Kenworth W-925

[Brenton]

I’m nervous about this one. No numbers on trees, old tooling….you name it! But I gotta try it. I’m gonna need a lot of insight and help from you guys that may have put one of these together. Chime in and let me know what’s the best way to tackle this one. I can already see those AMT instructions giving me nightmares. 
Im gonna start on the frame first…so wish me luck!

[Biggu]

Brenton, this is an old kit for sure, and certainly does have some challenges, but that is modelling.. to me anyway.... I have built about 15 of these over the years, and it can turn out to be a real nice model... my best advice, is to take good care in getting started, keep the frame dead straight and take your time on that part, it is a good foundation, I made sure I really cleaned the cross members and the corresponding places on the frame where they sit, and used a small square to make sure they were all straight and true , and I used a heavy block to hold the frame rails as I glued them and I did one or two at a time and gradually worked my way from front to back.... it is also lacking the inner fenders on the hood, which when added makes quite a difference in the lower look so to speak......  I will be watching what you do as I am sure I will pick up some good tips from you with your skill set...., I am always looking for the new things....

[Force]

Don't worry Brenton, I will be 61 soon and I built one when I was a teenager and didn't have any big troubles with mine as far as I can recall.
It was the Movin' On version and I still have it on my shelf.

Edited May 27 by Force

[Brenton]

1 hour ago, Biggu said:

Brenton, this is an old kit for sure, and certainly does have some challenges, but that is modelling.. to me anyway.... I have built about 15 of these over the years, and it can turn out to be a real nice model... my best advice, is to take good care in getting started, keep the frame dead straight and take your time on that part, it is a good foundation, I made sure I really cleaned the cross members and the corresponding places on the frame where they sit, and used a small square to make sure they were all straight and true , and I used a heavy block to hold the frame rails as I glued them and I did one or two at a time and gradually worked my way from front to back.... it is also lacking the inner fenders on the hood, which when added makes quite a difference in the lower look so to speak......  I will be watching what you do as I am sure I will pick up some good tips from you with your skill set...., I am always looking for the new things....

Thanks for your confidence and support!  I’m fairly new to truck building so those tips about the frame are well appreciated.

The comment about the inner fenders was interesting. I never really paid any attention to it. What did you do to correct that?

[BK9300]

Saw your new post while skimming through the forum this morning - looking forward to seeing your progress!

[Brenton]

1 hour ago, Force said:

Don't worry Brenton, I will be 61 soon and I built one when I was a teenager and didn't have any big troubles with mine as far as I can recall.
It was the Movin' On version and I still have it on my shelf.

Wow really? I’d love to see it! I’ve always built models but just recently got into big rigs. I never knew these kits were so old until I got on here and started working on them

[Brenton]

17 minutes ago, BK9300 said:

Saw your new post while skimming through the forum this morning - looking forward to seeing your progress!

Thank you! Fingers crossed!

[Brenton]

So, this afternoon, I worked for a couple of  hours on making sure everything is straight and really focused on the directions to make sure everything is aligned and positioned correctly. 

Edited May 27 by Brenton

[Brenton]

28 minutes ago, BK9300 said:

Saw your new post while skimming through the forum this morning - looking forward to seeing your progress!

Thank you! I hope to make it look as good as your pieces. 

[Biggu]

2 hours ago, Brenton said:

Thanks for your confidence and support!  I’m fairly new to truck building so those tips about the frame are well appreciated.

The comment about the inner fenders was interesting. I never really paid any attention to it. What did you do to correct that?

I cut an inner fender of sorts. Followed the inside of the wheel well and then by trial and more error got this to work. Took a little fiddling though

[ShakyCraftsman]

Hello Brenton 

 Don't stress to much. There are plenty of people here to help if you get stuck on something. It looks like you got a good start on it so far.

Ron G 

[Brenton]

1 hour ago, ShakyCraftsman said:

Hello Brenton 

 Don't stress to much. There are plenty of people here to help if you get stuck on something. It looks like you got a good start on it so far.

Ron G 

Thanks !!  It’s wonderful to have all you pros !

