Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

This is my first RC Truck build. I have been slowly accumulating bits and pieces to make a truck, hoping to buy the model later. Let me start off by saying I have NOWHERE NEAR the skill of many of the people on this board. However, they have inspired me to try my hand at making a Peterbilt out of a King Hauler.

I started out with Freddies rails. I bought them too soon because now he adds the nice taper to the back of them :(. Live and Learn! I also purchased a set of rear fenders that had a look I liked and that I thought would fit the theme 'Old School' well.
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool029.jpg

Then I purchased a modified CAT motor with the electric motor embedded in it. However, I later sold that and traded for just the CAT motor. I also have a 55T motor and 6 tooth gear.
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool030.jpg

Now the fun stuff. I would really like to thank Mack Daddy (Alfy). I purchased the MFU that he had for sale, however he knew I was looking for King Hauler parts. When I opened the box the MFU came in this is what I found:
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool025.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool026.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool027.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool028.jpg

Keep in mind - all I paid for was the MFU - the rest was just thrown in. Thanks Alfy! This is why I love reading this board - everyone on here is so great to work with.

Next I wanted the actual King Hauler model. However, budget constraints (kids in college, new grandbabies, etc.) were keeping me from getting enough cash together at one time for a complete model. So I posted looking for MOST of a King Hauler - after all I already had many parts and I knew I would be purchasing more after-market parts in the future. It could not hurt, right? Claus to the rescue! Claus (Craig) had a King Hauler but had been bitten by the Wedico bug and was looking for someone to take it off his hands. He sent me a PM with a price, and then before I could even answer he sent me another PM with a better price! That's right - he did some research and determined the first price was too high and made me a better offer. Obviously I took the offer and here is what I got:
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool004.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool006.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool005.jpg

Note the after-market motor and ESC already installed. Also included are an aluminum front axle and front bumper and aluminum supports for the rear suspension. But that was not all! Apparently Craig had been playing with the suspension and liked aluminum upgrades, so he sent all his extra parts and upgrades as well - pictures follow:
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool009.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool010.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool012.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool011.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool013.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool014.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool015.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool016.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool017.jpg

Here is the cab and sleeper. The cab has a custom aluminum grill installed.
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool018.jpg

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...dSchool020.jpg

So, that is what I will be starting with. I have already ordered a set of S n P customs Pete style fenders. Other items on my wish list:

• Freddies aluminum cross members
• Aluminum wheels
• Custom stacks
• Pete style steps
• Lots of chicken lights - old school, remember?
• Lots of chrome

I also still need to find a radio. With the MFU I need at least four channels, so anyone out there looking to upgrade, here is a chance to sell your used radio and upgrade!

The theme of the truck is old school. Without going in to too much detail (I will let the photos do that) my goal is to create my own truck - not a copy of a 1:1 - that is more like what would have been done to customize a Pete in the 80's. Not that I will not stray from that theme some - I do want to stretch the frame and maybe make some other modifications that do not make the build exactly what an old school Pete would look like, but the modifications WILL make it mine.

Thanks for looking. Comments and suggestions are always welcome. If some of my build starts to look familiar it is because I am using the wisdom someone else on this board gained in their build and making use of it in mine!

Now...where to start?

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Good luck Michael, you'll be there in no time!

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Looks good man! Your well under way to a great lookin truck!

Brian

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Good start to a nice truck. If you are looking for a radio you should check out http://www.hobbyking.com. They have cheap 4 channel 2.4Ghz tx and rx kits. They even have more channels if you desire.

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Going to watch this build... looks like by the time your done with this its going to be a sharp truck.. any paint ideas?

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

This is the way to go! :D I'll be following this build thread pretty closely for it just might be my route to take to get a truck too. ;)


- Jeff

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

I am thinking something like this:
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...School/122.jpg

In fact, this is about as close to a 1:1 that I could find of what I want to do. Changes to the above would be the length of the frame and the rear fenders, more lights, and a few other customizations.

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Thats a good looking truck! Its a small window 359.

Brian

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

I want to do a 359, but I am honestly not sure I can get the hood right as I really want it to open. So...I may ruin a cab trying and then Decide from there. Thanks for the ID - means I can search the web for some other photos to work with.

