Freightliner Cabover (Update 10-11-2013)

[kilrathy10]

This is the first one of these I've ever built....I've heard some bad stuff about getting the cab together, and came up with a solution....It seems to have made things quite a bit easier....I got the cab put together in no time this way....I just added a lip to the insides with a thin piece of plastic and Boom.....Cab is together......Well, anyway, I extended the frame a couple of inches and made a couple of extra long fuel tanks, so far....

Edited October 11, 2013 by kilrathy10

[txdieseldog]

JT, you might go ahead and test fit the interior shell, just to make sure. Those joints look good. I've done that making day cabs and I found you can sand/Dremel grind, most of the lip down after it's cured. Leaving just a thin layer.

[Jim Whalen]

Hi,

That's a good idea, might try it myself. Looking forward to seeing more of your build.

[Jim3]

Looks like your off to a good start JT, Tanks look pretty good ...

[clayton]

JT,On mine I used a belt sander on the interior,just tap it a bit on the sides and back and test fit each time. And do the peep window too and dash as well,for that I used a sanding stick. don't have a Dremel.

For me I had a gap on each side were the back wall fits in the cab. I used thin strips on each side.

You'r tanks what size PVC is that?? Never cross my mind to try that.

Edited September 30, 2013 by clayton

[Bowtienutz]

I'll watch this one JT. I hope you fix some of the errors in the cab as you go. That will be a big stretch should be fun to see where you go.

[signguy2108]

Good start J.T., I like the tanks.'ve got one to start on , so I'll be watching yours! For tanks, I use 3/4 O.D. PVC, if you look in the metal trays in the nut & bolt section at LOWES, they have plastic hole plugs that with a little grinding inside the, fit the pipe ends perfect.

[signguy2108]

Good start J.T., I like the tanks.'ve got one to start on , so I'll be watching yours! For tanks, I use 3/4 O.D. PVC, if you look in the metal trays in the nut & bolt section at LOWES, they have plastic hole plugs that with a little grinding inside the, fit the pipe ends perfect.

Should have measured instead of using my memory! I'ts 3/4 I.D. which is 1" O.D. oops!

[jekylljr]

nice start so far keep pics coming in

[Truck parts]

Very nice start.I will be following this build as you go.

[camaro68]

Nice start JT I did my cab the same way worked out ok the interior tub fits a little snug but will fit I like the tanks what did you use to extened your frame looks great!!!!!

[kilrathy10]

Thanks Guys for the interest and the tips on the interior....I most certainly will test fit the tub, for sure, now, Barry.....Thanks for the tip on cleaning up the inside, too, Clayton......And, Larry, that is a super tip on the fuel tanks....I never would have thought of that....I like the curvature of the ends using that method....And I used 1" PVC pipe for them, as well.....Funny thing....I just used a regular chop saw to cut it....I makes a nice, rough edge, so I could use regular, old fashioned tube glue to cap the ends with .060 styrene....The straps, I made with .250 wide, thin styrene plastic....I don't know how thick....I threw the packaging away, long ago.....Plastruct weld was used, there...And I stretched the frame with .060 styrene, again....I added a piece to the bottom of each side to add strength to prevent sag.....I can't wait to get back to it, and will post more as I go along....Thanks, again, for Your interest.....

Edited October 1, 2013 by kilrathy10

[Bennyg]

Great idea for the cab and fuel tanks.

Ben

[37 caddy]

you might have to modify the sleeper curtain,i would test fit it before you paint the cab,it fits pretty tight around the area you put the strips to hold the cab together.Been a while since I made one,but I remember it was a bugger to get the curtain in. Harvey

[clayton]

I under stand this kit been around since the 70"s and getting wacky..

What I was trying to say was using strips as spacers on each side.

[kilrathy10]

Got some more done....I've built the cab, frame, and interior tub.....I painted it fleet orange, and am stripping the chrome as we speak....I sanded the roof smooth and added a sport strip down the center....Only because I made the mistake of sanding away too many rivets when I was trying to get rid of the seam....Oh well....Ended up looking pretty good, except for the seam STILL being there..... But, oh well....

[tbill]

looking good so far, I like the strip down the roof. I have one of these to tackle eventually, great idea on the inner strips to get it glued together. I will be using that idea for sure.

[Mopar - D]

JT your making good progress waiting to see more.

[kilrathy10]

Got some more done....I've got everything painted and ready to go forward.....I made a headache rack for it and some larger stacks.....

Edited October 12, 2013 by kilrathy10

[Pavel A.]

JT very nice and clean built. Good work. Pavel.