Best place to get parts for frame rails?

[ABC Auto Industry]

I know Auslowe has short frame rail extensions, but what if I wanted longer pieces of plastic to custom-build my own truck frames? Would someplace like Plastruct have anything like that?

[vincen47]

If you don’t mind making the frame rails yourself, check with Plastruct or Evergreen for suitable lengths of styrene. I imagine with their vast selection that you’d find the length and width and thickness you’d need for the side, top , and bottom of the c-channel. Glue together, and sand the outside edges to shape.

But, if you’re looking for off-the-shelf styrene c-channel, I don’t believe they or anyone else makes it in the size we need for 1/24 or 1/25 trucks.

However, Ryan from Rhino Model Truck Parts makes nice frame rails for custom builds from styrene in 24” lengths (using the method described above), and he will probably do other sizes, too. His main business now is aluminum parts, but he still makes the frame rails.

The set I bought closely matches the Italeri Peterbilt frame rails in height, but they’re really designed to be used as the rails for the entire build, rather than as extensions for a frame stretch (in that case, you’re wise to instead use additional sections from a matching kit). 

You can find him on eBay as rhino9905 and contact him there or at rmlynek6@gmail.com

Edited December 17, 2022 by vincen47

[Fabrux]

A&N has a whole bunch of chassis kits using photoetch frame rails:

https://an-modeltrucks.com/product-category/big-trucks/chassis-kits/

[ABC Auto Industry]

OK, I'll look into both of those. Thanks!

[55pete351]

I had trouble finding what I wanted when scratch building a 1/25 long wheelbase resin model. I ended up taking 7/16 I beam and cutting off two of the ears. It is a pain but it worked. I think it would work fine as frame extenders as well. You would want to add where there was crossmember support or a hidden area. You could then add strips of plastic or brass to make it stronger. I have seen other builders here do that. Hope this helps and good luck.

[ABC Auto Industry]

51 minutes ago, 55pete351 said:

I had trouble finding what I wanted when scratch building a 1/25 long wheelbase resin model. I ended up taking 7/16 I beam and cutting off two of the ears. It is a pain but it worked. I think it would work fine as frame extenders as well. You would want to add where there was crossmember support or a hidden area. You could then add strips of plastic or brass to make it stronger. I have seen other builders here do that. Hope this helps and good luck.

That's a very interesting idea, too!