Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

I've been wanting to start this for about six months and Lou has me inspired(I'm fired up!) with his Pacific build so here it goes.... I've been working on the drawings for a couple days and collecting pictures and measurements for months. My Dad worked for a logging company that bought one of these trucks brand new in 1972 so as a kid I always thought the big Kenworths were cool(appearently I still do):D. My truck will be based loosely off of the few pictures he took of the truck the day it arrived in 72' and dozens of other pictures I have taken or scooped from the net....

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5d533bf0.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps553fb571.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4be013b6.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps67e63786.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...pse16972c5.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps465373f1.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2a75d570.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0fbbe147.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3be9cbf7.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4dbb686e.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps47bf995d.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1574f385.jpg

That's all the tin bashing I was able to get done tonight...

Thanks for looking!
Reg

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Bring it on! I like it!
Cheer's, Neil.

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

The truck will be 1/10 scale so I have a small pile of Mil Spec 2.2's that I will use to mimic the standard 14.00x25 tires the real trucks have. I only have 10 tires at the moment so if anyone has some lying around that they would like to get rid of please let me know as I need 16 more eventually. I need to pick up some more materials before I can do much more but at least it's a start.

Thanks for the interest!

Reg

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Nice job "tin bashing", :D. I think that's so cool to think ahead and cut out the cab in one dimension then be able to bend 2 or 3 dimensions from that (cab and cowl). I love the big rugged trucks, 1:10 scale will be nice too since it will be even bigger. Hope to see a trailer along with it Reg, you've got some nice equipment to haul around. Great start!

Ben

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Thanks Ben. The plan is to build an over the bunk low bed and of course a 60 ton Columbia logging trailer....

I finished ruffing in the cab tonight after work. It needs a bit more love but I think it looks OK.

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0126.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0127.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0128.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0129.jpg

Reg

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

W:eek:W, truly impressed!

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

This is looking good. :) I will stay tuned to see it take shape like the rest f your build. Nice work.

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

You work fast Reg ..I was wondering what you were going to do ..If it was gona be a preloader or bunks ...So i guess a log loader will have to come in the future huh..lol..I think i have a pic or two of the lowbed and how it sits on the bunk if you need it and how about posting a few of the real truck your modeling after

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

That is some true talent, if ever I've seen it. Laying out the drawings, cutting your metal, bending, and welding it. That's craftsmanship. It's great to see such photos. Lots of times builders just take pictures when the project is half done, but this gives really good insight into how one might be able to replicate your technique. I am sure it is way harder then it looks. Especially the tig welding. I can't even weld aluminum. Super project! 1/10 scale is just your size now? For all your models! Very nice.

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Lou, I took a bunch of pictures of the small low bed that Western has at Port McNeil. It's an over the bunk style and looked relatively easy to make so I'm going with that. As far as a log loader in my future, well maybe but no plans as of yet. I thought I would just make a booster seat for your loader to sit on lol. I will post up some pics of the real truck when I get them. Right now they are on slides but my dad has a pile of them that he wants to have converted to photos and I think(hope) he will get them done soon.

Thanks for the complements guys.

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Man Reg that work is awesome!!! Cab is really taking shape! Metal work is looking great and your making it look so easy!!! If i only knew how to weld......

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Very nice truck, will follow this closely for shure, a lot to learn for upcoming truck builds.
What's the thickness of alu in cab?
Dan

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Wow reg great skills very impressive !!!! This build will be a good one I will be watching.. Little nervous to bring the autocar out now, my work embarrassing compared to that :)

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Thanks but I really don't think you have anything to be nervous about. The Autocar looks great.

Dan, the sheet is around 1/16 thick.

I didn't work on this yesterday but when I got home from work today I desided that I should build the fenders. I am out of stock on material now so I don't think I can do anything but dream about it until I have a day off.:(
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0131.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0132.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0133.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0136.jpg

Thanks for all the interest in this build,
Reg

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

A little update with tonight's progress...
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0137.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0138.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0139.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0140.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0142.jpg

Thanks for looking.

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Lookin great Reg . I wish my alum. welding looked as good as yours :o maybe in time :confused:

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Right On Reg !
Nice build, looking forward to the finished product..

I will check back on this thread on Monday to see the finished model....... LOL

Greg

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Haha, no I don't think so Greg. Maybe the week after though!lol I wish... I'm in need of supplies so that I can build the frame before I go much further.

Steve, I can't weld I'm just getting good with a grinder:;).

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

That looks awesome. I can picture it already. The fenders sure turned out nice! Spotless.

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Looking real good, Reg. Now you'll have to build a lowboy to carry that around. And I can soon see a full size 18 wheeler just to take all this equipment to the shows. LOL!!!

