1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Here's a new project I'm going to start building. It's a 1950 Kenworth needlenose. I figured I'd mix it up a little, and work on this one, in between working on my Wedico Peterbilt, which has been slow going. This build should go a little quicker, for a handful of reasons, but it will not be without it's own set of challenges.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps48014ae0.jpg

To start with, it's a 1/16 scale model, which means it's quite a bit smaller then my Wedico Peterbilt, and a lot smaller then a Tamiya. I took a chance when I bought the cab. I wasn't sure just how much smaller it would be. The plan was to fit it to a Wedico chassis, but I knew it wasn't going to be a simple bolt on affair.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9c5b4e7d.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psd05c1426.jpg

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http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...pscd0d837e.jpg

I borrowed the chassis of my Peterbilt, just for some mock up. Yup, it's not going to fit that easily! Both the front driven and non-driven axles are to wide for the cab. The chassis is also to wide. The cab doesn't even sit down properly, but if it did, the rear axles would fit the width of the cab pretty decent, even if they are a little wide also. Hmm, what to do.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0fe7d7f6.jpg

A driven front axle is out of the question, and I don't want this build to get to complicated, so I thought I'd try the lift axle I built for my Peterbilt, under the cab. I narrowed this axle up quite some time ago, and low and behold, it fits the cab very nicely. Don't mind the super singles. They won't be staying for this build.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6ad16a12.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psa57e795b.jpg

A little more playing around to figure out if the ride height will be acceptable, and if the tires are close to the right size. I thought at this point there was a good chance it would work all right, so I went ahead and built a mock up narrow width chassis to really get an idea for what this project might take.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psee47293b.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps41cc6dc1.jpg

I had some spare parts laying around, and figured I might as well use them. An Osswald front suspension I had on the bench, designed for the Wedico, ended up fitting well. I machined my own front cross member to tie a set of blank frame rails togther too. I have to say it looks promising at this point, but there is still much more to figure out. We'll see how the rest of it comes together.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Here is a link to them.

Click here for the link.

Travis

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Sharkey, yes it's a cast aluminum cab, made by All American Toys. The grille that is designed for this cab is a popular choice for guys who build the K100 trucks, out of Globe Liner kits.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Those are gonna be nice!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

The build quality looks very German, in a good way of course!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Thanks guys.

I have a few more photos to share. In order to build a chassis to fit the Kenworth cab, I needed to run a narrow chassis up front, but standard width in the rear, so that all the Wedico components would fit like a stock truck. I was not going to narrow any rear axles, or build custom ones, so my solution was to make a chassis member that would allow me to transition the chassis from narrow, back to standard width. Here are the photos of the frame member -

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psa647d7fb.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7f528b26.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps42120b0e.jpg

One solid billet frame member, to connect the frame rails. I am sure it will be plenty strong, so even if the frame rails aren't continuous, I know it won't fail.

Like my Peterbilt project truck, I decided to go with a planetary gear box, mounted under the cab. Space is even tighter with the Kenworth, so this will be a big help. I also like the simplicity of having a strong single speed transmission. I machined the frame connector to accept a 16:1 planetary gear box. A 20:1 is identical in dimensions, so if need be, I can switch to one.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...pscc45851d.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0b3d84c7.jpg

Assembled, my front cross member, and the frame connector, serve as a good place to mount the steering servo.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2ed38f37.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psd5cb68ba.jpg

These photos are before I machined the frame member 100%. The cut outs for the motor and wires haven't been machined yet, but in these photos, I was mostly checking the fit of the frame rails, as well as the fit of the servo.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3f599022.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6113c4f5.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7e62bdd2.jpg

The drag link, from the servo to the steering knuckle will be nice and direct.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

jolly Good show Nate . great work on the frame piece . Hmm maybe we'll see a truck runnin from you some day :eek::p

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Beautiful work Nate. Keep it up, love the idea of something so unique and custom in every way.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Nice!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Your off to a killer start on these!! Deffinitaly be some cool trucks when complete.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Thanks Sharkey. I never really knew about the All American Toys Co. trucks until one day my friend Craig turned me onto them. He said 'I wonder if it could be RC'ed'. It would be about a two years later before I figured out the answer.

