First Semi Build And It's Going For Details

[rockNmayhem]

Like the title says; this is my first Tamiya semi build and it's only the beginning. I can see many more of these trucks in the future but this will always be my first pride and joy.

To start this project off I picked it up from Scalerlover complete minus tranny and a few parts bags that had already been installed. Anyways it's in all stock form so far but is long from being complete.

My first idea for this truck was a daycab dump truck with a snow plow for the front. Then I got to thinking custom show truck. Although that may be nice, I can't stand shelf queens so this one is definitely going to be a workaholic. I have an rc4wd r2 tranny for it and will be mounting it this week along with hopefully finding a d35 for the front axle.

The first thing I did to the truck was remove the fuel tanks to see if I wanted to stretch it and I'm still debating. I then decided that if it's going to be hauling heavy loads it is a requirement to have air bags of course. So without further ado I leave you with a few pics of my progress from this evening. Lemme know what you guys think and opinions on where it should go. :nice:









Thanks for looking,

~Tyler~

[sneaky-pete]

nice looking truck,and great job on the airbags!

[rcman]

yeah great start so far i like the air bags.

[rockNmayhem]

Thank you for the compliments. I hope to be able to get the other arms assembled and bags installed this evening so I can have a full set of four. If there is enought intrest I may look into doing a small run of the mill parts batch for them but I don't think I would be able to do a whole lot as hobby comes second to my job. If you guys are interested lemme know and maybe I can work up a small batch.

~Tyler~

[firefighter-1177]

Looking good.
I would be intrested it some air bags.

[rockNmayhem]

Well ok, it looks like there may be some intrest in some airbags so I guess I will look into making a few more sets. I already have a definite on one set and possibly a couple of others interested. I will talk with Freddy and possibly set up a vendor's page for these if you guys would like. Post here and I'll see what I can come up with.

~Tyler~

[rockNmayhem]

Ok, so time for a few pics of another air setup. Got a few more parts made and one more installed temporarily. Still not sure on how I want to do the rear swing arms but it's getting closer I think.











Thanks for looking,
~Tyler~

Tyler, are those caliper dust boots? What are you using for the top and bottom of the bags? Did you put springs inside? Have you seen my bags yet?

[rockNmayhem]

Matt, so many questions. The bags are not quite caliper boots as they are too flimsy, these are another similar rubber boot though that holds up very well. Springs are inside to help them retain their height under loads. The tops and bottoms are machined caps to fit snugly on the bags also with a hole so they can be solid on bottom and float on top just like a real brake pod. And I did happen to see the start of yours in your build thread.

~Tyler~

[trucker n]

how much weight will the bags hold

[rockNmayhem]

Originally Posted by trucker n

how much weight will the bags hold

At this point I'm not sure on load. The springs are each ten pound springs so in reality with all four on the truck they should hold 40lbs but thats not including the weight the leafs will support as well. They are still quite flexible too so for the time being it is still up in the air.

~Tyler~

[trucker n]

yeah should be fine have you thought of putting a bar from side to side and putting the bags on like the real ones have you know on the inside of the chasis

[rockNmayhem]

What setup are you talking about with the bags on a bar across the rear? Most setups that I've come across are individual bags on each side of the axle.

~Tyler~

[trucker n]

yeah ive seen them on the cross bar

[rockNmayhem]

Hmm.... interesting. Here is a good picture to show kinda what I'm biased to on my design.



~Tyler~

[trucker n]

yeah i like your design just thinking of other ones have you thought of making real bags you can air up

[rockNmayhem]

Bags for air are in the future but I have no current way of airing them up and down. Any sugguestions on how to make that work and I'm all ears.

~Tyler~

[trucker n]

use robart air pump with tank and valve fill tank with air the valve can be worked by sevo and is 2 way it will air up and let air out robart are for air retracts on planes and fairly cheap parts

[trucker n]

if you make bags i can make the rest and we can get together on the system

[rockNmayhem]

Originally Posted by trucker n

if you make bags i can make the rest and we can get together on the system

PM me and we will talk.

~Tyler~