Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Hi all
Here is the start of my first truck build.
I have been doing models and building 1/24 Scale slot cars for many years but this is my first RC vehicle of any type.
This is my inspiration: an XL Classic Freightliner which will be built in the Rotorua Forest Haulage colours and the spec of the truck will be like the KW's below.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...f46987a35a.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...b3420cb4b3.jpg

And so the fun begins................

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140718_006.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...40718_0072.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140718_008.jpg

Cheers
Paul

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Cool! I can't wait to see more!

Reg

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Should be a great build. Like the pic of the kenworth, same configuration as mike lambert runs out of mount maunganui. Very nice

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Have fun, but beware, one is never enough.

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

A little bit more done today........

Bearings all round as you would expect
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...0719_001-1.jpg

Diff's mounted to chassis but I may remove them to make painting the chassis and axles easier
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140719_004.jpg

more tomorrow .............time pending :)

Paul

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Hi, yes it was a toss up between RFH and Lambert, both are good liveries.

I know these trucks well, I used to work in NZ as a Diesel Tech in the Bush around the Bay of Plenty and lower NI.

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

I have always thought NZ logging was pretty cool. Nice truck choice should be a fun build:cool:

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Hi Paul
I did work experience out at lamberts mount work shop. I worked on some of the first T900 tri drives he built there. Always had a great fleet of trucks

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

A bit more done today but that will be it for a while...............


Diffs and Chassis with Front axle fitted ready for Rotorua Forest Haulage Green ( as I said this is my first truck build so Tri Drive will come later)
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140720_003.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140720_001.jpg

Assembled the gearbox, ran out of the "ceramic grease" that comes with the kit (little too liberal in the diffs LOL) so I used the white lithium grease that I use on my cnc machine and it is really tacky and smooth, I will now strip the diffs and fill them and see what difference it makes, I think this might just be what I need to make them tighter.
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140720_002.jpg

will update when I can get more done

Paul

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Keep the up dates coming....


Wayne

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Update:

Painted the chassis and Diffs today, will lay another coat tomorrow as it too cold now.

the colour is the same its just the flash making the Diffs look different.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140726_005.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140726_004.jpg

and the Gearbox, painted eaton Roadranger Blue, its a little darker than I had planned but it still looks ok.
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140726_006.jpg

Cheers
Paul

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Looking good mate

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Will the truck be that shade of green??
Looks good


Wayne

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Yes, if you scroll up the KW is the paint scheme,
Forest Green chassis and middle section of cab
Park Green lower section of cab
Pure white top section of cab

cheers for the comments

Paul

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Update:

Had a bit of time today so put a few shiny bits on the chassis:

As you can see, the gearbox is black, but I painted it a Saturn Black same for the shocks, why would Tamiya anodise these "PINK" !!!???

Turntable will be left on, the Bolster will clip into it giving the turn and the oscillation it requires, I can also unclip it and use any other trailer making the Model a lot more versatile. I an thinking of turning the base around though to move it forward on the chassis.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140729_001.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140729_003.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140729_002.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140729_004.jpg

Cheers
Paul

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Very nice
Really like the green

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Good color choices. I agree that you should move the 5th wheel. Your log bunk should be center(ish) over the front drive axle. You will get better weight distribution that way:rolleyes:

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Time for a bit of an update:

Got most of the chassis done, rear bumper still needs to be done in aluminium but it will look similar.

All electric's are in, light kit is in but still to do all the front lights and roof clearance lights. I am using a 12 channel car light set, its not bad, gives me all that I need really. not sure if I will get a sound system as room is of a premium.

I have managed to get all the electronics under the tilting bonnet, this will make it easy to change the battery. and it looks cool :)

Went for my first test drive with the 80T motor, I'm pleased with the speed, will see how the power is when I get it finished, I have a 65T on the shelf in reserve.

more soon........................

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140806_001.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140806_004.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140806_005.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140806_003.jpg

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

I'm liking the green, nice.:cool:;) Good job on cutting the hood also. This will be one awesome build, and can't wait to see more. May I ask where you got the electrical unit from? I'm interested.:D

Big John

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Hi, thanks for the comments

I got the light kit off ebay, its just a std car one that I have modified to suit the truck.

Cutting the hood was not easy, not sure what everyone else that has done this did but I used an exacto knife and heated the blade and slowly made a cut @ 10mm at a time in two depths, 1st depth was to make a "valley" then second was to cut through, I managed to keep all the detail and get a reasonably straight cut, still have not cleaned it up when the photo was taken.

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

looking good, really like how you have cut the cab , cannot wait to see more of your progress

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Hi All

a small update:

I moved the cab back 10mm with the idea of adding the 10mm to the Hood to give the clearance needed for the guards as they rotate through under the air cleaners and found that I ran into a few other problems so I weighed up which was the hardest and went with the lesser evil.....

So I lifted the cab about 3mm and also the Hood, I will fit the air cleaners in the same place but 5 - 10mm higher than std.

