ShakyCraftsman Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 Hey all Well I did it, I started another project. I purchased some air suspensions from Shapways for the lowboy, but they were to tall, they were meant for a standard height trailer...sooo, I decided to start a new project so I could use them. I'm making a 6 axle heavy haul/steel hauler 48' flatbed trailer based off of info form the internet and kind like the AMT flatbed trailer, but different. here is my drawing that I built it from. side view of 6 axle flatbed trailer. this view shows the air suspensions that I'm using, they still need a lot of work. I now need 6 complete air brake setups. this view shows the Italeri Peterbilt 378 tractor that will be pulling it. I'm going to replace the Detroit diesel that comes with it with a Cummins from the Australian Western Star from Italeri. I have 4 extra rear duals from an old old kit that I did eons ago that I might use to add a pusher axle to it, don't know for sure, will see. Well that's it for now be back soon with more. Ron G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar - D Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 Ron your amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShakyCraftsman Posted March 18, 2021 Author Share Posted March 18, 2021 Hey all I did a little more work on the Peterbilt 378 Tri-drive. I'm still waiting on parts for the 6 axle trailer. this view shows the Pete with the correct cab on it. It has 385/65R22.5 tires from the Italeri trailer tyre kit on the front for floats. I put my driver figure in there for perspective. this view shows the front floats turned to the right. this view shows the Tri-drive set up. And the stretched fifth wheel plate. this view shows the valve stems I added to the inner and outer rims, I still need to do the rest of the rears and the fronts too. this view shows the front floats a little better, also the Cummins NTC-400 I'm using instead of the kit supplied Detroit series 60. another view of the Cummins NTC-400. this view shows the intake air cleaner pipe in place. this view shows the modified (from the Detroit series 60) intercooler pipes. The radiator is the Cummins NTC-400 radiator from the Western Star kit. Well that's it for now be back with more soon Ron G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShakyCraftsman Posted April 16, 2021 Author Share Posted April 16, 2021 Hey all It's been a while on this build. I did some more work on the Tri-drive Pete. I made new longer tanks out of some 3/4" (1.05" O.D.) pvc pipe and ends from some 0.08" plastic sheet. I also made a rear step to get up on the frame to hook up the air/elec. Lines. I did some more work on the engine intercooler pipes and air intake pipes. So, here are some pictures for you to look at. this view shows the intercooler and air intake pipes. I have to fix the radiator, it's crooked!!!... BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH! Oh well no big deal. view from the front of the truck showing the exhaust pipes and the fuel tank. this view shows the custom fuel tank. I put the left one on the right and the right one on the left.. duhh! Oh well it's put together just for pictures. You can see the step in this view. this view shows the paint scheme I'm going for. Dark orange frame, orange hood, cab and sleeper with black top and lower front area. Well that's it for now be back with more soon. Ron G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorincebu Posted April 17, 2021 Share Posted April 17, 2021 (edited) Ron , I like the wholke project. The trailer is big heavyduty and just plain cool. Your Tri-drive Pete, Well I love Tri-Drives. Your paint scheme and colors are cool . I would use that combination myself. Be Well Gator Edited April 17, 2021 by gatorincebu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShakyCraftsman Posted April 30, 2021 Author Share Posted April 30, 2021 Hey all Did some work on the 6 axle flatbed trailer. The wheels that I ordered from Italeri finally got here, along with some more Italeri 1/24 truck tires, so I made up some axles and temporarily installed the wheels/tires to the trailer. this view shows the whole setup and its 35 1/2" long! this view shows just the trailer and its a scale 48' long. Ron G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar - D Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 Looks awesome Ron! