Jürgen M. Posted March 14, 2023 Posted March 14, 2023 Hi everyone, I'd like to share the build of my GMC General. It's the Coke version by AMT. But I promise, it's gonna look totally different!
Jürgen M. Posted March 14, 2023 Author Posted March 14, 2023 This much in advance: It's gonna be a 6x6 with a raised chassis. 8mm Higher which would mean about 8" in real! The front axle is a rear axle taken from a German M*A*N truck. The differential ist a steering box of a Mack truck. Hope you like it! 2
Rockford Posted March 14, 2023 Posted March 14, 2023 Looks interesting Jürgen, look forward to seeing it come together.
Jürgen M. Posted March 14, 2023 Author Posted March 14, 2023 Here's some more: I decided to add bigger wheels! The tires are amt as you can see, the rims are 3D-printed. Ordered in Austria! The engine was nice to assemble. Good fit, nice details. Unfortunately some parts were deformed such as the hood and parts of the sleeper. Hast to warm them up in the oven to get them at least close to original shape. Hodd hinges were actually missing so I had to find a plan b. I did! I used hinges of a Mack hood, drilled holes in them and put a metal axle through. That put the hood a bit further up front but that doesn't really matter. Looks like it's got a set back axle now. More pictures tomorrow! 1
Joe Nunes Posted March 14, 2023 Posted March 14, 2023 Looks like you are off to a good start with your project. Joe
Jürgen M. Posted March 15, 2023 Author Posted March 15, 2023 Thanks you! Now continuing: Here's the chassis. Like I said it's 8mm higher. Did that with a polystyrol angle profile bought at the hardwarestore. Engine fits perfectly. This was a bit tricky. I had to fit in a drive shaft from the front axle to the differential gear I added to the standard transmition. Just shortened a longer one and put the ends together in the correct angle. That's all for the moment. See ya later!
Jürgen M. Posted March 15, 2023 Author Posted March 15, 2023 I just noticed that the other picture was too blurry. Here's a better one! 1
Jürgen M. Posted March 15, 2023 Author Posted March 15, 2023 By the way, the typing mistakes are due to my auto correct being set in German. I sometimes just don't find them all before posting!
Jürgen M. Posted March 15, 2023 Author Posted March 15, 2023 Here comes more: The interior was not a big deal. Fitting the hood and the cab was though. As I said, the hood hinges were actually missing so I helped myself by using Mack hinges and a metal axle. Since the hood was deformed it still didn't fit perfectly after warming it up and bending it carefully to the shape it's supposed to have. Didn't Work out quite as well as expected but I didn't want to risk breaking it! Therefore it Looks a little crooked from a Front view! 2
Jürgen M. Posted March 15, 2023 Author Posted March 15, 2023 I agree! I wanted to do something different than just another tractor! This is how it goes on: I built a sleeper guard out of what ever you call those things the parts are stuck on! (Sorry, I'm German and my English has faded a bit in the last 40 years!) Anyway, it looks like this now: I was able to correct the hood a little bit so it doesn't look so weird hanging down on one side. But it's not finished yet! Looks a bit like an Alaskan Hauler 2.0 doesn't it?
Rockford Posted March 15, 2023 Posted March 15, 2023 It does look a little Alaskan. Remarkable progress! The word you were looking for is "sprue". Nice variation on the General.
Jürgen M. Posted March 15, 2023 Author Posted March 15, 2023 Hi Rockford, thanks for the word. I would never have guessed that one! ? Thanks for your input. Glad you like it! Here's some more: What's an all terrain truck without a spare? And of course a tool box: Airlines, ... 1
Jürgen M. Posted March 15, 2023 Author Posted March 15, 2023 I was able to correct the angle of the hood enough to make it look OK! The hood ornament was unfortunately allready broken from the beginning so I Had to mount it in two steps. It seems to tip over to one side a bit but that can happen when you're in rough terrain! Guess that's about it! I might add a bullbar of some kind but I haven't decided how it's supposed to look! Don't want it to destroy the main impression but it should make the truck look tough! I'll keep you up to date! ? 1
Jürgen M. Posted March 15, 2023 Author Posted March 15, 2023 I was able to correct the angle of the hood enough to make it look OK! The hood ornament was unfortunately allready broken from the beginning so I Had to mount it in two steps. It seems to tip over to one side a bit but that can happen when you're in rough terrain! Guess that's about it! I might add a bullbar of some kind but I haven't decided how it's supposed to look! Don't want it to destroy the main impression but it should make the truck look tough! I'll keep you up to date! ? 1
Jürgen M. Posted March 17, 2023 Author Posted March 17, 2023 Thanks! Glad you like it! Now I'm working on a trailer! It's gonna be a scratch build. I've got nothing but the wheels from my destroyed M*A*N truck. I'll show you a picture sometime. It was a 4-axle lumber truck with a two axle trailer. Anyway, I'm planning something like a pipeline transporter. Similar style as the Peerless Roadrunner just a bit longer and retractable in length! Hope it works out that way too!
Jürgen M. Posted March 17, 2023 Author Posted March 17, 2023 Here are the first steps of the making of the chassis: Like I said, it's from scratch! These are the first parts of the springs. Cut in half length wise, bent and cemented together so the stay bent. A square profile cut in short pieces to bundle the springs. Air suspension made of a muffler cut in pieces. The upper Part of the chassis. Suspension attached. Airtank attached and painted. That's as far as I've gotten Up to now! The wheels are Italeri. I painted the tires to make them look more authentic, Not like plastic. They're not completely dry yet that's why they still look so shiny! Of course the trailer has it's own spare! 1
Rockford Posted March 17, 2023 Posted March 17, 2023 Great scratchbuilding on the trailer! Your General is a brute.
Jürgen M. Posted March 18, 2023 Author Posted March 18, 2023 Thanks. I managed to fix my airbrush so the painting was easier and looks much better. I don't really like the Spray cans. There's so much solvent in them so it smells terrible even when the window's open. Next step will be the connecting rod from the trailer chassis to the truck. For that the General will get a hitch. Photos will follow!
Jürgen M. Posted March 18, 2023 Author Posted March 18, 2023 Here's the making of the hitch: You can take out the pin in order to hitch up the trailer! 1
Jürgen M. Posted March 19, 2023 Author Posted March 19, 2023 This is how it goes on: Wheels are just stuck on to see how it looks. Now the upper construction: Of course it's going to be painted. But it's not completed yet. 2
Dutzie Posted March 19, 2023 Posted March 19, 2023 Beautiful truck! Mad skills on your scratch building abilities.
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