Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

OK everyone, I just wanted to let you see what I have in mind for a not to far off project...
I recently joined 1/24 scale model trucks, and I was going through the threads and came across something very interesteing. This gentleman named John had built a 1/25 scale model of the Bill Signs Trucking. It has a interesting spread axle configuration, with custom tool boxes between the axles...look's like some more of Russ's air ride:rolleyes:
Now I asked John if he would mind if I built this in 1/14 scale r/c, and he was honored:)
I had this model years ago, and it was a very detailed kit...Revell of Germany, what do you expect:eek:
I've contacted SnP (John) to paint the body, and it's like I told him, i've seen his paint jobs, and I have no worries;)
Anyhoo, i've babbled enough, and here is a couple of pic's of what I like to call "BIG BLUE"
The grill and the head light housings won't be painted.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...ys24/bsf61.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...4/bsignsf1.jpg

Let me know what you think...now if I can just get someone to make the tool boxes...:D

Thanx for looking, Big John

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Hi john, now that was and still is a great kit as there was a lot of chrome and $$$ to buy, to do justice to the kit I think you would be best following the way Brian in PA built his tipper with opening bonnet, going from there with custom grill /rear wall panel for the truck and the rest of the one off parts that this model kit was know for so when people see it they know it based on the revell kit......
http://www.wettringer-modellbauforum...threadID=30433
http://pete389.proboards.com/index.c...ay&thread=4284

Just my thoughts about it...

Cheers Tracy

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

This is a very nice looking tractor it has a lot of detail I like it a lot. Ed;)

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

I say go for it - I like cossets ideas - might even get ahold of one of those cat die cast engines :)

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Trucks like these seem to be Canadian in origin. You never see these in the USA. The spread drive axles is like a Canadian trademark. Not really sure why they build them like that. Another signature look of these trucks is the rear frame, beind the last axle. It's got a radius and not the typical frame taper to it. Very unique and cool. They have a really heavy look to them. I believe the radius frame is used to get a trailer up onto the 5th wheel.

Like Dustin said, Brand Modell did a truck up like this. Probably not the exact replica of this one, as I've seen quite a few variations of these spread axle trucks over the years. I have some photos, but I'd have to dig them up.

This would make an awesome build. I had ideas to do something up like this, but probably never will.

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

The spread on the axles is a requiremnt for different weights depending on which state/country you are in. Alot of the states in the USA are the same but states like California that like to be DIFFERENT (harder on truckers) make there axle requirements completely different then most making it harder to get maximum weight on your axles in other states.

The tapered rear frame rails are ramps used in California 99.9% of the time. It is common for heavy haulers in the east to use self powered removable goose necks. It is most common for heavy haulers in California and some surrounding states to run manual removable goose neck trailers which requires ramps to get under the neck after yuo drop the trailer and un latch it.;)

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

I do agree with you Tracy. Everything that I can do to replicate this truck, I am going to do my best...And with the great vendor's on the board, i'm sure i'll have no problem's:D

Big John

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

I don't know about the dicast engine, do to there is na sleeper.
The motor/tranny would sit back so far, I don't think it would work.
But not a bad idea;)

Big John

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Seeing as i used to be a trucker , and live in canada i can tell you that 60 inch spread is the max. ive ever seen , and you rarely see that anymore cause its just too hard on the tires And we call those lowbed ramps, for picking up trailers that dont have landing gear. On such a short wheelbase tractor those rear tires would be worn out in a few months .

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

I want to thank everyone who has had input on the truck, telling me things I didn't know.
I'm thinking stock King Hauler frame...and with that, it might be a little longer than the actual truck, but that's ok with me.
I have the kh body and maybe a rolling chassis coming my way before to long...so now it's just a matter of time;)
If anyone has any idea's, input, or anything else to add, feel free to.
This is going to be interesting for sure:p:rolleyes::)

Thanx again, Big John

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

This is going to be a cool looking rig when its done! Keep us updated.
Scott

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Bill Signs Trucking is a californian heavy haulage company.

http://billsignstrucking.com/

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Thank you so much for the link, very interesting reading:)
And the video made my mouth water, lol.:D

Big John

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

I sure will Scott, but I probably won't get started 'til after christmas...maybe santa will bring me some goodies. Probably not, according to the little lady of the house, I haven't been very good this year:(;)

Big John

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

I had this kit too and always wondered what it would be like in 1/14 RC. The stock KH fuel tanks should work fine. The biggest problems I think you will have is those straight pipes and the taper at the end of the frame. Doing the decals should not be a problem...just scan the originals and resize them for 1/14 right? I have the instruction manual, maybe I could scan it for you so you have an idea of what goes where? Good luck on the build and keep us updated!

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Thank you spjb, i've wonderd on how this was done.
I contacted S&P, (John) to do the paint. And if he can, i'm going to have the graphic's painted...we'll see what happens.

Thanx buddy, Big John

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

John here is a neat way of replying to multiple replies without doing a separate post for each one. Use the multi quote button beside the quote button in the bottom right side of the replies you want to reply to. Once you have clicked all of the multi quote buttons in the replies you want to reply to click on the post reply button in the lower left corner under the last post and it will put all of the quotes in one post and you can reply to them all at once and help keep your thread nice and tidy. I hope this helps make things easier and faster for you.

Travis

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Great lookin model John! these Revell of Germany are great kits. i built 2 Pete models and I still have 2 KW dumps to do. I'll probably never do it though. I like the detail they have like pose-able steering and opening doors.

Brian

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

God bless you fhhhstix. Now I know, and thanx a million.

