Biggu

Thanks Brian , it was a very precise and deliberate operation to burnish it down but I am happy with the final results as in real life it does look more like aluminum.

That sure looks like a heavy duty tractor, JM. Great job ! And, you make your own decals. Way ahead of me buddy. Can’t wait to see the new hood !

One thing that kind of bugs me a bit about the Italeri kits is the chrome. It is beautiful but to my old four eyes MUCH too shiny for an operational truck. For a show room model or show truck , it is wonderful but that kind of shine doesn’t last ling in the real world once on the road …. So I looked for a solution with out using those fancy paints I have no experience with ….. I decided to use real automotive ‘chrome’ tape …. It isn’t any where near as shiny but shiny enough to be somewhat convincing ( to me at least ). So I stripped the battery boxes and prepped them for paint and then took some of the tape and covered the battery box cover. The battery box itself will be painted cab color that’s why I stripped the chrome

So as I was changing things , I saw some really nice replacement seats from 3d Concepts here in Canada. So, what the heck I placed an order for these beauties. They are nicely detailed and have separate arm rests to pose as you like. I added the little W for fun. These are nice seats and a little wider than the stock ones that to me seem a touch under scale, maybe not but these most definitely look the part

So with a few added details to the engine it fit nicely. Even tied in with the rad. So that was a win.

Thanks Steve. Very generous comments … I appreciate you and the other guys dropping by… I will have another update soon.

Thanks Bren your comments echo my thoughts exactly. I just thought something a little bit different.

It is. And they strive to make each part better and better. They are all bout accuracy and a good product. They have become my go to. Also check the site out, Karl has the detailed measurements of the rims and what tires they will fit correctly. Karl has some videos posted as well which are really helpful. Also on the site.

I haven’t used any of their wheels but their other stuff is pretty good and they are EXCELLENT to deal with. Very honest and great communication. Buy with confidence. If you have any questions just ask they will answer. Karl and Michael are good guys

Very, very cool!!

No , actually it is a decal set from Jerry at Model Truckin. For Detroits. There are enough decals to do a few engines. And the same for the filer decals , it was a set from him as well

So fitment seemed ok , now time for a little engine detailing. Not a lot just a little to make it look a bit ‘busier’

So as mentioned , I wanted to make some changes to this truck and the engine was one thing that would make this a little bit different. So as I had an Italeri Detroit 60 series left over from my Pete 378 build , I thought I would swap the W/S kit Cummins for the Pete 60 series . So with that said there was just a few adjustments which was really nothing, mostly just turning the pan around and making sure of tje fitment.

Yes. I agree with Gary. Square

This is going to be a GOOD one. I’m pulling up a chair in the front row with some snacks and a beer ….. watching with great interest.

Under a splash of paint …. I was originally going to paint the frame red or something a little more dynamic, but as I am trying to go for a clean sharp realistically looking operational unit ….. so in that vein, semi gloss black it will be ….

Hey good to hear from you Ron , many thanks for the kind words and thanks for checking in.

There may be a little ‘artistic license’ on this particular build, but thanks Brian

The plumbing begins

This build is off the clock good!!!!!!! So much of it ties together perfectly. The absolute perfect paint , is a show stopper , then start looking at all the updated bits. To gather this completely takes a good study of it to see all the nuances of this truck. This just gets better and better. What a joy to watch this.

Your wish is my command

Landon, JM, thanks for checking in, I have to admit, I do like the different suspension set up, and it is starting to come together quite quickly now... thanks again guys... this is a departure from what I normally do, with a lot of changes and a ton of after market.....

And here is a brake chamber change. The ones in the Italeri kits are grossly under sized and not the correct type or style as we have here in BC. So between Brian and Bren ,they teamed up and Bren printed me a few of these little jewels, correct style and type and beautifully detailed. So I upgraded to spring brakes on all four rear wheels and ditching the undersized spring brakes and service brake chambers

Oh , yes. The rubber block was great with a load but a back breaker without, when the truck was empty , I always looked for the smoothest part of the road. It could be very rough

Thanks Gary. Still a fair bit more to go. Thanks for checking in.