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

I don't know about that Rob but maybe a canopy for our fullsize truck...or I might have to start towing our cargo trailer...:D

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Todays progress....Frame rails....
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0144.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0145.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0147.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0148.jpg

Reg

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

After about a day and a half of bouncing back and forth between my Dads shop and my own, I've made a little progress on the big KW. I've finally got a good start on the rims(took forever) and managed to do a little welding on the frame and cab today too....

Here's some pics from todays progress....Thanks for looking!

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0152.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0155.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...IMG_0150-1.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...IMG_0151-1.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0159.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0160.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0161.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0162.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0165.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0167.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0172.jpg

Reg

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

As a guy that has made his own share of wheels, I like where these are going. What size round stock did you have to start with?

Mike

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

looking great Reg, wheels are really taking shape

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Thanks guys.

The front rims started out as 2 3/4 round bar. I still have a little machining to do on the one wheel and all the mill work to do on the other. After they've spent their time in the mill I plan on smoothing out the corners with a dremel to make them look more realistic. The real rims/hubs are pretty crude so that takes the pressure off a little:o.

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Finished the front wheels today...They are far from perfect but they are some what realistic looking...some what.

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0174.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0175.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0176.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0173.jpg

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

That's a good looking wheel. My ? is. How muck does it weight

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

You really do have a knack for being resourceful Reg & I really admire your patience to tackle anything.. I don't see any reason to be less than proud of your selfmade wheels. :cool:

Thanx for taking the time to take step by step pics as you make your models. :)

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

The wheels look pretty darn nice to me! Especially since you shot them with some primer now. The contrast in the shape is easier to pick up on. I think the chassis is looking really nice as well. The whole truck is going to be awesome. I'm looking forward to seeing it finished. You build fast too, so it won't be a long wait, by my standards!

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Hi Reg,

Looks great, I was thinking of a Haynes down the road. What drive gear are you going to use?

Colin

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Looks great Reg, and as no CNC was used to make those wheels that's even greater achievement:)

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Those front wheels are awesome looking. Man, I need to get a rotary table! Dan

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Haha, I'm not to sure but they are fairly heavy. I'll have to put one on the 'wife to be's' food scale:eek:... She loves it when I do that:eek::mad::cool:.


Thanks very much! The wheels are actually just bead blasted at the moment. I did that to remove the sharp edges left after milling. I'll try not to keep you waiting too long! I want to see it finished soon too!:D My Argon bottle is nearly empty and the supply place where I exchange it has no more until late next week.:( I guess the company that fills the bottles has sent them all out at once to be tested. Now none of their depots have full bottles:mad::mad::mad:.

Thanks Joe! As a friend of my Dad's always says...Time, patients and perseverance! I'm just not sure where I have developed these traits from in the last couple years. I guess I'm getting old!

Thank you Colin, I plan on using a 12v or 18v drill drive for the power source. I have a few of these collected up and haven't decided if I will use a single or two speed drill. The front axle and rear diffs will be scratch built. I would like this to move at least 100lbs easily so everything will be heavily built!

Thanks Ari! If a master builder like you thinks that they are OK then I must be on the right track! Everytime I see one of your builds it makes me want to improve on my own. I don't know if I will ever build at your level but you set a benchmark that keeps people pushing to achieve it!

Yes Dan you do need a rotory table! I'm not sure how many hundred times I turned the handle on that thing in the last two days though....cnc would be very nice!

Thanks again!

More pics tonight I hope!

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

wheels look great Reg . word of caution with those tires and weight . Fill them with something other then the stock foam they have . My mack is forever losing them loaded . I rolled foundation sill seal inside the fronts which has helped considerably . I just need to do the rears . Oh , and paint :o

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Nice progress, like the spoke wheels, looks realy prototypical. Will you have claws to keep rim in place to?
Dan

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Thanks Steve, The same thing happened with my Euc so I picked up some really dense foam from an automotive upholstery shop and made my own. I will be making some up for this for sure as it will be a lot heavier. These rims are way larger than a 2.2 and the bead is really stretched on there so I don't think they will go anywhere providing the foam holds the weight.

http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_1548.jpg

I plan on making it look like it uses those to hold it together but I probably should have drilled the outter holes further out toward the bead. That would have left me more space to put something there.

Thanks guys!

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

wheels looks really good Reg , you nailed them. can't wait to see more

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

Well I managed to get a few little things done today before the bottle was empty. On the welder of course...:D I made the cab and fender mounts, the inner fenders as well as the cab floor and some other odds and ends. I guy I know from Denmark has been kind enough to share his extensive 849-850 Kenworth photo collection with me and it is helping immensely. I don't have a lot of photos of these trucks and every one seems a bit different so it's nice to have the help from a fellow enthusiast!


http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0177.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0178.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0179.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0180.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0181.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0185.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0186.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0187.jpg
http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/...7/IMG_0188.jpg

Thanks for looking!

Re: Kenworth 850 Off Highway
 

....I almost forgot...Mike the front wheels are 17.3 ounces each with the tires on....:eek:

Reg