I needed another project....T800

[gotnitro?]

I was staying pretty focused on my current build...then a huge box of plastic, rubber and resin arrived.  I fought the squirrels off  long enough, then caved in..

I'm building an Anteater T800, using all the updates I could source from plaskit, st supply and others. I'm planning a regular trailer, but adding a lift axle. 

Here's the pile so far, there will be more surprises along the way.

Hopefully I'll stay focused on this build ! 

Any comments or suggestions welcome 

Jeff

[Rockford]

I'd say seek help for your addiction but I'm suffering exactly the same problem. I've got that many projects on the go now I can't remember where I am up to with each one. If you do manage to get help give me their details. 

[Gary Chastain]

Oh, this will be good, will be watching??

[vincen47]

It’ll be a good project. Who could resist?

[gotnitro?]

20 hours ago, Gary Chastain said:

Oh, this will be good, will be watching??

Thanks Gary! I looked over your builds for inspiration 

13 hours ago, vincen47 said:

It’ll be a good project. Who could resist?

Thanks for following along! 

@Rockford haha I've tried getting help for the addiction, but get drawn back in by shiny new kits 

[gotnitro?]

Small update for the wknd, I assembled the kit frame and installed the T800 conversion frame brackets. I planned to replace the kit 8 bag rear susp w an air ride, but the parts looked very large next to the frame. 

I started  clearing space inside the resin hood to fit around the kit cowl. Theres more work to go, but its taking shape. I just set everything on the kit frame to check fit.

The entire project mock up...

Thanks for following 

Jeff

[Chariots of Fire]

Got a good start, there my friend!

[Gary Chastain]

Lookin good, like where this is going Jeff

[Warren D]

I'm interested to see how this will work.  I've been wanting to do one with an asphalt hopper on the back like Tilcon ran 20+ years ago.

[gotnitro?]

Thanks for following along! I attended a model show today, didn't get much work done. I nabbed a set of wheels from the mobius truck set a vendor was selling, hoping they'll fit the tires I bought from st supply 

[cifenet]

Nice job, everything is looking precise and it is looking great already!

[gotnitro?]

Decided to tackle the hood hinges tonite.I  never tried the tried n true paperclip method before, but understand why its so popular now. I previously glued the grill into the hood opening, braced w scrap angle for more glue surface.

I couldn't pass up a mock up. I'm using rubber from st supply, and mobius wheels. The lift axle tire looks a little large imo, but it may grow on me. The chrome will get toned down, its a little intense for a haul rig 

Jeff 

[Gary Chastain]

I have not seen the paper clip hood hinge, it looks very neat/clean. May have to experiment with that. Truck is looking really good. 

[gotnitro?]

@Gary Chastain it was a method suggested by plaskit, and worked really well. I learned real fast to trim the ends going into the pivots short, or they'll be challenging to remove lol

I tossed some different tires on the front, reminds me of the amt wide  floats. The lift axle tire is a standard amt tire, and being smaller diameter really looks better for the look I'm after.

I made up some axle bushings suggested by Gary Chastain to hold the moebius wheels on..perfectly smooth.

Next up, install the front suspension and proper cab mounts

[Gary Chastain]

This build is looking so good, like your tire choices. Moebius wheels seem a bit to perfect, I have heard of guys using some kind of really thin wash to add a more realistic look, but no idea of what they did. Not something I have experimented with. The updates you are incorporating will make this an outstanding build. 

[cifenet]

The hinge mechanism is nicely executed.  I like the idea you implemented.  Good setup so far!

[gotnitro?]

I puttered w the T800, starting on a possible engine for the build. I had ordered a C15 along with other goodies from st supply I'll leak photos of along the way..and its the 1st yellow engine I've ever built. The engine wasn't sent w instructions...and include a bunch of small parts. Luckily there's been a couple built on the forums, a quick search turned up photos. 

Here's what I have assembled so far...its not much, but I spent quite a while looking at photos working out how everything should go 

I'm leaving the valve covers off to paint separately, but hopefully I'm on the right track. I did notice a possible issue w the filter mount on the left side being very close to the frame...but recall plenty of knuckle busters working on Uncle Sam's trucks. 

 

 

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Very Nice! Looking forward to seeing more!

[Gary Chastain]

Will be watching the engine build

[gotnitro?]

On 5/13/2024 at 12:15 PM, Gary Chastain said:

Will be watching the engine build

I ran into a snag, wasnt totally unexpected.  The Cat wants more real estate under the hood to firewall than I currently have.  Looks like I'll need to break out the wheel of death and fling some molten plastic..aka doghouse. Just because I wondered,  I assembled the kit engine. The turbo hits the firewall also..heres the overall size difference between them

Decided to keep building the C15..maybe these photos will help answer someone's else's questions like I faced . Overall a very detailed engine, I just drilled a few holes deeper to fit tighter

I did tinker w making a jailhouse window in the headache rack..dicey sanding the very brittle parts

[gotnitro?]

On 5/12/2024 at 10:12 PM, DRIPTROIT 71 said:

Very Nice! Looking forward to seeing more!

Thanks for following Brian! This ones not getting a green leaker, which I'm used too

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Believe it or not, I ran into the same problem on my W900l. I didn’t have to make a very big dog house, but I did have to cut out the firewall and floor.

Looking good!

[gotnitro?]

I decided since the weather today was soggy and Cats typically don't like rain, I'd better find a way to keep it dry. First up was cutting the cab firewall and floor. 

The frame top flange needed to be sanded away, to clear the filters, after flipping the oil pan around..the engine seemed to fit !! 

Ignore that 70s era metal fan, I'll have to find a plastic one, or fab one. Guess I'll need to scratch an air cooler, or charger whatever they're called that piggyback on radiator.

Peeking inside to check the work ahead

Last for today was building a tool box under the rack, the deck plate is Don Mills diamond plate. 

Thanks for following along! 

[Gary Chastain]

Liking the progress, rear rack looks really good and appropriate 

[gotnitro?]

1 hour ago, Gary Chastain said:

Liking the progress, rear rack looks really good and appropriate 

Thanks Gary ! A fellow modeler sent photos of a truck at his workplace, I kinda copied that. I'll need to make some chain hooks once the paint flies to fill those hangers