Freightliner FLC

[Jürgen M.]

Hi everyone!

I'm back with a new project. I chose a Freightliner FLC.

Basically it's a 1975 model BUT while doing research on vehicle details I found some things I wanted to take over in this build. So it will contain a decade of attributes reaching from mid 70s to mid 80s.

I was quite amazed to see that Freightliner had already used air ride suspension in the 70s. Maybe it was just a conversion though. Anyway I decided to use it and took over the parts I had designed for the Transtar II. I'm also using the Cat engine I had designed for the Marmon Harrington. Chassis rails, body parts and rims are be specially designed for this build and of course the interior.

The pic shows the basic truck I'll be building. I'll add a long sleeper though and two external air cleaners.

Here's a pre-view of the design:

There might still be one or the other changes but principally that's where it's going!

 

[Gary Chastain]

Be watching this build. 

[BK9300]

This build shows the advantage of designing your own ‘kits’ - you have a digital parts box, full of ready to go items to add to new builds.  Good stuff, Jurgen!

[Biggu]

I always miked the style of these trucks. They look tough and ready for work. Your design work is iff the clock good. This will be a really interesting and fun build to watch. Looking forward to the next update. 

[Jürgen M.]

Thanks guys! Hope it turns out as good as I expect. 

In the early 80s, when I found my interest for American trucks, this was theee stereotype of an American conventional to me. 

After my 1/32 Freightliner conventional got destroyed I never built one again. Today I'm building this revival version.

I'll change the nozzle of my printer to get a better surface quality. Not sure if it'll work though!

Anyway, it'll be a mixture of own design, box parts and virtual box parts!

[Rockford]

Clever stuff mate. Onward and upwards, as ever.

[Jürgen M.]

Got the first chassis parts printed.

Had to split the rails to print them cause they we're too long!

Rails seem to be straight. Looks promising!

[Jürgen M.]

A little progress on the chassis:

Suspension is also printed ...

This is how it's supposed to come together:

Chassis rails fit together 

Front axle and some smaller chassis parts ready to assemble:

[Jürgen M.]

Got the radiator installed. Needed that to straighten the chassis. It actually had a little twist but nothing serious!

I put weights in the front and rear of the chassis, then glued the radiator in. After the glue had hardened the chassis was straight again

Test fit of the engine before painting:

Engine out, radiator masked to make it ready for primer!

[Gary Chastain]

Jealous of you guys with all the 3D modeling on computer and the 3D printing, imagination is your only hurtle. Well done. 

[Jürgen M.]

Thanks Gary! 

But no need to be jealous. I wouldn't need 3D printing if my scratch skills were half as good as yours!