40 replies to this topic

[Hary Bare]

Just started on my Freightliner, assembled the frame and the cab and small misc so far. I read on this forum about the short comings of this kit, which helped tremendously. BUT, I mocked up the front axle and it is WAY too wide for the cab. probably a third of the tire assembly is sticking past the cab sides.

I had seen something mentioned the first time I read this forum, and I looked in vain for the info. I need to work with what I have, is shortening the axle the best way to remedy this problem?

I look forward to any suggestions in this matter and to any issues I might need to know about. Thanks!

[Old Albion]

William,

The WF is a great subject to build. But can be troublesome if don't think and plan the build through. The width of the front axle on many AMT kits is a problem. I tend to use the 1/25 metal axle from KFS because its about 3/16" narrower so wheels sit under cabs and hoods. This gives a much more realistic appearance. The only down side is that you have to buy an axle kit. I know one or two people who have used the kit axle. To get the wheels in the right place they have trimmed the actual hubs. This can be very effective and is at no extra cost.

[Hary Bare]

Dave, thanks for your suggestion. The point I am at with this kit I can remedy this problem, but am limited to what parts are in the box or I must create. With the front axle and wheel/tire mocked up I have this width issue. The correct width can be obtained without the brake hub, backing plate but that won't do. I do have room to section the axle, I suppose pinning it for support would work the best, then use what the kit supplied.

Another option I looked at was thinning the brake hub and enlarging the centering hole and making a super thin backing plate with non-rotating wheels. That would be acceptable but not preffered.

I have seen many builds of this kit here and most have an acceptable wheel spacing, just hoping to get some experienced thoughts to ease the pain. Thanks again.

[pete3522]

i would trim down the brake hub or maybe not even use them.You dont really see that kind of stuff any way after the model is complete. The after market axle I am sure would work but that stuff gets costly.No offense ment towards you dave. I always just work with what i have. You can always cut the center of the axle out 3/16 isnt that much to remedy.Just some suggestions.All these kits have different issues .You just learn to alter or deal with it accordingly.I stay away from aftermarket or resin parts as one part tends to cost more then the kit you bought.I would have to quit building these if i had to buy extra parts for every issue on a kit.I couldnt afford it. LOL Good luck if you need anymore suggestions ask glad to help.

Edited by pete3522, 20 April 2012 - 04:29 AM.

[mistermodel]

Billy,I just looked at my freightliner build up and think sectioning the brake drum would work the best.The tires should realy be tucked under the cab a bit not flush,not sure if you can cut enough from the middle with out making the axle mount flanges too out of wack.Removing the brake drums all together is a option and would be correct because sometimes these oldies didn't have front brakes.Laws of the day required brakes only on 4 wheels.
This is something I'll address on my next freightliner build.
Oh, the cab jack pump should be horizontal between the frame and left tank not vertical behind the tank like the instuctions suggest.Watch the tank fillers,its easy to get them mixed up and on the wrong side

[pete3522]

good point kevin i forgot to mention that . I think alot of 1980 and earlier didnt have the front brakes just on the rears were brakes so leaving off the brakes in the front is probably the option i would take before cutting the axle ,

[mistermodel]

good point kevin i forgot to mention that . I think alot of 1980 and earlier didnt have the front brakes just on the rears were brakes so leaving off the brakes in the front is probably the option i would take before cutting the axle ,

Not sure when the law changed, '74???.I also think Canadian laws were changed later.I'm saying that because my dad had what I think was a '84 that had a steel disk mounted to the hub so it looked like a brake drum when looked at through the holes in the wheel.This was to fool the scale man,well not a full inspection.This maybe was a california thing because that truck was suposed to have a dedicated run to cali.For some reason the guy who ordered it never bought it ,my dad did

Edited by mistermodel, 20 April 2012 - 04:40 AM.

[pete3522]

cool i just read pre 1980 somewhere on the net cause i look at alot of truck sites for pics and reference for future builds. Also havent built one of these kits since i was a teen but i think the cab was a issue to where the seam is in the middle i think you could make that a day cab or sleeper? also read on here it tends give you problems

[Hary Bare]

Thanks for your input on this matter. I prefer to use what the kit was supplied with if possible. I checked out Dave's builds and they are very very nice. The aftermarket axle is right on. Most likely I will have to both section the axle and trim some brake hardware to get the results I need.

