[1956 Great Dane Reefer]

WOW! This is sweet! Great scratch building skills.

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

Hey all

  I'm doing better, almost fixed, should be back at it soon

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

8 minutes ago, youngtiger1 said:

Any new updates for us? 🙂

Not yet, I've been down with eye infections, so I haven't been able to do any modeling. Hopefully it will clear up in a week or so.

Ron G 🙈🙈🙈😵

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

Thanks tiger1

Constructive criticism is always appreciated, unconstructive criticism is never appreciated.

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

3 hours ago, youngtiger1 said:

Just saw this as it’s been a few weeks since I been on here. You have my attention as I have couple of these big boys in my closet. So, it looks like I’ll be picking a lot of pointers. Btw, who makes those cool AM rubber tires in 1/16? They look super nice compare to the skinny kit tires. Please, share info and link if possible. 

I got them from www.gardentrucking.com they are actually 1/14 scale tires for Tamiya RC trucks. The ones I'm using for the lift axle are off of a 1/16 scale Ertl dump truck toy.

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

Hey all 

 Did some more work on the fuel tanks.

this view shows the new fuel tank temporarily in position on the truck. 

this view shows the tank straps, which are made from 0.02" thk. Plastic strip sitting on black rubber strips. These will be covered by chrome mylar tape and are attached to the mounting brackets with pins and bolts.

closer view showing the mounting brackets.

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

Thanks Bigred

Hey all 

  Did some more work on the big KW. I got the rolled aluminum fenders, visor and front bumper from  Ryan Mlynek off of Ebay. Here's what they look like.

this view shows the rear dual fenders and the ones for the lift axle. Thay have a protective film over them that you peel off to reveal the polished aluminum surfaces.

this view shows the visor and the "Texas" front bumper.

a closer view of the fenders.

this view shows the custom fuel tank and the engine now detail painted sitting in place.

closer view of the Cat 3408 V8 engine. Well that's it for now be back soon.

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

Thanks M'D

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

Hey all 

  I've done some more work on the KW. I have the fuel tanks about 75% done. And I have the engine painted in Cat yellow.

this view shows the kit tank on the left and the new 120 gallon tank on the right.

this view shows the fuel cap and chain. The tank is made from a piece of Plastruct 1 1/2" diameter ABS tube and end caps.

closer view of the fuel feed fittings and fuel cap.

this view shows the fuel tank mounting bracket.

another view of the fuel tank mounting bracket. Need to make three more.

this view shows the engine, oil filters, pulleys and fan.

this view shows the now, painted Cat yellow, Cat 3408 V8. I need to do some detail painting and weathering. I received the rolled aluminum fenders, bumper and visor for both the Kenworth and the Peterbilt in the mail today. Well that's it for now be back with more soon.

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

Thanks guys 

  I did some more work on the Cat 3408 V8 engine. 

this view shows the plumbing that I added to the engine. The copper colored wire is the throttle linkage. The green wire on the bottom is the fuel return line back to the fuel tanks. The green wires on the top are the fuel injection lines.

this view shows some more plumbing. The green wire on the front is the line from the fuel priming pump/filter to the fuel injection pump. The large black line is the one from the fuel transfer pump to the primary fuel filters on the frame at the front.

top view showing the fuel injection lines to the heads. Well that's it for now be back soon.

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

Hey guys 

  I've been working on the Cat 3406 V8 for the Kenworth. I had two engines, the one from the Peterbilt and the one from the Kenworth. I cut out the cast on oil filters and starter from both engines. I shaved them down the middle, sanded them smooth then glued them together. This gave me a complete oil filter system and a starter. I also cut out the other side of the block and used this peice to fill in the hole from were I cut out he oil filter and starter.

this view shows the new oil filter and starter attached to the engine block. You can see the area where I repaired the engine block behind the filters and starter.

this view shows the other side of the engine block. Lots of clean up on these parts to get rid of parting lines.

this view shows how I modified the intake so I can add the intercooler pipes to the radiator intercooler.

this view shows how the new oil filter and starter look like from the bottom. I still have to fill in those two depressions in the oil pan.

how about these for a hood ornament.. The guy who printed these (3D printed) there supposed to be 1/24 scale he is doing me a set at about 75% this size, because I think these are a bit to big. He printed me some batteries but mistakenly did them at 1/24 scale, so he's redoing them for me for free. I'll post pictures when they get here.

Ron G 

[1/16 "she's real fine my 359" big Pete]

1 hour ago, Fantom said:

Thanks….I am really hoping they re-issue this kit….it’s one of my holy grails 

There are a few available on Ebay, not cheap but still there.

Ron G 

[1/16 "she's real fine my 359" big Pete]

3 hours ago, Fantom said:

Nice work!! Where did you get the hinges for doors?

Hey Fantom

  There from micromark, it was one long strip, I believe 15" long. Under micro hinges. I cut them to the length I needed.

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

Hey guys 

  The headache rack is going to be painted to match the truck, although I my do the doors in polished aluminum.

 Ok I got some more work done on the big KW. I made a new fifth wheel mounting plate with scratch built gear racks (real pain in the posterior!) and lowboy trailer neck ramps.

this view shows the rear of the truck with the scratch built lowboy neck ramps, movable fifth wheel and custom mounting plate and gear rack.

view looking down on the fifth wheel setup.

this view shows how the fifth wheel fits to the neck ramps.

side view of the whole rig.

view looking down on the big KW. Well that's it for now be back soon.

