Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Got a small update on Susan's Black Passion build ( Personally, i like to call it "Black Ice" because the way the body shines and looks wet.:D )

Sorry Dwayne, no truck pics. Im building this one from the ground up, chassis first, then the body.... To be honest, I'm almost scared to start the drilling, wiring, mounting and all the handling of the cab:eek: I will deal with that later.:rolleyes:

the latest is a new rear deck plate made from 0.032" aluminum. I didnt want any mounting screws visible so the plate is secured by the rear of the sleeper mount at one end, and the 5th wheel mounting plate at the other.

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/.../image-024.jpg

Next was work on installing the 5th wheel servo. I learned from my truck that a standard size servo barely fits :eek::( what a pain it was, so. I purchased a mini servo this time. I was about to start cutting a slot in the deck plate for the servo arm when i thought what else could i do?
I suddenly remembered seeing a build thread when i first joined the forum where someone modified the lever to go under the deck ( I think it was Dreamweaver? not sure ).
this truck has custom aluminum crossmembers and the design is what gave me the idea to come up with this.........:D:D:D

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...te/image11.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ete/image4.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/.../image-034.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/.../image-014.jpg

Next is build a mounting plate for the MFU switch box. It too will be concealed and not in the battery box step.

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/.../image-043.jpg

I will post a video of the micro servo in operation once i get the chassis wired.
thanks for looking....:)

Mario

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Very nice work, really like what I see. Can't wait to see more, great idea with the fifth wheel servo.

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

You all know there where be a new build once my truck is done! LOL He's working hard, having fun and and I enjoy watching him doing it!

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

The truck looks great, Mario. This will be a very nice edition when it is completed. The deck plate looks kinda foggy, maybe try and polish it? That way it matches the whole look of the truck. Great idea with securing the deck plate, that is the way I did mine, and it gives it a clean look.

Keep up the great work, Ill be watching this one! :D

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Thanks for the compliments Kaf343 and Young gunz :)

Yes JD, your right about the plate is foggy. I realized I need to learn the proper way to polish the plates now the cutting and fitting is done. I went to the body tech section and found a post from Dabears asking about how to polish and got lots of good tips from the masters of the trade:cool:
Wish I would have seen the thread a few days ago before I went and used Mothers polish. Just as stated, the stuff made the plate foggy.:(:eek:

Mario

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

wow mario and sue nice build going on there my friends.very clever about the servo arm and the deck plates ...pretty coooool:)if we keep this up our trucks might be better than the ones at clifford:p:p:p:p

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

WOW Mario! I ve been wondering how to mount a deck plate with out visible screws also, pretty cool idead, and I like the servo setup for the 5th wheel. I havent got to installing my MFU yet, but I didn't think about putting it between the frame rails.
Good job keep the updates coming

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Thanks D , and your right our rigs will have more WOW factor than the 1:1 trucks:D:cool:

Thanks Dave. I really like the way the 5th wheel servo worked out. I will definitely do the same thing on my truck in the future:D
The MFU idea can only be done on Sue's truck thanks to the new PMD GRU mounted directly on the tranny:) my truck has the frame mounted version and there is not enough room in the frame rails to do both the servo and MFU .
Another benefit of the new GRU guys! :D:cool:

This will be my first small step into styrene work. I got my Zona saw and some plastic to work with. Plan on making a box to cover and protect the circuit board. Then I think I will just mount to rail with 3m double side tape?

Mario

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Mario, I love the idea of hiding all of the components such as the 5th wheel servo and mfcu control box to make these trucks look more realistic. You are doing a fantastic job my friend.:D;):):cool: Keep this up and S&M TRUCKING will have enough rigs in a short time to have a convoy.:eek::eek::eek:

Big John

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Thats a great idea for the 5th wheel.Excellent job looks great!!!

