Peterbilt logger

Hi Guys, this is a wreckscue of a kit I built years ago and that 'fell' apart when we moved into where we are now (about 20 years ago).I'm working on this while I fiddle about with colours for the Desperado Road boss. The cab and chassis are from the Peterbilt wrecker and the trailer is the AMT Peerless logging trailer.

I'm cutting it back to a single drive using an Auslowe product. I Will post a pic later as I haven't come across this style of suspension before and aren't sure if I have it right.  The engine that was in it appears to be a V8 GM but I don't think that's what came with the original kit. Just noticed I haven't got it in the picture so it's going to be hard to confirm! Haven't chosen colours yet but think I'll give it a used look.

Going to be a cool pete.  

Okay, here is the picture of the rear suspension. I've set it up so that the bolt heads in the hanger casting mate up with the chassis but I'm not sure about the 'helper' spring pack sitting above the main spring pack like that.

So far, the chassis seems to sit fairly level like this but I'll probably need to get the rims done to confirm this. This is roughly what I have in mind.

Cool idea.

Ben

looking good so far.

G,day mate , that v8 motor came in the small window pete with the door handles at the top of the doors . If you want to wait AMT is releasing the original older pete in june in the states . I think i'll watch this job .

I've managed to do a bit more on this lately with all the wet weather we've had here and while waiting for more decals for the Road Boss. I've put in a little bit of plumbing, made a new rear tailshaft and made up a couple of rear run up ramps. Not sure if these are needed or not.


Have put in air hose connectors and the pintle hook as well. Added a handle to the hook but it's not the best photo.


Added a little bit of plumbing to the jinker as well. I used copper wire as it has the added advantage of being a bit stiffer and allows me to set the suspension back at an angle to help kick the draw bar up onto the cab rack. The short wheel base means all the angles are a bit steeper. I still have to make some tie down points for the jinker. I presume they rely on more than gravity to hold it on. Haven't been able to find anywhere that shows how they load them so I presume it's similar to Elephanstone etc.


The fuel tank is a trial one from the Road Boss using aluminium tube and resin ends. The steps are from the original kit. I still have to come up with guards for the front of the drive axle so will probably use chequer plate to give it that older feel before plastic guards etc. Thinking about doing pretty much all of it in a pastel green with cream/ off white stripes, rims and bolsters. Will be putting spoked hubs on it from the spares box, just have to make up the brake drums/ spacers to get the track width right.

Looking good, like the colour idea.  

Looking good , lots of nice detail going into this .

Got some colour on this today. It's Tamiya Cobalt blue. It's brighter than the photo shows. Haven't done the trailer yet. I did change the run up ramps at the back to a heavy pipe so I had somewhere to hang mudflaps  later.

Hows this one going.

Progress on this is slow, mainly working on the Road Boss. Have painted the jinker and wheels but need to mask out the hubs so  I can do the rims in a different colour. Painted the fuel tank but it rolled off the shelf in the drying cupboard and split the join between the tank and end piece so it needs redoing. The fall didn't damage the paint, just the ego due the poor build quality.

Don't ya just hate that when it happens

Have been able to do a few bits and pieces on this lately. Have used Tamiya paints for the first time on this and so far so good. Masking out the rims and hubs on the truck was a pain in the butt but did finally get there. I decanted the paint from the spray can into the airgun for a bit more control in the wheels.



Still have some stuff to do on the jinker but dropped the drawbar? and broke the ring off the end of it. I presume it must have an internal shaft that allows the drawbar to change length as it corners?



The engine and radiator are painted and ready to go in but have to paint the tailshaft first. Cab is sanded back ready for primer. Hubcaps will go on the drive axle once I have dirtied it up a little.

Looking good.

Managed to get a little more done on this. Engine needs to come back out and have final details added and paint finished. Still trying to fill and sand the cab roof smooth. Looks great til the primer goes on.

Ghosting showing through?
I hate that.  Why does it happen sometimes and not others?
Try thin coats of primer.  Almost mist it on allowing 10 minutes between coats building up until you have got good coverage.
And then, when you do the colour coats and the clear later don't forget the ghosting was there and put on a heavy coat because it can still come back and it's a real PitA if it does.  Especially if it's the clear coat that causes it.
Don't ask me how I know...

Even worse when the primer looks great than the colour highlights it the reason my vantasy van ended up with a sunroof....
Pete logger looks great Tim.

Thanks guys, all suggestions greatly appreciated. It's been driving me nuts.

Some times you can stop the ghosting by painting on a coat of liquid glue over the area before undercoating, seems to act as a sealer.
Must be done on the bare plastic, don't do it over the undercoat.

Been slow progress on this. Seem to have cured the ghosting in the cab roof but I imagine the proof will be when the top coat goes on. Have the main colour on but wasn't happy with the bonnet so it will get another coat. The primed/masked sections will be done in the chassis colour. Starting to get some colour on the interior bits.


Managed to bust the tow hook off the main trailer beam so had to make up a new one of those as well. Had a change of mind in colour scheme between the build and painting otherwise I would have left the air cleaner off to make masking easier. Thought about trying to pull it off and thought about how well I could fix a busted cab so left it on!

Looking good mate.

Yep I agree

Got anymore done to this one or been to cold.

Looking good.