Building an RC Big Rig

[jeffro2]

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.





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.





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.









The box of parts.







Started putting the frame together





Rear suspension







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


Thank you for taking a look.

[Ol Blue K20]

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

[TJ's Chevy]

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

[dieseldawg142]

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?

[68 SWB]

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.

[jeffro2]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

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

Thank You Dale !

Originally Posted by T.J. MCCAULEY

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

Thank you TJ

Originally Posted by dieseldawg142

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?

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..

Originally Posted by 68 SWB

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.

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

Here are a few updates,

Building the 3-speed Transmission, top shaft.



Lower Shaft



Assembly of trans







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



The shift rod







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

Replaced these..





with these..




Also got the front axle and suspension installed.










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..




.

[dieseldawg142]

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

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by dieseldawg142

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

X2 it's looking awesome so far

[jeffro2]

Originally Posted by dieseldawg142

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

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

X2 it's looking awesome so far

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.







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.



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





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









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"




.

[Ol Blue K20]

Your making progress pretty fast... keep it up

[jeffro2]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Your making progress pretty fast... keep it up

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.

[dieseldawg142]

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

[Ol Blue K20]

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

[jeffro2]

Originally Posted by dieseldawg142

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

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

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

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

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.

[Ol Blue K20]

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

[jeffro2]

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



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.




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





Filled the fender wells, so I can make new fenders

[Ol Blue K20]

Looking pretty bad@$$

[no moa]

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

[dieseldawg142]

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

[jeffro2]

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 !!






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





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










It still needs some lovin, but its closer now.






I also put the sleeper door on the correct side.







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.



.

[Ol Blue K20]

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

[jeffro2]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

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

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)







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

[dieseldawg142]

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!

[jeffro2]

Originally Posted by dieseldawg142

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!

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.




I picked up some Baby Moon Hubs





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









.

[Ol Blue K20]

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