The cab really wasn't an issue, as I sanded both halves and glued small sterene strips to the inside for alignment. My seam is minimal and should be able to fill with putty and smooth out if I am carefull. My plan is a black cab with gold striping, alclad the wheels and give the truck a owners pride look, but well used. The interior will be a dark red or maroon, hopefully I can make some accessories to add to both the interior and exterior for added appeal.

I have two older trailer kits which prompted this build, a '50's car hauler and the two trailer kit, unfortunately neither is actually a good fit, for this kit or my Ford Aero, which really looks like a nightmare to build.

Thanks to all who input on these forums. The information is priceless for our hobby. The pics are fun too!

Edited by Hary Bare, 20 April 2012 - 08:26 AM.

[pete3522]

sounds good hopefully you will post some pics anxious to see this

[Hary Bare]

I am going back to the bench to ponder the issue, I will take some pics and post if interested. I am a slow poke but am looking forward to this build.

[Hary Bare]

Sectioned the front axle, got it where I want it. Started to putty body seams and cleaning up mold lines. If all goes well tomorrow I can put the chassis on wheels and mock up the body. Looking for an air conditioning unit to put on the roof. Any ideas where to find one or is it easier to just build one? Going to look at some builds to check ride height front wheels to body .

[camaro68]

Please post some pics when you can i am in the middle of one of these had to stop for a while got to ticked off had to walk away for a while

Edited by camaro68, 21 April 2012 - 02:47 AM.

[pete3522]

i would build one some stryene and some screen in the front

[Hary Bare]

I will post some pics Sunday afternoon. Did some more seam work and prepped and light primer coat on cab. As careful as I was the top has a noticeable line across the roof. Not a seam but noticeable. Hopefully second prime and sand will reduce it more. Pretty good luck keeping rivet detail, hopefully will stay that way.

Front axle is stable now. Did some filler work on it. Got the front wheels to support the chassis, body mounts on and adjusted. Had to raise them a smidge to get a level cab. Thinned the front of the cab somewhat to get the grill to fit flush with the front panels. A little more work needed here. When finished should have reall nice cab tilt and cab mount detail should be nice.

I am really having fun with this build so far, put the engine block together and am wondering about the color it should be? The box art shows a pale federal yellow shade, is it even close? Is the chrome on the engine correct? (?) I am going to look around here but is someone knows, please share lol.I have a ton of questions but I will address them as the build progresses. Have to look at air conditioners so I can make a dandy. Thanks for sharing and your suggestions! Billy

[Ben]

Hey Billy, the engine in that kit is a Cummins, just like the one I built and posted pics of. These engines were painted "Cummins beige". It would be highly unlikely to see any chrome anywhere on them. You could leave the parts chrome for a custom look though. I used Tamiya XF-55 Deck tan which has a little bit more a gray color than Cummins beige but it gives the engine a used appearance. It's also flat based so your engine will look more realistic. Don't ever go by the pictures on the box, they are incorrect pretty much every time!

[Hary Bare]

Thanks for the input Ben. Gunna try to load some pics.














A little more filling on front axle, Cab supports good with interior tub in, shifter mount lines up nice. The top seam still shows a line after second primer coat, I don't like it but,,,,,? Had to use what filler I had that wasn't dried up, have to get some bondo putty tomorrow. Axle will be finished then.

Edited by Hary Bare, 22 April 2012 - 05:48 PM.

[Kodiak Island Modeler]

The cab does have some issues. I make sure that my cab sections fit as tight as possible by sanding them on a flat surface. Any fill that I do, is done from the rear to minimize the amount of front sanding. The instructions indicate attaching the grill to the body in the body assembly stage, and then connecting it to the chassis. This can be troublesome. I attach the grill to the chassis in the chassis assembly. I then slide the body onto the grill in the body assembly stage.

[Hary Bare]

Thats all I've done in the mock up stage so far. The body isn't flush with top of grill in pics, I put the interior tub in for shfter alignment, that was my focus. Time to the the paint stirred up!

Edited by Hary Bare, 23 April 2012 - 05:32 PM.

[Michigan Madman]

I will add one other thing- aside from the too-wide axle, if you aren't careful attaching the side steps, they'll contact the tires.