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Posted (edited)

Continuing with work on the cab and hood, I was looking at pics of the real truck's firewall and noted, for the first time, the two hood support platforms.  The mating sections of the hood supports are mounted on the inner hood brace and I thought about how they could be made.  Seems I can't just sit down and make anything out of my head, so I made a 3D model to visualize the supports.  With an idea of how the parts go together and pics of the real truck supports, I had my day set out!

 

The real truck hood support -

WShoodsupport.JPG.4da458359ff5a6562a95e3fd20df915f.JPG

 

My 3D model - invaluable to me, because its built to scale of the model and I can get precise measurements from the digital model - thankfully!

hingesection.JPG.4054e647a54ac71f35ff5fad8cf0cb80.JPG

 

Support platform brackets assembled and platforms about to be put together -

IMG_3033.jpg.eb2b121e3606b34b5b4fd59781dd975e.jpg

The temporarily mocked up brackets and platforms are pinned together so the platforms can swivel to line up with parts of the supports to be mounted on the hood brace (not made yet - hopefully, tomorrow) -

IMG_3037.jpg.43f0eb64e6710dd12b9b74abbd24ab92.jpg

 

Black mark for locating the other part of the hood support - I did go back and check some different pics and the steering rod will come out of the firewall between the hood bracket and the white, repaired patch on the firewall

IMG_3035.jpg.d7e70c48113c8a678f4f5a7909cb82cb.jpg

 

Calling it a day - really appreciate all you who've had a look along the way and for all the generous comments, too - thanks!

 

 

Edited by BK9300
Typo
  • Like 5
Posted

Another impressive sub-project. There have been so many “smaller” builds within this build. Each one a model in and of themselves, and an achievement in their own right.

Posted (edited)
17 minutes ago, vincen47 said:

Another impressive sub-project. There have been so many “smaller” builds within this build. Each one a model in and of themselves, and an achievement in their own right.

Thanks a lot, Victor - much appreciated!

Edited by BK9300
Posted

And I think I make work for myself…sheesh! Seriously though, I don’t think you have missed a detail. Very impressive work Brian. Sure could have used your plow truck in my driveway this past week, just sayin…

Posted

Excellent work adding all the right details!

All of the fabrication work and custom parts look extremely sharp and accurate.  Bravo~

Posted (edited)
On 2/8/2025 at 6:50 PM, Steve H said:

And I think I make work for myself…sheesh! Seriously though, I don’t think you have missed a detail. Very impressive work Brian. Sure could have used your plow truck in my driveway this past week, just sayin…

Thanks, Steve!  I’m able to see the end in sight, although I keep delaying it with little side trips like these supports - this build has been a real ‘test bed’ for me and thankfully, it’s mostly turned out very gratifying!

On 2/8/2025 at 7:12 PM, cifenet said:

Excellent work adding all the right details!

All of the fabrication work and custom parts look extremely sharp and accurate.  Bravo~

I appreciate that, Steve.  Still some cleanup on the supports to do, but pleased with the result so far!

15 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

You are a Styrene artist my friend, this is high quality work, the photos speak for themselves! 👍

High praise from you, Francis, thanks very much!

15 hours ago, Biggu said:

Master Class. 

Thanks, Jeff - appreciate the technical help along the way!

11 hours ago, baloney said:

Awsome work .Awsome patience.

Thanks, Gilles, I’m glad you checked this out!

Edited by BK9300
  • Like 1
Posted

My pleasure Brian, I’m glad some of the info was of some practical use. I , for one, can’t wait for your next update. This is like candy, that I can’t get enough of …… the only thing about this kind of candy is , it won’t make me fat ! 

Posted
22 hours ago, Randy D said:

Simply some of the finest modelling on this forum my friend!!!

Randy

A considerably generous compliment, Randy - I take inspiration and motivation from builds such as yours!

  • Like 1
Posted (edited)

Before I made a start on the hood hinges, I did a bit of tidying up on the hood support platforms on the firewall.  After that, best efforts were made to take finicky measurements (with eyes that need much assistance from readers and magnifying lamps!) to start in on the hinges for the hood. 

