Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Hello everyone,

I'd like to start a new thread showing a rebuild of my Knight Hauler. My son had a crash with it, the bullbar is completely crashed, the front dumper has deep scars and the cabine has a damage below the front light.

Here's an old photo directly after the first build.

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-9f-fe73.jpg

So I decides to give the truck a complete re-design. Working title will be "Black Devil".

The cabine will be painted in glossy black, the chrome from all parts will be removed and these parts will be painted in matt black.

The electronic parts:

The gear box is send to **** and is replaced by a underfloor motor with included gear from Servonaut.

The speed controller will be an S20 also from Servonaut.

Sound and light will be steared by the USM-RC-2 Module from Beier electronic.

The combination of motor and controller allows an extremely smooth driving also with a trailer. No bucking and - extremly important for me - absolute silence. No beeping, no high frequency sound, absolute silence.

The sound and light module is extremely flexible, all sounds can be controlled and also the light setup can be defined for everyone's wish.

So the first step was to strip the complete truck down to the frame and kick out the gear box. The new motor placed.

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-9g-6da3.jpg

After that I started to modify the truck. The following optical changes are planned:
- New side pipes
- The cabeling of the roof lamps must be changed. The gap in the roof is horror.
- The truck will get a new rear end.
- The frame will be coveres by a brass plate, the saddle plate will be modified to unlock via a hidden bowden cable.
The cabine will be cleaned. The roof is glued on the cabine, the gap in the front will be closed. All unneeded holes will be closed, the defectors (???) will be glued and cleaned.

OK, enough words written let me show some pictures.

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

First modification, the roof lights. The holding of the roof lights where rebuild with brass. I wanted to hide the srews. In addition, the cables must be passed to the left side were they will go into the cabine by a hole covered by the holding.

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-75-6c98.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-74-077e.jpg

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Saddle plate and rear end

The new rear end and the saddle plate holder are finished. The saddle plate is modified.

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-7m-eda8.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-7o-0613.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-7t-d947.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-7v-db8e.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-8b-9c83.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-8c-1700.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-8d-53c3.jpg

The actual state

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-94-8d3b.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-95-3207.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-96-caf1.jpg

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

The side pipes will be replaced by new ones made of brass.

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-7k-e569.jpg

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

The cabine

First I bought a new cabine and started to paint with color from a hardware store but the result wasn't as expected.

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-7f-a4f2.jpg

Some areas are rough and the color is too thick, structures are covered.

But after having a look at the old cabine I saw, that the professional painter hasn't worked correctly. It seems that he didn't use a primer. I could pull the paint of the cabine with a cutter.

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-8e-6883.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-8g-d296.jpg

Now I had a clean cabine and I decided to start again. It was also needed because with the last cabine I forgot to modify 2 things. The holes for the pipes must be wided for 2mm because the holdings at the pipes are set 2mm too high, error in measuring. In addition not all holes were closed.

So pictures will say mor than 1000 words:

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-92-5b8a.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-93-432a.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-99-f2fc.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-9a-89f0.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-97-5737.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-98-bc6d.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-9e-6faa.jpg

Yesterday I started to paint again, now with primer and colors from Tamiya

Here's the cabine after priming and wet grinding.

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-9b-a666.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-9c-b83a.jpg

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

In addition the truck will have a special light feature. To realize this, I created a small platine with an ATMEL ATMega328 chip.It will stear a light effect depending on the speed of the truck.

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-7l-f766.jpg

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

An add on for the rear, I created a new pair of mud flap holder (??? correct words ?). They include the blinker.

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-83-0f49.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-84-46ba.jpg

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

If I under this correctly, this device will alter the voltage signal going to the steering servo. As the truck speed increases, the maximum voltage to the steering servo decreases.

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

You are on the right track! Your brass skills are excellent.Keep posting.

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

No, the chip will control the intensity of LEDs depending on the speed signal of the receiver.

Additional details will be posted if it's ready for presentation ;)

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Thanx, I'll do so ;)

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Nice work on refreshing the Knight Hauler up. Your brass work looks very nice. Am I seeing some sort of under chassis light tubes for a neon effect in the rear of the truck? I'm interested to see how your speed sensitive LEDs work.

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Loving the mods that you are doing to this! I might have to use your idea for your 5th wheel release! that's clever and hides the servo etc. awesome work!

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Hi Aaron,

thanx ;)

The hook (sorry, I don't know the exact word) is made of 0.8mm Brass. To get a small distance from the alumunium part I soldered a 0.3mm copper sheet.

The Brass screw is shorted, because it's lower than the plastic part.

The only problem was the bowden cable. It's metal that can't be soldered. In my actual solution I drilled a hole, filled it with solder and put the cable into the hole. It's a dirty solution to "glue" it only into the hole.

I think a better solution is to make a hole, put the cable thru, move it into a cable end sleeve, crush it and cut it of. The advantage is, that the cable can easily be removed again without using a soldering iron.

