ABC Auto Industry

I haven't found any yet, but I'll keep looking. I might just do that. Also, since I've gotten one vote for this, I might just build my 353 as a logging truck, though the idea of building it as a mining truck is still strong in my head, especially considering I recently bought an Autocar dump truck kit and plan on building that one as a mixer using parts from the Kenworth Challenge mixer kit.

Sorry, but I gotta agree with Force: None of those would make a good starting point for me. I'd rather not pay $150 just for a couple of fenders.

1. On second thought, I also found a 3D model that somebody did of a 353 that can be bought as a print-ready model. Problem is, such a model costs like $900, and I don't want to pay that much just to get fenders and a hood. 2. OK, looks like I'll have to mod the hood, then. Based on what you said, it doesn't seem like a gargantuan task, although I'll be honest, I've never attempted this before. On a side note, there's a construction company in my town that still has a black 353 dump truck in its fleet. I don't know what engine it's packing, but I know it has quad round headlights and six-spoke steel wheels.

Which makes me wonder a couple of things: 1. Is the fender angle on the 353 the same or different from the fenders on the Kenworth Alaskan Hauler kit? 2. Could I use the butterfly hood from the Kenworth Alaskan Hauler kit and slap Pete ovals on that? I know Tim Ahlborn once reworked a Pete hood with a Kenworth cab in his youth in an attempt to build a 359 with an 1100 Series cab before AMT actually updated their 359 kit. And yes, I love looking at Tim's Fotki page. I'm especially fond of looking at the old 387s (not to be confused with the new aero 387), and the big bad 397s.

So, one of my planned models is a Peterbilt 353, but due to the difficulty of finding resin parts, I may have to scratchbuild the fenders myself. That aside, I was looking at pictures of old abandoned trucks used in the logging industry, and I'm trying to decide whether to build this truck as a logging truck or a mining dump truck. What do you folks think?

UPDATE: So, last Saturday, I ordered a '70 Firebird kit, which I received today. I opened up the box and looked at the decal sheet, and lo and behold, it had the Trans Am lettering! HUZZAH!

Also, on a semi-related note, I've been doing some research on the Clark 20-ton planetaries, and if I've done my research right, the model number for that particular planetary is BD-71000.

Seems like a good plan.

Well, that saves me the money that I would've otherwise used to rip them off. Problem is, I wouldn't exactly know where to start in making my own planetary hubs.

OK, fair enough.

Interesting; I never knew that. Then again, I'm still new to 3D printing for model parts, so yeah. As for the axles...well, I already have some 5-ton axles that I swiped from a USA-1 kit, but if you have any plans to do Rockwell PS250 or Clark 20-ton planetary hubs, I'm still interested.

OK, good, and thanks for the tip! From what I remember, the parts didn't really feel sticky.

UPDATE: So, I ordered a pack of 1:25 scale 5-ton cases on January 6. They came in this past Saturday, and I gotta say, I'm impressed by the quality of these! They DEFINITELY look heavy-duty enough for the monster I've got in mind! Just one question: I know that for resin parts, you have to soak them in warm, soapy water to clean off mold release agents, but would the same go for 3D-printed parts? I wouldn't think so, but I'm asking just in case.

Thought so. Just in case, I'm going to check prices on aftermarket decal sheets to see whether it would be worth it to spend the extra money on the Revell Germany version. Strange that that one would have the Trans Am lettering and not the US one, though...

I'm guessing that was for the Revell USA issue, because a thread I saw on the Revell Germany version had the Trans Am lettering. I'm just asking because I don't want to have to pay extra for a separate decal sheet that does have it, although, given prices I've seen on eBay for the current Revell USA vs. Revell Germany reissues, I have the strange feeling like it might be cheaper to get the Revell USA version and get that separate decal sheet.

Among other kits I've been intending to build, I want to get a Revell 1970 Pontiac Firebird. I've been looking up reviews and information on the kit, and apparently, certain issues lack the "Trans Am" lettering due to licensing issues or something like that. However, a search on the latest Revell of Germany issue reveals that the decal sheet has the "Trans Am" letters. However, I don't know if the latest Revell USA issue has those in the decal sheet, and I'm also unsure if there are any other differences between the kits. Can anybody shed some more light on this?

Didn't think so.

So it was your initiative that brought that about? BRAVO! I already had a transfer case because I bought some USA-1 parts from eBay, but the USA-1 transfer case looked too wimpy for what I needed, so thanks!

You mean that Rockwell T138 5-ton case? That's perfect because I was looking for a heavy-duty transfer case for a monster truck I'm doing.

Those look really good, but like I said, I'm looking for stuff for American trucks such as Petes and Kenworths.

Yeah, I saw the front axle in the other thread. Those 14 x 24 military-style wheels would be PERFECT for this project I have in mind. As for planetaries, I was thinking more in line of the Rockwell PS250 or the Clark 20-ton planetaries that were commonly used by monster trucks. Unfortunately, it seems that the only way I can get the Clark 20-tons is if I rip them off from a newer Monster Jam kit such as Jurassic Attack.

You are correct; I just looked, and they are indeed there.

Welp, guess I'll have to cut up the bed from the second truck I have. That's gonna be fun...right?

I saw that one. However, the description said it was intended for the MPC '84 GMC. I have the Revell GMC plow truck, and I just wanna make sure that the two trucks aren't too far apart in actual dimensions.

You know, that's interesting because I have a Ford LNT8000 snow plow kit that I've yet to tear into, and if it's anything like that kit, then it might just have those, too. I'll take a look this weekend.