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Thanks guys :). I'm really enjoying this build compared to when I bought my truck and it was more of a open the box and put it together kind of build.
I seen and learned so much from everyone on this forum, the hobby is just getting more and more fun for me and Sue.
CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT SUMMER! :D:D

Mario

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Thanks Adam. I'm real happy how it turned out. The kit from SS tronix arrived and i can now complete the 5th wheel work and continue the chassis. I'm still waiting for a bunch of stuff from PMD:eek: Front bumper, pete style steps, sleeper lights, step lights... then i can put the chassis on the shelf and move on to the cab. I dont have enough room to do both projects at once:mad::o
getting anxious though so heres a few mock up pics..... so much work to do, the list is long.......

enjoy :)

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ete/image5.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/.../image-015.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/.../image-025.jpg

thanks for looking.

Mario

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

That is one sweet truck!! Cant wait for the updates with the new parts!! Great job!!

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Mario, awesome job, I really like where this going. Looking very cool. The new parts will top it off.

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Things are coming together very nicely!!

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

That's the start too a nice high top Pete. I had the same one.

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

great looking truck so far! what kind of rims are they? they look great

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Thanks for the compliments guys. This is my wife's truck. I kinda had a different vision for this truck at first but after listening to Susan and understanding what she wants this truck to look like, I'm totally onboard and into it. This is going to be one sweet Pete :D

Rcman. To answer your question. The rims are built by the king of wheels, IHbuilder ( see vendor, IHB scale models ) you just can't build a pete truck without a set of Steve's ovals.:cool::):D

Mario

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Just a small update....Still waiting for a few key parts to continue the build but should be here soon. Suffered through a 4 day Flu and then moved right into a brutal cold for the last 5 days.I managed to get the headlamps mounted on a spare grill as a test run for look and fit. Susan had purchased some PMD air cleaners and air cleaner lights at the Indy show and was anxious to see how they look...... but there was something i been wanting to do since placing the body on the chassis.... hook it up to the lowboy!!

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ete/image6.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/.../image-016.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/.../image-026.jpg


The front bumper is just for mock up and the rear fenders are just laying on tires. Speaking of rear fenders, we wanted to stay with a clean, conceal what you can , look to this truck which immediately made me think of a idea i saw Dabears use at one point during his Globeliner build, mount the fender to the axle instead of the frame rail which allows you to make a low tight fit to the wheels.:D:D Thanks Aaron!:cool:

Using the leftovers of the 0.032" aluminum plate which is real easy to work with and yet is quite strong by the way:cool I came up with this.......

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/.../image-035.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/.../image-044.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...image-05-1.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...image-06-1.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...e/image-07.jpg

Thanks for looking and any comments and suggestions :)

Mario.

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Mario the truck and trailer combo look great!

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Looks great Mario! What did you use to attach the fender bracket to the fender? Epoxy?

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

hey mario great looking truck...see i told you people will flock to clifford every year to see our scale trucks then go to see the 1:1 afterwards...keep up the good work,next year is right around the corner:D

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Dwayne, I can hardly wait til Clifford. He is doing great work!!!! All he needs is for the remaining parts to show up and then he will be set to finish it off, know he has some plans for his after he's done mine. Will add that he is taking pics while I am getting ready for Christmas so excuse any mess. LOL....Merry Christmas to everyone and their familys'. May there be peace, love and joy for all.....
Susan

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Thanks Paul, glad you like:)

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Thanks truckmaker , funny how things work out. I've had the trailer since well before this truck was even a thought and with Susan wanting her truck black, it all works out. Trailer suits both hers and my truck.:D

Mario

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Thanks Adam, I really like how it's all coming together.... Can't wait to get the rest of the parts so I can rock n roll on this build!

Mario

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Hey Nathan,

As a matter of fact, I used Gorilla glue. I cut and glued a test strip to a scrap fender to check for strength and as I tried to twist or pry the fender off ( while mounted on a wheel so I wasn't twisting like crazy ) I actually bent the bracket and the glue held.
This is my first time using this stuff, not sure how well it holds up over time. If they do let go in the future, plan B is gonna be epoxy.

