leafsprings

Weathering looks just right for a million miler! What a brute! This build has me seriously thinking about building a "West Coast" version with forward set front axle.

Thankyou Dave, I finally have an avitar!

I'm having trouble using a photo for my avitar. Rejects my photo and says it needs to be 150x150

The Kenworth W 900 series conventional cab used in the AMT kit was introduced in '65 and continued to '82. Subtle changes in '73 included new grill logo emblem ( old KW font logo with 4 bars changed to newer KW font logo with 3 bars) and lower door handles.

I have always been a fanatic when it comes to big rig wheels and axle hubs, the first thing I check out on model kits. There has been a big improvement lately due to the aftermarket. Here are some hubs that I have purchased over the last couple of years. ( left to right ) is Scenes Unlimited, Moluminum, Double Take, Double Take . Double Take is presently not available, website is closed.

Those outriggers will definately do the job. Great detail work!

Looks like another great project! Those old gas big 6's ( IH, GMC, Hall Scott ) are just as large as period diesels. Looking forward to this build!

Great news!

The kits rear axle hub is fine for a C 600, but you really need to upgrade if you want a "REAL C 900"

More ideas on a separate power unit and some weights involved in a transit mixer.

Great information on pin pointing the year and the subtle changes that occurred. These kits can be back dated and forward dated with some knowledge and creativity. Thanks for your contribution Brian, that's what this thread is about.

I'll add on with the second generation AMT California Hauler ( 1100 cab) Kit represents a '73 to '87 Peterbilt 359

Wow! Thankyou very much Jim! This is the most complete and comprehensive list of truck kits I have ever seen. Your list nails exactly what they were. Hopefully we can expand on this list and include how they can be back dated or forwarded dated with little modifications before the styling completely disappeared. Here are some examples. The Ford C series tilt cab does represent the year of issue '70-'72, but, with minor modifications can be built as a '57 thru '90. '58 thru 60's had dual headlights and '74 thru '90 had wider fenders. The Mack R model, can be expanded back to '66 and forward to 05? Incredible the time frame manufactures get out of there large truck styling design cycles.

Most all car and pickup truck kits tell you the year, but as far as big rig kits go, nothing is revealed on the year. True, large commercial trucks have a longer production run than cars and pickups, but lets compile some knowledge of years of the same general styling or feel free to add any details when minor changes occured. ( bumpers changed, emblems changed etc. ) I'll start with the first AMT truck kit, the California Hauler. This kit represents a '67 thru '72 Peterbilt 359

Good question. They are not included, I built the brackets. One small bracket is anchored into the door, and connected to the longer brace via a steel pin ( the pin resembles a bolt on the real mirror brackets). The mirror head is off a die cast '53 Chevy Tow Truck made by Welly. I like to buy cheap diecasts for extra parts not available in plastic or resin.

Thanks for all the positive comments. Special thanks to the Peterbilt guru, Tim Ahlborn, for inspiring me to build these '66 Pete's. Last minute add on's, stainless sun visors.

Thanks to all for the positive comments! It's very rewarding to build these medium- heavy class of vehicles that were used in so many local vocations in the past. Thanks to AITM for offering the base conversion kit. Planning on doing more medium heavies in the future!

The Dodge L 700 kit.

Digging thru more literature, yes there was a Long Beach Assembly plant, at least in 1956, that produced these top of the GVW line T 800's. Also at mid year, there was an GVWR increase to 45K.

Found this old Motorific toy in my closet 1/40 scale?, Any coincedence? hmmmm

1956 Ford Big Job T 800 chassis completed at Ford Motor Company, will be shipped to Challenge Cook Bros. for transit mixer installation. Specs. 332 Torque King Special 212 hp V8, New Process 540 HD 5 speed , 34K Eaton rear axles, 11K front axle. Custom Cab, Full Air Brakes. Goodyear tires (Rear back window glass temporarily missing) sorry.

The 1966 2 axle narrow nose Peterbilt 281 conventional is ready to hit the road. Has been very rewarding to build a unit exactly the way I wanted it, thanks again to the recent re issues and aftermarket goodies available.

Nice builds, very high quality work, thanks for sharing! Especially like the Movin On KW's. Hopefully this forum adds a "by make" section so all these old builds can easily be found.

Thanks for the all the encouraging comments. The separate motor sounds like a great idea Brian! Maybe a flathead Ford engine in a small dog house would look more appropriate than a modern hydraulic pump system.

Good choice to go with the dual drive set up, so much more capacity and stability for one of these battleships. Nice work on the modifications! The ALF is a classic, can't go wrong with this one!