1955 IH RDTC 405

[landman]

Top notch detailing on the engine!

X2 and then some.

 

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Checking in for August. I haven't touched this one since the middle of July. I hope to get back to it soon.

Thanks for all the comments!!

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Well I may be out of the contest, but I'm back to it now. After not touching it since July, I started fabricating the rear suspension. I also fabricated the tag axle. I hope to start making some progress now.

IMG_5722 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

Edited October 19, 2017 by DRIPTROIT 71

[extmcdriver]

Looking good Brain, good luck on this project!!!

[Ace-Garageguy]

 I remember those trucks well. When I was a kid they were one of my favorites ! But then most trucks were.

X2. Looking good.

[Chariots of Fire]

Strange that the springs are not centered on the axle.

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Strange that the springs are not centered on the axle.

I'm trying to replicate the Fabco Westcoaster tandem suspension that P.I.E. used. Why it was off centered, I do not know. Here is a few photos.

IMG_3173 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

 

Here you'll notice the center pivot is behind the rear drive tire.

IMG_1803 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

IMG_1791 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

[DRIPTROIT 71]

The offset may have been to add leverage to put more force on the drive axle, but that is only a guess.

[gotnitro?]

Your axles look great Brian ! 

Probably right about the axle Centerpoint position , had to be for weight transfer . 

[mackd]

Nice work .Very interesting this suspension, I had never seen .

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Thanks Guys!!

I spent a lot of time on this project today, although you don't see much progress, there was good bit.

IMG_5779 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

IMG_5781 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

[Ace-Garageguy]

Man, the chassis and suspension is really looking great.

Some of you truck guys care so much about getting the guts right, and do such nice work, I'm thinking I need to spend more time on this side of the board.

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Man, the chassis and suspension is really looking great.

Some of you truck guys care so much about getting the guts right, and do such nice work, I'm thinking I need to spend more time on this side of the board.

Thanks Bill! It's far from perfect, but I'm pretty happy with how it is finally coming together. I finished making the lower rods, and calling it a night. The passenger side of suspension is done except for some bolt detail.

IMG_5782 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

[disabled modeler]

I like what I see...cool..!

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Thanks Mark!!!

It's beginning to look like a truck now. Engine, transmission, and radiator are mounted and paint on the frame.

IMG_5811 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

IMG_5815 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

IMG_5813 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

[truckabilly]

This looks great. I like it a lot.

[guitarsam326]

Very nice work Brian! Who does those drive tires?

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Very nice work Brian! Who does those drive tires?

Thanks Sam! I bought those tires on Ebay. They were listed as Clint Freeman's, but when I got them they are solid cast resin. I don't know that Clint Freeman ever sold solid hard cast tires. Who ever made them, I really like them.

This looks great. I like it a lot.

Thanks!

 

 

I'm using Ertl style rear outer rims, so I made my pulleys hollow. They look like the real thing once the tires are on. I made the pulleys by gluing split rim rings together. I used a rubber band for the drive belt for demonstrative purposes. It's been my experience that rubber bands rot very fast, so I don't think that I will use one permanently. I'm still experimenting. Here's what it looks like.

IMG_5823 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

IMG_5824 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

IMG_5822 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

Edited October 28, 2017 by DRIPTROIT 71

[Rick315-8]

Fantastic work on this rare suspension setup Brian ! ......this old binder already looks just awesome in your mock up pics !...looking forward to see the rest of your progress.

[truckabilly]

This cool rig is just getting cooler. Very nice job Brian.

[DrKerry]

WOW, Brian, this is really coming together nicely!!!!!! Love the work on the rear suspension!!!!!!!!!!

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Thanks so much guys!!!!

The rubber band was too thick and out of scale. I searched and tried several options. I settled on half round styrene for the belts. Pulleys, belts, ans wheels and tires, painted and on.

IMG_6218 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

IMG_6219 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

[Mercuryman54]

Great looking build so far. This is going to be fantastic!!!

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Great looking build so far. This is going to be fantastic!!!

Thanks!!

A little more progress. I didn't like the tanks that came with the conversion, so here's my attempt at fabricating new ones.

You can see here the resin tanks compared to the ones I made:

IMG_6389 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

IMG_6388 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

I also have installed the floor pan to the chassis:

IMG_6390 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

IMG_6391 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

[truckabilly]

Wow, that´s awesome! I like what I see here.