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

Hey all 

  I have the headache rack done. I just need to go over it with some filler and do some sanding.

this view shows the rear of the headache rack. The doors are diamond plate with custom door handles and hinges.

side view of the headache rack. It's a scale 12" deep.

this view shows the front of the headache rack and the mounting brackets.  

top view of the headache rack.

side view of the truck with the headache rack in place.

another view of the headache rack on the truck.

view looking forward of the headache rack and truck. Well that's it for now be back with more updates soon.

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

Hey all 

  Ok, I have the lift axle done, except for some final details to the mounting brackets.

this view shows the lift axle and the drives.

this view shows the lift axle with the brake drums attached. I need to add some rib detail to the mounting brackets.

view of the lift axle from the bottom.

this view shows that the lift axle clears the drive shaft.

view of the lift axle from the other side.

this view shows the air bags from the 1/24 Italeri Western Star kit that I used for the axle air lift bags. 

view of the lift air bags from the front.

this view shows the air bags that I added to the front suspension.

closer view of the front air bags.

view of the front axle from the bottom.

this view shows what the big KW will look like.

view from the top, the lead holders are there to represent the headache rack position. I have scale rolled aluminum fenders for the drives and the lift axle, also a drop visor and Texas bumper in aluminum coming in the mail. Well that's it for now be back with more updates soon.

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

Hey all

  I have the lift axle fabricated. I still need to fab up the mounting brackets and lift air bags, brakes, etc. I didn't get any pictures today, but I'll take some tomorrow.

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

Hey all 

 Well I have the 36" sleeper done. I cut 2 scale feet out of the kit sleeper to create this.

This view shows the 36" sleeper in place on the frame. I have to cut off the rear sleeper mounts from the frame and move them forward to fit the new 36" sleeper.

another view of the sleeper. You can see the fender rubber lips that I added to the front fenders after grinding the opening bigger to fit the large front floats. Well that's it for now be back soon.

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

Hey all 

 Got some more work done on the frame.

this view shows the drivers side battery box.

this view shows the frame and rear wheels/tires.

this view shows the drivers side battery box with the cover off. The wooden block is representing one of the (4) batteries that will be in here, the other sides box will house one of the air tanks. 

this view shows the truck partially assembled for pictures. The sleeper floor will be shortened to a 36" sleeper and a headache rack will be added.

another view of the KW 900L heavy haul tractor.

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

Thanks MD

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

Hey all 

  Small update, I've got the frame stretched and assembled. Took a couple of pictures while the glue dries.

the axles are only there for pictures.

view of the bottom of the frame.

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

10 hours ago, chuckyr said:

Now that you've informed us, I will be looking out for the lowboy trailer too.  I have some 1/16 scale stuff.  The Pete 359, KW W900 Aerodyne, a couple of the Fruehuaf trailers.  

Some 1/16 scale after market stuff I got from Australia or New Zealand (can't remember which) back in the day.

A Detroit Diesel V8, Cat 3408, Cummins Big Cam, half and tandem fenders.  A Peter 367 cab that was cast by amateur.

 

Some day I will put this stuff to use.

Sounds like you got a few projects to do.

Ron G 

[1/16 scale Kenworth W900 tri-axle heavy haul tractor]

Hey guys 

 Yeah I know another one...it's  a disease...please I need help...lol😁

 Ok now that thats over. I'm starting a build thread on a 1/16 scale Monogram Kenworth W900 Conventional kit. I plan on doing it as a tri-axle heavy haul, with custom made headache rack, custom made air lift axle,  decals from Jerry at modeltruckin.com.

  I'm using the kit Caterpillar 3408 V8 engine, but I'm fully plumbing it with custom Cat oil and fuel filter decals. It's going to have aftermarket 385/65R 24.5 front floats, 385/55R 22.5 super singles for the lift axle and 12.00R 24.5 drive tires. I'm using the kit wheels, but I had to customize them to fit the front floats and the super single tires.

  I've  started in on the frame construction. This kit had a flaw when I got it, the passenger side frame rail was a short shot . I was devastated because these kits are scarce as hens teeth, or OH MY GOD! expensive on Ebay. So, I found a guy on YouTube that was making a custom stretched KW and I asked him if he had any left over parts and viola! He came through, he sent me a bunch of parts both rear frame rail sections, extra cross members and extra air bags. Here are some pictures to look at.

this is the kit I'm using for this build.

this view shows what I'm trying to accomplish.

this view shows the front float tires and wheels

this view shows the super singles for the lift axle.

this view shows the drive tires

this is another view of the drive tires and wheels.

this view shows the new, but not out yet, (it's coming around Christmas time) Diecast Masters XL120 Specialized lowboy trailer in 1/16 scale. It's going to be for their 1/16 RC Freightliner Cascadia (the blue truck in the photo). If this is anywhere near as good as their 1/50 scale diecast one, I'll be using it for the Big KW's trailer, along with a Bruder Cat 336 excavator for the load. Yeah this is going to be HUGE!

front view of the trailer.

rear view of the trailer. Well that's it for now be back soon with more updates

Ron G 

[HELP!!!! I got a short shot!]

2 hours ago, dwc43 said:

Check one of the truck sites like AIT or SourKrauts. You should be able to buy a set of air bags or complete frame rails and go from there. 

They have them for a 1/16 scale Kenworth W900?

Ron G 

[HELP!!!! I got a short shot!]

Hey all

 I think I might have found one from a guy on YouTube that had a extra one left over from his build.

Ron G