vincen47

It’s already looking great, and it’ll look good either way, but that’s exactly the reason why the choice is hard, I’m sure. So many possibilities. And yeah, it’s often about what inspiration strikes you at the time. Unless I’m inspired to replicate a certain truck, often I try to imagine how the truck might be spec’d by the company, dealer, up-fitter, or the individual buyer, thinking about what they might be looking for. What upgrades, replacements, repairs, might have happened during it’s lifetime? It may sound odd, but I find if I can mentally create a build’s “biography”, things fall into place more easily. The fact that there is so much variance is one of the things I enjoy about trucks.

A fine looking group. Each one has character and interest.

It’s coming together nicely. What do have planned for the exhaust? Single? Visor for the cab?

Here’s a scratch built RV Conversion on an Italeri Aeromax Chassis, along with a customized 27’ Enclosed Car Hauler, for a weekend warrior that goes to the track in style. The whole project was an enjoyable building experience, and my first major scratch building endeavor. The RV body is curbside, though it does have window shades. Power is a Italeri Detroit Series 60, from a Pete 378 kit. The trailer is detailed on the inside, ready to haul the latest money pit to the track. There’s a lot of aftermarket parts and materials along with scratch built items. Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Thanks for looking!

Thanks! The outside curved corner frame itself was 3D printed. I got it from a guy on eBay that was making them for big custom sleepers. I asked if he could make one much longer. He is still active, but he hasn’t listed those frames in a long time. The rest of the framework, along with the floor, sides, roof, etc, was scratch built.

Nice to see you got the Mack. I picked that kit up a while back, but haven’t started it yet. I’m thinking a beat-up old roll-off truck would be a good plan for the one I have. I didn’t get any hobby items, nor have I ever received much in the way of hobby items as gifts. That’s ok, I never ask for any hobby items, and I get plenty of other useful things, I can’t complain. One related item was an excellent book called Peterbilt - The Evolution of Class by Warren Johnson. Great history and model info up to about the year 2000. My tastes have always been very specific in regards to kits, and it would be difficult for my family to locate stuff that’s not say, on the shelf at Hobby Lobby. Besides, I wouldn’t want them to pay more than they should (though in regards to Hobby Lobby, 40% off isn’t bad). A gift certificate to Model Cave or Moluminum would be good, but they wouldn’t want to just give a gift certificate for Christmas. My wife mentioned that I should make a list of stuff I like on Amazon (she did, and I must admit, it made shopping for her very easy this year). I’m reluctant to put hobby stuff on there, and though I haven’t really looked on Amazon for hobby stuff, I’m thinking the prices probably wouldn’t be great, would they?

Though it’s not part of a completed truck build yet, I think an engine can be a model in itself. I’ve started my next truck conversion, a 1/24th scale black and chrome Peterbilt 379, and I’ve built a Cat 3406E for it's power. The resin engine is from Moluminum. It wears real Cat yellow, and includes several scratch-built extras. Further detailing will be added when it’s in-frame. It represents a ‘99 15.8l E-Model 3406. Producing 600 plus horsepower, the final generation of these 964 cubic inch beasts were the precursor to the C16. This one has been remanufactured and up-fitted with chrome and ceramic parts, to boost the performance and style. It’s representative of the custom engines from diesel shops that outfit gliders and other owner-operator rigs. Big Cats like this are highly sought-after for their power and pre-emissions reliability. They often find a second life in a glider or show truck. it’s coupled to an 18 speed Eaton Autoshift transmission that’s been up-fitted with a trans oil cooler. The build was detailed using Ken Smith’s Car Modeller 3406E article and online photos for reference, many from Kustom Truck, an Oregon-based glider and diesel shop. I hope you enjoy. Next on the bench: The rolling chassis.

Thanks guys for all of the compliments. I’ve since modified the scratch-built alternator, making it a bit shorter. I was going for a larger than standard size, but it was too large and too close to the intake piping. It looks much improved. I plan to start the chassis this weekend and it’ll get more detail/parts added when it is put between the frame rails.

The Pierce pump panel looks great. A while back, I watched a documentary on how Pierce made their equipment, showing the construction from start to finish. I’ll have to look that up again. Neat stuff.

Either way, you’ve got some great looking builds. Museum-quality.

So the pump panel we see here is just a stand-in? Looks nice, regardless. Nice progress. I’m looking forward to seeing it fully outfitted.

I can’t emphasize this enough - what a fantastic rig. I’ve been enjoying watching this come together on the other forum. Nice to see it here, too. Excellent. The cab looks great.

The mock-up looks great, it’ll be a nice set-up. Orange will look good, it’s one of those colors that can be easily dressed up or down. Perfect for factory/fleet, as well as custom/show, and everything in between.

Here are some updated photos. I noticed some spots that needed touch-up painting, and I added the lifting brackets. Most importantly, the valve covers needed refinishing, so I took care of that.

Sounds like a plan. I like the orange idea, but it would be a great candidate for that UP yellow you have, too.

Going to be good, I’m sure. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone use the M11 on here, at least recently. That’s cool. What are you thinking for paint color(s)?

Those are respectable numbers for the era. Thanks!

Really nice looking truck, plays the part of a cared-for, well-maintained truck. I wonder how much torque those gas engines were good for?

Thanks! Yes, the trans was sourced from a Lonestar, along with the 11-bladed fan. It’ll find a home in the next RV conversion, built on a Pete 379.

Exactly. Just like with real trucks, I enjoy hearing the story behind why something looks, or could look, the way it does. Every dent, scrape, or odd part adds history and life. Makes builds unique.

Great job with this one, as expected. It has that elusive balance of looking realistically used, but not overdone. I like the fact that it has the holes in the bumper for the fog lamps, but being a no-frills fleet truck, they left them out.

Nice. I don’t have any flats, looking forward to the Moebius release. Your build is a huge improvement over the original AMT kit.

Thanks again, everybody. I’m about to start another conversion, it’ll be fun.

Hi Jeff, hope you enjoy the forum.

I’d love to see the engine, take more pics when you get it home.