Resto Rod Autocar

[Gary Chastain]

Next project up on the bench. Never done a Resto rod truck conversion, so my version is as follows, subject to change. Late model turbo engine and transmission, air ride suspension front and back, custom tanks with wide straps, new battery boxes (Kenworth style), dual stacks, stretched frame, sleeper, custom visor, custom headache rack with tool boxes, update to dual headlights (similar to Peterbilt 359) , ten hole wheels with floats, maybe rear fenders, and….and……

The idea is a updated heavy hauler (the bosses truck)

now to order some parts. 

[Gary Chastain]

Thank you Jeff Robinson (Biggu ). Been bouncing this idea of him and listening to his thoughts. Thanks buddy. 

[Biggu]

49 minutes ago, Gary Chastain said:

Thank you Jeff Robinson (Biggu ). Been bouncing this idea of him and listening to his thoughts. Thanks buddy. 

MORE than my pleasure pal! This is going to be exciting. And another one off rare one. Maybe we should have a ‘Rare Build’ thread lol, the sky is the limit with this one. I’m excited to see where this goes ….

[Pete68]

Always seated for a Acar build.  Going to be a cool one 

[Gary Chastain]

Parts are ordered, well at least what I could find. Could not find a1:25 scale air ride front suspension, if anyone knows where I can find one let me know, all help appreciated. Exhaust from ST Supply coming as well. 

now waiting for USPS

[Jürgen M.]

Hey Gary, If you have pictures and measures I might be able to help you out with a "home made" version!

You'd need someone to print it for you though. I could send you the .stl file when the drawings is completed. First you'd get a screenshot of the drawing of course so you can judge it's correctness!

It's just an offer! 

[Biggu]

This is gonna be cooooooolllll

[Gary Chastain]

41 minutes ago, Jürgen M. said:

Hey Gary, If you have pictures and measures I might be able to help you out with a "home made" version!

You'd need someone to print it for you though. I could send you the .stl file when the drawings is completed. First you'd get a screenshot of the drawing of course so you can judge it's correctness!

It's just an offer! 

Thanks JM, but I don’t have access to a 3d printer, not even close to me. But thank you so much for the offer. Worst case scenario, I will use spring front suspension, appears most air sprung trucks use leaf spring front. 

[Jürgen M.]

No problem!

If the quality is sufficient enough for you I could print them myself and send you the parts!

Just for the case you don't find elsewhere what you need!

Don't want to be intrusive, Just trying to help!

[Gary Chastain]

2 minutes ago, Jürgen M. said:

No problem!

If the quality is sufficient enough for you I could print them myself and send you the parts!

Just for the case you don't find elsewhere what you need!

Don't want to be intrusive, Just trying to help!

This group is impressive, members offering help, giving positive advise. Thanks JM and Jeff. Let you know JM. 

[BK9300]

It’s amazing what’s available out there these days - I couldn’t find an Airliner suspension in Feb/23 when I started looking for parts.  I wonder if it’s available in 1/24.  What type of engine have you settled on?  Will be quite the build!

[Gary Chastain]

17 minutes ago, BK9300 said:

It’s amazing what’s available out there these days - I couldn’t find an Airliner suspension in Feb/23 when I started looking for parts.  I wonder if it’s available in 1/24.  What type of engine have you settled on?  Will be quite the build!

Turbo six, I have one from a late model KW and I have a resin MX15 Cummins which I bought for an upcoming project. The hood is a bit narrow for a Detroit, although it might fit. The hood is long which helps the 6 cylinder fit easy………I think. Once I get the frame together I will mock up the six, need room for a radiator and air exchanger for turbo. 

[BK9300]

13 minutes ago, Gary Chastain said:

Turbo six, I have one from a late model KW and I have a resin MX15 Cummins which I bought for an upcoming project. The hood is a bit narrow for a Detroit, although it might fit. The hood is long which helps the 6 cylinder fit easy………I think. Once I get the frame together I will mock up the six, need room for a radiator and air exchanger for turbo. 

Funny, when you said 'Resto rod .. with modern turbo engine', I first thought about the Tyrone Malone 1,200 hp, dual turbo Detroit Diesel!  I guess that would be way too much for a daily driver

[Gary Chastain]

8 minutes ago, BK9300 said:

Funny, when you said 'Resto rod .. with modern turbo engine', I first thought about the Tyrone Malone 1,200 hp, dual turbo Detroit Diesel!  I guess that would be way too much for a daily driver

Oh….I thought about it as well, actually dug out that kit. This build has no rules, so that being said, ya never know???. Might build it up for giggles and check the fit. 

[dust collectors]

Looking forward to watching this thing take shape.

[Gary Chastain]

2 minutes ago, dust collectors said:

Looking forward to watching this thing take shape.

Thanks Jeff

[James2]

Well Ok then ya got my interest....

[Gary Chastain]

Maybe going off the deep end on this build. Went to Hobby Lobby today and picked up the Malone KW Aerodyne (40% off as a donor kit), it has a good air ride suspension that I could use. 

a mock-up as a three axle heavy hauler (maybe) with air lift third axle  

still working out engine but looking at the V-12 from the Malone KW drag truck, not sure if it will fit under the hood, but starting there. If not , of to a straight six. And yes, I am working on two builds at the same time…….. squirrel 

[Gary Chastain]

Frame stretched, removing all the locating tabs for stuff that I will not be using and clean up. 

[Force]

Of course you can use the Kenworth Air Glide 100 8 bag air ride if you want to but it's not seen on many other trucks than just Kenworth's.
I think I would go with a Neway air ride suspension myself or something else like it, it's easy to do one-, two- or tri-drive with that type suspension as you only add on as many as you like.
Auslowe used to have the Neway but appearently not at the moment.

Edited November 16, 2024 by Force

[Jürgen M.]

Wow, that's gonna be interesting to follow! Great idea the whole thing! 

[Biggu]

Paul at STSupply has a Neway setup, not sure if it is in stock at the moment or not ….. sky is the limit on this idea, Gary. 
 

Jeff

[Gary Chastain]

6 hours ago, Force said:

Of course you can use the Kenworth Air Glide 100 8 bag air ride if you want to but it's not seen on many other trucks than just Kenworth's.
I think I would go with a Neway air ride suspension myself or something else like it, it's easy to do one-, two- or tri-drive with that type suspension as you only add on as many as you like.
Auslowe used to have the Neway but appearently not at the moment.

Agree with you Hakan, but I spent a whole evening trying to find something in 1:25 scale air ride and could not find anything. I did order an air glide from a 3d printer but can’t get confirmation of the order or delivery date. I will check ST again in case something just came in. Even thought about hacking apart a 900 KW which I may still do (parts molded to frame). Just happened to run across that Cabover KW for cheap and I thought, well that will work. So for the moment it’s still up in the air. 

[Gary Chastain]

10 minutes ago, Biggu said:

Paul at STSupply has a Neway setup, not sure if it is in stock at the moment or not ….. sky is the limit on this idea, Gary. 
 

Jeff

Going to go look again at what’s in stock. 

[Gary Chastain]

5 hours ago, Jürgen M. said:

Wow, that's gonna be interesting to follow! Great idea the whole thing! 

Thanks Jürgen, that’s the problem with being retired, I have too much time to think about really cool builds and then…….squirrel….started another build. Need to stop and finish some, got three going now.