mustang46555]

Thanks guys!

Haven't started cutting plastic on the cab yet Kent. I'm in the process of getting a new printer hooked up to my PC. (Darn HP's - Going Cannon this trip!) Once it's going I can start getting templates ready. I want to wrap up a couple more items on the bed (Booms, sling and final decision on winch selection) before I switch mental gears and move to the cab.

[TRUCKMAKER]

I hope you cut the grille and head light area on the mill. Mine is all hand cut with a knife and it took an easy square cab build south real quick.