highway

Yes, nice work. HO scale, I presume? If you wanted to add a train, you could always try to find one of these kits: It's an HO scale snap kit Monogram had years ago and reissued by Revell of Germany about a year or two ago.

Nice belly pan mod. Are you using the quickbuiler or full detail kit?

Thanks, Zuk. It's definitely a "Trucker's Dream Home" being a scale 180 inches, compared to 70 for a stock sleeper. Thanks for the opinion on the size, too. That's why I asked for everyones opinions on it, because I'm thinking a little bigger, but the better half said it looks fine. It's amazing what you can find online, I "Bing"ed "lightning and mountains" in images, and that's one of them that came up!

Yeah, it would be fun! The truck has a scale wheelbase of about 350 inches and with the 40 foot livestock trailer it measures a scale 70 feet long.

I've been doing more work on the truck and trailer lately, the trailer is in primer as of today. I also went on line to get some pictures to use as a mural on the sleeper, but I need your help! This is what the mural will look like: but I need help with the size! Do you think the mural looks good the size it is, or should I make it a little bigger? Please help and give me your opinion!!

They can't build an on highway engine to meet the new emission standards. The new standards have put EGR valves and a catalytic converter style "particulate filter" in the exhaust plus lowered the PPM (parts per million) of sulfur in the fuel to 15 PPM from 500 PPM. That's why, if you have a gas station near you that also sells diesel fuel, you will see a sticker that says "Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel-Must use in 2007 model year and later vehicles and safe for use in pre 2007 vehicles", or some close to that. Cat made engines that run on the new fuel, but I think they could not reduce the NO2 (nitrous dioxide) levels low enough for highway usage. By the way, the new 15 PPM fuel STINKS!! I have this 1990 Ford F350 with the non turbo 7.3 Liter Diesel: My fuel mileage dropped until I started using additives to boost the cetane (like octane in gas) levels, and it no longer blows the cool diesel black smoke ("black coal" as us truckers call it) when I get into it! It is also much harded to start in the winter, note the cord going in the grille for the block heater in the pic, if I don't plug it in, she don't go!

Try here: http://www.jobbersinc.com/detroitd.htm Scroll down till you find the engine you need! By the way, they have many pics of other engines, go to the home page: http://www.jobbersinc.com/index.htm and click the engine maker you need.

Not bad! I have quite a few of the Action diecasts, and most of them cost $70-$80 A PIECE!! A couple of them were even over $100!

Thanks, Brett, I seen that too, but way out of my price range! Anyway, Porky has already helped me out! The Coronado, by the way, would not be able to be modified into a Classic XL, they are two totally different cabs. The Classic XL is based on the FLD cab, where the Coronado is based on the Century Class cab. I have driven the FLD 120, Classic XL, and Century Class (unfortunately only sat in a Coronado) and the FLD/Classic cabs are way different inside and out compared to the Coronado/Century Class cabs.

Thanks, my point exactly! If there was a separate section for the community builds, these all would be easier to find!

I should mention, the trailer is also going to be included in the email. We can't see about getting these reissued without having some work for them to do!! Thanks everyone for the continued support!

That was something I noticed, too, and also appears to be a reflection of the photographer!

WOW! I'm two for two, I must be good at this or Harry's just making it too easy!

That was the starter set I had bought in Pittsburg, but like I said, I can't get up there right now because it would cost me more in diesel fuel than it's worth! I think I bought mine at Hobbytown, though. The best I have close to me is Michael's, and they have resin, but the only mold material I've found there is a brush on type and I don't know how that would do, because some of the things I'd like to cast is tractor trailer engines (most notable is the one in the Revell Peterbilt) and parts like that for future builds, and need something cheap but durable. My last resort is Micromark! Thanks Casey.

Nice job on the rebuild, it looks beautiful. By the way, where did you get the lifts under the Challenger in the background? I WANT SOME!!

Sweet paint job! I'm usually not a fan of green paint jobs, but I may have to get some of that!

Thanks on both parts.

I have been experimenting with casting my own parts, but the few starter sets I have found do not seem to last long. I have no large hobby shops in my area, the coulple starter sets I've bought I purchased on a trip to Pittsburg, PA, but I no longer have reliable enough transportation to make the trip. I could find resin (have plenty of it), but no RTV mold material. I did try urethane molding material with terrible results. I also know there are online suppliers, but I would like to find something cheaper at the major craft stores or similar. I have been thinking of picking up some RTV blue silicone used for making and sealing gaskets at the local auto parts store, but I'm not sure if that would be similar to the two part RTV silicone the online suppliers sell for molding. Any and all help or advice is greatly appreciated!

Is there either a Community Build Forum here that I have missed or a chance that maybe a new Forum could be created just for Community Builds? "Other" modeling forums I have joined have these, and I enjoy community builds, but have had trouble finding any here!

I think no sleeper, more to get in the way on the trail! The steps are actually a battery box on the driver's side and a toolbox on the other, so you could use both as toolboxes on this truck. Then maybe add another under the bed under the frame. By the way, I LOVE THE NEW REAR WHEELS!!

I don't know whether to call it a "Firemaro" or a "Cambird", but I do know it's an F-Body with an IDENTITY CRISIS!!!

Yeah, maybe Harry P. can use it in his "real or model" thread!! Are those Corvette C5 or C6 wheels? They really set it off.

Thank you, too, Brett, for your support.

Ray, first thank you for supporting, and second, I don't really know if any were more widely produced. When I bought my Aerodyne in 89 or 90, I was in 8th grade! I know of the three when I have seen them on ebay, I mostly see the blue Aerodyne I had and only a few of the Petes, and only one or two of the red W900s. Maybe this means there were more of the Aerodyne, or people are just more willing to part with them over the Pete or flattop W900. We may never know!

Thanks for the support, and I was always told "It never hurts to ask!"