ScaleART - Assembling a MAN TGX/XL 6x6 tractor & Trailer

[Rakthi]

@ Northern Farmer - Brandon, sweating away here

@ Roundabout - Totally agree with you! But might take the air suspension of this one and save if for a possible future build. Articulation too limited for the intended usage of this truck ...

[Rakthi]

Apart from the missing front axle that should arrive today or tomorrow according to the tracking info, installing the last bits to the frame.



The TGX can be ordered with either the "street bumper" or the "steel bumper". I opted for the steel bumper. This means that the lower step of the cabin is attached to the frame. (I love this bit of detail)



The grid for the step is supposed to be glued on, but since I still need to paint it is just put in place on for the picture.





Then the bash plate.







The 4 bolts that will hold the front bumper.





The bumper still needs the lights installed and I need to do some alterations too before I can install it.

I would like to attach the protection for the lights, but I will have to drill 8 1mm holes ... will be the question if I can work up the courage to drill those 8 holes ...



I also got the optional front coupling for the truck.



For this I will need a 2.5 mm bit to drill out the circled holes in the bumper.

[Rakthi]

Tuesday evening got the new front axle delivered

Here some pictures to show the difference between the 2 axles - the one with the narrow centre is the new one.







Finally I can get rid of the little tub I used to support the truck



Previous I had added the spacer blocks for the front suspension. I found out that that way the truck was too high at the front when using the air suspension. So took it back out and re-installed the shorter screws. This leaves not much play on the front suspension, but it is still doable. Differential is not hitting the gearbox under compression.





Axle installed, next the front Trilex rims.

Here are the parts. I had to ream out the paint in the centre of the red front piece with a 10mm drill so it would fit over the centre nub. You can see the raised bit on the inside of the rim that will be clamped between the 2 pieces.




First the black part goes on.



Followed by the rim



And then the outside bit gets bolted on and the tire installed.



To tell the truth, this is easier said than done - therefor the lack of pictures . To line everything was a tedious job because the red part is really a very tight fit. I solved that by using two small pins that I inserted in the holes marked with the red arrows. This really made it a straightforward job.

Next the connecting rod for the 2 front wheels



And finally the truck stands on its own wheels



I did not insert the hubcaps of the rear wheels. They are a real pain to insert and an even bigger pain to get back out.

[Rakthi]

In the package of the axle came some extra M2x8 bolts I had ordered for the rear wheels to replace the short bolts that came with the axles. As I mentioned before those short bolts were only 1 - 2 threads into the black part and came out rather easily. If tightened too hard they would strip the threads. As you can see one already fell out.



With the M2x8 in place, a strong and secure bond. I also prefer this look better and am thinking of cutting some M2x8s down to 6mm to use on the front wheels.



View from the back with the short bolts



With the M2x8

[Rakthi]

Drilled the holes needed for the head light protectors and the heavy front coupling.

All taped up ready for drilling




8 little holes drilled



Finished. I used a 1mm drill for the small holes and afterwards enlarged them a be with a 1/32" bit (1.19mm) from Dremel to fit the copper nails provided to hold the protection in place.



Drilling the 2mm holes out to 2,5 mm was not as easy as expected. Needed to remove rather a lot of material. The original hole was not that deep.



Now have to paint the head light protection before I can continue.

[Tp_hofmann]

Fantastic build ! Cant wait for the next update ..

Br,
Tom