378 Spread Axle - #9 for 2007

[mackinac359]

The inspiration for my latest model comes from a truck I photographed at the Peterbilt factory in September of 2005. The truck was off in the distance and I didn't get a chance to get more photos of it. The truck is a 378 with a 72" spread suspension, a self-steer lift axle and several other options.

THE REAL TRUCK

MY VERSION

VARIOUS IN PROGRESS VIEWS

The fuel tanks were moved under the doors with the left tank shortened to allow for the space-saver battery box.

The tank steps are from a Revell of Germany 359 as are the air cleaners.

I reworked the kit cab to a daycab and later year door windows and mirrors.

FINISHED PICS

I used parts from several kits to build this, starting with the Italeri Peterbilt 378. The mudflap logos are from White Fang Enterprises.

The round-hole wheels, exhaust stand pipes and horns are from an Italeri Western Star.

The roof lights are from an Italeri Peterbilt 377. Colors are Duplicolor Bright White with clear coat and a biege interior. Since the fuel tanks were natural aluminum, I painted them with Duplicolor Bumper Chrome. I also painted the wheels to dull the chrome a bit.

I painted this back in August of 2006 for later building on a cold winter day.

Thanks for looking! More photos are on my site

http://www.timstrucks.com

Tim

[Turbo590]

Tim,

This truck is one of my more favorite ones you have built..all of them are nice..this one is really "cool"

On most of the Italeri Peterbilt's..what is the stock engine that comes with them out of the box, CAT/Detroit? Just curious. I have heard the Italeri's are easier/and more fun to build VS. the Revell's..is that true?

Nice paint job/and detailing.

Kurt McLucas

[mackinac359]

Kurt

Thanks!

The Italeri Pete's have late 90's vintage Detroit Diesels. Peterbilt no longer offers Detroits so I will either paint the engine red for a Cummins ISX or Yellow for a Cat.

The Italeri kits typically "fall together" unless something is warped or not installed correctly. The hood on this one had a slight warp/twist that gave me fits and I finally glued the thing shut. I wish that Italeri would release more north American trucks.

Tim

[Old Albion]

Tim,

Another great truck. The attention to the little details like the mirrors the rear cab window and other items make it unique. The finishing on your trucks really is superb. 8)

Any signs of the aftermarket guys producing modern conversions for the old kits? I'd love to build a 384 sometime.

[mackinac359]

Dave

Thanks!

I wish some talented model maker (or model company) would step up to the plate and make a modern Peterbilt.. a 386 or 389 or both.

Tim

[FIREMODELMAN]

WOW TIM, no difference between your's and the real truck. very nice.

[pete359driver]

yet another beauty, great work Tim!!

[Twist67]

Hi Tim,

that one again turned out great.All of your models have those special Tim.touch......Great work.

[wiremonkey]

Wow Tim, another awesome "factory fresh" build.

[SpreadAxle]

Lookin good Tim. Quick question, is the Italeri 378 still available, or did they kill off yet another truck kit? I have one saved for my Bill Drennen 379 conversion, but I would like to find one or two more. You'll never guess who inspired some projects that I have written down. Anyway, I can't wait to see #10.

[mackinac359]

Ray

Much to my dismay, the Italeri Peterbilt 378 kit #746 was discontinued almost 5 years ago (this explains the high prices on ebay).

We need to write to Italeri and Model Rectifier Corp (The importer for Italeri in the USA) to get them to reissue the 378 kit.

www.modelrectifier.com

www.italeri.com

Tim

[SpreadAxle]

I can't believe the 378 was discontinued! No wonder I never see it. I really like your 379-119" Bruce Dewey truck and wnated to try one at a later time, so I will have to keep my eyes open I guess. Darn. Surprising, I thought that one was still around.

[mackinac359]

Ray

Nope, the kit was discontinued and on eBay can cost an arm and a leg.

We need plenty of letters to Italeri to get it reissued.

Tim

[SpreadAxle]

Yeah I see there is one on eBay right now. It's already up to $52.00 w/5 bids. It ends Monday i believe.

[JdKustomModels]

Yeah I see there is one on eBay right now. It's already up to $52.00 w/5 bids. It ends Monday i believe.

no kiddin I got 1 off ebay in January...cost me $192 + 30 to ship it.......Im writin my letter

[SpreadAxle]

$192!?! That calls for a letter to your congressman too, lol. I'm bidding on one right now and I hope it stays where it is. I'm not going to go crazy chasing it down, but I do want it. However, my 379 conversion kit is going on a Revell 359 chassis because of this, which was the original plan anyway, as I only have the one I bought 7 yrs ago. I wasn't doing much modeling at the time, but stocking up. Boy am I ever glad I did!!!!!!!!!!! :roll:

[SpreadAxle]

That one went for $107.50. i had it until someone snatched up last minute. I wish I was online, but I do know someone from this forum got it, so that makes me happy.

[JdKustomModels]

107......nice

wasnt me

[SpreadAxle]

I know it wasn't you, but he got it fair and square. I was going to raise my bid earlier that day, but got distracted. Oh well. To see it go to someone in here is ok with me. I will be watching for this truck now that I know it's a rarity. Shame. You know what amazes me? A 379 kit in 1-24/5 scale never got put out there except as resin cab/hood kits. I'm guess the mfgs. thought it looked too much like a 359 to do the new tooling. just a theory. The 378 was as close as we got, and it came with a 40" Freightliner sleeper. I never noticed, but did Revell AG make a 378? I know they pretty much copy every Italeri offering as far as American trucks go.

[JdKustomModels]

lol I woulda sent it to you.

I never noticed one out of the Revell stables

would be nice tho

I did find a guy selling 38 conversions along with the Freightliner Coronado, Columbia and KW T2000.....prices run $130.00 but well worth it. Ima snag one of his 387 conversions soon

http://www.de-elegantmodeltrucks.com/

[mackinac359]

Revell has never produced a 378 kit. I am surprised that they haven't.

Tim

[SpreadAxle]

Me 2. i thought revell would have. I'm sure it probably would've had some wild mural decal too.

[Old Albion]

Guys,

Check this one out. Not much use to me he only ships to the US.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...23181%26fvi%3D1

With regard to building a 379 I have been considering my plan "B" should I fail to get a 378 to convert. I recently bought the 377 from Italeri and the 377 from Revell, with the intention that they could be built as 379s. Yes, there are major modifications required. But when you consider the cost of a 377 kit and their availability compared to the cost of the 378 and their lack of availability it becomes more feasible. You will still need the hood conversion kit anyway, unless you build your own hood.

Anyways if you choose to bid for the 378 Good Luck!!

[SpreadAxle]

There is one on eBay right now. It has a reserve, but it's at $49.99. I don't see why people put a fairly low starting bid, and then the reserve. If you want a certain amount, then start close to that amount. But that's just me. it has 3 days left, so maybe one of you can get it. Anyhow, good luck. The 378 watch continues.