“How To” Project- Making a LaTroca Fire Pumper

pic-17

 -“How-To” Project-

-Making a La Troca Fire Pumper-

Author:         Ford51Flat (and Will)
Vehicles Needed:     HWs La Troca Truck, Maisto Fire Pumper

Special Tools:     Dremel (or like) cutting and drilling tool, Filing Set (for finishing edges)

Materials:       Glue of Choice, Primer, Paint

Rating:       Novice
#1 This is the completed project – as you can see a very natural conversion.

pic-1

#2 The Primer Lavender La Troca was used due to its chrome grill, chrome chassis and silver wheels. The Pumper Truck is a readily available Maisto piece.

pic-23

#3 Both vehicles need to have the rivets drilled out and the vehicles taken apart – the second picture shows the two main body pieces that will be used in this project.

pic-4

pic-23a

#4 NOTE: The La Troca has a rivet that holds the cab to the box, drilling that out as well allows for easy bed removal and thus no additional cutting is needed.

pic-8

#5 After the La Troca is drilled, the chassis should be cut using a Dremel cutting wheel, directly behind the cab. The front wheels should also be removed. The bottom is pictured. The pumper should also be cut in the same fashion, directly behind the cab and in front of the pumper unit (not pictured).

pic-5613

#6 The pieces you should have available include the front chassis, cab body, interior insert and window glass (not pictured).

pic-4b

#7 While working on the other pieces, the cab can be in the stripper removing the paint. Standard stripping process here – stripper, good cleaning, wire brush to remove and residual paint, thorough cleaning and drying for paint.

pic-79

#8 The cab can then be primed and painted. Fire Engine red is ironically used in this project. One primer coat, three color coats and two clear coats were used on this unit.

pic-10

#9 Wheels can be installed now or after step #11 – 5 star JL wheels where used to add some flair.

pic-11

#10 Wheels can be glued in place using super glue or JB Weld.

pic-12

#11 At the cut points – Directly behind the cab on the La Troca Chassis and directly in front of the pumper on the other – be careful to make sure the pieces line up evenly and are straight. Tape may be used to help hold the pieces for gluing. Allow appropriate drying time. Picture shows the cab in place but not glued for reference.

pic-16a

#12 Assemble the cab – inserting the glass and interior and, using glue of choice, assemble to front part of newly glued chassis. Checking for appropriate placement lower the cab – using forklift of choice – onto rear of chassis. A dry fitting is suggested to check for spacing and to determine correct positioning.   This can also be glued with glue of choice.

pic-16

#13 Once completed any additional details can be added – mirrors, additional ladders, pumper unit details. Pictures show side and rear detail. It is now ready for that scale fire……………

pic-17

pic-16a

Many Thanks to Pat for this great project………….

Leave a Reply