Brbo 2021 Brockway 361 mixer tribute

[gotnitro?]

Since the RM is winding down, I decided to start my Brbo build . I'm doing a Brockway 361 mixer tribute truck based on the retired fleet from Barney Dickenson.  These trucks have a long history running concrete from the plant in the southern tier w their Detroit 6- 71 singing their song on the roads , and special modifications were made to every truck by the shop.  Ill try to highlight some of the more unique changes along the way! Sadly these trucks have begun to meet fate w the shredder,  so I felt it was time to build my tribute to  these unique Brockways . 

Here's my intended build 

 

The 361 cab, 770 Rex mixer , and a bunch of other goodies arrived from AITM . I'm using 22 inch rubber from moluminum,  the proper spokes came from Gary W , thanks again!  The frame rails are from the paystar mixer .  One of the more obvious changes were " pit " fenders ,  which Dave casts were part of the order. These and the Rex were mastered by my buddy Chris Davis the mix master , and glad to have them available. 

These trucks had walking beam rear suspensions so I pilfered a set from the 4300 box , and made crossmembers from I beam. The suspension is just mocked up till I add the mixer bdy . Nothing worse than locking them down , then finding out their not positioned right then trying to break them loose ..

The front susp is a mix of dm 800 springs, 4300 axle and whatever else the squirrels dig up ! One trick i learned was using Z channel to attach the mixer parts.  These keep the feet all lined up and also adds more glue surface . Theres a strip in the foreground 

Last part for today was cutting the barrel  length down to replicate the real one, its cast long to allow several styles of drums ! . I removed 1 3/8" off the drum w a razor saw 

BD drums were smooth, so the ribs gotta disappear,  along with blending the 2 halves together... hopefully I can whip that down quickly and keep the pedal down. ! 

 

Edited March 7, 2021 by gotnitro?
Added photo and 21 tag

[Kromolly]

Very cool build, love the subject.  Will be following.  Never saw the Brockways on the West Coast.

[Sam I Am]

This should be a real interesting build Jeff. 

[Warren D]

This is going to be great!

[gotnitro?]

8 hours ago, Kromolly said:

Very cool build, love the subject.  Will be following.  Never saw the Brockways on the West Coast.

Thanks , I didn't pay attention to them until attending their homecoming show one year . The old factory is about 20 minutes drive 

 

7 hours ago, Sam I Am said:

This should be a real interesting build Jeff. 

Thanks  Sam ! I have space for one more truck on the display shelf ..whats more appropriate than another Husky lol

 

5 hours ago, Warren D said:

This is going to be great!

Gotta have our Huskies in the BRBO right !!  Thanks for following 

[Mopar - D]

Jeff looks awesome so far your off to a great start. Are you planning on opening up the hood on this one?

[gotnitro?]

5 hours ago, Mopar - D said:

Jeff looks awesome so far your off to a great start. Are you planning on opening up the hood on this one?

I'd like to, show of the muscle behind this truck a 6 71 Detroit.  Issue I see is how fenders are hung off hood , ill have to make different hangers to allow hood to open free 

[gotnitro?]

Little update before the " work week " starts again..decided to finalize the suspension layout by mocking up the mixer body .  I was looking for a balanced look from the wheels to barrel. I didn't want the wheels to far back or forward , that could visually make it appear like its missing a tag axle . Moving the unit front to back I finally settled on a spot.  This felt like the 3 little bears story in the end lol

Started here , ignore the pill bottle water tank, my squirrels were getting in a laugh..hahaha 

This was okay..sorta but water tank stand is crowding the cab ,and leading rear wheel is just not right imo heres momma bear

Finally the little bear... the edge of mixer barrel falls right above tire , and good space behind cab..lock it down !!! 

Next all the shifting required a change to the frames molded in X member...no problem out comes the saw ! I'll replace that w a new xm after the suspension dries level .

Thats it for the wknd hopefully everyone had a good one ..see ya soon w more updates  ! 

[Mopar - D]

Jeff your mock up looks good. 

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Awesome project! Great start!

[gotnitro?]

Wknd update...I planned to open the can o worms by cutting open the hood . I'm dropping a proper 6 - 71 under the hood and leaving the resin hood closed,  seemed like a waste.  

A few slow cuts w razor saw had the resin cut away..no turning back now !  After the hood was free , I chose a different path. Let's make a new one from tin !!! The material used is from K&S , I cut a section and folded it over the kit hood . Half round ribs from evergreen rounded it out 

Making both sides , then hinge w music wire inside alum tube also from K-S . I made 3 sections, gluing a strip of 020 plastic to each for better strength.  Heres how it turned out

Now everyone can peek under the hood ! 

 I'm waiting for some fenders mount images to fabricate those so they'll swing out properly. 

Thanks for following 

[Mopar - D]

Differently a very nice improvement! Jeff you should be glad you cut the hood now and using a new metal hood wow I was not expecting that. Looking forward to seeing more. 

[DRIPTROIT 71]

First of all, EXCELLENT engine choice!!! Second, Excellent work on the hood!! I have an Autocar project from Strato planned that I haven’t started because I’m sort of hesitant about cutting open the hood. You did a great job on this one!!