Mario

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Hey Dwayne, Glad you like the build so far. And yes people will flock! My dream is that the Clifford show in the future, becomes Canada's early summer version of the Indy show with the added bonus of the 1:1 trucks to drool over:D
Clifford in June, Indy in August...doesn't that sound sweet? :D
And Clifford ain't to far to travel for a lot of you guys south of the border by the way!!:):D

Is it June yet??? .... :D

Mario

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Mario,truck is looking good:cool: What do you think the lowboy would look like with the rc4wd lopros on it instead of the tires that come on it?

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Looking really good, nice and clean!!

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Thanks Chris. I'm not sure how lowpros would look. I have never purchased any yet and have only seen pics, and on a few rigs at the Indy show back in August. My first impression is the lowpros may look " lost " or too small for the wheel wells ? How much smaller in diameter are the lows vs standard size?
Also, I love the aggressive look of these tires. I don't think lowpros come in this style of tread pattern.



Loaded heavy.....
Those Pete wheels are dead awesome. First time seeing and BEST I've seen on ANY model truck.

Thanks dude! Yes, the wheels are spectacular and pics do them no justice. IHBuilder really knocked this one out of the park when he makes these Pete ovals.....actually, everything he makes is a home run ! :cool::D

Mario

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Hey All ! I see alot of KW builds topping the thread list and thought this a good time to show the start of the King of Bling make over.:eek:
Now that Susans truck is a true Pete with fenders and lights.... well, my old cross breed looking truck aint gonna work anymore. :o
So I'm using the pete grill with the badge and swan off my truck for Sue's and picked up a KW grill for mine:D

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...image-01-2.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...12/image-5.jpg

the unfortunate thing is I remember scuffing up the surface before installing the pete badges so to install the KW in the right place i need to cover the damage.:eek: i ordered some of those side hood flames from PMD in hopes to cover up the blemish and place the kenworth side badge on them?? hope it works and if it works I'll post pics, if it dont.........:confused::rolleyes:

Thanks for looking and comments.:)

Mario

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Mario the grill looks good on the truck!!

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

yea adam you should see this truck in the sun like last year...it was the brightest truck out of the bunch of us ..i kept telling mario...take good care of that cab man ....i think he knew secretly i wanted it but ...rats:eek:....he was on to me...:D

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Well guys, while he was working on the grill of his truck I was waxing the body of mine...she shines like a diamond...Can't wait for it to be done...

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Thanks for the comments everyone . Switching to a KW just seems like the right thing to do and the best part is, now I can put a set of Russ super 8 suspension under it:cool::D

Update on Sue's Rig : sorry Adam, didn't get a chance to take some pics. They probably wouldn't turn out due to the fact the truck is so shiny :eek: lol .
Susan is definitely into this build, she did 3 coats of wax last night and then another 2 when she got up this morning!......hmmmm, or maybe telling me to pick up the pace:confused::p:)

Mario

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

Yep that Kenworth front end looks way better. didnt look bad before but this is more like it. yeah and that many wax jobs in 24 hours is for sure hurry the #$%@ up!

Re: S&M Trucking open for bizz nizz !!!
 

LOL. I agree DD :)

Update on Sue's build:
Now with all the protective wax on the body it's time to tackle the marker lights. Been thinking about how to do without damage and be sure they are perfectly straight. I'm sure people out there have a few tricks how to do it, this is what i came up with and it worked really good.

Using graph paper i traced out the shape of the cab roof. cut it out and layed out the light pattern. Then placed on cab and transfered locations with a sharp tip.

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/...ete/image7.jpg

I dont have all the lights yet, should have the other set in a week or so but heres how it turned out so far. I'm really happy with the results so far.


http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/.../image-017.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/.../image-027.jpg

http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/.../image-036.jpg

Also been busy painting. Using a small brush I painted all led wiring flat black and its all ready for install. Best part is I'm off next week and looking forward to getting lots done. :D

Thanks for looking and happy new year !:)

Mario