Peterbilt 378 Long Hauler

[mackinac359]

Casey, wasn't your dad's a long hood 379? If so, there are several resin hoods available to easily convert the 378, move the cab and sleeper rearward, extend the exhaust and air cleaner piping, move the battery and fuel tanks back and everything should fit - just on a shorter wheelbase for a long hood.

Tim

This is great news! I've been wanting to build an updated version of my dad's rig for sometime, and now I've got a better starting point. I was unaware the old issue had a Freightliner sleeper. My first version of my dads truck isn't all that accurate except for paint, but with this I'll be able to do it justice.

Tim, don't you have a procedure for converting this into a 379-119? That's what my dads truck is. The last time I built it, I did it OOB due to my limited skills, but I think I've got what it takes to pull it off now. I'll also need to shorten the sleeper down to a 48" unibilt to complete the conversion.

[Casey429]

Casey, wasn't your dad's a long hood 379? If so, there are several resin hoods available to easily convert the 378, move the cab and sleeper rearward, extend the exhaust and air cleaner piping, move the battery and fuel tanks back and everything should fit - just on a shorter wheelbase for a long hood.

Tim

Nope, dad's is a 119. He wanted an extended hood, but liked the specs on this particular truck, so he compromised andgot the short one. He grew to like it for the tighter turning radius, especially navigating some of the mills he went to, and the streets of downtown Pittsburgh.

You can see the slope in the hood fairly well here. This picture was taken in 2000, when the truck was still new. No bumper guides or license plate mount installed yet.

This pic is from last year. Showing a little wear, but this is a working truck. The short hood is more evident here with the more rounded grille shell.

I'll need to get a set of cab lights from a 377, and track down two more square horns.

Edited April 24, 2010 by Casey429

[cowboysevens]

I was just checking my local model shop web site and came across an Italeri 1/24 Pete 378 kit I have not seen before. Thought I would share it with the rest of the forum.

http://www.emodels.co.uk/plastic-kits/italeri-peterbilt-long-hauler-3857-p-23565.html?osCsid=392418fdc54d90c02ae85fe150d82176

Dave

i know that truck, its original name was "brutis" it was biult and owned by noble and pits. that is a real operating show truck. i actually got to take it for a spin around the GIANT truckstop in jamestown, nm. i used to have a bunch of pics of it, if you look real close youll see there is a ecthing of a lyon on the big sleeper window. and tim is %100 right that is a 379, i believe the year is a 1992 or 93. they put a KT 600 fully chromed engine in it, all oak cabinets, etc. etc., that truck is beutifull. wow that brings back some memories!! thanks : )

[mackinac359]

You'll need the resin low roof from Eric, the square horns (Sourkraut?) and the 377 roof lights and you're good to go!

Tim

Nope, dad's is a 119. He wanted an extended hood, but liked the specs on this particular truck, so he compromised andgot the short one. He grew to like it for the tighter turning radius, especially navigating some of the mills he went to, and the streets of downtown Pittsburgh.

You can see the slope in the hood fairly well here. This picture was taken in 2000, when the truck was still new. No bumper guides or license plate mount installed yet.

This pic is from last year. Showing a little wear, but this is a working truck. The short hood is more evident here with the more rounded grille shell.

I'll need to get a set of cab lights from a 377, and track down two more square horns.

[highway]

You'll need the resin low roof from Eric, the square horns (Sourkraut?) and the 377 roof lights and you're good to go!

Tim

The 377 has the square horns, too, doesn't it? I have one and I thought they were in that kit. I know the Italeri truck accessories kit has them, too.

Nope, the 377 and 378 kits have the same silly tiny round horns. (can you say "fleet spec horn?" Tim

[Casey429]

I'll have to look in my Italeri accesories then! I have 2 from the Can-Do wrecker, along with the 1/2 fenders. Tim, what do I need to do to make the 119? I know you did it to the Bruce Dewey 379. Something about a pie cut section to the hood and lowering the cab. I believe you said the cab needs to come down a scale 2 or 3 inches.

[Kostas Parchas]

Casey429,

Your dad's 379 is very nice! Could you please send us some more detail pictures for inspiration?

As far as I know, Tim has a short ''how_to'' video about to convert the 378 hood to a 379 119. wacthing Tim's video and follow it step by step you can convert the hood of the kit.

I haven't try it yet, but you know as well that Tim has this gift and makes things look so easy to try....

I think that you should ask Tim to share with you the link of his video.

I can't wait to see you building your dad's Peterbilt. Keeps us updated.

Kostas.