ScaleART - Assembling a MAN TGX/XL 6x6 tractor & Trailer

[Rakthi]

Yup, true, but now thinking that maybe, just maybe I should put the air tanks on the other side side the fuel tank ... Then I don't have to worry so much about the front fender. Those rear ones are more forgiving ... Might give it a try. Have to wait for the missing bits of the rear suspension anyway.

[Rakthi]

Just moved all my stuff out of storage back into the guest kitchen. Just hope I still know which container holds what.

While not able to do much on the truck been thinking on how to make a support bracket for the air tanks with my limited tools.

Figured it would be better to make it in 2 separate parts. One L shaped bit that bolts on to the frame that will allow the part holding the air tanks to bolt to it. This approach will give a bit more flexibility in the distance the tanks have from the fuel tank/front fender by using spacers.

First problem is to get an accurate position of the 4 bolt holes in the frame.

I came up with the following solution that I tried out with some scrap pieces.

Cut a piece of plastic so it fits in the frame.





Clamp in place and carefully drill the 4 holes





Clamp this to a piece of brass plate and use the holes in the plastic as a guide



As you can see it kind of worked ... just have to be able to fix it better so it can't move about during the drilling.



So that is what is on the program for the moment. Will see how far I get with this approach. Don't really want to get "stuck" on this for too long either.

Mean while the 2 missing bits of the rear suspension arrived too ... of course the self same day I put everything in temporary storage.

[Rakthi]

Kind of weird to be quoting myself ...

Originally Posted by Rakthi

Yup, true, but now thinking that maybe, just maybe I should put the air tanks on the other side side the fuel tank ...

So tried this version and turned out to be a great success! No need to file bits of the air tanks and no pressure on the front fender. Only need to drill a couple of holes from 1.5mm to 2mm which is easily done.

Here the result - (some nuts and bolts missing because still needs adjusting)



Need to move the left tank support one hole over. The air tank support is where the left fuel tank support was before. Will need to drill an extra hole in the frame for the third screw.





Still have to decide how high/low I will have the air tanks in relation to the fuel tank.

Well now that this is finally sorted, I can start on finishing the air tank support and then begin painting the frame and all the little bits and pieces from the rear suspension.

Next update will probably be after painting.

[Prop Shaft]

Isnt it funny how a solution just comes to you after an exorbitant amount of time mulling over the problem? Thats why I'm such a slow builder at times. Ill find myself just sitting and staring at things for hours untill I come up with a solution I like.
Its going to be nice to see some paint on this! Were you able to source some lacquer based rattle cans locally? If you can find some along with some self etching primer you wont regret the results. Or the super fast recoat/drying times. Good luck with the painting.