275 replies to this topic

[highway]

This is my current WIP:




The sleeper was tragically destroyed in a mad modelling accident (I threw it against the hutch on my desk), but I'm in the process of rebuilding it. The stats on the stretch 180 inch scale sleeper, approxamately 345 inch scale wheelbase on the tractor, and total combo length of 70 scale feet.

[Sergey]

Impressive.

[mackinac359]

"give me forty acres and I'll turn this rig around.."

Big Bunk !

Tim

[disabled modeler]

Nice truck and trailer! Keep at it on the sleeper, you'll get it... The best thing I have found to do when discouraged on progress of a project is to walk away from it and take a little break, looking at things from a distance can give you a new perspective on things....Keep up the good work! cant wait to see it done....

[Johnny]

I gues anywhere you are in that rig is home!
I have seen some pretty elaborate truck sleepers built for Gypsy Truckers over the years! Never could convince the wife that was a way to live though!

[macs_rock]

Looks good! As soon as I improve/get scratch building skills I want to build a truck with a cartoonishly large condo. Like 100 scale feet or so.

[Brizio]

Cool!
There is also a swimming pool inside?

[highway]

Cool!
There is also a swimming pool inside?

Thanks for all the kind words, and, no Brizio, there is no pool inside. I can't swim!! But maybe a hot tub for after the long days on the road!

[Mark R]

Very nice keep it up I'll be watching !!

[Kostas Parchas]

Till now I have streched my Peterbilt 359 chassis rails but never do it on a sleeper.
Man you are really streeeeeeeching things.

Many Fords here the last days and all of them unique and very interesting
Keep us posted.

Kostas.

[highway]

[quote name='Kostas' date='13 March 2010 - 06:00 PM' timestamp='1268521253' post='279803']
Till now I have streched my Peterbilt 359 chassis rails but never do it on a sleeper.
Man you are really streeeeeeeching things.

You think this one's big, wait till I build my next one! The next one I have swimming around my little mind is going to make this one look small. This one is a 180 inch, the next is going to be a 230 inch!

[disabled modeler]

230 inch?...Ill nave to keep an eye out for that one!

[Old Albion]

Matthew,

That Ford is huge!! With a sleeper that big you would never need to go home. Sell your house and live in the truck.

Dave

[highway]

Attempt #2 is coming back together, I just have the driver's side wall and floor to reglue in place:



I'm making it stronger this time, using some extra bracing behind the walls and some five min epoxy to hold it all together. The Bondo work on the roof is done (I used enough hardener this time!!) and after the other wall and floor is on, I'm going to sand the rivets off to make everything smooth as most of the real ones are and more Bondo S&G putty to smooth everything together. Hopefully, the temps here are going to be in the low 60s by the end of the week, so I may have the truck in primer by this weekend!

[highway]

I've been hard at work on the sleeper, and attempt #2 is DONE!!





I have also done some work on the frame tonight and added some crossmembers for some added strength:



I put the rear axles together and mocked the driveshaft up so I could add a carrier bearing, which I scratchbuilt from a couple old MPC wheel hubs I had from some wheel parts pack? that I got from a friend of mine and some rectangular tubing:





I'm going to still have to add some strength to the frame, probably with some I beam attaching the sleeper to the frame. I mocked it up again with the Bondo on the sleeper, and the frame started bowing from the added weight!! Anyway here she is mocked up again, and hopefully tomorrow I can get the first coats of primer on her:

[Blake Rogers]

how many fuel tanks you putting on her ???

[Mark R]

You may need to put a lift pusher axle under that thing.
Lookin' good !!

[Andrew]

Wow, that's huge!! Who needs a livestock trailer, just put 'em in the sleeper!

[highway]

how many fuel tanks you putting on her ???

I'm planning on maybe four for fuel, one for clean water storage, one for dirty water storage (since these sleepers have kitchen sinks and bathrooms, and sometimes washer/dryers), and two frame mounted toolboxes, one for tools and equipment, one for an APU generator.

[highway]

You may need to put a lift pusher axle under that thing.
Lookin' good !!

Maybe, but I'm really not going for the heavy haul look.

Wow, that's huge!! Who needs a livestock trailer, just put 'em in the sleeper!

I bet the cows would like that, but I wouldn't!!