 

In looking at previous pics of the hood support platforms, they appeared 'heavy' to me.  So, firstly, I added some weight reduction holes like those on the actual truck - I think I took some liberties with the number of holes!

IMG_3047.jpg.5384cf5f7397cb60a145950f131dc9f8.jpg

 

Secondly, in order to thin the flange on the supports, I made a cutout in the shape of the support in 1.0 mm sheet, wedged the support in the cutout and sanded the edges flush with the sheet

IMG_3048.jpg.b30847eea2c8c234425072b1a6ad7689.jpg

 

The supports now look, to me, to be lighter and more scale appropriate in their place on the firewall

IMG_3049.jpg.b1b6b09906638e3f7ac1aba1cd199ce6.jpg

 

The flange is now just a tad over half as wide as it was before

IMG_3051.jpg.5e061cccf453ed38e547998d15c2c3ff.jpg

 

This hinge assembly and it's mount to the frame is the goal of the next few days - at least something resembling it and functioning like it!

Capture.JPG.7003b8e287b35886f34d3c63c50f176d.JPG

 

After lots of measuring, re-checking, and mocking up the hood in place on the truck, I fabricated the hinge brackets out of some rectangular tubing, trimmed them to fit the width of the rod end pivot and glued them in place

IMG_3039.jpg.6b784164f5d007ec59eee1e76dcc392d.jpg

 

The fasteners in the pic are too big for scale - I likely won't use this size when finishing the hinges - they are mostly being used to position the rod end to see about how/where I need to make the hinge mount that attaches to the frame

IMG_3040.jpg.18d442d253bd82a510c6afee9c014396.jpg

 

The hood is very close to it's final position - the plastic spacer underneath the grille surround is needed to determine hinge mount location, because the bottom edge of the hood will pivot down a bit

IMG_3053.jpg.cab5bf81d17078d320cfe349d62c3288.jpg

 

Not trying to be repetitive with the pics, but this pic now shows me the relationship of the rod end shaft and the approximate location I will need to attach the hinge support to the frame

IMG_3054.jpg.e8578b8d71e97895c4fd75c8bb31119a.jpg

 

Once the hinge assembly is sorted and temporarily in place, I can re-tape the cab and hood together, set the rod ends into the hinges and the cab on it's rear support and then, finally, set the front cab support to the correct height.  Hope to have brass pin locators for cab supports put in so the constant mockups for fit can be consistently repeated.

Doesn't seem like much went on today, but overcoming these details are huge for me.  Once cab and hood consistently fit in their final locations, then can get on to the remainder of detailing for hood, start on the cab interior and finally get to primer, paint and hopefully start final assemblies in a month or so - take care!

 

 

Edited by BK9300
typo
  • Like 6
Posted
On 2/12/2025 at 10:31 AM, Jürgen M. said:

This is so amazing! I can't take my eyes off this! 

Thanks very much, Jürgen - still plugging away!

16 hours ago, cifenet said:

Clever implementation and realistic result!  
 

Amazing stuff is going on here! 

Appreciate that, Steve - 'stuff' is slow going at the moment!

Posted (edited)

Quick update on the hood hinges - after some assistance from one of YRB's equipment managers, I now had two choices for hinges.  Apparently, there were at least two types of hinges found on 2010 WS 4900's.  The hinges on the truck I am modeling are more complex than the hinges made on trucks earlier in that model year.  I posted a pic of the more complex hinges previously.  I had a go at 3D modeling versions of both types before deciding.

 

The newer 2010 truck had these type of hinges -

 

hinge_3D_1a.JPG.f9678123e5842fab7ee6ccd047bfe2d9.JPG

 

 

The same model year, but produced earlier, had these type of hinges -

 

hinge_3D_3.JPG.93f11c189f2de2539665a33fa1d5a51e.JPG

I made an attempt at the newer type hinges, but was not satisfied with the results.  The older type of hinges are model year correct and, in my opinion, will be an achievable compromise.  All the elements in the hinges are sized to be made out of 0.5 and 1.0 mm sheet stock.

