tbill Posted December 3, 2013 Posted December 3, 2013 (edited) hey all, about to start on this, any hints, tips, suggestions on this kit? it'll be my third truck build, [which so far has been a snap w900 and a mack r model] any pitfalls or crazy stuff to look out for? thanks in advance, tom Edited December 7, 2013 by tbill
weirich1 Posted December 4, 2013 Posted December 4, 2013 I built the Alaskan/Canadian hauler version a few years back, look for the parts that can be used to build the tri-axle rig (frame extenders, 3rd axle, driveshaft, etc.)
clayton Posted December 4, 2013 Posted December 4, 2013 Door hinges, There a tad too long and the round end(what would be the hinge) need to sanded down a tad as well.
truckabilly Posted December 4, 2013 Posted December 4, 2013 Fenders may get in collision with air filters when tilting the hood. Making the holes in hood hinges a little bigger may solve the problem but watch out for not making it too big because the hood could slip too much forward and open a gap between the hood and cab. Also the bumper´s top edge may cause a little problem when opening the hood.
tbill Posted December 5, 2013 Author Posted December 5, 2013 (edited) thanks guys. I think i'm going to start it this weekend. have been looking over the instructions to get familiar with it, and I think I may start cab/body stuff first [like my last build], get the hard stuff done first, then relax and build anyone interested in a review on this kit, or is it old news? if interested, I took pic's of the sprue's and what-not just in case. I thought maybe a novice review might be entertaining, lol. Edited December 6, 2013 by tbill
tbill Posted December 7, 2013 Author Posted December 7, 2013 well, it begins... 3 hours later it's ready for a wash and wet sand, then off for primer. amazing how time goes by as you file/sand/fit repeat.....
olsbooks Posted December 7, 2013 Posted December 7, 2013 I always like the "novice" perspective on assembly. Perhaps an invitation to criticism but I have seldom seen it on this sight. And sometimes the "newbies" throw ideas and techniques out there that are definately outside the norm. Making it all about me, I have never messed with one of these kits so you got at least one watching. Good luck.
kilrathy10 Posted December 7, 2013 Posted December 7, 2013 You've got a good start....The hinges, as Clayton mentioned, are a bit frustrating when attaching them to the cab.....I believe the paint is interfering with proper fit....You don't notice it till you're trying to get it together.....And like Jessie said....A fresh perspective is always interesting.....I've built quite a few of these things, but I don't know everything, so I know I'll be watching, too....
tbill Posted December 8, 2013 Author Posted December 8, 2013 ah man, now the pressure is on, lol. got the cab/hood/doors/fenders in primer in the dehydrator. I glued parts of the sleeper together for preparation of wash/sand before prime. I taped the sleeper together with the floor in place, then glued the front wall [the pass thru to the cab part] on one side to one side of a sleeper side, and glued the back wall to the opposite side sleeper side, I figure in this way I can sand/prime both inside and out at once, and have two halves, rather than fight to paint stuff inside a box, if that makes sense. also made some progress on the frame. will post up some pic's tomorrow. thanks for following along.
Mr mopar Posted December 11, 2013 Posted December 11, 2013 More pic please..............................................LOL
Brinx Posted December 12, 2013 Posted December 12, 2013 Good start Tom, I have one that has been sitting in the box, sort of intimidating me....But, I will get it "on the road" someday soon.
72 Charger Posted December 14, 2013 Posted December 14, 2013 Watch out for the axel pins that go into the wheel backs they can snap as soon as you look at them . Also watch how much glue you use on them to or you will weld the breaks on
tbill Posted December 14, 2013 Author Posted December 14, 2013 a little stalled on this, started a 66 elcamino....got side tracked, lol. will be back to it soon though.
clayton Posted December 14, 2013 Posted December 14, 2013 What I have done on the axle pins.Find the center and drill a hole and use a wire coat hanger. Those brake all the time.
72 Charger Posted December 14, 2013 Posted December 14, 2013 Yes I drill them out and use brass rod . The fronts dont seem to break tho odd!
tbill Posted December 18, 2013 Author Posted December 18, 2013 Doobie and Clayton, I was looking at those parts the other day, and yes, they do look quite fragile will have to address that for sure when I get to it. thanks for the heads up. now, onto to good bits making progress on the power plant, have most of the frame/running gear together and painted [currently in dehydrator]. question.....frame is gloss black, should air bags be flat black or gray as indicated by the instructions? [who follows those??]
jeffbrad Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 Flat black weathered with slight grayish/brown cast. Look at radiator hoses on your 1:1. that's the look to shoot for.
clayton Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 Next time on the turbos and exhaust.before the paint drys use some kind powder( I use baking soda)most hobby shops have a textured powder, Paint,powder, let dry and repaint. This will give a ruff rusty look.
tbill Posted December 18, 2013 Author Posted December 18, 2013 Jeff, thanks, great reference for the look i need, know exactly what you mean [how it turns out,......we will see, lol] Clayton, thank you, i have wondered how to get that look, great bit of info!
tbill Posted December 21, 2013 Author Posted December 21, 2013 progress....[couldn't pull off the color/shading on the air bags with what I had on hand, so stuck with flat black]
trick my mixer Posted December 22, 2013 Posted December 22, 2013 Looking good. I like the way the air bags look the way they are. Looks like some one put shiney stuff on their tires...I like it!!!!!!!!!!
tbill Posted December 22, 2013 Author Posted December 22, 2013 Lucas, no shiny stuff, lol. the tires in this kit are sooo soft, I tried to sand the tread to give them a more realistic look, but they are so soft it didn't work so well.
trucknut10 Posted December 23, 2013 Posted December 23, 2013 Hello Tom, I have put cotton inside tire to make it little more firmer,what wever firmness you are looking for it depends on the amount you put in tire. also put more in tire when you go to sand tread . Terry
tbill Posted December 24, 2013 Author Posted December 24, 2013 thanks Terry. I tried just putting my index finger in the tire while trying to sand, but still couldn't get the center portion of the tread sanded, I didn't have much luck with the parting lines either, even with a new blade I could barely trim them. in person they don't look too bad though.
tbill Posted December 25, 2013 Author Posted December 25, 2013 progress... slowly but surely i'm getting there.
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