Brian , revell of germany kit's are very detailed. I have to say the first truck was a c/o kw, and when I opened the box and seen all part's, chrome, and decal's, I was flabbergasted.
And there is something about a static model sitting there with the wheel's posed "steering", add's more realism.
But I do have one complaint about the germany truck kit's. On the cummin's, they don't have a starter...I guess there attitude is, "if you can't see it, why put it in the kit".:confused:

And right now tower hobbies has the Bill Sign's truck for $109.99.
Kinda pricey, but I think it's worth it considering all the detail:D

Big John

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

But I do have one complaint about the germany truck kit's. On the cummin's, they don't have a starter...I guess there attitude is, "if you can't see it, why put it in the kit".

I'll have to check it out. I've never noticed that.

Brian

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

I found one of the pictures I had saved, which may be a big help to you. It really shows off the rear frame, and just how unique it is.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...spreadaxle.jpg

This actually Brand-Modell's scratchbuilt truck. The guys who make a lot of accessories for these scale trucks. I wish I had more photos of it, but I don't. I do have some other 1/24 scale photos, showing the ramps.

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Here are a few more photos. These are 1/25 scale, I think, but still very, very cool trucks. I'd love to build one myself, and that's why I saved the photos, but since I won't be getting to it anytime soon, I thought I'd share them with you.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...YellowPete.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...ellowPete2.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...earwindow2.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...59bigvisor.jpg

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Found one more. This is the very last one I have.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y12...rearwheels.jpg

This one is definitely a Canadian truck. I don't know how ever found this picture, but I saved it a long time ago. This one caught my eye because of the grille and stacks. Octagon stacks anyone?

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Thanx so much Nathan...WOW!!! octagon stack's,:eek: now that would definitely be different. And a different style of tool boxes between the axle's. Boy I have a lot of planning to do...time to get out the notebook and write some thing's down. And I really needed the pic of rear of the frame, great shot.
And last but not least, a texas bumper???:rolleyes::rolleyes:
Interesting, look's like I have my work cut out for me...decision's, decision's:D:D:D

Thanx buddy, Big John

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

:eek:almost 2 pages and no buildin yet :confused::rolleyes::p:p:p:p:p

can't wait to see this 1 goin

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

John, I'm glad you found those pictures helpful. Of interest is the fact that these trucks have day cab conversion kits on them. The sleepers were removed, and an aftermarket wall, with window, was added. Another really neat detail you could include on your build are the tanks, behind the cab. My guess would be that they are some type of aux. air tanks. I just noticed the brown Pete also has octagon breathers! And maybe it's not Canadian after all. It's got an American flag in the window!

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

ihbuilder, I know, I know...but there is a saying..."good things come to those who wait":D:D:D
Be patient my friend;)

Espeefan, I had this model a long time ago, and I alway's thought it was an American truck, and there's another idea...American flag in the rear window.
I didn't notice the breather's either, so many option's...which way will I go...:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
As far as the air tank's, i'm putting everything on like the real truck, just with some twist and turn's that I possibly can. It won't be 100%, but it should be close.

Big John

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

then should we move this up to general discussion till your ready to build ? Just a thought ;)

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Not a problem Steve, thankyou.

Big John

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Well I did some tinkering tonight. I thought I would attempt to see what I could do on the rear of the frame as far as the curved part.
I just did one side. And I have a set of stock king rails thanx to S&P, thanx buddy.
Now this is just a first run to get a feel for what's ahead.

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...4/100_0126.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...4/100_0127.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...4/100_0125.jpg

Let me know what you think, and thanx for looking;)

Big John

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Locking good!

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Thank you Lars, I think I will tinker with the body tonight.;)

Big John

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Wow that looks really good! Not sure if you answered this or not but are you building like the Bill Signs truck with the decals and all or are you building it like the blue one you posted?

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Thank you straightpipejakebrake. I am going with the blue, and the same graphic's if possible...Or since green is my fav color, who knows.:rolleyes:
If I do go with the blue, the name of the truck will be "BIG BLUE".;)

Big John

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Looks like you're off to a good start on those frame rail ramps. Might be kind of neat if you could contract a guy to machine you those pieces out of aluminum. Nothing wrong with styrene though! Nice work.

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Thanx Nathan, I thought of the aluminum myself.
But if I do, it will have to wait 'til after christmas.

Big John

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Well everyone, I have some news. I did some bartering with firefighter-1177, and in the trade, I got a king hauler rolling chassis, and a 48' spread axle flatbed body.
Now here's my delima:confused:
I have several options for the truck. I could build as the Bill Signs truck, a day cab pete, stretch the frame and super size the sleeper, or since I have a bruder mixer body, I could build a mixer. Now I went ahead and moved the front axle foward to look more like a pete, stretched the hood by 1/2" put the fuel tanks under the doors, put a headache rack on just to see which way I want to go.
And added a texas bumper. Here is a few pic's to show what i've done.



http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...4/100_0144.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...4/100_0145.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...4/100_0146.jpg

http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/u...4/100_0147.jpg

I still need to do a little more body work. I would really appreciate any input on which way I should go. I know it's my truck, but I need some guidence.

Thanx for looking, Big John

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

I would go with the Big Blue idea(or big green, lime green might look good with the silver stripes) especially with the spread rear axles and tool bow in between them, that would be original. then maybe a lowboy to go with it... Or slap a few more axles under that flatbed and build a precast type load for it. Just my 2cents worth though!

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Oh and a winch... defiantly a winch!

Re: Bill Signs trucking truck...not excactly...
 

Those are pretty good idea's, especialy the winch.
It's funny you mentioned the Bill Signs design because I started the tool boxes between the fenders. I'm getting ready to post pic's of what I got started.:)

Thanx Ken, Big John