Jim B Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 Interesting project. Definitely a daycab.While we're on the subject, since I have no talent for scratchbuilding (I can barely get the kits together, some times), has anyone ever cast the Big Al? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landman Posted June 6, 2017 Author Share Posted June 6, 2017 (edited) Looks like I might attempt to scratchbuild one. While looking on the web for photos etc., I came across a Big Al Facebook page.Turns out there was ONE Longhorn built with a BigAl. So Terry was right on the button when he said rare. Edited July 7, 2017 by landman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim B Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 About rare as hen's teeth! I've heard that the Bighorns were more popular in Canada than the US. Don't know if that's true, but that's what I've heard. Wonder if the Big Al powered Bighorn was a Canadian or US truck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landman Posted June 6, 2017 Author Share Posted June 6, 2017 (edited) About rare as hen's teeth! I've heard that the Bighorns were more popular in Canada than the US. Don't know if that's true, but that's what I've heard. Wonder if the Big Al powered Bighorn was a Canadian or US truck.Here's what i found. Once you open that go to Bighorn on the lower left and click on it. It should open to the page with the production figures.http://olddodges.com/index1.htm Edited June 6, 2017 by landman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landman Posted June 7, 2017 Author Share Posted June 7, 2017 (edited) Modified the Snap frame to accept the resin cab while maintaining reasonable height and centering the wheels in the fender openings. ended up having to remove the entire sleeper platform. Found a suitable location for the hood hinge. Edited December 3, 2020 by landman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordboy1975 Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 The one thing I hate about these trucks, is the hood, in my book they are a bit too long.looking good so far!like the engine options! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar - D Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Looking good so far Pat looking forward to seeing more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modeltruckbuilder Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 (edited) - Edited December 26, 2017 by Modeltruckbuilder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordboy1975 Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 The long hood was what made these so attractive.I'm just saying in my book it's just too long... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landman Posted June 8, 2017 Author Share Posted June 8, 2017 I'm just saying in my book it's just too long... Scott by changing just two letters, you'd get Big Hood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landman Posted June 8, 2017 Author Share Posted June 8, 2017 About rare as hen's teeth! I've heard that the Bighorns were more popular in Canada than the US. Don't know if that's true, but that's what I've heard. Wonder if the Big Al powered Bighorn was a Canadian or US truck.Jim, best I can determine from reading several forums on the topic the one with the BigAl was ordered by Allis Chalmers themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 Oooh! A Persian Orange Big Horn with a purple Big Allis Engine, I'm liking the the thought! Maybe some Allis Diamond Emblems on the doors! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim B Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 Thanks for the info, Pat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell C Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 (edited) ....just saying in my book it's just too long...There is a way around this, with some work, if you take the custom route. I always thought Big Horns were really tough looking, but the cab was too short and maybe the hood was a bit too tall. So what I did was to do a photo alteration (seen at my 'no time for these project ideas' thread) where I sectioned the lower part of the hood and made the cab taller. Wouldn't be a real Big Horn, but it might be an entertaining custom. Edited June 8, 2017 by Russell C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 Thanks for the info, Pat.Jim would it be possible to post a couple of pictures of your Illini BigHorn? I've never seen one. I may be wrong, but it looks to me like this Frontier cab and hood captures the dimensions better than my RMR conversion. I always thought that the hood was a little too small or the cab was a little too big on the RMR compared to the real thing. I don't want to hijack Pat's thread here, but I would like to see how the Illini cab compares. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landman Posted June 12, 2017 Author Share Posted June 12, 2017 (edited) Added a couple of crossmember to make up the torsional rigidity lost when the sleeper platform was cut off. Edited December 3, 2020 by landman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landman Posted June 13, 2017 Author Share Posted June 13, 2017 (edited) On this one I was going to be brave and do some brake lines....until I realized it has no brakes. So I rand lines to the airbags instead using this sketch and a bit of artistic licence. Edited December 7, 2020 by landman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landman Posted June 15, 2017 Author Share Posted June 15, 2017 (edited) Started blanking out those square headlights to add round one which will be donated by the '49 Merc. Started drilling some of the 800 or so holes in the grille. easy to get hand cramps. Edited December 7, 2020 by landman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 Wow! 800 holes. By my figures that's probably a conservative estimate. A lot of work, but looking great!! Can't wait to see this one done!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 That is going to be a bear trying to drill out all of those holes in the grill and have them all be evenly spaced. How about cutting them all out and replacing them with a piece of photoetch. I know I have seen some by Model Car Garage that would be just what you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobus Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 wel see how you do this think wat charles say,s , there is a lot of nice photoetch grill mesh arround , and iit wil look,s also good1 mistake with drilling and .....follow this onejacobus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landman Posted June 15, 2017 Author Share Posted June 15, 2017 I have some expanded metal mesh. I thought of cutting the grille fabric panels out but this resin is very soft. I'd have to find a way to do it so that there is something left to support the pressure of whatever I'd be using. Maybe starting in the center and working out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olsbooks Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 For what it is worth, consider using window screen or similar as a template of sorts. Set the screen over the grille, hold it in place with some tape and have a blast. Once you get a hole drilled, insert a toothpick, piece of wire or ???? so the screen does not "walk" on you. This part is never much fun and as others have said, and fraction of a millimeter off becomes an eye magnet to the builder. I'm fighting a similar battle on exhaust heat shields right now. Words normally subject to potential censorship seem to become quite tempting. Good luck. Nice project. Keep us posted. Peace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landman Posted June 16, 2017 Author Share Posted June 16, 2017 (edited) Started rummaging around for something to use as a base for the engine. Turns out the DAF 2800 I bought on eBay along with a few other Euro engines will do fine. It even has a similar front cover bottom. Started by removing the water pump frpm the DAF. Then removed what looks like a water manifold Removed the compressor and injector unit Patched some holes. The DAF only had part of the oil pan. Made up the rest. Edited December 7, 2020 by landman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fordboy1975 Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 I know what you can do for the grill instead of painstakingly drilling out each hole, remove all the places the holes are, and put in some drywall sandpaper, the kind with all the holes, it's much easier, and it's a lot more tolerable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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