Made the Hood hinges from brass as per the photos below, with the J Hinge that I made, it tends to pull the Hood away from the cab and so it has now enough room to clear the air cleaners (mounted higher as mentioned).

Battery fits nice and does not push into the cab beyond the dash, this was what I was after, a nice clean interior, I like as much detail as I can get.

Next I will make a start on the cab guard, I will paint the cab this weekend and then work on the interior, RHD of course. :) enjoy........

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140811_002.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140811_003.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140811_004.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140811_005.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140811_001.jpg

Cheers
Paul

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Thanks :)

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

I have a new Grill and a Cab Guard ( well almost :) )

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140817_006.jpg

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Both look awesome. If you make more of the grills I'll take on off your hands. Did you design it to bolt up like the stock one?

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

At this stage I will use thin double sided tape but you could easily drill and tap it to take the M3 screws, it is 8mm thick so would be easy to do.

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Nice build Paul ..Cab guard looks awsome...how are you managing to stick the parts together ?

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

I like your cab guard - the hood pivots are nice and simple too. :)

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Thanks guys

Guard is held together with a clear epoxy, a bit like jb weld. I did have a go at soldering it but it was too tight to get all the joints done clean, if you have ever done this you will know what I mean, soldering aluminium is different to brass etc, main issue was the difference in size of the material.

Update on the grill mounting, I have managed to drill and tap the back of the grill to take m3 screws in the original hood positions, the two bottom ones on each side pick up the hood hinges.

Cheers
Paul

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Hi All

a bit of an update:

Cab painted, not totally happy with it, must be the worst paint work I have ever done, I just could not get it to apply, it may still be too cold but its done now and its a working truck so it will do.

I am making my own sign writing on the door (paper version stuck on to test for size) and I have a pair of monster stacks that I have made myself to go on it, most of the lights are working on, I have done it so the low beam inner pair, roof lights and tail lights are always on, and when you go forward the high beam (outer pair) and the spot lights in the bumper come on. indicators work on turning and brake lights on when you use reverse as a brake but all off in neutral, all four indicators flash after no signal after about seconds. Rear cab guard still needs to be fitted, hood straps to stop it opening when you hit the brakes, air cleaners, the list goes on......................

Have purchased my trailer, this will slowly get converted to a true Jinker trailer as seen in my first post behind the KW. and of coarse I need to replace the pipes with Logs :), you will see that I have already removed the mud guards an the main pole will be replaced with a square one, I choose to buy the pole trailer and convert it as it had most of the running gear I needed and it will work out cheaper than buying all the parts by them selves, plus I get to use it as I build it :) I will also make my own bolsters from either steel or brass so I can solder it all together as they will be painted anyway.

I still have a fair bit to do on the truck and the trailer but it was such a nice day in Sunny Qld that I thought an afternoon delivery of pipes to the local construction yard was in order, its funny, my 15 year old son was not interested during the build all that much until I started to drive it, he then took over and did most of the driving :D;)

I think I will make a bigger bumper for it as after lifting the cab and hood 3mm it needs to come up a bit, this one will be for sale if anyone is interested.

PS: being an NZ Rig under the Aussie Rigs Topic it had to be RHD ;)
oh and just a mention the speed and power are really good with the 80T and std pinion :)

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140914_010.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140914_005.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140914_006.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140914_008.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140914_005.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140914_001.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140914_003.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140914_014.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140914_013.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140914_012.jpg

:D:D:D

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Looking good,Paul.

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Nice!

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Great looking truck Paul....

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

left hand steering kool

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

The paint looks pretty good to me! Cool looking truck!

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

wow paul very nice work....looks very clean and just like a truck you would see hard at work :D ..i like it :cool:

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Thanks Jack

Cheers

thanks Wayne

....???......Right hand steering, but we do drive on the left side of the road :)

don't look too close but thanks anyway :)

Thanks Dwayne, and yes it will be a working truck, once I have modified it to how I want it should look like something you see in the bush in NZ, and Canada for that matter, they both share the same way of logging big trees :)

Thanks all for the comments, I'm really enjoying building this truck, I think the bug may have bit!

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

That's a real sweet freight shaker

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Hi All

a couple of updates

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140922_001.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140922_002.jpg

Got some custom pipes made from Aluminium tube and polished them up.
They are 10mm in Dia. I did do a set of 12mm ones but they looked too big for my truck, would be ok on a show truck though.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140922_006.jpg

Air cleaners on. painted them to add a little personal touch, and it hides the inlet that used to be on the front, Freightliners go through the hood from the side so this worked out great. (green is a slight different shade but looks closer than the photo shows, but saying that I might mix a new colour and do a second coat to get it closer)

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140922_004.jpg

Hood has a couple of straps to stop it tilting forward under brakes.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140922_003.jpg

Rear cab guard mounted, need some chains and maybe work lamps

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...140922_007.jpg

still more to do but getting close with the truck, then on to the trailer :)

Paul

Re: Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ
 

Looks great Paul....