Scaleart - assembling an Arocs 8x8 roll on roll off kipper

[Rakthi]

Talking about mistakes ... forgot to install this part! Was not on the AROCS drawings I got, but is needed anyway because it holds the bumper stops for the hook mechanism.



Had to remove the sub frame to be able to install it. Too frustrating trying to get the bolt in there with sub frame attached to the main frame. Instructions call for M2 x 8 philips ... seems a bit long to me, but can always file it down later.



Good thing I caught in now. Here it is in place:



And the lot back together again. You can see how the narrowing main frame made it practically impossible to install it unless one has infinitive patience.

[Rakthi]

Started on the supports for the rear fenders.

These need to be attached to their supports. There are 2 longer ones. According to the paperwork included, they are supposed to go on the back ... considering the 2 rear ones mount on top of other assemblies, decided to put the 2 longer ones on the front. If I'm wrong I can always change them out later.



They are screwed on with loctite, and the hole in them has to be straight up because it is for a screw that will be inserted later to hold the fender in place.



Rear one needed to undo the screws already in place and add another one.



Good thing I haven't cut the screws down to size yet.



The middle one mounts on top of the leaf spring support. Manual states to use M2x6 screws.



Looks like M2x6 is not going to do it though. Barely long enough to show. Well this is what happens if you order something before the official release. Am sure Scaleart has rectified this by now.



This is where I left it for now. Have to see if I have 8 M2x8 screws around somewhere. Might replace them with some M2x8 bolts I had ordered extra for an other project.

Cheers,

Stephan

[Rakthi]

Took me a bit to locate the spare M2s. Turned out to be M2x10, so shortened them a bit, and then ready to go for what I thought would be a simple exercise ...



Because I now use longer bolts ... the bolts holding the strengthening frame together are blocking access to the holes in the frame. No way can I get the bolts in the hole. Believe me I tried.



So couple of choice expletives, and after trying to cut them in situ - witch didn't work at all, due to no access/leverage - the solution I came up with was to get them out one by one, cut them, and with a some more colourful language, put them back in. Worked for 3 of them, the fourth one was damaged so too hard to get out. Might have a go at it later.



After some fumbling decided the easiest (or better less difficult) way would be to just insert all 4 bolts and then take it from there.



Here it is in place bolted up with loctite. The nut with the arrow pointing to it is the one that has to go on first as it is so close to the fender support you can not get the tool on it. The hole for it is actually a slot so one has some leeway moving the part a bit back and forth. A 3mm wrench is highly recommended to tighten this one.





The other side went a tad easier. Had some practice.

Then on to the front support of the rear fenders. On the left this one goes on top of the supports of the box that will hold the hydraulic valves. Also needs to take out the bolts of the centre cross beam



Here supports box and fender loosely assembled



Final assembly (another fumble job, but not too bad)



The right side was easy peasy after all this





Well that is it, had hoped to be a bit further along, but it was not to be.

Cheers!

Stephan