Freightliner Logger - Built By PaulNZ

[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.





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







Cheers
Paul

[RCP57]

Cool! I can't wait to see more!

Reg

[bruce]

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

[Steve1503]

Have fun, but beware, one is never enough.

[PaulNZ]

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

Bearings all round as you would expect


Diff's mounted to chassis but I may remove them to make painting the chassis and axles easier


more tomorrow .............time pending

Paul

[PaulNZ]

Originally Posted by bruce

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

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.

[Trucker_Jo]

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

[bruce]

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

[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)



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.


will update when I can get more done

Paul

[flatdeck]

Keep the up dates coming....


Wayne

[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.




and the Gearbox, painted eaton Roadranger Blue, its a little darker than I had planned but it still looks ok.


Cheers
Paul

[crisis time]

Looking good mate

[flatdeck]

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


Wayne

[PaulNZ]

Originally Posted by flatdeck

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


Wayne

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

[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.






Cheers
Paul

[crisis time]

Very nice
Really like the green

[Trucker_Jo]

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

[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........................

[glorydays24]

I'm liking the green, nice. 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.

Big John

[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.