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Posted

My next build started off like others browsing the web for inspiration. I stumbled onto a twin steer mixer from Canada,  and decided I needed a challenge. Canadian trucks typically have large 72 inch axle spreads , and I just happen to have a rubber block suspension stashed from plaskit. The rest of the build will rely heavily on the aftermarket.  I had  parts  for an mtm mixer Dave Natale had cast yrs ago thats going into service here. 

Lucky for me theres a cab available from Dave Carey in the form of his " modern construction truck"  aka CT660. A quick email later and it arrived . 20220312_145726.thumb.jpg.c8a264d83145ea118707f32b9d50956f.jpg

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Dave suggested the paystar for a donor chassis, so I phoned in a favor and a shiny new set of frame rails arrived . Not wasting time,  I mocked up the parts onto the stock rails....before its future stretch lol.20220317_201106.thumb.jpg.6004c97bf99a578605817f77bd7241cc.jpg

I carefully grafted 2 paystar frames together using the stock springs to achieve my front susp. 20220320_180931.thumb.jpg.12e84b3b37c3366745a87d6b51f51274.jpg

Building a set of frame rail stands allowed me to mock everything up and admire my work..and realize the marathon ahead lol. Ignore the autocar spoke rear wheels..their temporary. Theres a short extension needed behind the rear pedestal to complete my frame mods. The rubber block works  perfectly for this build. 

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Next up frame clean up, and start making mounts for the cab/  hood..hence the marathon.

Jeff

  • Like 3
Posted
15 hours ago, DRIPTROIT 71 said:

Looks like a really cool project! I’m sure that this will be good!!

 

Thanks Brian, something I've wanted to try for awhile now 

Posted

Chris - thanks for the photo of the mixer! I've seen several different layouts of the rear axles , your photo does have a smaller spread 

Here's the inspiration photo I'm going from

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Posted
15 hours ago, Fabrux said:

Ahh! Lafarge pulled out of here a number of years back, so I've not seen their rigs for a while.

It's the only photo I could source of a twin steer Cat in the wild, I'll likely try down sizing the walking beam to smaller spread.

11 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Man...cool truck. I've never seen anything like that before. Definitely watching and learning here.    :D

Thanks Ace ! Haven't seen ya around the big rig section, glad to have ya following along , and your input along the way

Posted

Looks like a great project.

We don’t have anything like that around here. Every thing here is the front discharge type.

When you get around to mounting the cab and hood, I would very much appreciate it if you could give us a quick rundown on your method for mounting these aftermarket items.

I have yet to delve into the resin cab conversions ( I intend to in the future ) and I really have no clue whereto start.

Thanks

   Rog ?

 

Posted

Thanks Roger I'll definitely post photos of the mounting parts. Thankfully a model buddy sent photos of the mounts that the caster made for his build. I'll start on that area this wknd hopefully 

On 3/23/2022 at 12:48 PM, Gary Chastain said:

Wow, love this build, following 

Thanks Gary 

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Picked up a huge batch of goodies for the Cat yesterday,  planning a few hrs of bench time later to get this build rolling along 

Posted
4 hours ago, carsntrucks4you said:

Thats an interesting truck. I also have the Modern Construction Truck and don't had an idea how to build it. Now i have one?

Its a good cab for building something more modern. I have a few pics of the mounts still to fabricate. 

I started getting all the new wheels and tire combos together last night. The front will have wide floats from gw trucks, along w his 10 hole Alcoa wheels. The rear tires are also gw trucks rubber,  using his 22 inch  sds drives . The wheels are scenes unlimited 2 hole budd w drive hubs . The metal steering axles will add strength up front and allow me to pose it

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The front floats , I really like the off road tread on these . 

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  • Like 1
Posted
2 hours ago, Mopar - D said:

Nice parts Jeff. Are those SDS Drivers from GW? 

Yes those are the SDS drives . I use them on almost all my builds 

Posted

Sorry its been a few days since the last update. I decided to experiment with a different vehicle,  so the hunt was on. My loved Ram 1500 was burning thru the strategic oil reserves faster than I liked..so it was traded. I honestly can say that was the toughest truck to sell off I've ever owned, and our new family member has some enormous shoes to fill. 

I happen to find an available vehicle,  and we ran to dealer to try it out. Everyone liked it, so I left the Bighorn keys w them and brought the 2022 Explorer XLT home. Hopefully they don't get upset about the box of squirrels I left under the tonnue cover lol .

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Posted

Shortened up the walking beam after photos posted earlier , really like the look better. Removed 6mm(1/4" ) out of each.The wheels are loosely attached here

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While working on suspension parts. I installed the metal hubs and steering links. After a few minutes researching twin steer steering designs, I settled on a bell crank pull- pull  set up for simplicity and  I had enough of the angled arms to run that type. Now the brain cells can get a work out lol. Heres the drivers side. The steering rod hasn't been installed yet

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Any feedback or ideas I appreciate them, this is new territory for me 

Posted
On 4/8/2022 at 6:17 AM, gotnitro? said:

Sorry its been a few days since the last update. I decided to experiment with a different vehicle,  so the hunt was on. My loved Ram 1500 was burning thru the strategic oil reserves faster than I liked..so it was traded. I honestly can say that was the toughest truck to sell off I've ever owned, and our new family member has some enormous shoes to fill. 

I happen to find an available vehicle,  and we ran to dealer to try it out. Everyone liked it, so I left the Bighorn keys w them and brought the 2022 Explorer XLT home. Hopefully they don't get upset about the box of squirrels I left under the tonnue cover lol .

20220406_151208.thumb.jpg.e2a8ceed1b910aae89741522447db3c6.jpg

 

I have been renting 2 of these recently. I had one for 3 weeks and swapped it for another one, not sure how long I will have it. I like these Explorers, great cars to drive. I am currently using one to drive from Yakima Wa. to Kamloops BC. 7 hours each way. I'm not sure what engine you got, the ones I have had are 4 cyl turbos and get right at 20 MPG. Better than my Suburban, but not near as good as my wifes Forester at 31+ MPG.

Anyway, hope you enjoy it, they are very nice. 

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