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Michael here is a 359 with the later cab. I think the later cab would be easier to model out of a King Hauler, notice how on the later cab the doors do not go all the way to the bottom of the cab, there is a rocker panel there. The older cab the doors go all the way down.
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...n/88302890.jpg
Of coarse some guys have the talent to pull anything off, that is not me.

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

P.S., I hope my Wedico looks as good as this black stallion some day.

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

I like those 359 little window cabs. Very cool looking. That blue and white doesn't have enough lights though, eh? Wow, you must really be planning to add a whole lot more. The only place more lights could be added would be the cab roof, maybe the steps and fuel tanks, and that's about it!

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Craig,
I definitely will NOT be attempting doors - opening or shortening or otherwise. Hood/Fenders and some work on the sleeper will make it 'close enough'. It will not be exact - not sure my skill are up to it - but want it close enough that when folks see the Pete emblems they won't be confused :)

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Items purchased or otherwise acquired since last post:

- a six channel radio and receiver
- S & P Pete Fenders - I highly recommend them
- a 2500mha LiPo battery
- a Venom Pro multiple-battery type charger
- two HiTec 645 servos
- Novak LiPo 2 cell cut-off
- shift-gate for my radio

There are more parts that I want (pipes, wheels, those round headlights from PMD, tanks, Pete steps, etc.) but my budget is blown so she will go together with what I have for now.

I could not resist 'checking' everything so I charged the battery and hooked everything but the motor up to the MFU and gave it a whirl. Mikey Likey. Sound was good, lights did what they should, servos moved as appropriate. Great motivation to get things moving!

I still need the drills and taps for the Freddy frame rails. Suggestions on where to get them? Life is really busy at the moment but if I can get my Jetta running this weekend I hope to get some time in on the truck. Pictures will be posted as I build. Thanks for reading all this - as always comments and suggestions are welcomed.

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

I get all my drills and taps from McMaster-Carr. Great company to deal with. Never let me down, and they are very quick to ship items out.

www.mcmaster.com

You'll mostly be after a 3x.5mm tap, and you'll need a 2.5mm drill for that. I always like having a couple on hand. Never know when one might break, or get plugged up.

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

I second that. Their shipping is unbelievably fast.

Brian

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Thank you - I think. The selection is mind boggling. Any hint on which I should be looking at? I was thinking this one:

Drill Quantity - Individual Drills
Metric Drill Size - 2.5 mm (.0984")
Drill Bit Style - Short–Length Drill Bits
Drilling Depth - 9 mm
Short-Length Drill Bits - General Purpose
Drill Bit Composition - High-Speed Steel
Surface Treatment - Black-Oxide
Flute Type - Standard
Point Angle - 135°
Point Style - Split
Overall Length - 43 mm
Flute Length - 14 mm
Shank Type - Straight
Specifications Met - Not Rated
Note - The shank diameter is the same or slightly smaller than the drill bit size.

Short length for less breakage - other than that pretty standard. Look OK?

When it comes to the taps I am totally lost. Advice? Thanks!

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

For drilling holes in aluminum, you need nothing to extravagant. I wouldn't worry much about the length either, but a short drill bit will prevent deflection, while drilling, helping to make your holes a little more accurate. The bit will want to 'walk' a little, when you start drilling, so be sure you have some way of keeping the bit in place. A center punch might help, or if you intend to lay the old frame rails over the new, and clamp them togther, that should act as a good guide.

For a drill bit, get yourself any jobbers length, right hand, high speed steel, TiN coated bit in 2.5mm.

For the tap, get a spiral point, vanadium steel, nitride treated, right hand 3x.5mm size. The nitride treated tap will work better in aluminum, since aluminum is a non-ferrous metal. That is a metal containing no iron.

Other taps might want to load up with the aluminum, which will plug the tap up, and then when you back the tap out, it will destroy the threads. Aluminum will gall and stick to the tap flutes. I've had better luck with the nitride coated taps.

Make sure you get a couple taps, a tap wrench, to hold the tap, and get some thread cutting oil. You might be able to get away with chucking the tap into a cordless drill and using that instead of a tap wrench. The frames are pretty thin, so it shouldn't be a problem. Run the drill in low gear, and run it very slow, with oil on the tap. Or if you aren't comfortable, use a tap wrench and do it by hand. Probably safer that way.

Blow or brush off the chips, before you back the tap out of the frame rails, after tapping is complete. Clean the tap again before you start a new hole, and always put a few drops of oil on the tap. When you are all done tapping, blow all the holes in the frame rails out with compressed air, or flush them with a can of brake cleaner, or electrical cleaner. It gets all the metal shavings out.

