My 1st Big Rig "Blue Collar"

[James2]

Kit arrived on Monday 10/28, I opened it up for a quick glance and stowed it away, but I can’t leave it alone. After researching all the issues with the cab, I decided to assemble it today. I used a 220grit flat surface to straighten the edges and then tape and liquid cement to slowly glue the outside seams together. Then removed the tape and did the inside. The rear panel was undersized so a cut a strip of styrene (red) for filler and glued both side. 

So this will be my winter build….

Edited November 6, 2024 by James2

[Gary Chastain]

Congrats on your first big rig build and you chose a challenging one. The cab seams are tuff to finish. Be watching. 

[James2]

^^^^^ Yes, they will be a challenge, but I'll give it my best. I think the seams came out as smooth as can be expected, I'm sure the rivets will be a hurdle. But I think the Archer resin rivets might take care of those. I'm in no hurry on this one.

I will be stretching the frame next....

[Biggu]

How long will the frame stretch be, James?  This is going to be an interesting build. Sitting in the front row for this one..

Jeff

[James2]

2 minutes ago, Biggu said:

How long will the frame stretch be, James?  This is going to be an interesting build. Sitting in the front row for this one..

Jeff

My search indicates 280”-310” WB. Still searching, this is all fairly new to me. 

[Biggu]

Just now, James2 said:

My search indicates 280”-310” WB. Still searching, this is all fairly new to me. 

They look cool BUT holy cow almost impossible to turn around in a tight spot …… hence the old trucker song ..” give me 40 acres and I’ll turn this rig around “. ???. I find the research most of the time is the best part of doing a specific truck. A guy can go a million different ways. Watching with interest ….

[James2]

Inspiration….

[Gary Chastain]

3 hours ago, James2 said:

^^^^^ Yes, they will be a challenge, but I'll give it my best. I think the seams came out as smooth as can be expected, I'm sure the rivets will be a hurdle. But I think the Archer resin rivets might take care of those. I'm in no hurry on this one.

I will be stretching the frame next....

The kit that you are using, did it come with two frames for tandem and single axle? If so the single axle (short frame) could be the donor for a frame section and should be the same height and width. 

[James2]

16 minutes ago, Gary Chastain said:

The kit that you are using, did it come with two frames for tandem and single axle? If so the single axle (short frame) could be the donor for a frame section and should be the same height and width. 

Yes it did, and that was my thought when I saw the rails. 

[BK9300]

Going to be an impressive looking truck - like the colour of your inspiration truck.

[James2]

Stretch:

Green 36” 206” WB, most likely.

Blue 48” 218” WB, too much.

Red 0” 170” WB, boring.

[Rockford]

So I'm boring!? You naughty boy. You've chosen an interesting subject for your first big rig! You're doing well dealing with the issues on this kit. I'm sure you're aware of the front track width issue too. Looks like it's going to be a head turner, enjoy it mate. 

[James2]

So after some more research I decided on a 220” WB, which works out to be 2”. I took a deep breath, cut the frame rails and glued things back together with thin aluminum as backer. 

[RoninUtah]

On 11/2/2024 at 9:56 AM, Gary Chastain said:

The kit that you are using, did it come with two frames for tandem and single axle? If so the single axle (short frame) could be the donor for a frame section and should be the same height and width. 

Yeah, the AMT White Freightliner SD/DD kit is probably my favorite donor- you get two frames for the price of one; if you can dig up another front axle and suspension somewhere you get two almost complete chassis! I must have bought a dozen of these over the years and only built two straight out of the box. And one of those wasn't exactly straight out of the box, as I backdated it to the '60s. 

Looks like you're doing a great job with this one, I'll be interested in seeing what you come up with! Getting rid of the seam between the two cab halves can be tricky, I never liked that idea of AMT's.

[James2]

6 hours ago, RoninUtah said:

Yeah, the AMT White Freightliner SD/DD kit is probably my favorite donor- you get two frames for the price of one; if you can dig up another front axle and suspension somewhere you get two almost complete chassis! I must have bought a dozen of these over the years and only built two straight out of the box. And one of those wasn't exactly straight out of the box, as I backdated it to the '60s. 

Looks like you're doing a great job with this one, I'll be interested in seeing what you come up with! Getting rid of the seam between the two cab halves can be tricky, I never liked that idea of AMT's.

I am glueing the frame together next, hopefully I can keep things straight and untwisted. Taking my time, using machinist blocks, clamps and squares. I think it will be good. I also took a fair amount of time prepping the body and glueing the seams together kind of like a plane fuselage. The seams turned out pretty flush and I'll be trying some Archer resin rivets when the time comes. I am debating on lowering the headlights too, I have an idea that might make that relatively easy. 

[Rockford]

Be interesting to see what you come up with for the headlights. I've just built the old Monogram Snap Tite 1/32 kit, totally unrelated, and that had the same issue with the headlamp height. they must have copied AMT's drawings! Coward that I am, I left well alone.

[Jürgen M.]

You're doing a great job. Considering it's your first big rig you have a great knowledge of details!

I built that one too in a quite simple version of a long cab three axle tractor. No improvements of AMT's errors or anything. Gaps between cab parts included! It was one of my first truck kits after about 25 years or so.

Yours is turning out much more professional already! Keep going!

Edited November 9, 2024 by Jürgen M.

[BK9300]

Your frame extension looks it will be quite strong with the aluminum bracing.  Do you intend to lower your truck like the inspiration truck appears to be?

[James2]

5 hours ago, Jürgen M. said:

You're doing a great job. Considering it's your first big rig you have a great knowledge of details!

I built that one too in a quite simple version of a long cab three axle tractor. No improvements of AMT's errors or anything. Gaps between cab parts included! It was one of my first truck kits after about 25 years or so.

Yours is turning out much more professional already! Keep going!

Not sure how professional it will be but I will do my best. 

4 hours ago, BK9300 said:

Your frame extension looks it will be quite strong with the aluminum bracing.  Do you intend to lower your truck like the inspiration truck appears to be?

Thanks, I had to shorten the cross bracing just a bit but all seem as straight and square as it can be. And yes it will be lowered!

[James2]

Preliminary set up for the head light correction. My idea is to remove the pieces inside the blue lines and then switch left for right. The offset layout would allow the lights to set lower with minimal damage to the cab. The hard part will be keeping both pieces the same size. Any thoughts?

[Jürgen M.]

Interesting approach! Hope it turns out as you expect! 

I'll keep watching! 

[RoninUtah]

I did something similar my first time I tried to tackle that correction. I couldn’t get them back into the right position, though, and it wound up looking a little cock-eyed, and with weird lumps when I tried to grind and putty it all smooth again. The second time, I just ground everything off, drilled in the right places, and then built it up again. I converted it from dual headlights to singles, though, so yours will be different. Also, I suspect that you will be better at the bodywork than I was. Good luck!

[BK9300]

Brilliant solution.

[James2]

Bench time today. I took a stab at smoothing the roof seam first. After a light coat of primer, I do believe I can get things figured out from here. Also flipped the headlights around to represent the 1:1 truck better. Some more careful smoothing to come. Thoughts so far?

[Old Buckaroo]

You're making great progress and this is one of the best AMT kits out there for making different variations.

I also backdated one back in my early years on the forum 2014 ?

You can see the pics (maybe dang watermarks) and perhaps get some ideas