SpreadAxle

The truck in the pic is basically what I'm going for.

I moved my photos and cancelled Photo Bucket.I'm on Fotki now so they should be visible. What Force said about Photo Bucket is true. They did it without warning.

Axle-forward Autocars like this one had a narrow 18" battery box with a step. I narrowed the AutoCar kit battery box. The step is made using a step from a Revell AG Pete 359 and some plastic angle and other scrap plastic. I made a mold of my new battery box and cast some copies. The master is on the left. Hosted on Fotki

You did a fantastic job on that engine. I only ever saw one other modeler build one and he did it with an amt Cummins engine.

I thought this was a great truck the first time I saw it. I look forward to seeing this truck progress.

Wouldn't the DM600 kit wheels work? The pic reminds of those wheels. Anyway, I look forward to seeing this one progress.

Thanks guys.

10 years ago I built this truck, Hosted on Fotki However, the tractor has ended up in a very sad state. I am rebuilding the tractor and using the trailers for a different truck. Using the 1969 Autocar hood conversion from AITM, I will be converting this into an A64FT. Starting with the frame, I made some modifications. Front springs from a White Road Boss were used. The notched area at the front end of the rails was reshaped. The steering brackets molded to the frame have been cut off and are being repositioned. I used the Road Boss radiator with the Autocar kit fan shroud added. Hosted on Fotki The bumper comes with the hood. It's just laying in place for the photo. Hosted on Fotki Here is the hood mocked up with a fresh kit cab. Hosted on Fotki The very heavy duty Rockwell suspension from the Autocar Dump Truck kit has been replaced. A used GMC Astro rear suspension sits in its place since this will be an on-highway truck. Hosted on Fotki Here is the hood and cab in their first coats of primer with my own modifications to the hood shown. Hosted on Fotki I shaved off the molded headlights and will be adding a set from the spares box. Hosted on Fotki STS used to sell these metal wheels. The one on the left is sanded and polished.I'm using these with the Autocar kit drive wheels. Hosted on Fotki The overall plan for this one is that it will be a tractor with an NTA 370 Cummins engine, 5x4 main/auxiliary transmission setup and a Mercury sleeper. The paint job and the trailer are the only remaining debates going on right now, but I do have some ideas. I just have to pick one.

It's finally finished. I started this one back in the summer of 2008 and worked on it as a side project. However, I had to start over when the tractor was almost done, which meant it was shelved for years. Mods include Detroit Diesel Silver92 engine, left side only air cleaner, as well as many Revell AG 359 parts. Spot mirrors were added along with quite a few chrome goodies.The trailer is a built-up that was purchased on ebay and stretched to 45feet. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Under the hood. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Bringing up the rear. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Thanks for looking. Thanks for looking.

On the home stretch now. The final detailing, minor weathering, and clean up of minor errors is underway.

That trailer is really looking good.

True craftsmanship here. It's going to look great when finished.

Thanks Marc.

The engine is finished and all lines, hoses, etc are attached. Almost done. The bumper is just laying in place for the photo. Small and minor items remain on both the truck and trailer.

Mine arrived today. The box art is the red and white Watkins Motor Lines version. The suspension is the Hendrickson Walking Beam, making it a W923. That is my only disappointment with this kit since so many amt truck kits have this suspension. I was hoping for the torsion bar. The decal sheet is really nice. It has the red and black stripes from the box art, not just the black stripes. The ICC numbers used to be in either black or white. You now have the option of black, white, or red ICC numbers. As for the other Watkins Motor Lines info, the truck numbers are printed individually now so you can make your own number. Truck and trailer decals are included,The trailer number is the same 4228 it always was. The engine is the Cummins NTA 370 with the Spicer 5x4 main/auxiliary transmission set up. With the return of this kit, maybe, just maybe, the KW mixer can come back.

Very nice.

Nice job on this build. You did a good job making the sleeper a flat top.

Sharp and classy.

Nice work.

Nice build of a television legend.

You did a nice job. To answer your question, longer truck frames tend to be found on straight trucks like this race hauler. However, plenty of tractors had long frames as well depending on what the truck normally hauled. For example, a tractor with this long of a wheelbase could be used to pull a flatbed. Longer loads would be hauled that way.

That really looks nice, and I love your photo backdrop. It makes for a realistic scene. Was the air cleaner easy to make? I have wanted to try one of those.

Nice work.

This whole build is outstanding. However, the interior is my favorite part. Amazing job.

I'm getting much closer now. The engine is almost completely tied in to the truck. All that remains is finishing the tube from the air cleaner to the turbo, as well as radiator hoses. The truck is once again striped. Modeltruckin.com item PB-115 is the set I used. Very nice stripes but not the easiest to use. If you use these, do the sleeper first. I made 2 changes to them. The outline is now silver instead of gold. Also, the center stripe is now clear to let the gray show through. Previously, it was red. I could've done a little better, but I'm happy overall. I stripped the Luberfiner and painted it to match the truck.it and the hood are just laying in place for now while I finish the air cleaner tube and run my last remaining lines. The grille is Plano Model Products mesh(item 210 I think) fitted to the kit grille shell. If all goes well, it will be finished soon.