Old School Peterbilt - First Build - lots of photos

[MACK Daddy]

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

Glad to see you liked the extras


Alfy

[mustanggal2005]

Originally Posted by CrimsonCorsair

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.

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.


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:








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:






















Here is the cab and sleeper. The cab has a custom aluminum grill installed.




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?

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

[CrimsonCorsair]

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

[Claus]

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

[CrimsonCorsair]

Originally Posted by Claus

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

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.

[CrimsonCorsair]

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

[CrimsonCorsair]

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:


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...

[spudd]

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

[Espeefan]

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.

[ihbuilder]

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

[CrimsonCorsair]

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



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?

[pigeonfarmboy]

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

[CrimsonCorsair]

Originally Posted by pigeonfarmboy

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

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

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

[androiduk]

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

[Bsorenson79]

Originally Posted by CrimsonCorsair

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.


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.


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:








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:






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:


















Here is the cab and sleeper. The cab has a custom aluminum grill installed.




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?

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.

[Roadmasters]

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

[CrimsonCorsair]

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...

[DuelTruckDriver]

Originally Posted by CrimsonCorsair

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...

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<

[Claus]

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

[Brian in PA]

X2

Brian