Steve, thanks. Yes, maybe one of these years I'll have a finished truck.

Thanks Craig! You and I both.

Thanks Reg.

Thanks Aaron. My Wedico Peterbilt is mostly sidelined, and this Kenworth is now front and center! The idea is to put a truck together a little bit quicker, and this one should be simpler then the Peterbilt. Trucks of the '50s era were quite a bit simpler! Hopefully that will carry over to the model.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

awesome build.

they have you on their website (but you probably knew that.. lol)

http://www.allamericantoyco.com/aatc...nathan_rc.html

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Thanks bigdogrod. Yes, I did know that. I guess I better bring this thread up to date then! I planned to go in chronological order, a little at a time, but since you found some of the details of my build, on their website, I'll show the rest here. Not all the details have been shown yet.

I stole the rear axles and suspension off the Wedico Peterbilt. :D I just wanted to check the ride height, and how the truck might look. The frame rails haven't been cut to length yet, so I'm still figuring out how long is to long. Oddly enough I bought these frame rail blanks for the Peterbilt too, but the Kenworth wanted them more!

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps34b44640.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psd1abdeea.jpg

It's nice to get a good visual sometimes. In the rear, you can see it's sitting a little high. I had the same problem with my Wedico Peterbilt, after lowering the front end, but I've got solution for that already. If it works on the KW, it will also work on the Peterbilt.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps421ec2cb.jpg

Since mouting the steering servo, I had to mill an opening in the cab base, so the base could sit on the chassis flat. The cab base, and cab have these mounting posts that I also milled off. They would have provided a way to attach the cab and floor together, and also to the All American Toys chassis, but for a model that will be functional, they had to go. I needed the room for electronics, and so I will have to figure out another way to mount the base to the chassis, and the cab to the base. I don't think this truck will have much an interior either. Space will dedicated to the functional bits instead. I do not think the seats will be staying for long.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psf71b01e0.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psd468df5b.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0d9d53f6.jpg

To get the truck leveled, I figured I would just notch the frame rails, so I could push the suspension bolster higher up, thus leveling the truck out. Not really rocket science, but it did take some time and planning. To keep the strength in the frame, I backed the notched area out with a backer plate. It's stronger now then it was before the frame was even cut.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5c66c79d.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps958480e3.jpg

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

I wasn't really happy with the Wedico cross members, so I machined my own. I just loosely based the designs off of photos of the real trucks I had seen, and while they aren't exact, they turned out nice. First the area below the 5th wheel. Then the cross member in front of it.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psae1f3a16.jpg

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http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psc84bcc45.jpg

Time to drop the cab back on and see what it looks like, standing on it's own feet again.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4a443811.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...pscbfd87aa.jpg

I also thought I'd mill a window opening, in the back of the cab, while I was at it. I think Optimus Prime would approve!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

sorry, didn't mean to spoil the surprise..

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Bigdogrod, no harm done. The guys at All American Toys asked me what I was going to do with the Kenworth cab, when I ordered it. When I told them, they asked me to send some photos. After I did, they asked me if it was okay to post them on their site, as a work in progress. I said yes. If anything, it will give me a little extra push to try and get this one done before say....summer? :D I can hear some people laughing already! Ha ha.

Anyway, the guys who own and operate All American Toys are really good people. I don't think I've ever talked to more down to earth guys on the phone, or emailed. My hat is off to Patrick and Dean. Good customer service too. I give them credit for keeping it made in the USA.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Great looking old rig, are those knobby tires staying on the front? Oh and while I'm here are you going to switch those cross member bolts with something like the rc4wd scale head bolts?

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

That looks great! Too bad it's so tiny... :p Just kinding. It's one of my favorite truck builds! You should be able to finish it by next weekend....

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Very nice work Nathan. I wish I had a mill to play with and make my own parts....maybe someday, never know;)
This old K dub is looking very good and very unique. Can't wait to see more progress:)

Mario

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Thanks 404. The knobby tires won't be staying. The rims are super singles, from Wedico, and I was only borrowing them from my Peterbilt, for mock-up. I put the knobby tires on these rims because the Wedico on-road wides tires were rubbing the fenders at full lock. The knobbys are a little narrower, and they got by. I don't think the truck will look right with super singles up front, as it's a vintage truck, so new rims and narrow (stock) width tires are in the plans.

