Peterbilt Model 359

[inskeep123]

This is my first post on this forum and I'm still trying to figure things out. This is also my first big truck build. Should I put air ride on it or leave it alone? Please comment your opinions--thanks.

-Inskeep123

[olsbooks]

Welcome. You will find people very encouraging and helpful here.

Kinda curious though. What happened to the suspension that was supplied? Or are you trying to create a "lo-rider"?

[inskeep123]

It's on there for now. I'm trying to sit it on the ground. I've seen a lot of people body drop trucks and cars, 1:1 scale and on models.

But I've never seen a bagged big truck. So I figured id try it out. Going to draw it out on paper tomorrow and maybe c notch the frame.

The front suspension is a whole nother story. Don't know what I am going to do for it

[Pete_Fan]

Just let the air outta the bags ??

[inskeep123]

Haha. But that Doesn't go low enough for me.

[Force]

Well most highway trucks has air ride rear suspensions and this kit has the Peterbilt airleaf suspension so it allready has air bags, if you want it lower you have to modify it slightly.
In front they usually put in an axle with more drop and lower leafs, but there are also air ride suspension available for front axles.

Edited December 1, 2013 by Force

[bandit1]

Car hauler front axles is what they used to drop the front... on the back they use stock stuff but modify it a bit mostly... Keep it up those snap petes are so fun...

[Q tip]

i'm getting ready to post my revell pete I've been working on. I dropped it into the stones and have pics on how I done it, it quite easy and looks right. john

[kilrathy10]

Looks pretty cool like that....Have fun with this one....Shouldn't be too hard to figure out....

[Q tip]

Cheyenne, I posted my pete and left the rear lowering separate, check it out,works great.......john

[inskeep123]

I ran into a little problem.. I've been everywhere I can think of looking for styrene plastic and cant find any.. where do yall get it? Or do yall order it? Ill post pictures soon

[redneckrodder]

You can use for sale signs but i ran into the same problem and found amazon had plenty of evergreen styrene

[inskeep123]

I've heard sale signs work just haven't tried them out. Might have to do that...

[kilrathy10]

Check online for sign companies or plastics companies that cater to sign companies.....There's a place across town that I buy styrene from in 4'x8' sheets for, like, $20 each....I would imagine whatever big city is close to you ought to have one....

[olsbooks]

Those signs are great sources for sheet plastic. Hobby shops (RC cars, trains and RC planes) usually sell the expensive stuff that is top notch. But try thinking outside the box too. If you have a flea market, garage sale, or a something like that, poke around. Look for the shapes. Cheap/broken toys, the guts in older desktop computers/electronics, shelf "knick knacks", womens cosmetics and christmas decorations are a great way to pick up stuff dirt cheap. The key is to look for the shape/size you want buried in the item and then just take your time to hack it out. This works out good for getting a good bargain on many little tools too. Yeah, it may not be as perfect as a show winner, but as long as you enjoyed building it, that is what matters most..

Good luck. Keep us posted!

[inskeep123]

I havent got to do much in the last couple days but i did get most of the pieces primed. Most likey no going to paint until after Christmas because im getting my first airbrush kit at Christmas. Will keep this build posted.

[olsbooks]

Santa is bringing you an airbrush huh? Cool. I will just get bills and a lump of coal. About what I deserve though.

It is a learned art for sure. Be patient with it. So many quit and get frustrated trying to make some complex masterpiece their first time..

Going back to the garage sale signs, that is a great (and cheap) way to practice. And just use cheap paints to practice with. It is all about learning the technique.

There are lots of great tips online including many youtubes specifically for model builders. Just little things like using fine mesh netting as an overlay while spraying to create patterns.

Go nuts man! It is far more fun.

Edited December 5, 2013 by olsbooks