Dieselhead Posted January 8, 2017 Posted January 8, 2017 (edited) So I thought I'd go ahead and make this thread to not get DQ'd. I'm still in the planning phase since I ordered an airbrush and the hose fittings weren't drilled out, so I'm gonna go and try to get a new hose from the LHS when they open on Tuesday. It's gonna be an MPC DM600 + AMT gravel trailer converted to a tandem axle. I plan to engine swap it and throw on a SX nose from GW trucks. Here's a (really rough) paintjob concept I made for the tractor. Still unsure of how I'm gonna paint the trailer body. Edited January 8, 2017 by Dieselhead
Superpeterbilt Posted January 8, 2017 Posted January 8, 2017 (edited) One tip on both of these kits, the axles are too long. Building the kits box stock puts the wheels way too far out from the frame. The engine swap sounds interesting, which are you going with? Edited January 8, 2017 by Superpeterbilt
Dieselhead Posted January 8, 2017 Author Posted January 8, 2017 One tip on both of these kits, the axles are too long. Building the kits box stock puts the wheels way too far out from the frame. The engine swap sounds interesting, which are you going with?Thanks for the heads up. I'm not really sure what'll fit the best - I was thinking a Cummins V903 or a 92 series Detroit, maybe a 3408.
gotnitro? Posted January 8, 2017 Posted January 8, 2017 Very cool sounding project. glad ya heard about the axle issues, it's actually very simple to fix, or order the mack rear axle set from Gary and it's ready to go .I have a few pics of one fixed on a steel hood dm I'm working on, I'll be happy to post them so you can see where the tweaks need to be . Have fun!
Dieselhead Posted January 8, 2017 Author Posted January 8, 2017 Very cool sounding project. glad ya heard about the axle issues, it's actually very simple to fix, or order the mack rear axle set from Gary and it's ready to go .I have a few pics of one fixed on a steel hood dm I'm working on, I'll be happy to post them so you can see where the tweaks need to be . Have fun!I would love to see the tweaks needed to make that work, all info helps.
guitarsam326 Posted January 8, 2017 Posted January 8, 2017 I havent built this kit yet but i do know that the frame widens at the front so you should be avle to shoehorn a V configuration engine into it fairly easy, cant waitto see what you do with it!
gotnitro? Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 Joe- here ya go ! The kit axles are too wide ( long) measuring from the axle body..disregard the axle ends that slide onto the rim..we'll chop them off next. This is a photo of the stock axles, note the exposed end near the spring attachment using a dremel or sanding stick remove about 1/ 8 off both ends of the axle. I measured the axle " case" after this and it was 2 inches. do both axles now whack a bit off the axle where wheels slide on, and that takes care of the width issue. I also shorten the spread of the springs. file this spring leaf on both ends even with one above it..now your spread is narrowed ! Other modelers pointed out these tips..I'm just paying it forward Hope this helps ! Jeff
Dieselhead Posted January 9, 2017 Author Posted January 9, 2017 Hope this helps !Jeff So if I understand correctly, the axles are not only too far apart, but also too long so the track of the wheels is too far apart?
Tesla Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 I like your ideas for this build. Now that you've been provided with all the tips for a proper build, I'm looking forward to your progress!
Superpeterbilt Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 Be careful narrowing the spread if your going to use oversized resin wheels. If your using the kit wheels, they do look far apart yes, but thats also because the wheels look tiny on these Macks. If your going with resin wheels, Id leave the spread as it is.
gatorincebu Posted January 10, 2017 Posted January 10, 2017 Sounds like a great project. On the dump trailer. You said you were going to make it a dual axle. Are you going to leave the frame the same length, or make it about 3' - 4' longer than the dump body? As not all dump bodies on these trailer are the same length as the frame. Be Well Gator
tbill Posted January 10, 2017 Posted January 10, 2017 this sounds like it's going to be a cool build, i like your line of thought on this combo.
Dieselhead Posted January 10, 2017 Author Posted January 10, 2017 Sounds like a great project. On the dump trailer. You said you were going to make it a dual axle. Are you going to leave the frame the same length, or make it about 3' - 4' longer than the dump body? As not all dump bodies on these trailer are the same length as the frame. Be Well GatorI'm gonna leave them the same length, I like that look better.Speaking of the trailer, I got some work done on it today - not much though. I got the parts off the sprue and attached the frame gussets and had them solvented in place before I realize both frames have an S-shaped warp along their whole length. Either curve of the S is about 1/4" off of square. Anybody have some ideas on how to try and true it up?
gotnitro? Posted January 11, 2017 Posted January 11, 2017 The only suggestion I can offer is run the frame under hot water and it should allow you to carefully bend it back into shape..kinda like taffy. This was an issue I dealt with on another build . just go slow and check your work. I've heard using cold water after its done sets the shape..but never done it. hope it works out
kilrathy10 Posted January 11, 2017 Posted January 11, 2017 Looking great.....This will look pretty good when it's all said and done.....
Dieselhead Posted January 11, 2017 Author Posted January 11, 2017 Went ahead and got the main dump body parts painted. It's my first time using an airbrush and I already love it. Outer body and tailgate is MM Gunmetal Metalizer, inner is a 2:1 (ish) mix of MM Burnt Iron Metalizer and MM Gunmetal Metalizer. I know that the paintjob's not perfect but I wanted to get done what I could while it was still nice out. I'll probably finish it up in a couple days. Frame is still warped, I need to use some heat next time because just straight clamping for about an hour didn't do anything.
purepmd Posted January 13, 2017 Posted January 13, 2017 Really like the direction you are taking this combination. Interesting engine choices, like V903 myself, very different.
Dieselhead Posted February 23, 2017 Author Posted February 23, 2017 Hey guys, thought I'd just to a quick update to adhere to TAT. Unfortunately, no news. It's been too cold for me to go into the garage or paint, and I've honestly just been too swamped with other things to get to modeling. I hope to get back in the saddle next month when it warms up a bit so I can actually work.
redneckrigger Posted March 2, 2017 Posted March 2, 2017 Life interferes, unfortunately! But, the build will still be there when you are ready......................and it looks super so far!
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