Either of these hinges likely could have been 3D printed, but the hood will be opened from time to time and I feel that making them out of styrene will leave them stronger than resin ones, given my intent to be opening the hood for display.  Bit of a set back today, but will be moving forward with older type hinges!  Take care.

Edited by BK9300
  • Like 2
Posted
22 hours ago, Rockford said:

It looks real in some of the photographs, it really is amazing quality.

Thanks for this, Steve!  Some unposted photographs have also shown me more than a few issues that needed fixing before I could post new pics!

21 hours ago, vincen47 said:

You are an amazingly fine artist and craftsman in styrene. Incredible.

Thanks for the kind words, Victor - I appreciate it.

  • Like 1
Posted

Been stressing a bit about the hinge mounts.  I needed to get the finished size to be as close to my Sketchup design as possible, or I would be off center with the hinge bolt that passes through the upper part of the hinge mount.  Then it became clear that, if I built the hinge as designed, but mounting it on the hinge bolt first, rather than on the frame, I could locate the hinge mount to the frame much easier than the other way around.  So, didn't get much bench time in yesterday, while messing with the design in Sketchup, but ended up feeling better about how to proceed!

 

I added this pic in because I don't do all my 'design' work in Sketchup! (mostly, I do though, because I'm a messy writer)

IMG_2664.jpg.e8f033cd5b4c59438e58791759a16807.jpg

 

While making sure about the hinge design, I imported just the hood, grille and front plow lift bumper from the truck 3D model, to better see the fitment of everything involved - all the items in the next two pics are exactly the size they are, or will be, on the physical model.

hood_closed.JPG.355d785cad0ac5bcb044eba2ca975a3f.JPG

 

While doing this, I could also pivot the hood open, centering on the pin in the hinge bolt, and it became clear that, in spite of all the measuring along the way, the hood might not quite open all the way before contacting the plow lift arm.   I can't (won't) move the hood forward slightly, because that affects the hinge bolt, hinge mount placement and then lastly, the fender wheel openings would be off center with the front axle - it's going to stay that way at this point!

hood_open.JPG.7c980a642892612dbb623bbbb480edd9.JPG

 

A final reference pic printed out to keep checking back to as I cut out all the pieces for the hinge mounts

hinge_3D_4.JPG.97c60e0889b5baedab7bee57f367cfa4.JPG

 

Partially assembled, lower hinge mount portions (at right), with upper section pieces waiting to be assembled

IMG_2665.jpg.014a0a64dffbdf6837ce0439f9645711.jpg

 

Upper and lower hinge mounts made, with light filing/sanding done - 'rubber' washers need to go between upper and lower sections and the front of each hinge needs to be drilled for the hinge bolt.

IMG_2670.jpg.547b856cb22b2d829f155714f3d09888.jpg

 

I'm going to use 0.5 mm brass pins to connect together the upper sections, rubber washers, and lower hinge sections to strengthen the whole mounts.  Will also pin the mounts to the frame after they have been glued in their final position on the frame.  Enough for today - progress on hinges feels good at this point but we'll se how it goes come time to attach hinge mounts to frame!  Take care.

  • Like 3
Posted

Beyond belief, this stuff.

I do find drawing stuff helps me to get things a bit closer to where they should be, but it's still trial and error a lot of the time. More error than trial actually. 

Posted
17 hours ago, Biggu said:

If I need a new Knee... to heck with the doctors, I'm coming to YOU !!!  Fantastic....

Too funny!  I could make a neat incision, but that would be all I would know how to do!

  • Haha 1
Posted
8 hours ago, Rockford said:

Beyond belief, this stuff.

I do find drawing stuff helps me to get things a bit closer to where they should be, but it's still trial and error a lot of the time. More error than trial actually. 

Thanks, Steve - I keep replacing the paper on my work space - if I had kept it all, there would be a scrap book full of my doodling about how I might have to make things.  Can’t do without drawing along the way!

  • Like 1

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