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Hi ;)

Just a small update. The position of the stear servo wasn't as expected. In the past I only created a temporary solution with an ugly PS plate. Now I wanted a solution that hides the servo between the frames.

So I two holders of brass with a threaded pin soldered in to fasten the servo. The frame got 4 holes and the holders fitting screw threads.

Done...

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-9h-c042.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-9i-310d.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-9j-2f2b.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-9k-f9b9.jpg

In the meantime I started to paint the cabine. It's nearly finished, only the clear coat layeers must be sprayed.

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Very Nice :D

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

The painting is done and it's fine for me, I'm satisfied about the result.

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-9p-4000.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-9q-3dd4.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-9o-0402.jpg

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Nice and wet looking. Good job.:D:D:D

Big John

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Nice build!

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

looks amazing!

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Hi...

First I planned 2 front boards, one for the standard lights on the frame behind the grill and one for the special light effect between the frame. But some tests and future plans shoed that this is no usable solution.

So I created a new board "all in one".

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-9s-3ad7.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-9t-b396.jpg

The board will be placed vertical behind the grill. It will look like this:

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-9r-5823.jpg

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

looks amazing!
Great work

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Hi...

Today I reached a milestone, the cabine is assembled. Let's have a look at it.

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-ca-f749.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-cb-6636.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-cc-248e.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-c8-8d7d.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-c9-75fc.jpg

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

very nice,you can never go wrong with a flat/gloss black contrast

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Very good work. It's well worth the time to rebuild the truck, its looking great with all the extras you are doing, keep up the good work!!:D

Tim

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

love it i wish mine was still black

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Hi...

Just a short update.

The Rims are actual drying. The colour is on, but I had some small failures. But they are acceptable, the alternative would be to remove the base coat and the paint completely again. Let's see how it's looking if the rims are mounted and the complete Truck is assembled.

The front board is extended by 2 new features.

1. A "Neutral" mode for the throttle. If it's activated, the trottle value is only forwarded to the sound module. The speed controller will only receive the center value of the throttle channel. This gives me the possibility to play with the throttle without moving. It will be interesting for the already mentioned light effect.

2. In the upper right corner an additional chip and some components are added. The chip is measuring the temperature under the hood via a sensor. If it exceeds a defined value, the fan is activated until the temperature is falling below the defined temperature again.
But this functionality will not work because the sensor must be placed between the 2 modules and the air stream will move thru these two modules. So the planned functionality is to activate the fan for 5-10 seconds. After that I deacvtivate it again and must wait for some seconds. The sensor must adopt the environmental temperature. After that I do a control measurement. If the value is below the defined limit, the fan will kept deactivated. If it's not yet reached, the fan will be activated again for another 5-10 seconds.

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-cq-1a5b.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-cr-9a96.jpg

That's it for the moment...

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Hi...

It's done, apart from some small details it's finished. Let me show you some pictures.

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-cu-f5f8.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-cu-f5f8.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-cv-941e.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-cw-9431.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-cx-49ae.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-cy-e44f.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-d1-250c.jpg

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-d2-4299.jpg

And after the photo session has finished, my son started to modify a picture :)

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/knqp-d3-d07e.jpg

Finally I want to present you the specialty I already mentioned at the begin of the thread. The truck has a special light effect for the grill and for the underfloor. Orange LEDs are flickering to simulate a burning fire. The intensity depends on the position of the throttle channel.

Let me show you with a video. I'm sorry for the bad quality, but my digital camera doesn't like LEDs :(

Black Devil - Special light effect video

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

awesome man truck looks suspect forsure!! intimidating behind cars on highway!!

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

I usually don't go for all black, but this is one bad looking Knight. Very intimidating.;):cool::eek: It could actually be a modern day "DUEL". Nice job on the lighting affects also.:cool:;):D:)

Big John

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

That truck is just plain sick, great job!!

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

I love the stealth look :cool: I think the headlights blacked out would finish the look.

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Hi Jarrett,

But if I do so, i must also black out the blinker and front lights to be consequent.

I think this would be too much, the actual state is fine.

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

great job there, it reminds me of this
https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7083/7...e4f29ab8_z.jpg
cheers Lucas

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Hi Lucas,

interesting Truck, very nice...

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Thope custom trucks make some nice rigs
http://www.thorpecustomtrucks.com.au/

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

I love the stealth look of your build...Nice job.

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

Hi...

Just a small update. The MP3 control board is modified and tested, it will be placed in the truck during the next days.

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

exactly which paint did you use to get that shiny look?? sorry if this was already answered.

Re: Rebuild of a Knight Hauler after a Crash
 

The color is TS-6 and the clear coat is TS-80, both Tamiya colors.

The base coat is standard gray. The cabine is painted with TS-14 and the clear coat is TS-13.