Old Buckaroo

I did a similar swap replacing a Detroit V series with a Cummins 6 in a KW coe. I had to move the front mount lower, trim it so the alternator cleared (made the other side match so one side was not wide and the other thin). And I had to locate the rear mounts farther back . Cut 2 mm off fan shaft to move it closer to engine for radiator clearance. Basically build your engine first before you glue in the front crossmenber/ engine mount . Lots of test fitting and bendable soda straws are your best friend for air and exhaust piping.

I am sorry for the loss to all who knew him and the community he helped and worked in. So sad indeed.

The blue you used on the frame is a real close match to the decal, what color did you use ?

That is really a sharp looking build. What is your opinion of the "tilt bracket and mount ? did you modify it any ? Glad to see you found your rear deck.

Yeah it was a real beauty, seeing the remnants is quite depressing to see how Grand it was. Lots of custom pin stripping all over the frame. It would of been a real pleasure to have seen in its glory. Another real nice truck I have seen pics of is the Evel Knievel Mack - The door panels with the stars and bars and the star headliner , Wow. Now all you see in trucks is mostly plastic and vinyl graphics . What happened to these type of talented craftsman ?

Awesome pic Force, that gives me a much better idea. I had looked at dozens of pics and at peoples albums but had not seen that one or angle. That one sums up my suspicion it is a walk through from sleeper to sleeper or the gasket portrays it that way. Otherwise the shadow would not be so prominent from top to bottom. Plus that looks like a "bar/ table" towards the cab and possibly a bench / step up where the small sign board is. I have seen pics of where it shows the crawl through from the cab. Thanks a million

I have seen a few of these built up with sleepers on them . Anyone know who the aftermarket resin is that makes them ?

Picked up a extra set of Tyrone Malone tires, thinking about finding a few W-925's and building it up to the Boss Truck. The Movin On kits are hitting ebay quite regularly . The real truck has two 36" sleepers - anyone know if they had a crawl through or a walk through where they joined ? This will be a long one over 15" for 1/25 Any ideas or input will greatly be appreciated.

Very nice clean looking '55. I am so impressed you have had all these years. I have only had my '55 for 3 years but it had been sitting in the same garage / shed since 1971.

That is some really skillful work you have done on this. To me that butterfly scoop looks like E.T. sticking his head out of the hood.

I really like this, what a sharp looking truck.

That is a great looking '55. Looks just like the one in the pic - nice match on the colors.

Sounds like a great idea. I just have a open booth centered on the workbench.

I just saw a real one drive by my house less then 15 minutes ago except it was green /yellow. (I live in a broke small town) Yours looks great, I ;like builds that combines other kits and parts.

That is what I do - I like to cut the shrink wrap off the bottom and keep it on the box top. I can then slip it off and place a post it note on the box, cover it back over and no fear of missing parts note getting lost.

I love these old trucks. You and your friend have done an excellent job on recreating them. Truly amazing work all the way around. My Wife's Grandfather worked on this project , he had a box of pics showing the old pull graders and other equipment in use. Just a great old guy to sit and listen to his stories about different jobs he worked on way back.

Wow this Mack and the GMC are two of the finest builds I have seen for some time. I keep thinking the pics were lifted from a "sales brochure" the detail is so fine. Your definably a "Master Modeler" through my eyes. Thanks for the detailed steps on resin glass - very helpful and look forward to the next installment.

Seems like to me this boxart was around 2001 -2002. Fair price ? It is a buyers market, I have bought several KW coe Aerodynes lately from $53 - $72.00 unbuilt sealed in bags with different boxart off ebay with a 9 - 12 dollar shipping price.There are others for sale with shipping from 15 - 45 dollars and I move on. There is always hope for better deals out there . The ones that have real obscene prices are the BJ McKay trucks. The long wheelbase is from Tyrone Malones Papa truck molding.

Very cool and impressive work with the styrene rod. That is something I never ventured upon. Glad to see this stuff go to someone that has use for it.

Howdy Juergon, thanks for your interest . The "piano hinge" was really simple. I took a piece of scrap sprue and heated it over a candle to stretch it. It took several pieces to get the thickness I wanted (using door hinge for size guide) Once the length was determined and glued in place I took a piece of Tamiya tape on one side and my Zona mm square on the other. Every 2mm I made a cut careful nut to cut the tape on one side or cut across my square. The handles started as a piece of K&S Brass 1/8" angle. Again using the Tamiya tape I cut strips lengthwise of a piece of tape 1/16" wide. I took these thin strips and laid them along the outside of the angle for a cutting guide. I then sawed lengthwise down the angle to about 5mm long on both sides. That gave me a small angle 5mm long x 1 mm wide. I did one at a time to keep a straight cut. Using a file I rounded the edges for the pull area. To mount it securely (I am pretty clumsy most days) I scribed a channel the same length of the pull and about 1/2 mm deep. After test fitting a drop of gap filling CA glue was used for attachment. Nothing real hard - just tedious. These are the tools I use for the majority of my work. The saw is made by JLC, The blades are thin as a Razor blade of that size and just as sharp. I ordered several spares but have been using this blade for close to 4 years. http://www.rollmodels.net/ninbox/Tools/JLC%20Ultra%20Fine%20Saw/JLC%20Ultra-Fine%20Razor%20Saw.php A scribe , mechanical pencil, Zona square , file ,Tamiya tape and a X-acto knife not shown makes the bulk of my tools. I still cant get the detail of the hinge in a pic without a wash on this white plastic A tip if you cutting serrations like this or scribing - a touch of liquid cement will dissolve the fuzzys and bring out the detail. Hope you were able to make sense of all this. Thanks for looking in and asking.

Check off my biggest obstacle on this build tonight. Single headlight buckets done except for the backing plate.

That is a super nice build - but you guys do realize the last time the OP responded to this post was 5 yrs ago .

Nice, another build of one of my favorite trucks to distract me from my projects. I liked the original decals that were on this truck - any idea what version they came with ?

Man, that looks sharp. Glad to hear you were able to fix that minor glitch . What kit did you rob the Detroit 60 from or is it a resin casting ? If i had a dollar for every 60 series valve cover I shoehorned out from under a Columbia firewall..

Added a few extras to the engine like scratch built fuel filter (single) and oil filter. Thinned the 2x4 size belts down also. Thinking about painting the Transmission maybe Ford Blue or red to make it look like it had been replaced at one time. Thanks for looking in