Building an RC Big Rig
 

I've taken a small break from building my Blazer. I found some areas after I painted it white that need more body work and sanding and smoothing, and I'm tired of it for a bit.


I received some Christmas money and then added a little more to and bought a Tamiya Kind Hauler. Its 1\14th scale. They came out in the 90's and I've always wanted one.

I don't know much about big rigs, so I have been doing some searching on the web for pics and info.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3712/1...67c6d52c_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5485/1...0a1d86ff_c.jpg

Apparently from what I'm seeing and reading it closely resembles a Peterbuilt, but other then that, I know not much :)

I can get most of the emblems from a RC truck website, and it looks like I need to work on the cab a little, but I will get into more of that later.

Here a couple examples, and no, I don't know which way I'm going with this Rig, custom or stock.. Time will tell.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7301/1...126c362b_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3819/1...9d820721_z.jpg

If you have never built one of Tamiya kits, its tons of fun if you like building.

The manuals are fairly simple, just check out the drawings closely.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5532/1...e1e800c3_z.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5497/1...4bce612b_z.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7366/1...9fdb693b_z.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5497/1...e7a4858f_z.jpg




The box of parts.


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/1...6504dfaa_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/1...9ca8cf45_c.jpg


Started putting the frame together

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3743/1...793921df_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/1...14898ccc_c.jpg

Rear suspension

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5474/1...57399653_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3725/1...0caffc49_c.jpg



Well, that's it so far. Any thoughts or ideas ?


Thank you for taking a look.

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

My thoughts "cool", no ideas but I'm subscribed!

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

My thought "SO AWESOME" I am watching this one!:metal:

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

this will be good! what colors are you going Jeffro?
i always thought the body looked more like a Western Star, but a little glue, a little styrene, be what you want
http://fleetowner.com/site-files/fle...ern-star-8.gif
any plans for whats going behind it?

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

I always wanted one of those, and the tanks they made! These kits are awesome when all done up. Check YouTube for inspiration, I remember there being some good videos on there.

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

Thank You Dale !

Thank you TJ

Thank you dieseldawg ! I'm going to try Navy Blue, and I will see if I can find the pic of the one I like. If I am correct, Tamiya incorporated several different trucks into one. I could also make it a Kenworth, but I've chosen a Peterbuilt.

And I think for starters a 53 ft cargo trailer.

I like this one..

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5518/1...d1f501fc_z.jpg

Thank you 68 SWB ! Same here, so I finally gave in; :)

Here are a few updates,

Building the 3-speed Transmission, top shaft.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3751/1...7afbb8e4_z.jpg

Lower Shaft

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/1...16032166_z.jpg

Assembly of trans

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/1...c9830794_z.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3719/1...bbfffb38_z.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2855/1...86f3e755_z.jpg

Its lubricated with ceramic grease, and I could use a little more.. :)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/1...83c1ab23_z.jpg

The shift rod

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/1...f8043cb8_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7347/1...47aa8f68_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7319/1...d3e6fb2e_z.jpg

Also, I replaced all the bushings with Ball Bearings in the axles and transmission.

Replaced these..

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/1...290c0af3_z.jpg



with these..

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3669/1...2a3401f4_z.jpg


Also got the front axle and suspension installed.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/1...23337d08_z.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3722/1...60e227bf_z.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/1...a9e8e34b_z.jpg




Thank you for looking, and I've started working on the cab to make it look like a Peterbuilt, and I'm waiting for payday..




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Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

SWEEET!! love your gearbox, incredible stuff that RC
looking good Jeffro!

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

X2 it's looking awesome so far

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

Thank you guys !! :)

A few updates before I head in for the night.

I am going to use different headlights, either 1 single round each side or dual round lights on each side, anyway, I had to remove the built in headlight casings, and redo the area.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/1...9aef6d00_z.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3693/1...b55ac92d_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7453/1...f0f635ab_z.jpg

I also redid the tanks, they were chrome and had brackets molded in. I removed both, (I am trying to save money and not buy the aluminum ones), and I am painting them to match the cab.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/1...52dc96fd_c.jpg

Back to the headlights, and with a little styrene and body putty :)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/1...f6693f9a_z.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5478/1...96ff8202_c.jpg

And the result, for me, is not too bad. :D

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7367/1...7aa79654_c.jpg







Now you are caught up to me. I usually try to stay a step ahead, but, I'm tired.

Thank you for looking and "Goodnight" :)




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Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

Your making progress pretty fast... keep it up

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

Thank you Dale, but now I've slowed on this one, and that's mostly because I'm still waiting on some parts, plus I did start working on the Blazer again.