I'm not sure about using the hex head screws. They would certainly look awesome! Have to think about it. I do like the socket head cap screws, in stainless too. Makes them look like the polished hardware caps they use on the show rigs, which cover the hex head bolts.

Thank you Reg. It means alot, coming from a builder like yourself. And yes, it is tiny! Smaller then the Wedico Peterbilt, and even that one is small, by your standards. Finished by next weekend though....probably not! :D

Thanks Mario. Definitely get yourself a milling machine! Best money I think I ever spent on tools for this hobby. You won't regret it. You'll find all kinds of jobs for it, once you start playing with one. Not to mention you can make some pretty cool parts to make your builds a little more unique. I'll keep the updates coming!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

That's a killer start Nathan......I will be watching(no pressure)but hurry up.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Nice project. Looks fabtastic!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Nathan, The needle nose is coming along at LIGHTSPEED:p:p:p:D:D:D. I still think your having way to much fun on that mill:D. So you'll have it running in a week or so? It looks great! Keep the updates coming!:cool::cool:

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Nathan a Suggestion why don't you split the cab right down the middle and widen it as wide as you want it. Then epoxy some strips down the inside were you opened it up and then use some Lab Metal to fill the outside of the cab were you widened it. You could ad some material to the wheel wells they look a little to narrow. Ed

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Thanks Troy! No pressure, buddy! :D I do hope this build goes a little quicker!

Thanks Frank!

Kent, thanks. I wish it was moving along at light speed, but it's not. It's not exactly a snail's pace either, so I'm happy with that. It probably could run within a week, as the chassis only needs a servo drag link, a tie rod to steer, and the rest of the electronics could just be thrown on top! The cab isn't attached yet, but I'd have a roller at least.

Thank you Ed. I don't think I will attempt to widen the cab. I'm a horrible bodyman. I don't want to loose the needlenose proportions either. I don't mind it being narrow. I think it looks great. I've already built the chassis to suit it. That was easier, in my mind. Both the cab, and cab base, would have to be wider, to match. That's way to much work for me! :D Someone else could try it?

Anyway, I have some updates, but not enough time to post all the photos. So here is a teaser. It will have to do for now. More to come, for the weekend!

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...pse4ade62f.jpg

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

WOW, you nailed it!!!!!!! It looks amazing!!!!!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Looking beautiful Nathan, what else do you have planned for the truck? I know it's a long way down the road but do you have a color(s) picked out?

Can't wait to see some stacks on the ole girl.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

I love this build! Pure work of art! I love the crossmembers and the chassis mods. Almost a shame to cover them with paint. Wish I had some of your skills.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

See, I knew you could have it done by the weekend... You have two days left so get crackin!

Looks awesome! I'd leave it raw Aluminum!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Nathan what ever you did it looks real good very natural like it was made like that in the first place. Ed

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Thank you wolfws6!

Thanks Craig. I have a laundry list of things to do on this truck yet. I need to narrow up another Wedico front axle, so my Peterbilt can have it's axle back. I need to make a drop visor, I would like to change a few things on the rear suspension, and I need to make some fuel tank saddles, but thankfully Kenworth's are much simpler then Peterbilts! I did a test piece yesterday, and I think it turned out pretty well, but it isn't quite what I want, so I'll be making a new test piece again soon. The old girl needs some stacks, some chicken lights, and I have to figure out how I'm going to mount the cab yet. I think, but I'm not sure, that the truck might get a winch also. Maybe a cable dump trailer is in the future? A good friend of mine sent me something for the truck too, which I'm pretty stoked about! I'll show that off a little bit later! :D

I'm not really sure what colors the truck will be yet. I would like to send it out for paint. Maybe seminole, red and black, or white and black. Or maybe something completely different.


Thanks dirthalr! I'm pretty happy with the cross members. I know it's nice to see things in the raw state, but I think they'll look just as nice with paint on them.

Reg, I don't know about getting it done by the weekend, but thanks!

