White Freightliner

[TopherMcGinnis]

Went to the Charlotte IPMS show this morning. There were some nice builds and a fair selection of kits to peruse. I picked this guy up for $20. Anyone else build it?

[Gary Chastain]

That’s a pretty good deal, is that cab in two pieces like the other SD/DD kit?

[37 caddy]

It has a 3 piece cab,if you count the rear panel? i built it back in 74 or so when it first came out,wasnt too long after that the one with the tandem axle and sleeper came out.Had them both at that time,the cabs were a pain but were doable for a 14 year old. harvey

[TopherMcGinnis]

This kit doesn't have instructions or decals. Not a big deal. Is there a site dedicated to old instructions? 

[BK9300]

2 hours ago, TopherMcGinnis said:

This kit doesn't have instructions or decals. Not a big deal. Is there a site dedicated to old instructions? 

This is from Scalemates -

https://www.scalemates.com/nl/products/img/9/6/6/1100966-83-instructions.pdf
 

Might help!

Edited November 9 by BK9300

[Scott Eriksen]

On 11/9/2025 at 9:11 AM, TopherMcGinnis said:

This kit doesn't have instructions or decals. Not a big deal. Is there a site dedicated to old instructions? 

Topher,,,,it's an AMT kit,,,your better off without instructions...........lol 

[TopherMcGinnis]

28 minutes ago, Scott Eriksen said:

Topher,,,,it's an AMT kit,,,your better off without instructions...........lol 

True. 

[Biggu]

3 hours ago, Scott Eriksen said:

Topher,,,,it's an AMT kit,,,your better off without instructions...........lol 

Aren’t instructions , just someone else’s opinion??🤭🤣

[Gary Chastain]

Love it, this thread made me laugh today, outstanding, need more of that. 

[Rbray47]

I've built 3 of these kits. They're a little fussy. Could be something I did wrong though. On the last one, I switched the 250 for a 350 and that created a whole new set of issues running the intake out behind the cab. 

[TopherMcGinnis]

6 hours ago, Gary Chastain said:

Love it, this thread made me laugh today, outstanding, need more of that. 

Life is too short to not have fun!

[TopherMcGinnis]

1 hour ago, Rbray47 said:

I've built 3 of these kits. They're a little fussy. Could be something I did wrong though. On the last one, I switched the 250 for a 350 and that created a whole new set of issues running the intake out behind the cab. 

Got pix?

[Rbray47]

2 hours ago, TopherMcGinnis said:

Got pix?

[TopherMcGinnis]

Very Cool!

[Pete68]

Yes we need to had a light hearted attitude and have fun like Gary I’m enjoying this thread. I built one like yours in the summer 1985 and still have it I painted it close to the box art color I was just so excited that I even got my hands on one because back then they was so rare and I found it in a old hobby shop that had several old discontinued kits left. Back then it was an easy build and real didn’t pay much attention about the multiple cab parts and other things just had fun building it and you should do the same. I still build my Trucks this way today. Have fun with this kit it’s even better than the one I have no more worries about a big tire impression on your decals 😂. 

Edited Sunday at 12:21 PM by Pete68

[TopherMcGinnis]

I really really like to have fun and joke around. I've been a big truck mechanic for 30+ years. I love them. I really love custom painted rigs, so this one may wind up with candy paint with a lace top.

[Biggu]

I, as Gary and Lee, am also enjoying this thread and a good chuckle. Life is really short and we are getting to the age when some medical issues seem to be popping up for some of us. So this is good medicine, a really interesting quality build, good participation from the guys and a chuckle, yeah, this is good medicine.  I’m looking forward to your next update Topher…

[Gary Chastain]

1 hour ago, TopherMcGinnis said:

I really really like to have fun and joke around. I've been a big truck mechanic for 30+ years. I love them. I really love custom painted rigs, so this one may wind up with candy paint with a lace top.

Oh I like this conversation, sounds like a good vision, might steal some ideas from ya.  And yes, just have fun with your build…..don’t need no stinking rules…..or instructions 😵‍💫🫣😂🤣

[BK9300]

3 hours ago, TopherMcGinnis said:

I really really like to have fun and joke around. I've been a big truck mechanic for 30+ years. I love them. I really love custom painted rigs, so this one may wind up with candy paint with a lace top.

Good to know you were a big rig mechanic - maybe it would be ok for me to PM if I need extra ‘how to’ info during a build?  Looking forward to your progress!

[TopherMcGinnis]

Sure!

[TopherMcGinnis]

Which primer yields the brightest red? Light gray, white, punk???? I saw a pretty sinister looking rig last week and it had a BRIGHT red chassis.

[BK9300]

Only a guess on my part, but I'm thinking white primer would give you the brightest outcome.  Might not matter, depending on how many coats of red you ultimately apply?!

[Rbray47]

I use Tamiya white primer under Tamiya Pure red to get the brightest red. 

[Pete68]

12 hours ago, TopherMcGinnis said:

candy paint with a lace top.

It’s your dream , dream it. Sounds pretty cool to me. 

[Rockford]

I'd go with white, the pigments aren't very strong in modern paints so they need all the help they can get. 

For a minute I thought Candy Paint with a lace top was a girl you were talking about! 🫢