Goodwrench3

Just started binge-watching Ice Road Truckers season 1 on Amazon Prime. Talk about nuts !! But there are some great shots of engines etc. Really like it so far. Sort of like "Deadliest Catch" but in rigs :-)

Slow going. Got a bit more of the 903 together. The water pump piece is kind of Mickey Mouse. Will post a pic later this week. A bit delayed in progress -- we're moving my mother from the house we grew up in to an assisted living facility. It's a tough time. So I'm on "pause" for a bit.

RE: " I've already got a couple of more sets of sanding files on the "to-get" list. " -- don't forget another couple tubes of Tamiya putty (that *might* get you through the kit) ! LOL. Yeah... she's a dirty one for sure.

WOW... I'm always impressed at how fast you guys can fly through a build !!

Yes -- in fact, on my kit the cab rests are not in the right place as far as where the cab actually rests ! I had to move them so that they lined up with where the cab actually sits. Make sure you test fit the completed cab with the grill and see where the back of it lands when it is hinged. Yeah -- there is a lot of clean up. I spent a lot of nights with the Tamiya putty filling and sanding all the ditches, divots, craters, seams, mold lines, pin marks, etc. It's great to see everyone watching this build.

This is a great chance to discuss all of the questions around this kit ! Of particular interest are the AMT instructions around the rear axles and drive train (which are not very clear). Here is some info from the ATHS website -- note that the driveshaft enters the forward axle on top and also the shaft between the forward axle and rear axle exits the forward toward the top (near the frame). I had a picture of a Freightliner during assembly at the plant that showed the rather extreme angle of the shaft between the forward (upper exit) axle and the rear (lower entry) axle, but can't locate it at the moment. Maybe some others here can clarify this. Actually I did locate the picture of a pair of axles in the Freightliner assembly plant ready for installation. Thanks !

Hi all: As discussed, today is the last day for entries to TAT 2018 ! Please get them in if you still want to participate. Thanks !

Hi all: As discussed, today is the last day for entries to TAT 2018 ! Please get them in if you still want to participate. Thanks !

Did you ever do any for the IH 4200 ?

That first pic looks pretty much exactly how the Freightliner front wheels look if the kit is built per the instructions ;-) I sectioned the front axle as many others have done on this site so that I got the wheels tucked back where they should be. The other issue [which parked my build on the bench] is getting the interior tub to fit right inside the cab shell. Mine currently has a big gap between the sides of the interior tub and the side of the cab. I'm also not sure if the front of the tub is supposed to fit behind the grill or not. I'll post photos of mine and since we now have a "active" Freightliner being built again. I'm sure lots of questions will be answered during your build ! Thanks

10-4. The kit axle is waaaaaaayyy too wide (if built per instructions). It looks like some kind of off-road vehicle with the front wheels out past the cab.

Got a little bit done today. Was a bit disappointed that even this early Ertl kit has a large amount of ejector pin marks that need cleaning up like the current AMT kits. But.. on we go...

I've got your "Pabst" on the entry list. Thanks

I've added it to the entry list. Thanks

Yep that's perfectly fine. Thanks

Please post the paint that you find as a match for the "Pabst blue" -- I've got the same kit sitting partially built and that is one of the things blocking mine (among others). Thanks!

Got you on the list. Thanks !

Yep -- absolutely correct. He's basically doing a "tractor-only" entry from a new kit. Perfectly fine. I've added his to the entry list. Thanks!

So... then your entry is the new tractor to go with the trailer ? And will it be the Papa truck kit or the BJ and the Bear KW Aero ? Thx

Thanks ! Added to the entry list.

Thanks! Added to the entry list.

Got it. You're on the list now. Thanks!

Yes, absolutely optional. Tractor-only entry is fine. Thanks

Go ahead and post the "unstarted" pic here -- and then start your own thread in the WIP section. Thanks

Here are the details/guidelines/rules: 1. must have fun. 2. monthly updates posted. 3. 1/24 or 1/25 scale. 4. Start date April 16, 2018. Projects must be completed by Jan. 31. 2019. 5. Can be new in package kit or resin/kit bash/scratchbuild. 6. Build can be box stock or modified. 7. Post a photo of the kit in box (or the parts) before April 16. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!