Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

So with the disappointment of the King Worth Project, and the other Semi projects I have, I thought it was time to go another direction with this one...

So I sanded and filled the imperfections in the body.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...psugmoxqwt.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...psbt4jdnnb.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...psy10ivwgi.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps9uoqsw80.jpg

Now for my inspiration. I was heading back from one of my trips and a convoy of these went by. I did everything I could to get pictures to remind me of them...

So here is what I got.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps6693a480.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps38e6d70a.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...psad7e83e3.jpg

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

That's a huge change... keep us updated...


Wayne

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

Got to work on this for a little.

This was a big day...time to make the cut... :confused0068:

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps4ad6e703.jpg

Start marking the cuts

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps2984b4b1.jpg

Making sure I have thought of everything before I separate the halves

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...psffb15b54.jpg

Without having a band saw or metal chop saw (Yet), I decided to use the edge of my vice as at guide with the hacksaw

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps46844140.jpg

Not too shabby, considering.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps8ddca353.jpg

Two pieces is now Six.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps8c5a7107.jpg

Next was to get the fuel tank shortened to fit under the cab on the passenger side. More cutting.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...psb1377034.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...psa848a752.jpg

Any suggestions on how to connect the two halves of the chassis rails? Braze? Patch?

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

Hi, whats the problem? You can glue them.

The chrome parts: put them overnight into drain cleaner (gel) and the chrome is away, perhaps you know this.

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

Sorry...I meant the chassis rails. Yes the tanks, I will strip and glue.

Thanks...

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

I would make a plate to join the halves together.

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

That is what I am doing...I think it's called Fish Plate. Something that they do in real rigs????

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

Buy blank rails from one of the vendors and use your parts as a template as where to drill the holes. End up with perfect one piece custom rails for not that much money.

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

Now you tell me. LOL

Just kidding, I knew that. Thanks.

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

nice build ,you even got the right colour as what you show in the photos of the real trucks

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

So my Laptop died and is heading to Cali to be fixed so I am doing this with my phone... Yikes...

The chassis was sent out to be shortened by a custom Semi Builder then heading to the Powdercoater (MAK Coatings) with the wheels to be done. Hoping that something that I special ordered comes in soon so I can add it to this build.

With it all torn down, it was time to shoot the other parts...

First I dragged that tranny in the paint booth and shot it with a primer especially for this use.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...psb111db84.jpg

After that cured for 48 hours, I began to lay on the color.

Here it is done....needed a fork lift to move it. Had to borrow one...but will be looking to buy one soon.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...psa710705e.jpg

While the fork lift was there, I lifted the rear tandem rack into the booth to shoot it...primer then paint.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps514bf3b4.jpg

Was able to get it to the garage before they came to pick up the lift.

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...psf03f1fce.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...psfb28b86f.jpg

Now it's waiting for the chassis and other parts...and if my buddy comes through with the other part...this will be one wicked rig.

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

looks great that color looks perfect.

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

Thanks...I'm trying to get this one done for the ECMT Show in March. Time is not on my side.

:jaw:

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

Came home from work today to find this in my garage...

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps99829d8b.jpg

Little sneak peak of whats to come in the future...

http://youtu.be/fzm2pOWbLRo

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

Wow - somebody likes you. :)

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

Only issue I have right now is the rear axle is wider than the stock...

Any suggestions on how to remedy this?? Really want to use this PTO axle.

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

Hey crawler I've got one of these military freightliners at my work if you ever need pics or a quick measurement, just let me know n if I can help you out I will.

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

Thanks...I am under the gun to get this done for the ECMT Show in two weeks...

I have a feeling I'm going to have three paperweights. :confused:

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

Nice build!

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

unfortunately I don't think there is a remedy for it.... a few people have had that issue. unless you make the rears super singles or something I don't see a way to correct it other then having a wider stance?

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

Things are not going well for this project...And the ECMT Show is on the 15th...

Had to change out my axle...there is just no way to make it look right with the wider stance... (anyone wanna buy an awesome, weathered RC Channel axle)

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps8bc0a939.jpg

Also have to order new tires. The one's I bought didn't work with the wheels I have...hope to have them by the weekend.

Arrrrrgh!!!!

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

Don't look now but I believe you have your axles in backwards as the input shaft off of your rear diff is now pointing toward the trailer.

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

LOL

:jaw:

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

Did you ordered the correct rear axle? RC Channel makes a set for the semi trucks. It looks like you bought one for the scale 4x4 pickup trucks. That might be why it's so much wider.

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

could be it was in my collection of stuff and just assumed.

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

Well...it's moving along very slowly.

Mock-up looks good with shortened fuel tank and wheels.

I want to thank MAK Coatings for PCing the wheels, chassis and axle (that I'm not using...)

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps208cf734.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps353f35ef.jpg

Hope to get some wearing on it before the ECMT Show this weekend.

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

She looks like a beefy little work horse.:cool::cool::cool: I really like what you have done, and keep the pic's coming.

Big John

Re: Rckcrwlr's Repurposed "Desert Hauler"
 

I have come to the conclusion that I won't have this one ready for Saturday...but it will go as a static model... LOL

Got the light on the roof

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps973be569.jpg

http://i778.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps36716800.jpg


And you guessed right...

http://youtu.be/c-TLDMzvppM