amt freightliner cab corrections

[guitarsam326]

I known this has been talked to death but i want to know how to backdate the cab to the earlier single headlight cab with the rounded wheel wells, also i remember something about the rivets being wrong on the amt cab.

Edited September 25, 2016 by guitarsam326

[Jim B]

To me, the rivets just look too big, and I think they would be smooth rivets anyway.  I think the headlights are too high on the kit, but I don't know how much they need to be lowered.

Edited September 25, 2016 by Jim B

[DRIPTROIT 71]

What year model are you aiming for Sam? As far as I can tell there are, like on most trucks, there are several variations of what you are asking about.

On the rivets, other than being slightly big, the angled seem under each windshield is not completely accurate.

The single headlights were an option for a long time along with the dual on the same years. I've seen the dual as far back as the 60's and I think the singles went into the 80's.

The AMT headlights are slightly high. Compare to fenders and step pockets in photos of 1:1.

There are quite a few variations of fenders, some rounder than others, some with a step pocket. there were a few step variations as well.

After 73 there were even variations in the door shapes on the same year models.

I have a ton of freightliner pictures if you need some reference, let me know.

[Superpeterbilt]

There was a thread here before showing the roof of a 1:1. Basically there are way too many rivets and seams. I think it should only be one seam. Ill try to find the thread. Your better off sanding the whole cab smooth and re-adding rivets later. It too hard to get all of the panels aligned evenly with out sanding the whole cab anyhow. The panel lines are way too pronounced. They should be sanded smooth and scribed. The roof panel line was sticking out about .050 on a cab I was working on recently. 

[Superpeterbilt]

This thread has a pic of the roof rivets and maybe some other helpful info.

 

 

 

Edited September 26, 2016 by Superpeterbilt

[dodgefever]

I really need to finish that one.  Paint went badly, so I stripped the cab.

[DRIPTROIT 71]

I need to get more computer literate. I was going to post that very thread, but couldn't figure out how to.

[Badluck 13]

I would have thought some resin caster would have offered a correction/conversion for the headlamps for us less creative builders like me...

[Superpeterbilt]

I would have thought some resin caster would have offered a correction/conversion for the headlamps for us less creative builders like me...

Ive wondered the same thing. The have been many Peterbilt cabovers copied in resin just to have bigger or smaller sleepers. There are a lot of variations that can be done with this FL cab. Single, double headlights, round fenders, different cab steps, square doors, rounded doors, rear windows, etc. 

[guitarsam326]

thanks for the feedback Fellas! I will check out that thread. 

Brian, im not surewhat year i want yet, ill just find a pic i like on the interweb and go for it lol!

[leafsprings]

I would have thought some resin caster would have offered a correction/conversion for the headlamps for us less creative builders like me...

X2! I believe there is a significant market for an earlier resin version cab too, mid 60's would be perfect.  The  Freightliner has the same problem as the California Hauler,  AMT introduced these kits 5 years too late. Luckily, the less creative builders were given the narrow nose conversion by the good visionary people in the hobby.

Edited September 28, 2016 by leafsprings

[mistermodel]

if you want to back date it,round stepless lower cab panels will need to be fabricated.The kit is a "high mount" 61 series and a back dated "low mount" would be about 3 inches lower.These low mount cabs don't have the grill below the main grill ,but rather a solid panel.I started a low mount and made new frame hinges that are lower.Not sure if that right or its in the cab to make it lower.Then the front name plate will have to be changed.The kit has a frontal air intake with a grill.A back dated frontal air intake would have holes on either side of the "coat hanger "shaped emblem with out the grill part.Or just use the grill less emblem and fabricate a intake like most cab overs have.The kit lights are too high and a 2 or 4 lamp system would be totally up to you. The rivets like most amt trucks are too big.If your a real detail freak there should be 3 ribs on the door and a rubber around the peep window.It was mentioned the angle panel on the front is incorrect.It is correct for a sever service cab.Freightliners were a totally custom built truck ,anything could and was done ,so in all reality the incorrect headlight location could be correct if the truck was ordered that way

[mistermodel]

just a few of examples on how far freightliner would go to give you what you wanted in a truck

Edited September 28, 2016 by mistermodel

[lapazleo]

Notice the green Ace Doran truck  has the rare prototype style steps the AMT kit has.

[mistermodel]

Notice the green Ace Doran truck  has the rare prototype style steps the AMT kit has.

I've made note of 5 different ladder steps,not including the different combinations of under the door steps.The square box door steps on the kit maybe a sever service cab option

[leafsprings]

IMO, mid 60's styling is hard to beat, not only for Freightliner, but practically every big rig manufacturer in the US. Sure wish AMT selling large truck kits in the mid 60's instead of the early 70's.

[guitarsam326]

thanks fellas, alot of good info here

Im with ya on the 60's styling Tommy, i love the old iron