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigred63 Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 Man Ron, that trailer is unbelievable! I like what you are doing to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShakyCraftsman Posted May 1, 2021 Author Share Posted May 1, 2021 Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShakyCraftsman Posted May 1, 2021 Author Share Posted May 1, 2021 Hey all Some more progress on the 6 axle flatbed trailer. this view shows the whole thing. this view shows the deck boards in place on the trailer. top view of the trailer deck boards. View looking rearward of the Pete 379 and 6 axle flatbed trailer. That's it for now be back soon. Ron G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorincebu Posted May 3, 2021 Share Posted May 3, 2021 Ron, Nice work on the trailer fabrication . I like your wood deck as well . Extreme;yt curious as to what you might use for a load ? Be Well Gator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShakyCraftsman Posted May 4, 2021 Author Share Posted May 4, 2021 1 hour ago, gatorincebu said: Ron, Nice work on the trailer fabrication . I like your wood deck as well . Extreme;yt curious as to what you might use for a load ? Be Well Gator Hey Gator It will be 4 large rolls of sheet steel, I have to figure out how to make them. I my try to 3D print them. Ron G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotnitro? Posted May 4, 2021 Share Posted May 4, 2021 Good looking trailer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShakyCraftsman Posted May 8, 2021 Author Share Posted May 8, 2021 (edited) Hey guys I've been working on the Tri-drive Pete. I recently bought another Pete, the 1/24 AMT Long hauler (repop of the Italeri kit), got it for a great price $50.00 bucks. So anyway, I started cutting it up and I now have a high roof, large opening cab to sleeper 378, I think? I also made one of the hoods into a extended hood 379. Here's some pics for you to look at. this view shows the stock 378 hood, modified cab with raised roof and modified 63" Unibilt sleeper with enlarged cab to sleeper opening. front view of the cab, you can see the interior and seats that will know be able to recline into the opening, more room for tall drivers. rear view of the cab opening and back of seats. this view shows the cab roof and the modifications I made to increase the opening to the sleeper. this view shows the modifications I made to the cab roof and opening. this view shows the raised roof of the cab. this view shows the modifications I made to the opening in the sleeper. view of the sleeper from the drivers side. view of the sleeper from the passenger side. this view shows the sleeper attached to the cab. view from the front. view from the drivers side. view from the top. view from the passenger side with the hood. this view shows the setup on the tractor frame. My dilemma is, I'm thinking I might want to use this cab and sleeper along with the 379 exhd to make more of a tandom show truck, and use the stock cab with either a 36" bunk or a flat top 63" sleeper I made form the othe sleeper that I had (it didn't quite come out the way I planed, the corners aren't round enough, my opion) on the Tri-drive. I will post pictures of the 379exhd and flatop sleeper tomorrow. This is the motor I'm going to use for the Tri-drive, instead of the Cummins NTC-400 thats in it now. It's a Cat C15 twin turbo from Moluminum. turbo side view. other side view. This are pictures of the engine that I got from Jamie at Moluminum of it finished. well that's it for now be back with more updates soon. Ron G Edited May 8, 2021 by ShakyCraftsman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShakyCraftsman Posted May 8, 2021 Author Share Posted May 8, 2021 Hey guys As I said yesterday I would post pictures of the 379exhd and 63" flat top sleeper, so here are some pictures. this view shows the final setup for the 1/24 Italeri Peterbilt 378 Tri-drive. rear view of the rig. front view of the rig, these are just sitting together for pictures. this view shows the Unibilt 63" large opening sleeper, 379 raised roof cab with custom made lower extensions and the 379exhd hood. view from the front. downward view. passenger side view of the 379 setup. This will be going on a stock length kit frame (maybe) with 4 single Auslowe aluminum fenders, custom made Texas drop bumper and a s$%t load of chicken lights. this view shows the modified 63" Unibilt sleeper that I tried to make into a flat top. view from the rear of the flat top sleeper. I think the rounded corners on the top are not round enough. What do you guys think? Ron G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilrathy10 Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 Seriously, Killer project... Very nice work... This looks too cool... Too cool... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShakyCraftsman Posted May 15, 2021 Author Share Posted May 15, 2021 Hey guys I've been working on the Peterbilt 379 exhd custom. I decided to leave it stock at 246.0" W/B. I have the frame assembled and I started in on plumbing the air suspension system. The air brakes and fuel lines will come next. this view shows the scratch built rear air bag height control valve and the air lines to the rear airbags. this view shows the scratch built front airbag height control valve and air lines to the airbags. this view shows the whole rear section. this view shows the three air tanks. this view shows the main supply air tank on the bottom and the 2nd service air tank on the top. The purple line goes to the airbags (this will all be painted in the frame color). this view shows the 1st service air tank. this view shows the 2nd service air tank and the inline air filter to the airbags. The next 4 pictures show the hollowed out universal joints that I did to add some more realism to the build. I took out about a scale 1.5" - 1.75" out of the ride height, so the truck sits a little lower to look cool!. Well that's it for now be back with more updates soon. Ron G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar - D Posted May 18, 2021 Share Posted May 18, 2021 Awesome progress Ron. Looking forward to seeing more of your progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggu Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 Lookin good , Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShakyCraftsman Posted May 19, 2021 Author Share Posted May 19, 2021 Thanks guys I have the brake lines almost done, I ran out of the purple wire I was using for the air lines, so now I have to switch to green, but it's all going to be painted the frame color so it doesn't matter. this view shows the rear area if the truck. this view shows the rear brake modulator and the height control valve. this view shows the front brake modulator valve on the left and the rear brake anti-lockup modulator on the right. this view shows the Cummins NTC-400 and the front brake line, I used braided line for these. this view shows what this truck is going to look like when it's done. view from the rear showing the polished aluminum rear fenders and the rear light bracket, I have red, amber and clear lights for this. view from the front showing the custom made "Texas" bumber and the 10" stacks, I still have to figure out how to make the lower curved part of these, I think I'm going to try Plastruct elbows and paint them chrome. view showing the hood open. Well that's it for now be back soon with more updates. Ron G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotnitro? Posted May 20, 2021 Share Posted May 20, 2021 Very nice work! Check out those stainless drinking straws sold at wall mart ..they make sweet pipes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShakyCraftsman Posted May 20, 2021 Author Share Posted May 20, 2021 1 hour ago, gotnitro? said: Very nice work! Check out those stainless drinking straws sold at wall mart ..they make sweet pipes Ok, thanks nitro Ron G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilrathy10 Posted May 22, 2021 Share Posted May 22, 2021 This looks awesome!!! Excellent work on the whole thing... The trailer looks great, and the truck is even more amazing with all the plumbing and extra detail... Awesome.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShakyCraftsman Posted May 24, 2021 Author Share Posted May 24, 2021 (edited) Thanks guys I did some work on the interior. I added some very thin grey velour with adhesive backing to make the carpet. I got these off of Amazon, I got 2 sheets 8 1/2 x 11 of light grey, dark charcoal, dark brown, medium brown, light brown, beige and dark wine red. It works great for carpeting on 1/25-1/24 models, and it sticks pretty good. this view shows the arm rests I added to the inner sides of the seats, also the seat backs that I added. The velour carpeting looks kinda beige, but it is light grey. this view shows the clutch, brake and gas/fuel pedels that I added. this view shows the small blue wire that I added to the shifter column and the retainer I made for it from some 1/64" tape. I plan on carving some seat cushion detail into both seats. You can just barely see the pencil lines I added to the seats for this purpose. I have both photo etch sets for the 1/24 Italeri Peterbilt 379/377 from Czech model trucks, so the instrument panel will be photo etch along with the steering wheel center, shift and air knobs, plus all of the exterior photo etch, alot of bending but it will be worth it in the end. Ron G Edited May 24, 2021 by ShakyCraftsman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorincebu Posted May 25, 2021 Share Posted May 25, 2021 Ron, You are really moving along on this project . I like what you are doing here . Looks good from where I sit ! Be Well Gator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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