Custom Pete
 

I am finally going to do a Pete. Here is the truck I am using for the inspiration.

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...10331-1105.jpg

I will be using this new set of frame rails I got from Steve.

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps969dc2fa.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps256be143.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps75dcc5d4.jpg

I have some other parts coming from Steve and a new king hauler kit ordered from my LHS.

Travis

Re: Custom Pete
 

Those rails look sweet!!! I like 'em!!
About time you start this truck Travis!! Cant wait to see it come along!!

Re: Custom Pete
 

I am waiting to see how you do the outlaw style front fenders looks like you have a great start Travis can't wait to see the next steps...

Re: Custom Pete
 

Thanks guys, I started on the air ride today. Here are some pics of today's progress.

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psa030b6f5.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps75fe09ca.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps97aefddf.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps0ada514b.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psd3fcf37d.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps38040fdb.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps6369a811.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps79d92357.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psa92ccbed.jpg

Thanks
Travis

Re: Custom Pete
 

Lookin good Travis

Re: Custom Pete
 

im liking that suspension!!!

Re: Custom Pete
 

Now that's something completely different. I like it. Great start

Re: Custom Pete
 

Nice start Travis, I like the spring hangers, are the spring leaves cut out of steer springs or did you form them?

Re: Custom Pete
 

Thanks guys for the comments.

The spring leaves are from a Juggernaut. I cut out the center pin and removed the other two leaves then drilled the hole out to 3mm. Since these leaves are longer than the semi leaves I used the center hole in the leaf as the rear axle mount hole and drilled the other closer to the eye of the leaf.

I decided the front suspension needed to be a little different to so I made the hangers for it as well. Being a Pete and needing to move the axle forward I put the spring mount hole in the front of the new brackets. I also made the bracket wide enough so I did not need the plastic spacers the stock suspension uses. I also bushed all of the holes with a brass bushing so I have a replaceable wear item instead of having to make new parts later. Well enough chit chat here are some pics.

:update::bounce::jump:

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps8a0dadcb.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps67b01165.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps258e0ae9.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps9f059843.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psc484cd56.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psea85b5ae.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps35da1751.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps34c0f086.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...pscb0acbcf.jpg

Thanks for looking.
Travis

Re: Custom Pete
 

nice work so far travis...must be cool to have your own machinery to build whatever you want...i gotta get me some of that:D

Re: Custom Pete
 

Buddy - your machining keeps getting better and better ..... realy nice work on those hangers and such. I like!

Re: Custom Pete
 

Thanks guys I keep working at it. I definitely think these fancy frame rails deserve some better parts mounted to them.

Travis

Re: Custom Pete
 

I can hardly wait to see it finish. Wow!

Re: Custom Pete
 

Thanks Sue, it may take me a while but I will get there.

:update:

Here are some update pics. The suspension is mounted and almost done. I was also able to get the CAT engine and the trans mounted :eek:. Well good thing it is a Highway truck because once the engine and trans were mounted, I now have almost no ground clearance. The front bumper should help plow the way so the trans doesn't drag.:D I also milled out a new front crossmember/engine mount/ bumper mount.


http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps28befa9b.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psc5d1012e.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps8937c71b.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps76b798b2.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps4ec74db4.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps8cd3b5a7.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psc8bfaf1a.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps60bedc26.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psbd895b3c.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps8539c5d6.jpg

Thanks for looking.
Travis

Re: Custom Pete
 

Your suspension design looks good. Nice machining work too.

Re: Custom Pete
 

Wow i truly enjoy everyone's work here on and the and this build look's like it's going excellent!! Keep up the great work and i can't wait to see more pic's of this build. Excellent work sir.

Mike

Re: Custom Pete
 

You use a tumbler for the mounts? Look great since I saw them only yesterday!

Re: Custom Pete
 

Thanks Scott, I have been using the mill more lately and I am learning as I go. Lynn (tc1ct) has been a big help.

Thanks Mike I appreciate the compliment.


