DRIPTROIT 71 Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 (edited) This is a build that I've been wanting to do for years. The decals were the hold up, but thanks to Jeff "gotnitro" who steered me in the right direction, I now have decals. I'm building a replica of the first truck that I ever rode in as a kid. This truck was the spare truck and my dad was a mechanic. A truck, another 7400 broke down in Kentucky (steering box) and they sent my dad with a steering box and the spare truck to Kentucky. The truck had just been re-painted as the company had new ownership. My dad was able to fix the driver's truck in Kentucky and drove the spare truck home where he picked me up and I rode with him (my first big truck ride) to the shop in Lexington, NC. Here's where the story takes a turn. That night, still for unknown reasons, that truck burned to the ground. So it was my first trip and the truck's last. I'm strickly working from my and my dad's memory along with some 83 Freightliner pictures from the same company. The cab is from Spaulding Trading and Shipping, The frame is a modified AMT K123 frame, the wheels and tires are from Scenes Unlimited. Here is the way the Spaulding cab looks originally. The grill looks a little too tall and not wide enough. I modified the cab and grill and I think it looks a little closer though it still isn't perfect. This is an 83 Freightliner so that you can see how this one will be painted. Before this project is done, I hope to finish the 7400, build a 40' Great Dane to match and a K100 like my dad drove for a while and I was able to ride all over the east coast with him in that truck. Edited November 20, 2019 by DRIPTROIT 71 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam I Am Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 I will be following along for sure. This will be a special build.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tesla Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 Looking forward to following this project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren D Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 Good project, that cab csating looks very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TECHMAN Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 ??? Cool project and the back-story is AWESOME!!!! What kind of engine/trans did the truck have? DJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted November 20, 2019 Author Share Posted November 20, 2019 1 hour ago, TECHMAN said: ??? Cool project and the back-story is AWESOME!!!! What kind of engine/trans did the truck have? DJ Thanks! The 7400 had an 8v-71 with a 10 speed, the K100 KW that I rode the most with my dad in had an 8v-71T and I think it had a 9 speed. I know that all the Freightliners had 9 speeds, but they had 3406 Cats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotnitro? Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 Glad to have helped ya ! Joe does fantastic work Definitely watching this build come together Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted December 28, 2019 Author Share Posted December 28, 2019 Thanks for all the comments! Starting to make a little headway with this one now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landman Posted December 29, 2019 Share Posted December 29, 2019 I don't think I've ever seen one of those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vettegasser Posted December 29, 2019 Share Posted December 29, 2019 You do some of the coolest builds Wish I could do as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince66 Posted December 29, 2019 Share Posted December 29, 2019 Also known as the Japanese Freightliner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete68 Posted December 29, 2019 Share Posted December 29, 2019 Looking good Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotnitro? Posted December 29, 2019 Share Posted December 29, 2019 Wow your really knocking this truck out ! Not to hijack your thread , but reminds me of a build I'm gathering parts for. My step dads IH 9300 , the first rig I've ridden in ! He pulls a Mac dump trailer behind it hauling road salt or corn Looking forward to your updates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leafsprings Posted December 29, 2019 Share Posted December 29, 2019 I have to admit I wasn't a big fan of the 7400 back in its day, but, times have changed. Those simplistic boxy older cabovers now look much more interesting to me. This one is right on track to be another excellent build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted January 2, 2020 Author Share Posted January 2, 2020 Thanks guys! I never like the old square cabs either back in the day, but now they are some of my favorites. The interior is done and a few other odds and ends have been done now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted January 2, 2020 Author Share Posted January 2, 2020 On 12/28/2019 at 7:03 PM, landman said: I don't think I've ever seen one of those. Pat, I don't know if you remember, but I built a daycab one of these 3 years ago and you sent me some parts to finish it, some lights and horns I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete68 Posted January 2, 2020 Share Posted January 2, 2020 Now that’s looking great like the decals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landman Posted January 2, 2020 Share Posted January 2, 2020 9 hours ago, DRIPTROIT 71 said: Pat, I don't know if you remember, but I built a daycab one of these 3 years ago and you sent me some parts to finish it, some lights and horns I believe. I meant in real life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted January 2, 2020 Author Share Posted January 2, 2020 3 hours ago, landman said: I meant in real life. It may be that these trucks just weren't very popular in Canada. Around here they were pretty common in the 70s. They were called Japanese Freightliners because some of the parts (I'm not sure how many) were made in Japan. They were cheaper than the Freightliner from what I've read and that made them appealing to freight companies. The company that my Dad worked for had 3 of these and also an early Road Commander which was just a dressed up version of the 7400. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted January 3, 2020 Author Share Posted January 3, 2020 It's looking more and more like a truck now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted January 8, 2020 Author Share Posted January 8, 2020 This one is pretty much done. I may wait until I get the trailer done to take any under glass picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince66 Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 Nice build of a Japanese Freightliner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete68 Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 Looking smart Brian I’m liking it very much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted January 11, 2020 Author Share Posted January 11, 2020 On 1/8/2020 at 2:31 AM, NothingAsFineAsaW9 said: Nice build of a Japanese Freightliner. Thanks Vince! On 1/8/2020 at 9:50 PM, Pete68 said: Looking smart Brian I’m liking it very much Thanks Lee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim B Posted January 11, 2020 Share Posted January 11, 2020 Looks really nice. Weathering is very realistic, and I like the little details you've added. Those corner wind deflectors (or whatever they are) are very period correct. How did you make them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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