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

[Rakthi]

Have not given up on this build yet. Just that too many things need attention at the moment. Nothing really complicated but all just time consuming "deal with it now" things like getting new passport and transfer visa etc. So have spend a considerable time in planes, taxis and official offices.

As I mentioned, I painted some left over Arocs bits, and am happy with the quality of the paint. You can see where I have been scratching it with a screwdriver. Took a decent amount of pressure. It is only the stainless steel bits that will need sanding to roughen them up. Would love to bead blast them but that service not available locally.



Like for the air suspension, the covers of the track rods were too tight to fit over the connectors. This time I decided to drill them out a bit. Used a 3mm bit.



Then assembled them to the indicated 50mm length. Same as for the Arocs



Then fix the connector to both A-frames.



No pictures due to dead battery, but decided to use the lift blocks on the front suspension considering the intended use of the truck.

Continued a couple of days later and sanded it all a bit down. In the first picture you can see the lift blocks on the front suspension.



Lots of small bits to be painted ... going to be interesting



The hook-up at the back will be black, but the block is part of the frame, so red.



Still thinking how I am going to paint this front piece... all red or red/white or leave black. The sump protection has to be red though. More sanding there.



This cabin support (apart from the air filter) should also be either red or black.



That is where we are at now. Ready to paint but now high humidity and because no rain for 10 weeks very dusty ... not ideal. Not that big a problem since I seem to be suffering from paint block at the moment ... But we will get there. Hopefully next week all time consuming administrative issues will have been sorted, the real live cars serviced, insurance taken care off and home electrical issues fixed ...

[Prop Shaft]

Any progress is good progress. I dont care for painting either.

[Rakthi]

Got over my "paint bump" today and succeeded in putting primer on the frame and the suspension parts.

With the Arocs I had all bits and pieces hanging from a string, this time I choose another approach. Slower, but I feel I have more control.





After 30+ minutes I could turn the pieces over and paint the other sides. The little bits on the upper right side didn't need the bottom painted. They get bolted to the axles.



Now waiting for 24 - 48 hours for it to dry, then some more light sanding and the final layers can go on.

Meanwhile I can start prepping the other bits that need primer. Figured I do it in "batches" to keep parts together.

[Rakthi]

Finally some real progress to report ...

Painting went OK and I let it all sit for a couple of days to harden out.

Did the rear pendel suspension today. Didn't take that many pictures as it is already well documented in the Arocs thread starting at page 3 post 48.
http://www.rctruckandconstruction.co...t=10313&page=3

Here painted bits and pieces:



All bits sorted in approximate position of assembly.



First bolt the bits to the axles. Making sure to put Loctite on the screws.





Next up, the attachment for the A-frame.



Here I changed the order of assembling vs the Arocs. I remembered what a pain it was to attach the A-frame to the axle with the A-frame already in the chassis. So this time I attached it to the axle before bolting it in the chassis. Way easier to do!



Adding the bits and pieces needed to attach to the chassis. Needs grease and Loctite.



Once bolted to the chassis - making sure it still can move up and down - attached the tracking rods. Was a bit worried that the paint would make the fit difficult, but did not encounter any problems.



And last parts the actual leaf spring packet. Because I decided the truck would be "off-road" I used the lower attachment point.



That's it. Now waiting for the Loctite to set and then a bit of touch up on the nuts and bolts with red paint.

[Prop Shaft]

Love it. The paint really makes the chassis detail pop!