Thanks Nate, I cleaned them up in the blast cabinet.

Travis

Re: Custom Pete
 

Travis,great job.this build is bad to the bone.Keep it coming.

Ed

Re: Custom Pete
 

This baby is coming along nicely. I like it.

Re: Custom Pete
 

nice looking build i like the front spring shackles there awesome

Re: Custom Pete
 

Thanks Ed, I am working on it to try and have it ready for Indy.

Thanks.

Thanks.


Well here are some updated pics. I did some more milling on the rear spring mounts and made the top air bag mounts. I am just using screws to set the ride height for now but I hope to have the air bags done this week end.

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps6a1d6cde.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps58c08fc9.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...pse829f0ab.jpg

Thanks for looking.
Travis

Re: Custom Pete
 

Lookin good corky!!!

Re: Custom Pete
 

any plans on making and selling those front hangers

Re: Custom Pete
 

Very cool Catman !
so ... you got a gear-motor inside that CAT engine ?

Re: Custom Pete
 

You are correct, Willy. Plus it is a very small gear motor :eek:
I must agree with Izzy and PFB, Travis. You are getting much better at machining and what a difference a couple of days make. All I remember was some fancy frame rails and some raw machined parts on Sat.

Might have a package headed your way Friday :bounce::bounce:

Re: Custom Pete
 

Travis your looking good. Got a nice start, keep up the good work. Ed

Re: Custom Pete
 

Travis,
Welcome to the pete family lol off to an awsome start I am sure this is going to be another great build.

TONY

Re: Custom Pete
 

Thanks PORKY.

Not as of yet but I may think about it.

Yep I used a beetle B16. It is a little slow but it has tons of power.

Thanks for the compliment Lynn. I will be waiting patently for the package. :jump:

Thanks Ed, I am working on it.

Thanks Tony, I am getting exited about this one.

Here are some update pics. I have the simulated air bags made, now I need to make the lower mount and connecting bar.

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psf4ab0d86.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps3a7437d4.jpg

Thanks for looking.
Travis

Re: Custom Pete
 

I really like the air ride bags... I would like to use them on my trailers im building but I just can't get the articulation like I do with springs...

Re: Custom Pete
 

Take a look at this link for air ride suspension's, http://www.raydanmfg.com/?page=products Cheer's, Neil.

Re: Custom Pete
 

I have seen that walking beam/air ride. Looks like it would do pretty good as a quick drop of the bags and your on solid beam. My trucking days stems from construction field where springs and solid beam still rule in the dirt. Air ride has come along way but single point articulation still seams to do best. In my opinion The big gain with air ride is the reduced road shock to the truck and driver.

Re: Custom Pete
 

The suspension is finally done so now I can move on to some body work. Here are some pics of the finished suspension.

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psf362123e.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps863fb3de.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps73716c37.jpg

Thanks for looking.
Travis

Re: Custom Pete
 

Looking good Travis!!

Re: Custom Pete
 

Re: Custom Pete
 

Thanks guys I appreciate the comments.

I have another small update today. New rims from IHB scale models (ihbuilder) and a powered sliding fifth wheel I made today.

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps3ebc328b.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psa90cda28.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps637158b4.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps223b13d2.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psea0763df.jpg

http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/s...psbc3c57ea.jpg

Here is a short video of the fifth wheel.

http://youtu.be/Ek0sJHQECKc

Thanks for looking.
Travis

Re: Custom Pete
 

Hey Travis, you've raised the bar again:D:D:D:D
Cheer's, Neil.

Re: Custom Pete
 

Looks good travis u are the screw drive man even if its on a fifth wheel:D suspension looks real nice :cool:

Re: Custom Pete
 

Thanks Neil I am just trying to keep up with the rest of the builders here.

Thanks Chris but I cheated on this one and used a Firgelli for now but if it doesn't hold up I will make it a screw drive.

Travis

Re: Custom Pete
 

Dang Travis!! Nice idea! Looks like it works pretty good!