Kenworth T880-Aluminum cab

[RCP57]

As many of you know my KH is the only model in my fleet besides the Bruder Mack conversion that has a plastic body(cab). I have wanted to change it since the day I bought it but the timing hasn't been right and I couldn't decide what to build anyway. I struggled with the idea of old vs new for the body but I have decided that new is more challenging. I wanted to do a Kenworth T880 a while ago to test my patience but someone else beat me to the punch and I got busy building my Hayes. The Hayes is now close to being finished so today I got to work on this. I started out this morning making some sketches(tracing) of the cab and then started to transfer the templates onto the metal. Once that was finished the real work began....

Here's what I got accomplished today....

















Thanks for looking!

[ihbuilder]

oh boy there goes the N'hood

[Dieselchopper]

Looking great!!

[longhairRandy]

This is going to be a great build.

[Brian in PA]

Reg that is just insane. Your metal skills are off the charts!

[glorydays24]

Excellent start. Your skills are insane. Keep the pic's coming, I would love to see more.

Big John

[tc1cat]

WOW!!! Welding that thin of metal is unreal!! What a start to an already great build

[Steve1503]

Looking good!

[spudd]

very impressive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Supermario]

Reg is like a musician with perfect pitch. Anything he creates is a masterpiece!

So should be done in a few days eh Reg?
Can't wait to see more

Mario

[TRUCKMAKER]

Your totally un-stoppable Reg, watching the progress as always!

[RCP57]

Thanks for all the positive comments! I would like to take this opportunity to blame you all for my lack of a social life and constant symptoms of "RC-itis".

In my typical fashion, this thing is coming along quickly or at least it would seem. All tolled I have about 12 hours in this already but most of the sheet metal work is finished short of trimming the fenders and cutting out the lights and grills. Now that I have it this far along I need to turn my attention back to the half round trailer I am building before Keith flies to Canada and Kicks my A$$.

Anyway, here is today's update. I was thinking the cab was going to be a little wide but once the fenders were built, welded on and trimmed everthing looks pretty close. I still need to open up the wheel wells but I am pretty impressed with how it is all fitting together so far.







Thanks for following along!

[bigford]

looks just like the t680's we have at work

[RCP57]

I decided that I needed to cut out the wheel wells and headlights before I put it aside.

It turns out that a CD was the perfect size to mark the opening. The KH cab floor is holding it up higher than it should be but it lines up really well with the factory steps vs axle position. When I build the bumper I will just have to mount it out further from the frame rails....or build another truck.

[ihbuilder]

you about fixed it now I just put the empty argon bottles in the truck

[RCP57]

Originally Posted by ihbuilder

you about fixed it now I just put the empty argon bottles in the truck

Prompting you do pick up the TIG torch again am I Steve?

[heavy_duty]

Great job,man you got some serious metal fab skills.looks awesome.

Ed

[Trucker_Jo]

Very cool build Reg!

[RCP57]

OK, last update for today I promise.

Looking at pictures I noticed that there should be a slight flair to the fenders so a little dolly work was in order. It's fairly subtle but I think it will be more prominent once painted. While I was at it, I added some more weld to the headlight area so that I could grind the corners round. After that I cut out the breather holes in each side of the hood.

I think it's finally starting to look like a T880






Reg

[ihbuilder]

Originally Posted by RCP57

Prompting you do pick up the TIG torch again am I Steve?

yea I am well I have to finish the blade yet on the compactor . I ran out in april and still have yet to get to the supply house and get more