First Semi Build And It's Going To Be A Worker
 

Like the title says; this is my first Tamiya semi build and it's only the beginning. I can see many more of these trucks in the future but this will always be my first pride and joy.

To start this project off I picked it up from Scalerlover complete minus tranny and a few parts bags that had already been installed. Anyways it's in all stock form so far but is long from being complete.

My first idea for this truck was a daycab dump truck with a snow plow for the front. Then I got to thinking custom show truck. Although that may be nice, I can't stand shelf queens so this one is definitely going to be a workaholic. I have an rc4wd r2 tranny for it and will be mounting it this week along with hopefully finding a d35 for the front axle.

The first thing I did to the truck was remove the fuel tanks to see if I wanted to stretch it and I'm still debating. I then decided that if it's going to be hauling heavy loads it is a requirement to have air bags of course. So without further ado I leave you with a few pics of my progress from this evening. Lemme know what you guys think and opinions on where it should go. :nice:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2045.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2046.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2047.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2049.jpg

Thanks for looking,

~Tyler~

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

nice looking truck,and great job on the airbags!

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

yeah great start so far i like the air bags.

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

Thank you for the compliments. I hope to be able to get the other arms assembled and bags installed this evening so I can have a full set of four. If there is enought intrest I may look into doing a small run of the mill parts batch for them but I don't think I would be able to do a whole lot as hobby comes second to my job. If you guys are interested lemme know and maybe I can work up a small batch.

~Tyler~

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

Looking good.
I would be intrested it some air bags.

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

Well ok, it looks like there may be some intrest in some airbags so I guess I will look into making a few more sets. I already have a definite on one set and possibly a couple of others interested. I will talk with Freddy and possibly set up a vendor's page for these if you guys would like. Post here and I'll see what I can come up with.

~Tyler~

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

Ok, so time for a few pics of another air setup. Got a few more parts made and one more installed temporarily. Still not sure on how I want to do the rear swing arms but it's getting closer I think.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2052.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2053.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2050.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2054.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2056.jpg

Thanks for looking,
~Tyler~

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

Tyler, are those caliper dust boots? What are you using for the top and bottom of the bags? Did you put springs inside? Have you seen my bags yet?

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

Matt, so many questions. The bags are not quite caliper boots as they are too flimsy, these are another similar rubber boot though that holds up very well. Springs are inside to help them retain their height under loads. The tops and bottoms are machined caps to fit snugly on the bags also with a hole so they can be solid on bottom and float on top just like a real brake pod. And I did happen to see the start of yours in your build thread.

~Tyler~

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

how much weight will the bags hold

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

At this point I'm not sure on load. The springs are each ten pound springs so in reality with all four on the truck they should hold 40lbs but thats not including the weight the leafs will support as well. They are still quite flexible too so for the time being it is still up in the air.

~Tyler~

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

yeah should be fine have you thought of putting a bar from side to side and putting the bags on like the real ones have you know on the inside of the chasis

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

What setup are you talking about with the bags on a bar across the rear? Most setups that I've come across are individual bags on each side of the axle.

~Tyler~

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

yeah ive seen them on the cross bar:D

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

Hmm.... interesting. Here is a good picture to show kinda what I'm biased to on my design.

http://www.smcars.net/forums/attachm...ck-rear-01.jpg

~Tyler~

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

yeah i like your design just thinking of other ones have you thought of making real bags you can air up:D

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

Bags for air are in the future but I have no current way of airing them up and down. Any sugguestions on how to make that work and I'm all ears.

~Tyler~

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

use robart air pump with tank and valve fill tank with air the valve can be worked by sevo and is 2 way it will air up and let air out robart are for air retracts on planes and fairly cheap parts:D

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

if you make bags i can make the rest and we can get together on the system

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

PM me and we will talk. :D

~Tyler~

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

bags are looking good! i think real working bags would be cool!

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

Time for an update on progress. Been very short on time lately but was able to get a little more done on the airbags. Still waiting for some other components to arrive but here is my progress as of tonight. I will seal these units up and let them sit for a while then I will start pressure testing them monday or tuesday hopefully. Anyways here are the pics.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2057.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2059.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2060.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2061.jpg

Lemme know what ya think of the bags so far. I really hope to have these installed and functioning by the end of next week if at all possible.

~Tyler~

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

An interesting idea you have here Tyler.

I'm wondering how much axle articulation you have with this design? It's probably too soon to say yet, but would the tandem axles be able to navigate 9/16 or 5/8" difference in terrain from one axle to the other without tires leaving the ground?

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

Dang it, crashed the other computer, it had link's for micro compressor's. I have to try and find them for you. Later, Neil#2 aka doodlebug.

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

It is hard to say at the moment as I haven't mounted the yet and presured them up. I will hopefully get close to half and inch or more possibly out of this but time will tell by how I change the design.

No needs for finding me a compressor as I already have that covered. This truck should have on board air and be self controlled when all is done.

~Tyler~

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

This is pretty cool Tyler. Staying tuned to this one... Joe

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

Ok so it has been quite some time since I've worked on this dead project so thought I'd take some time this weekend and get a few things I've wanted to do it done. I started off by making a new rear bumper and removing the flimsy mud flaps as they no longer looked right. I got the tranny mounted and decided the main driveshaft was too short and small so I machined up my own new stronger one. Lastly I made som fenders tonight that I will be mounting up tommorow hopefully and getting this thing wired up and rolling on its own by the end of the week. Anyways here are some recent pics from this weekends progress. Enjoy. :D

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2082.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2083.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2081.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2080.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2086.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2084.jpg

Oh and also made some new front hubs to replace the stock lock nuts. Broached in the nuts on the rear and tightened them down. Work flawless with the new bearings up front.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2085.jpg

Thanks for looking and hope to get some more progress done soon.

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

Looking good Tyler, I know thing are in the rough right now, but I bet it will look great once it is done. Looks like someone has been busy at The Yard.

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

By the way, that drive shaft looks interesting. I know where you work, where do you have access to all of the machine, lathe and what not.

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

Hey Matt, I have my own lathe at home.

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

Lucky you. Sorry we didn't get together this weekend. Sometime soon, we live to close together not to.

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

Hey no problems Matt. Maybe we can get together after easter sometime or one of these evenings when things are so crazy. I'm hopin I can get it rollin today after work if possible. This thing should be a pulling machine. :D

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

Well I had to do some tinkering today and decided that it was time to work on my pneumatic airbag setup again. Here are a few pics of these things loaded up with several different psi levels.

0psi

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2088.jpg

70psi

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2090.jpg

And amazingly 100psi

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/100_2091.jpg

These little bags should hold about any load I decide to throw at this rig without sacrificing all suspension and lowering the rear of the truck.

I can't wait to get a system made up to mount these and see how they will hold up on the rear.

More info on them can also be found in my vendors thread if you want to know a little more about them.

Re: First Semi Build And It's Going For Details
 

Sweet little bag set up, I like it.