Ed, thank you! I am really happy with the stance and look of the truck right now. I'll post a few more photos up in a bit!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

I'm going to be a little short on time this weekend. Spending a little time withy family, but I'll share some of what I've got accomplished this week! :D

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps87cd0e6d.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psb84de26b.jpg

So the big things I got done are this. I machined up a front bumper and I got in a pair of Wedico front rims for the Kenworth. I think the rims make a big difference to the look of the truck. I've never seen any trucks of this vintage with super singles, and I love the look of the standard with tires. Kind of compliments the narrow hood.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps59daa008.jpg

Best part is the standard rims and tires allow the truck to have full lock steering, in both directions, so that is good. The super singles had a slight amount of rubbing.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1fba74e2.jpg

I made a part so I could bolt up a front bumper. I tied it into the front suspension hangers, and the front cross member. The Osswald spring hangers looked like a weak link. The material is really thin, where the springs mount with a shoulder bolt, so the bumper mount will beef them up. :D The shoulder bolt passes through the hanger's ear, and threads right into the front bumper mount, as opposed to just having a nut on the back side.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps34b69d5c.jpg

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http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps74077fb5.jpg

In the rear of the chassis, I started making a frame taper section. I will get the cross member, and a tail light panel, machined up a bit later. I thought I'd make the taper pieces, rather then cut the frame rails. It just seemed easier, and stronger, to me, though it took more time I am sure!

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...pse8e307dd.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps50371451.jpg

I'll try and a few things done this weekend, but I we'll see how it goes. Still lots more to do, even though the Kenworth is looking a lot more like a truck now. Thanks for reading.....

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Nathan the more the pic come the better it looks. How much did you have to narrow the front axle? It is coming along real;good and with the narrow tires it really came to life I think. Ed

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Nathen, this is awesome. I love the whole thing, your work is increadable.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Thanks, Ed. I think so too. The axle was narrowed quite a bit. About .6875" or about 17.5 mm. I am actually in the process of doing one right now, just for the KW. I stole the narrow axle in the photos, off my Peterbilt, for mock up purposes. It was a lift axle on that truck. The Peterbilt needs it back, so the KW has to have it's own. I think the narrow tires and rims fit the KW perfectly! I'll have to get some photos when the new axle is finished.

Paul, thank you very much! I've been trying to keep the pace up on this build. I want to have it done before summer. With the Peterbilt, I just got so bogged down on the details. This truck is a little easier (quicker) to build. No 6x6 drivetrain, the stance was already perfect, so it didn't need any lowering, it has no lift axle, just more basic, but classic.

What are you thinking for paint? I'm all ears. Been trying to find a paint scheme that I like. I'm open to ideas!

Thank you Sharkey! I'm just trying to keep up with the bar that has already been so high, for so long.

Thanks Kaf. I really appreciate the comment! Keeps me motivated.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

just looking into the future

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Nice build! Looks really great.

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

Dirthalr, thanks for posting some photos to get the creative mind thinking. I really do like that blue and flamed Kenworth, and I've seen photos of it circulating around the web. I probably won't go that crazy with the paint job though. I'm looking more for a working class show truck look. I could go really simple, with a two tone scheme, having black fenders, but I also have two other ideas. Seminole, or the classis paint scheme that has a triangular stripe. We'll see!

Re: 1950 Kenworth Needlenose
 

So the weekend came and went. I was busy with family, so I didn't get a lot done. This morning I finished up one thing I did have a chance to work on. I narrowed up a new front axle for the Kenworth, and made some spring perches.

Jammer had asked about how much I narrowed the axle, and here is a stock width one.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...ofrontaxle.jpg

Here is the one I narrowed for my Peterbilt, and stole for the KW.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...pseca2bd8d.jpg

If you look really close at the photo, you'll see I had to relocate the front axle forward, just like guys with the Tamiyas do. Problem with that was I only had two screws holding the leaf spring pack to the axle. I machined a couple spring perches to extend the mounting pads of the axle back, pushing the axle forward. That gave me 4 screws, instead of just the two I had previously.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psadf7d5c8.jpg

Then a few pictures with the springs bolted down.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...psed7044bd.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4c41ec3b.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0e02ada1.jpg

Now I have to see about making a tie rod and drag link, so I can steer the thing! :D