Oldmopars Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 I needed to start a new project like I need a hole in my head, but this one was turning in my haed and I just had to start. I got the Coca-Cola issue WWS and the reissue Peterbilt wrecker and felt that they were a good match. I also had some big float tires I ordered from Scenes Unlimited and I did not use them for another project. So, the White get the wrecker bed. This required me to move the rearaxles back about an inch. The Pete frame is just a little longer, but the white frame is just long enough to move everything back to the very end of the frame. The White comes with larger tires and a differen spread on the rear axles. This caused 2 issues. The tires did not look right in the fender openings. So I had to cut out the section between the fender openings and remove all the trim. I then replaced the trim with 1/2 round to match what was there before. The second issue was that with the larger tires, the bed rested on the tops of the tires. I had to add 1/4in spacers on the botom of the bed to raise the bed up and allow the tires to fit. This turned out to be a goo thing, because I wanted a tougher look and this helps acheive that. The front wheels have been widened to allow me to use the float tires from SU. Probably not fully correct, but it works to give the correct offset to ft the truck. The plans call for a round air cleaner and not the square one. I found more pictures with the round and like the look. The front fenders will also get a bit of a flare to cover the tires better. I also learned that the cab on this is the same as the Autocar. It seems they were under the same ownership in the late 60's and they used the same cabs for a few years. At this point the only thing I need to decide is if this will be a clean restored truck, or an end of its service life used and a bit rusty truck. I kind of like the idea of going with a truck nearing the end of its life cycle, a bit rusty and beat up, but still hauling stuff back to the yard. A back up truck. Let me know what you think, used and rusty or clean and shiny show truck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 Love the bed modifications, looks timely. Like the big front tires. With those big front tires, it’s just begging for a front drive axle and transfer case, maybe more aggressive tire tread in the rear. Maybe just a very well used, faded, light rust with a timely color. I have a left over wrecker bed and this is giving me ideas, gotta follow this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotnitro? Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 (edited) Everything looks good but one area imo. The tall wall on the wrecker bed doesn't flow for me w the cab. I'd probably remove some height out of it to just below the cabs body line , just to balance the overall look Love the heavy duty driveline though Looking forward to your build Edited February 16, 2022 by gotnitro? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 I like “Big Stick” wreckers and Western Stars! Mixing them together has got to be good!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldmopars Posted February 16, 2022 Author Share Posted February 16, 2022 6 minutes ago, gotnitro? said: Everything looks good but one area imo. The tall wall on the wrecker bed doesn't flow for me w the cab. I'd probably remove some height out of it to just below the cabs body line , just to balance the overall look Love the heavy duty driveline though Looking forward to your build I agree, this is one area that I am not real happy with. I know that on the Pete the wall sits rght at the top edge of the back window, with the raise I gave it, it is at the top of the cab. I think I agree with you that it should be about the same as the body line, below the back window. Time to do some cutting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldmopars Posted February 16, 2022 Author Share Posted February 16, 2022 27 minutes ago, Gary Chastain said: Love the bed modifications, looks timely. Like the big front tires. With those big front tires, it’s just begging for a front drive axle and transfer case, maybe more aggressive tire tread in the rear. Maybe just a very well used, faded, light rust with a timely color. I have a left over wrecker bed and this is giving me ideas, gotta follow this. I wish there was a good source for a front driven axle. I had to build that lastone for my Mack Camper. I even had to scratch the transfer case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 5 minutes ago, Oldmopars said: I wish there was a good source for a front driven axle. I had to build that lastone for my Mack Camper. I even had to scratch the transfer case. I found this one with transfer case and driveshafts as a kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldmopars Posted February 16, 2022 Author Share Posted February 16, 2022 2 hours ago, Gary Chastain said: I found this one with transfer case and driveshafts as a kit. Too bad they are not avilable anywhere, KFS is sold out. I trimmed own the wall, I think it looks better. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotnitro? Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 Much much better ! If you still wanted a driven front axle send Gary Wallace an email he can hook you up! He also sells transfer cases Gwtrucks@yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TruckerAL Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 The trimmed down sidewall looks much better now! And I agree with gotnitro?, Gary Wallace is the way to go for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutzie Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 I like the new look of the wrecker bed. Nice work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar - D Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Very interesting build Scott and I agree with everyone else it looks better with the sides cut down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldmopars Posted February 19, 2022 Author Share Posted February 19, 2022 Anyone know what brand of wrecker it is supposed to be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 1 hour ago, Oldmopars said: Anyone know what brand of wrecker it is supposed to be? They were known as the “Big Stick”. They were also called “Continental beds” as they were used by Continental Truck Towing. Most were very beefy. I read when I built mine that the controls were up at the winches and the wrecker driver actually had to climb up into the bed to operate it. If you will Google “Big Stick wrecker” and “ “Continental Wrecker” or “ Continental Tow truck” you will find more info. I think that there is even a Big Stick Facebook group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldmopars Posted February 19, 2022 Author Share Posted February 19, 2022 Thanks. Of course now I have found what I am going to do with my other Big Stick Wrecker. I know it is a 4070B, and the recent one is a 4070A, but it's close enough for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 1 hour ago, Oldmopars said: Thanks. Of course now I have found what I am going to do with my other Big Stick Wrecker. I know it is a 4070B, and the recent one is a 4070A, but it's close enough for me. I’m wanting to do something along this line. Not necessarily a Peterbilt, but definitely a single axle cabover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 Good info, never knew about big stick wreckers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldmopars Posted May 6, 2022 Author Share Posted May 6, 2022 Well, progress has been very slow n this one. I have too many other projects ging and this one seems to be low on the priority list. However, have added some color. I am also using some wheels I designed and printed. As this is a early 70's truck, I figured it needed an early 70's color. This color combo just seemed to scream 1972. I have a long way to go on this one, but it was time for an update mock up in living color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldmopars Posted May 6, 2022 Author Share Posted May 6, 2022 On 2/16/2022 at 2:13 PM, gotnitro? said: Much much better ! If you still wanted a driven front axle send Gary Wallace an email he can hook you up! He also sells transfer cases Gwtrucks@yahoo.com BTW, I will not be making this one a 6x6, but I now make my own Rockwell T138 Transfercase, now for a driven front axle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bills72sj Posted May 7, 2022 Share Posted May 7, 2022 Cool build. Following. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar - D Posted May 7, 2022 Share Posted May 7, 2022 Nice update pictures Scott those are 70’s colors colors. Looks like you’re getting hooked on 3D printing do you have more pictures of the wheels you printed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotnitro? Posted May 7, 2022 Share Posted May 7, 2022 Good looking transfer case Scott! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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