Fat Brian Posted October 16, 2016 Posted October 16, 2016 I guess I'm far enough into this project that this thread won't kill it. There is a logging company near me that runs a variety of old and weary trucks. The one that inspired this build is a white early 80's square light 359 that is super short and very broken in. I used the California Hauler as the basis for this build to give it a bit more age and I was just anxious to build one. I shortened the frame and swapped the rear suspension along with the wheels, tires, and engine from a Diamond Reo kit. It turns out the big Cummins is too long and I ended up recessing the firewall a quarter inch because I didn't have any room to make it a long hood. After that the interior bucket didn't fit anymore so I ended up cutting the door panels off the interior floor and gluing them to the inside of the cab. Then I added styrene strips to the edges of the floor pan until it fit tightly into the bottom of the cab. The cab height is set by where the floor pan rests on the bottom of the door panels. I also rebuilt the door panels, adding the wood inserts, arm rests, kick panels, window cranks, and door handles. I also built the headache rack from Plastruct and Evergreen pieces.
Superpeterbilt Posted October 16, 2016 Posted October 16, 2016 (edited) Very cool project Brian. I love it! That is short for sure. I ran into the same firewall issue trying to put a 3406 in one of these kits. I dont know whats so different about the later issue 359 that comes with the cummins, because the radiator/hood/fireawall/cab fit seams to be the same, but obviously its not. Fine job on the headache rack. The suspension swap and engine weathering are excellent features also.Keep up the good work. Edited October 16, 2016 by Superpeterbilt
gatorincebu Posted October 16, 2016 Posted October 16, 2016     Cool project! I like your weathered seats. Though I think they need some duct tape ! lol       Be Well     Gator
Fat Brian Posted October 16, 2016 Author Posted October 16, 2016 Very cool project Brian. I love it! That is short for sure. I ran into the same firewall issue trying to put a 3406 in one of these kits. I dont know whats so different about the later issue 359 that comes with the cummins, because the radiator/hood/fireawall/cab fit seams to be the same, but obviously its not. Fine job on the headache rack. The suspension swap and engine weathering are excellent features also.Keep up the good work.The engine not fitting really threw me for a loop, I was not expecting that at all. The outcome was good, that's probably my best interior ever, but it was definitely not how I expected this build to go.
lapazleo Posted October 17, 2016 Posted October 17, 2016 The engine not fitting really threw me for a loop, I was not expecting that at all. The outcome was good, that's probably my best interior ever, but it was definitely not how I expected this build to go.The later Cummins powered kit has the newer 1100 series cab quite different from the old small window cab in actual dimensions even though their appearance is close. Neat little project.
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted October 17, 2016 Posted October 17, 2016 Very cool project!!! The interior is spot on!! It looks like it's right out of a Peterbilt brochure.
Fat Brian Posted October 17, 2016 Author Posted October 17, 2016 Very cool project!!! The interior is spot on!! It looks like it's right out of a Peterbilt brochure.I searched the interwebs over for a few grainy, ancient interior pics to get it right. I should have made the kick panels go all the up to the wood trim but otherwise it's pretty close. I found the pics but started building based on my memory of them and got it just a bit wrong but it still looks good. The interior is so dark with the windows in you won't see it anyway.
Fat Brian Posted October 17, 2016 Author Posted October 17, 2016 The later Cummins powered kit has the newer 1100 series cab quite different from the old small window cab in actual dimensions even though their appearance is close. Neat little project.Unilite cab Petes did come with Cummins engines though, right? I mean, the swap should work in real life.
Tesla Posted October 17, 2016 Posted October 17, 2016 Great model subject! The weathering and interior look great.
lapazleo Posted October 17, 2016 Posted October 17, 2016 Unilite cab Petes did come with Cummins engines though, right? I mean, the swap should work in real life.Yes they did.
Fat Brian Posted October 19, 2016 Author Posted October 19, 2016 (edited) I've made a little more progress in the last few days, I got the dash and steering wheel in along with the front windows. I didn't like the way the front window on the passenger side fit so I ended up cutting two new windows from clear plastic. The seats and shifter will be attached to the floor pan and inserted on final assembly. I also made some wheel chocks to hang from the headache rack. Edited October 20, 2016 by Fat Brian
Fat Brian Posted October 24, 2016 Author Posted October 24, 2016 I'm getting into the home stretch now. I got the seats and gear shift glued to the interior floor, I also did some dry brushing on the frame and headache rack in anticipation of adding some chain and binders there. Finally, I built a bracket to hold the tail lights and license plate. Does anyone know where I could find a current style North Carolina truck plate?
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted October 24, 2016 Posted October 24, 2016 (edited) I'm getting into the home stretch now. I got the seats and gear shift glued to the interior floor, I also did some dry brushing on the frame and headache rack in anticipation of adding some chain and binders there. Finally, I built a bracket to hold the tail lights and license plate. Does anyone know where I could find a current style North Carolina truck plate? Brian, this may not be the best way, but I usually take a picture and put it into a word program a play with it until I get the size that I want. I cover it with clear box tape after I have printed it. Looking great by the way!!! Edited October 24, 2016 by DRIPTROIT 71
Fat Brian Posted October 24, 2016 Author Posted October 24, 2016 Brian, this may not be the best way, but I usually take a picture and put it into a word program a play with it until I get the size that I want. I cover it with clear box tape after I have printed it.Looking great by the way!!!That sounds like a great idea, thank you.
Fat Brian Posted October 25, 2016 Author Posted October 25, 2016 how did you do the texture on the headers? It's an antiquing set from Sophisticated Finishes. The two part process starts with a paint that is basically iron powder in some kind of liquid which you paint onto the part. Next is a solution of water, copper sulphate and something else which you wash over the iron paint to rust it. The kit is about $20 at craft stores but comes with several years worth of stuff.
Fat Brian Posted October 30, 2016 Author Posted October 30, 2016 I got all the brightwork on the cab and got it attached to the floorpan for the final time. I just need to scratch up some hood hinges and bumper mounts and make some chains and goodies for the headache rack and she'll be done.
anarximis Posted November 3, 2016 Posted November 3, 2016 It's an antiquing set from Sophisticated Finishes. The two part process starts with a paint that is basically iron powder in some kind of liquid which you paint onto the part. Next is a solution of water, copper sulphate and something else which you wash over the iron paint to rust it. The kit is about $20 at craft stores but comes with several years worth of stuff. ive wanted to try that i just cant find anywhere that sells it
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted November 3, 2016 Posted November 3, 2016 Looks Great Brian!! Great Work!! My kind of Peterbilt!
Fat Brian Posted November 3, 2016 Author Posted November 3, 2016 (edited) ive wanted to try that i just cant find anywhere that sells itI got it at Michael's but I think it's on Amazon too. The results are definitely worth it when you need something truly rusty. Edited November 3, 2016 by Fat Brian
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