Promoting Excellence in HO Scale Vehicle Modeling

Freightliner FL80 "Box Truck" - By Jim Groeneweg


We first showed you this Freightliner FL80 box truck in Photo Gallery 51. Jim Groeneweg built it from the RMM of Germany FL60 kit converted to an FL80. The rear section of the frame was cut off and an Athearn frame added with a modified 60" rear spread axle. The right hand air tank, left hand fuel tank, exhaust stack, windsheild wipers, mirrors, roof lights, grab handles, mudflaps, and turn signals are all scratchbuilt from aluminum tube, various plastic stock, and staples. The cab was slightly modified adding a lower door sill, cab corner extensions (lower), hood/fender separation lines added and the front bumper slightly altered to depict the heavier duty model.

The box is cut down from an old Athearn 40' container to 26', front wall is part of the side, rear doors scratch built along with additional lights at the bottom and top of the box. Safety stripes are from A-Line, storage/tool box and wheels/tires are Promotex/Herpa. Paint for the unit is all R-M basecoat/clearcoat automotive colors.

Posted March 7, 2002