Peterbilt 6x6 Medium Hauler

[Tommy R]

Originally Posted by tc1cat

One way to not have to unbolt all of the center cap bolts is to make 8 of them just the socket head and super glue them in the cap. Only use the other 2 to hold the cap on the rim. This should be more than enough bolts to hold the center cap on. You might think about getting some model railroad stick on lead weights to put into the wheels instead of using BBs to add some weight to the truck for traction. Leaves room for the foam inserts.

Thanks! I like the idea of gluing 8 cut-off screws into the cap like you suggested. I may wait to see if I end up removing the wheels/tires very frequently. If so, I'll definitely cut and glue!

For wheel weights I've used the stick-on type, as well as lead rope. It usually just depends on the shape of the wheels I'm running and which fits better without adversely affecting the foam's performance.

[Tommy R]

3 coats of clear applied. Will likely give it at least 2 more.

[scottyk]

That gold leaf is awesome! Cant wait to see that thing covered in nice thick clear coat!

[Tommy R]

Originally Posted by scottyk

That gold leaf is awesome! Cant wait to see that thing covered in nice thick clear coat!

Thanks!! I was pretty much dead set on gold leaf being a part of this truck since I first thought of the build. It's coming out just like I'd hoped! All the clear is done and it's still curing, but I'll see if I can get some decent pics today since the sun is out.

[Tommy R]

As is typically the case for me, pics could be better. It looks nicer in person, but here ya go....

[up9018]

That rig is looking great! What paint and clear coat did you use?

Chris

[Tommy R]

Originally Posted by up9018

That rig is looking great! What paint and clear coat did you use?

Chris

Thanks! It was some stuff I picked up at the local Advance Auto Parts. I'll get the exact name later today and let you know.

[Tommy R]

Progress.... Waiting for Semi Joe to get more Peterbilt aluminum grills in stock.

[pontiacmann]

Looks very good nice work

[Tommy R]

Thank you very much!

Earlier, Chris asked about the paint I used. It's all just Dupli-Color from the local auto parts store: Bahama Blue and Arctic/Dover White. The white is definitely a softer eggshell color. Kinda old school looking and precisely what I was going for (I got lucky!). The blue is nice, but I was really hoping for a teal.....just couldn't locate any I liked. Everything is cleared with Dupli-Color gloss, as well.

Anyway, here's the paints for those who may be interested:

[Tommy R]

Thanks, man! Basically, the prep on the fenders started with a lot of sanding to try to smooth out the coarse finish of the 3D printing process. Once I started getting it a bit better I started applying a filler primer. I'd apply numerous coats and then sand that down. I repeated this process until I could apply a coat of normal primer and felt good about the finish. But overall, there were probably a dozen or so coats before I felt good about it.

[up9018]

Very cool Tommy. That truck is really looking good.

Chris

[Tommy R]

Thanks, Chris!

I picked up a tiny bulb R&R tool from ebay and it looks to be working like a charm. Thanks!

[Tommy R]

Just had to see what the painted body looks like on the chassis with the wheels/tires installed....

[Tommy R]

On June 18th some Texas folks are getting together with some RC construction equipment and trucks to play around. I'm stoked about running my Peterbilt with some other rigs so that was enough motivation to finally get off my butt and work on the next step of the truck: mounting the transfer case.

I decided on an Axial trans as a t-case. It's going to hang down pretty darn low, but that's okay. This thing isn't a rock crawler. And if the low slung nature of the t-case causes too many hang-ups, I can always build a new bracket with the t-case oriented in a different direction. But with it the way it is, the front driveshaft easily clears the transmission so I figured I'd give it a whirl.

First I took some folder material and started mocking up the overall length of material needed and where I'd want to bend it (approximately, of course).


Then I transferred it to some 1/8" THK aluminum flat stock and began bending it. I just used my vice so the bends did not come out too cleanly. That's okay. It'll work for now and doesn't look awful.




Was able to re-use the stock rear driveshaft to join the trans to the t-case.


Using the stock main driveshaft for the front now. This may change soon, though.


The t-case sits a bit above the framerails so I had to trim away some of the sleeper cab floor.


Now it'll sit nice and flush. I just need a rear driveshaft to join the t-case and the middle axle.

[Tommy R]

Couple more pics....


Showing off the new Lesu aluminum grill.


Front driveshaft and t-case skid just visible below.

[egronvold]

Lookin' good! Almost too bad to get it dirty

[Mustang46555]

Very Nice! Clean and uncluttered, beautiful job

[Northern Farmer]

Awesome job! I like the gold leaf

[Tommy R]

Thanks, everyone!