[Brenton]

1 hour ago, Biggu said:

I cut an inner fender of sorts. Followed the inside of the wheel well and then by trial and more error got this to work. Took a little fiddling though

I see. That’s a great idea. It looks really good!

[Jürgen M.]

Don't worry, your frame looks very good and straight. A good start! 

Just take your time and you will be more than satisfied! 

Keep up the good work!

[RoninUtah]

12 hours ago, Brenton said:

I’m nervous about this one. No numbers on trees, old tooling….you name it! But I gotta try it. I’m gonna need a lot of insight and help from you guys that may have put one of these together. Chime in and let me know what’s the best way to tackle this one. I can already see those AMT instructions giving me nightmares. 
Im gonna start on the frame first…so wish me luck!

I built my first one when it first came out- 1970 I believe- and then another one within the last couple of years. Both turned out really nice, and I still have them on the shelf. Like the California Hauler Pete 359, it will turn out well if you take your time and keep it straight and clean. It looks like you’re doing just that- I’m looking forward to the results! Good luck!

[ShakyCraftsman]

Hey Brenton 

 Your doing great. Here are some pictures on detailing the Cummins  NTA-370 engine.

Ron G 

Edited May 28 by ShakyCraftsman

[Brenton]

7 hours ago, ShakyCraftsman said:

Hey Brenton 

 Your doing great. Here are some pictures on detailing the Cummins  NTA-370 engine.

Ron G 

What a great resource!!!! Thank you so much!

[ShakyCraftsman]

1 minute ago, Brenton said:

What a great resource!!!! Thank you so much!

Your welcome. What ever you need just ask we are all here to help.

Ron G 

[Brenton]

As you guys probably know, the rear end and axles are extremely difficult to put together and get right. I tried my best.
It’s just a mock up and the wheels are not really secure, but it looks to me like the metal axles are going to be too long. Is that an issue with this kit? 

Edited May 28 by Brenton

[ShakyCraftsman]

14 minutes ago, Brenton said:

As you guys probably know, the rear end and axles are extremely difficult to put together and get right. I tried my best.
It’s just a mock up and the wheels are not really secure, but it looks to me like the metal axles are going to be too long. Is that an issue with this kit? 

Do you have the brake drums on? If yes you will probably have to trim the  metal axles. You will need a good pair of hard wire cutters, or a cut off wheel in a dremel tool.

Ron G  

[Brenton]

12 minutes ago, ShakyCraftsman said:

Do you have the brake drums on? If yes you will probably have to trim the  metal axles. You will need a good pair of hard wire cutters, or a cut off wheel in a dremel tool.

Ron G  

I haven’t put those on yet. I figured they would add a little bit to the overall dimensions but I wasn’t sure. I just didn’t know if you guys had to adjust the metal axles before or if they were all good

[ShakyCraftsman]

The brake drums will take up some of the distance, but I think you might be cutting the axles.😪 It's hard to tell from your picture.

Ron G 

[Brenton]

53 minutes ago, ShakyCraftsman said:

The brake drums will take up some of the distance, but I think you might be cutting the axles.😪 It's hard to tell from your picture.

Ron G 

As I get further on and put on drums, I’ll post some progress photos and see where to go from there 

[Rbray47]

I've built 3 of these KWs. You'll need to cut those axles some. Also, detailing that Cummins will have you scratching your head unless you're modeling a specific truck. There were many different filter locations and setups. Pick one that fits your truck and looks good to you. 

 

[Brenton]

1 hour ago, Rbray47 said:

I've built 3 of these KWs. You'll need to cut those axles some. Also, detailing that Cummins will have you scratching your head unless you're modeling a specific truck. There were many different filter locations and setups. Pick one that fits your truck and looks good to you. 

 

I got a feeling I’ll be scratching my head a lot. But that’s okay. That’s how we learn. I’m just gonna build the Watkins version or basically box stock. I like to see how these engines are wired up just in case I want to add some for visual interest. I have learned however that you can’t go step by step or number by number on this kit, especially on that rear end. You have to look it over and check ahead to see how pieces line up and see if something is gonna be in the way. I know that’s the way kit building is sometimes, but I think it’s a little more so with this one. Either way everyone on here is so helpful and I appreciate it so much!