[Pete68]

On 3/6/2021 at 9:16 PM, gotnitro? said:

Since the RM is winding down, I decided to start my Brbo build . I'm doing a Brockway 361 mixer tribute truck based on the retired fleet from Barney Dickenson.  These trucks have a long history running concrete from the plant in the southern tier w their Detroit 6- 71 singing their song on the roads , and special modifications were made to every truck by the shop.  Ill try to highlight some of the more unique changes along the way! Sadly these trucks have begun to meet fate w the shredder,  so I felt it was time to build my tribute to  these unique Brockways . 

Here's my intended build 

 

The 361 cab, 770 Rex mixer , and a bunch of other goodies arrived from AITM . I'm using 22 inch rubber from moluminum,  the proper spokes came from Gary W , thanks again!  The frame rails are from the paystar mixer .  One of the more obvious changes were " pit " fenders ,  which Dave casts were part of the order. These and the Rex were mastered by my buddy Chris Davis the mix master , and glad to have them available. 

These trucks had walking beam rear suspensions so I pilfered a set from the 4300 box , and made crossmembers from I beam. The suspension is just mocked up till I add the mixer bdy . Nothing worse than locking them down , then finding out their not positioned right then trying to break them loose ..

The front susp is a mix of dm 800 springs, 4300 axle and whatever else the squirrels dig up ! One trick i learned was using Z channel to attach the mixer parts.  These keep the feet all lined up and also adds more glue surface . Theres a strip in the foreground 

Last part for today was cutting the barrel  length down to replicate the real one, its cast long to allow several styles of drums ! . I removed 1 3/8" off the drum w a razor saw 

BD drums were smooth, so the ribs gotta disappear,  along with blending the 2 halves together... hopefully I can whip that down quickly and keep the pedal down. ! 

 

Looking good Jeff. You just never know what Dave has hidden in his resin dungeon. I’ll be following 

[gotnitro?]

2 hours ago, Pete68 said:

Looking good Jeff. You just never know what Dave has hidden in his resin dungeon. I’ll be following 

Thanks ! Yeah there's so many cool parts available 

[doorsovdoon]

Looking good, very nice work on the hood!

[gatorincebu]

 

  Jeff,

        I like your choice of resin Brockway and the mixer . It makes a nice vocational truck.

Down in South Florida back in the 70's and 80's Brockway was the Truck of choice for dump trucks .

 Don't remember ever seeing one set up as a mixer.

 I like  your use of the Z channel . Great idea !

 

   Be Well

     Gator

[gotnitro?]

Thanks Gator ! I haven't had any ambition to work on models lately been busy working around house 

 

[kilrathy10]

This looks amazing... Awesome work on that butterfly hood... Very nice work...

[gotnitro?]

Its been months away from the bench w life pulling in different directions.  I had the unexpected opportunity to snap a few more detail photos of the BD mixer when one of the few surviving trucks from their retired  fleet attended the annual Brockway homecoming in Cortland.  I heard over 80 trucks attended this yrs show .

A truck enthusiast was able to purchase a roadworthy truck to pay homage to the companies history,  and surprising many people it attended this years show . This wknds gonna kick start this build again after wandering around the real dog . 

[Mopar - D]

Looking forward to seeing you restart this one Jeff. 

[landman]

That will be superlative.

 

[gotnitro?]

On 8/17/2021 at 2:19 PM, Mopar - D said:

Looking forward to seeing you restart this one Jeff. 

thanks, ive really been busy this summer and havent taken time to work on models.  I just found out I have a few days off work per covid rules, so no excuses now ! quick test later cleared me, but was in contact w a positive case..

 

5 hours ago, landman said:

That will be superlative.

 

Really looking forward to tinkering again, better restock up on supplies while locked down..someone left the glue bottles loosely sealed oops

 

Glad I had chance to take more shots of truck, noticed more home brew details I'd to include on this build. 

[gotnitro?]

Found a few hours of bench time before the humidity/heat make it too hot for working upstairs this morning.  We've had several days of 90 degree temps w high humidity , something we're not accustomed to. 

I fashioned a new battery box / step for the drivers side . Stealing a scrap box , then adding a diamond plate cover fit the bill. I widened the box w strip , then covered w the diamond plate . The fab shop made a step from scrap metal , so I copied it . Trying to replicate these unique changes really make builds fun

The step was a scrap piece of wire form screen I kept from the snowblower build .

A few meng bolts add detail to the battery box mounts , but sadly will be hidden after install..oh well.

Now the fun part...fitting the cab, radiator and engine . Cutting the hood apart really weakened the casting. I spotted braces on the real trucks , so since the hoods open..why not . 1/16 rod glued under the cowl and grill shell tied it together in theory! 

I better check the fit of everything again, there's been so much work done in this area...whew looks properly  cramped in there ...

I'll add a few items along the exposed fire wall later after the plumbing gets installed 

Thanks for following 

[Mopar - D]

Really nice scratch building Jeff. Its always a great feeling when you put all your pieces that you have made and they actually fit the way you planned it.