Gary Chastain Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 First time entering this challenge and it usually takes me over a year to build a project like this and starting a month late but we will see how it goes. Could end up with egg on my face. Just finished the mock-up of a Kenworth Express Delivery truck. Wanted a more modern looking rig and I have three T600A KW kits to choose from. The frame will need to be lengthened in front of the drive axles and extended at the rear for the air lift tag axle. I have several different lift axle kits from Auslow and KFS. Will add the wider more heavy duty front wheel set from Moebius. I will add either longer fuel tanks on each side or build with four fuel tanks, two per side. The lower tank fairings will be lengthened to reach the forward most rear drive axle. The cab will not receive much modifications but the sleeper fairings will be shortened. I used the Big Rig Semi Trailer kit for mock-up because the trailer is molded in two halfs in its length. I will probably build the cargo box from Evergreen so that I can use real wood floor. The side walls I would like to be smooth on the outside following the aerodynamic theme of the truck. Maybe laminate the interior walls with balsa to replicate the plywood lined truck walls. No idea about paint, nothing is slapping me in the face, yet. And……this is where it starts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbill Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 I like what you’ve got going on here, look forward to seeing this progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted February 4, 2022 Author Share Posted February 4, 2022 Thanks, might change my mind on a few aspects, see how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar - D Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Interesting build you have here Gary looking forward to seeing more progress pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted February 6, 2022 Author Share Posted February 6, 2022 Frame is now stretched to fit the new wheelbase. Tomorrow I can start building the chassis. I did find the wide front tires and rims I want to use in my parts drawers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutzie Posted February 6, 2022 Share Posted February 6, 2022 Cool looking ride you have going there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted February 7, 2022 Author Share Posted February 7, 2022 52 minutes ago, Dutzie said: Cool looking ride you have going there. Thanks, long way to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotnitro? Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 Great looking start ! Theres so many of the expedite trucks coming and going from my workplace, this really fits Like the blending of the aero KW w the trailer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted February 7, 2022 Author Share Posted February 7, 2022 Made some progress on the frame today. Also learned my kit came with no front brakes or even a backing plate, so I dug thru my parts and have enough parts to fabricate front brakes. Found to basic plumbing diagrams for big truck brakes and will follow that setup. Got all my brake valves, tees and elbows ordered today. Someone had posted what motors went into which kits and I identified my motor in the KW T600A, now to find detail pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted February 11, 2022 Author Share Posted February 11, 2022 Wow, went to internet to look at T600 rear suspension setup and I never knew they used so many axle brands, different axle setups and different spring setups. I am guessing it I’d based on carry weight, ride quality, straight truck or even tractor/trailer. So I switched rear suspension to a more heavy duty spring setup and added brakes from Auslow that have a lot more detail and are similar to what was on the internet. Drilled everything for air lines before assembly. Now I am sorting out the tag axle. I have three different tags from three different aftermarket makers. Axle height must match the drive axles, so working that out now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 10 minutes ago, Gary Chastain said: Wow, went to internet to look at T600 rear suspension setup and I never knew they used so many axle brands, different axle setups and different spring setups. I am guessing it I’d based on carry weight, ride quality, straight truck or even tractor/trailer. So I switched rear suspension to a more heavy duty spring setup and added brakes from Auslow that have a lot more detail and are similar to what was on the internet. Drilled everything for air lines before assembly. Now I am sorting out the tag axle. I have three different tags from three different aftermarket makers. Axle height must match the drive axles, so working that out now. Looks like you are doing a great job on this one. This kits drive train is from the W900 dating back to the early 70s and isn’t correct for a T600. It looks like you are rectifying that though. Looking forward to seeing more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted February 11, 2022 Author Share Posted February 11, 2022 3 minutes ago, DRIPTROIT 71 said: Looks like you are doing a great job on this one. This kits drive train is from the W900 dating back to the early 70s and isn’t correct for a T600. It looks like you are rectifying that though. Looking forward to seeing more! Thanks Brian, thought I was loosing my mind and could not figure it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted February 13, 2022 Author Share Posted February 13, 2022 Progress report: after a lot of fabrication work, I changed the drive suspension to dual springs (more appropriate for T600A KW) retaining the drive axles adding Auslowe brakes, then modified an air lift tag axle adding a straight axle and some Auslowe brakes. Going to need front flares with the wide tires, anyone know who makes some? Or put narrow tires and wheels on the front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotnitro? Posted February 14, 2022 Share Posted February 14, 2022 Nice work ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted February 14, 2022 Share Posted February 14, 2022 Really nice and awesome looking Rig.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted February 16, 2022 Author Share Posted February 16, 2022 My first attempt at air brake lines and air lines for the lift axle. Kinda represents the idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutzie Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 Love what you are doing here. Nice work! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted February 17, 2022 Author Share Posted February 17, 2022 First time plumbing brakes and air lift axle. Any advise for next time is good. Now to plumb the front brakes then build an air dryer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbill Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 Looking great so far, excellent progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Looking good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar - D Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Nice work on the air lines Gary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted February 19, 2022 Author Share Posted February 19, 2022 While I was waiting on parts to dry, I decided to cut the fake looking grill out and I will replace with screen of some kind. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotnitro? Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 plumbing looks fantastic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted February 20, 2022 Author Share Posted February 20, 2022 16 minutes ago, gotnitro? said: plumbing looks fantastic Thank you, the next build will be better, already thinking how I can improve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Chastain Posted February 20, 2022 Author Share Posted February 20, 2022 Finally got the colors sorted out and been playing with an app to design the decals. Coral blue will be applied to the front fenders and lower aero panels. The hood, cab, sleeper and cargo box will be white. Thinking about painting the top of the hood only in gloss or semi gloss black and the front flares will be semi gloss black. Decal will follow same color scheme. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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