Fat Brian Posted November 5, 2016 Share Posted November 5, 2016 (edited) Well, I finally have something finished to contribute. The inspiration for this truck was a vehicle owned by a local logging company I see running around from time to time. The actual truck is a square headlight 359 that is quite broken in and war weary. I decided to use the California Hauler to give the truck more age and I wanted to build one to kind of get a feel for some future projects. I shortened the chassis about four inches and swapped in the engine, transmission, rear suspension, wheels, and tires from the Diamond Reo kit. I had wanted to use the square air box from that kit as well but it interfered with the hood flipping so I had to build my own unit that resembles a round Diamond Reo piece. I had to move the firewall back about a quarter inch to fit the big Cummins in which necessitated changing the interior as well. I also hinged the hood, replaced the grill with screen, made the stack from aluminum tubing, and built the headache rack. Critiques and criticisms are welcome and appreciated. Edited August 30, 2017 by Fat Brian Relinked pics to fic Photobucket issue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 This may possibly be my most favorite Peterbilt model ever!! I really like what you've come up with. The grill is one of my favorite parts. Great work!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Brian Posted November 6, 2016 Author Share Posted November 6, 2016 This may possibly be my most favorite Peterbilt model ever!! I really like what you've come up with. The grill is one of my favorite parts. Great work!!Thank you, I'm really proud of this one, this is probably the best thing I've ever built. The grill came about by accident, I tried a black wash over the painted stock grill but could never get it to look like I wanted. Then I got thinner on the silver and messed it up so I tried to strip it but couldn't get the silver off so I had to start with another grill and so I didn't mess it up too I cut the molded mesh out and replaced it with screen to look like a thin metal grate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackDragon Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 This shorty is really cool. Like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 Looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyRed Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 (edited) It looks good! Used but well cared for. The engine looks like it has decent miles on it and the light rust is a nice touch. Edited November 6, 2016 by JerseyRed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towman1271 Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 great looking workhorse..amazing details Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Brian Posted November 6, 2016 Author Share Posted November 6, 2016 It looks good! Used but well cared for. The engine looks like it has decent miles on it and the light rust is a nice touch.Thank you, I painted the engine tan to show that it had been either replaced or substantially rebuilt at some point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extmcdriver Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilrathy10 Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 Great job on this old work horse.....Very nice.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim B Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 Yup, that's short. Nicely done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superpeterbilt Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 No criticism here Brian, that thing looks great! Its sure stout! I love all of the changes made. Its good to see something different done with this kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Most Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 All I can say is I like it. A LOT! Many modelers make their CH 359 kits all shiny and showy, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, but it's nice to see one done up the other way for a change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Brian Posted November 7, 2016 Author Share Posted November 7, 2016 No criticism here Brian, that thing looks great! Its sure stout! I love all of the changes made. Its good to see something different done with this kit. All I can say is I like it. A LOT! Many modelers make their CH 359 kits all shiny and showy, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, but it's nice to see one done up the other way for a change. Yeah, it was nice to dirty one up after seeing so many pretty ones being posted. I've got plans for a few clean ones too but it was good to see some of the issues with the kit on a build that didn't have to be perfectly clean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemodeler Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 Nice job Brian, looks sweet and love the mods you did to it! You headed to Atlanta this weekend to the NNL? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Brian Posted November 8, 2016 Author Share Posted November 8, 2016 Nice job Brian, looks sweet and love the mods you did to it! You headed to Atlanta this weekend to the NNL?I wish, I didn't even know it was coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemodeler Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 I wish, I didn't even know it was coming.Well, you still have time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GearUpJammer Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 Nice work Brian! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Brian Posted November 8, 2016 Author Share Posted November 8, 2016 Well, you still have time!I've got other plans this weekend now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorincebu Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 Now that is one very well done model. Your weathering is spot on ! And I like your other modifications as well. Be Well Gator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Howard Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 That is one good looking short ass Pete,well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tesla Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 Your short Pete looks real nice and the mods and weathering make it stand out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbill Posted November 11, 2016 Share Posted November 11, 2016 what a great looking build, well done. as mentioned, that grill is perfect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DumpyDan Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 Nice looking truck, like the short haulers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Brian Posted July 9, 2019 Author Share Posted July 9, 2019 I finally found this truck stopped somewhere and got to take a couple shots of the real deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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