I did get the wheels I ordered.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/1...5c3c84b4_z.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3803/1...a94630ee_z.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3711/1...39cf13e0_c.jpg

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

yup, you R/C'ers sure have some nice stuff to pick from, good lookin' rims

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

The rims are pretty cool, I didn't realize that kind of stuff was available

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

Thank you dieseldawg, The market for after market custom parts for RC's have really picked up in the last 10 years.

Thank you Dale, as I told dieseldawg, you both are right. Its been amazing for me to watch the changes for this hobby.

Anyway, I was really wrong on it looking like a Peterbilt, but it will be close enough once I fix some problem areas. I will detail those a little later, but I went to a local Trucking Company here in town and took lots of pictures. They run all Peterbilts in their fleet.. I have my work cut out for me.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3717/1...9f91cb0d_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3668/1...825673bc_c.jpg

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

It's looking like truck.... keep going, can't wait for the video of it moving on it's own power

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

I'm still alive, I just got involved with my new toy that I picked up. I took a different direction for awhile.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7458/1...6de8aa96_c.jpg

For now, I'm back to the truck. I just ordered a cargo trailer for it, anyway, as you last saw the fenders were cut out.

To make it a Peterbilt, I had to slide the front axle forward, maybe a half inch.


I moved the leaf springs perches and shackles about 3\8" forward by drilling new holes and tapping them. I ground off the excess perch.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3150/1...33110164_z.jpg


I then ground off the rivets and slid the axle forward another 1\4"


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7323/1...c768a824_z.jpg


Filled the fender wells, so I can make new fenders

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2591/1...fa2817b1_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3646/1...d6bba458_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7303/1...22a76b8a_z.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/1...0c62f075_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3519/1...0aa78838_z.jpg

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

Looking pretty bad@$$

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

How about the Optimus Prime paint scheme! lol looks great.

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

now it's starting to look like a Pete!
nice job on the bodywork jeff
myself though, i think i would change the bumper to something like this
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...rbilt37916.jpg
c'mon, hurry up & get this done:metal:

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

Thank you guys, for the comments. I meant to put these up last night, but I went brain dead or something. I could not get my picture website figured out. They keep changing how I add pics to my forums. So I have to dig around till I can find the right link to show pics..

I am making my own air tanks and using the original steps, which saves a little over a 100 bucks. YAY !!


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3800/...32819fce89.jpg



Here you go dieseldawg, my front bumper I will be using :)


https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2751/...2b66fa51_c.jpg


Pete's have flat top hoods, so...


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3816/...aa842e84_c.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/...32a21ce8_b.jpg

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2761/...0d7c1005_c.jpg



It still needs some lovin, but its closer now. :)


https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2706/...d9500ea8_c.jpg



I also put the sleeper door on the correct side.


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3703/...310d0e8c_z.jpg




I will have to put more up when I get them taken, because I removed the fenders and have already redone them, now I just need someone else's opinion on them.



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Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

It looks good so far..the mods are looking good, keep going

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

Thank you Dale ! It just seems to never end though. :)

After watching a lot of different big rigs, mostly the older ones, I noticed that the sleeper wasn't much taller then the cab.. (less wind resistance before the spoilers went up on the cab or sleeper I suppose)

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3822/...c674b56f_z.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/...389f170b_z.jpg



My Dry Cargo Van showed up the other day, so I have been assembling it also.


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3722/...f5df3c2f_z.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3790/...d682fbe0_z.jpg

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

coming along nicely!
like your hood & sleeper mods jeffro.
am i really seeing almost 36" on that tape? if so that thing is going to be huge!

Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

Thank you dieseldawg. You are seeing right, its 32.25 inches long. In the 14th scale world, its about 2.5 inches to short to be a 14th scale 53 ft dry cargo van in 1:1, but it sure looks big sitting here. I'm lovin it !

I finally found some time to work on it again, see what you think, of the trailer that is, I'm still sick of body work, but about ready to hit the cab again.

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2835/...a7f0ae62_z.jpg


I picked up some Baby Moon Hubs

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3760/...a8d63e42_z.jpg



Trailer Door Assembly, the Van itself was aluminum, but I have painted it white, and it will have a wooden, stained floor.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/...18cac028_c.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/...a3199fac_z.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/...0a45ce61_b.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7117/...72832650_c.jpg

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Re: Building an RC Big Rig
 

Jeffro looking pretty bad @$$........is it done yet...........what about now....lol