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Nathan - I can not thank you enough, but I will try - thanks!

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Your welcome. Take your time drilling and tapping the holes. It's a good idea to run the tap in one or two turns, then back it up half a turn, then continue. The frame rails are thin, so it's not a big problem, but if you tap thicker material, backing the tap up half a turn or so breaks and cuts the metal shavings off, from the process, so they will be smaller and not clog up the hole or the tap you are using.

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Very Good looking build thus far..Will keep an eye on it :cool:

Glad to see you liked the extras :cool:


Alfy

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Where does everyone get these fantasic grills?I might have to get my builder to make me a Pete next.These are really nice trucks.

Amanda

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

You would need to ask Claus - he is the one who originally purchased the grill...Claus?

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Joe's Custom Trucks or Joe's Truck Stop. Kind of bad language around this site though.

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

If you google 'Joe's Truck Shop' you will find it. His store is located on another site...

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Question for builders - maybe even for Ric of PMD. I really like the look of the hex bolts on the frame vs the Phillips head screws. See this photo from the PMD website:
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...r/PMD_T490.jpg

I know they are not to scale, but I think they look better than the screws. Are these the M3, M4, or M5 hex head bolts listed on PMD here or are these something else? Has anyone used hex head bolts and do they hold up well?

Thanks for your input...

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

i get my hex heads from micro fasteners ,never knew Ric sold them

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

I'm not sure if Ric sells those small scale bolts or not. I've always liked using socket head cap screws, to replace the phillips head screws. To me, they look almost as good as miniature hex headed bolts, and are more affordable.

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

M3 I get them from mcmaster and bulk from freddy's guy ( which reminds me :eek: )

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

While I was in Indy I picked up some parts for the truck - thanks to Ric at Garden Trucking!

3 Pete badges
CB Antennas
Round Headlights

http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...ckParts003.jpg

Now to get some time to work on the truck. I have been playing with fitting the steering servo inside the CAT motor - no luck so far - will post photos once I have something I am happy with.

I am heading to Switzerland and Germany so I will be unable to work on the truck for a couple weeks. Anyone want me to bring something back?

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Go ahead and grab a ScaleArt 8x8 Roll-Off for me would ya? :D

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

No problem. As soon as I receive your cash I will pick it up :D

The weather in Basel has been amazing. I am hoping Frankfurt and Munich are just as nice.

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

A little tip for stopping drills wondering , has always worked for me , place a small bit of PVC electrical tape where you want to drill also aids in the marking out.

Cant wait to see the finished product its gonna look amazing , good luck on your trip

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Hello! Really nice build! I was wondering where you got the custom grill? Also I have a brand new Futaba 4gwd radio, I'm looking to get rid of. If you interested send a PM my way.

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Thanks! Claus on this board sold me the truck with the grill installed - he says he purchased it from Joe's. I like the grill as well - I think it will look great with the single round headlights.

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Nice lot of good parts, cant wait to see it put together

Re: Old School Peterbilt - lots of photos - short update
 

Just a short update - there is no update. Life has thrown me a curve ball - something I think most of us are familiar with. My company was purchased by a larger company in Switzerland and I have been traveling a lot, which takes away from modeling. On top of that my son drove our Toyota with low/no water and it now has a cracked head that I am dealing with (anyone have the special tool to remove Toyota head bolts? Where can I get one?). So between travel, working late, and fixing cars I have had NO time to work on my model.

Short poll: My next step is cutting off the hood - I have seen a video of someone cutting the hood off with string - how do you cut off your parts from these trucks? Do you recommend string? Manual saw? Dremel tool? What works best for you?

Thanks in advance for your advice...

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

Mike I would use a torch, probably why I'm not much good at customizing King Haulers.

Re: Old School Peterbilt - lots of photos - short update
 

I would use a very fine tooth saw and a thin one. That way it dosen't take out too much material. You should be able to cut right down the molding line between the hood and cab just take it very slow. The one I use is from hobby lobby, and the blade fits in a exacto screw driver type handle. If you don't plan on using the hood you can use a dremel with a thin cut off wheel just cut a extra 1mm or 2 longer. Then you can sand to the line making it perfectly level.
Reason why is the dremel heats the plastic up way too much and will melt it in a second so if you cut right down the molding line it will damage the cab.
>Marty<

Re: Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos
 

X2

Brian