Custombilt 379

[Serioga]

Hi, dear friends.
Now I finally have some photos to start my Heavy duty WIP.
Long time before (when I was building my "Can Do" Wrecker) I wanted to create Texas Show Truck. Painting scheme will be like this:

The sleeper unit will be like on this photo:

I took Italeri's Peterbilt 378 as a base.
[img] http://www.autoinscale.com/data/00000204/00.jpg [/img]
Of course the chassis has to be extended. White styrene pieces serves as extra frame piece. Clear plastic strips - are strengthening, glued inside:

Clamps and level for gluening:

I plan to lower the suspension. For this purpose I cloned front springs to have possibility to modify them. As you can see I shave down some spring:


Finally I made air balloons for front suspension. With it I can now increase front axle load
I do the same with rear suspension. Original on the left, casting wint resin in the center, filed down on the right:

As the truck will sit lower, we need shorter air balloones ar rear. So I cut off the ones of "Can Do" wrecker spare frame and made two items. And again I copyed the rest. Black balloon on the picture is Italeri's original:
Extra crossmembers for the frame:


I decide to make a "Taylor wing" (chromed spoiler on the sleeper rooth) for my Show Truck. It should looks like here:

First I made the blank from resin:

Long time I shaped it with file and sand paper:

Drilled holes for rivets:

With rivets:


And finally Ruber mould was made just in case (for future projects):
All I left is to made etched side (tear drop like) boards and fastening.
Feel free to ask questions.

[CrateCruncher]

This is going to be fun. Serioga, have you considered using coke can aluminum for some of this scratch stuff? It polishes up nicely and you can "make" rivets by punching the back surface with a sharp nail or pin. Anyway, great start. I'm hooked.

[rollin80s]

really an interesting build you have going there. will keep an eye out for this one.

[countach79]

nice! interesting idea to make your new wing

i'm watching!

[Serioga]

Originally Posted by CrateCruncher

This is going to be fun. Serioga, have you considered using coke can aluminum for some of this scratch stuff? It polishes up nicely and you can "make" rivets by punching the back surface with a sharp nail or pin. Anyway, great start. I'm hooked.

I usually use Sprite can aluminum for scratch stuff. Thank you, Mike for the idea with punching rivets. I will think it over.
2 rollin80s & countach79 & Everyone: Thank you guys for interest.

[JDMaholic]

this is neat!!

[ravan17]

looks awesome man, cant wait to see it finished.

[Serioga]

While Jaguar is drying, I worked with Peterbilt's rear suspension. The altered suspension above. The original - below:

Altered and stock suspension for comparison:

New axle supported by three 1,5mm styrene strips. Resin air-bags will be sanded in high a little more.

By the way, how do you think: new (chromed) U-bolts 0,75mm are thick enough? Stock plastic U-bolts are 1,2mm thick.

[rsxse240]

I think they are plenty thick enough. Suspension mods look great!

[agamo]

Great scratchbuilding abilities, I'll keep an eye on this one!

[Serioga]

Originally Posted by rsxse240

I think they are plenty thick enough. Suspension mods look great!

Thank you, Ken.

Originally Posted by agamo

Great scratchbuilding abilities, I'll keep an eye on this one!

Thank you for interest, Ramon. It is pleasure to hear it from you. I'm watching your Ferrari too.

[Fabbri_Guy]

cool, where can i get some of those balloons for the suspension? I could use some on my rides

[voyageur]

Yeah! This looks like it's going to be a nice truck. There are not too many around here on AF. Your scratchbuilding skills are really good. I would've never though of filling resin in a coke can

[Serioga]

Originally Posted by Fabbri_Guy

cool, where can i get some of those balloons for the suspension? I could use some on my rides

Air balloons can be found in Revell's US Truck kits like Peterbilt Wrecker, KenWorth K100, KenWorth Australia. Also there are some aftermarket ones (check this page and last page): http://sourkrautsmodeltrucks.com/?pa...page_number=13
Altered rear axles

Streched frame

[tonioseven]

This is nice!!!