F Model Mack

I've had these bits lying around in the cupboard for ages - it seems most my builds start there! Got the cab from Auslowe years ago and the body is from the Peterbilt that I've  turned into the logger.



I removed the front wheel arch to make it a single drive. going to use Auslowe's single spring suspension. It says 1:25/1:24 but I think it should be fine under the tow body.



I have a chassis from the Madam Butterfly kit that I think I'll use. I don't think it's anywhere near accurate for a Mack but not much will be seen so it'll do. Be great if someone did a tutorial on converting a chassis to make it closer to genuine Mack. Still haven't decided on colours or anything else but will be RHD with spider rims.

Will be watching this one.

Hmmmmmmm very interesting .

Picked up a few more parts for this at Wagga on the weekend. Good to go when I've finished the R model. Trying to decide at which end of it's life to model it in. Were these a fibreglass cab? If I go old I don't want to put rust where it wouldn't be. thinking it might make a good load for a tilt tray or step deck if I build it as having passed its use by date.

If it was mine I would put a pan on the back of it like the one on Ford short hauler, Would look good with a tipper back on it or the wrecker back

Dragging this back onto the work bench. Colours etc still up in the air but I'll start getting it together and see what it says to me on the way.

Hi Antwon, this is my 1st reply/comment. You asked if your cab was a fibreglass or a steel cab, your cab is a steel cab.
In regards to the chassis, how accurate do you want it to be? There are a few variations in regards to the chassis details.

Glued the tow body together so I can start to measure this up and see what will go where.



This is the chassis from the madam butterfly kit. I made the full chassis and then cut the rear suspension off, I'll use it on the F12 Volvo. It won't be right for that truck but It'll be good enough. I'll probably have to add a bit back onto the rear end of the chassis but I'll know for sure when I have the gantry for the air intakes on.  Next up is cleaning up the resin ready to glue on.

Hi Deaf as, I have obviously replied to the wrong member, my comments were meant for you.

No worries jmackb, I appreciate the answer. Started cleaning up the resin, there is  a fair bit to do!



Some won't get used but while I'm cleaning, may as well do all of it. Only going to use 1 fuel tank and will probably cut it down to fit.

Got all the resin cleaned up and washed off and started to get the main pieces on, so far the rear cab mount and brackets for the air cleaner gantry. Using a white metal front axle as a trial run for future builds with lots of resin.

Starting to get all the bits together now. The gantry for the aircleaners is as per the KFS instructions. I haven't added the pipework etc yet, I just wanted enough on to show how far forward the body can come. At this stage, the body will come just past the rearward strap on the air start tank so I'll cut a hole in the front skirt of the body to suit. I won't do this until I have the rear suspension on and ride height sorted so that the hole can be made to follow the tank outline evenly (hopefully!). I used a battery box from the spares box which will fit in front of the body on that side. The KFS one would have had to go under the body if I can get it to sit where I want which would have been a waste of detail and left a space behind that wheel. On a wheel base this short I think every gap would be used. I had to extend the mounting brackets for it out so it could over lap the rear cab mount frame. I just used some evergreen plastic to make mudflap brackets behind the steer wheels. I might have to bend up an angle plate to go on top of these once I see where the cab sits. The layout of the bits on the truck so far seems to follow the majority rule according to the internet but just when I think I have it sussed, I find another photo where it is different so I'm not too concerned if things aren't where the factory put them. I guess that I'm going to need another 15 - 20mm on the rear of the chassis to set the rear suspension up, hopefully on the weekend.

Off to a good start

Got the chassis extended -25mm. This allowed me to get it to the mock up stage.







There's a lot of fine tuning to go. The rear wheels need to be glued together to give a better indication of how much trimming or packing needs to be done to get the body to sit level. Once the rear panel of the body goes on I'll be able mount the gantry stays to the chassis. The fuel tank will be hidden behind the body skirt so I'll open up a panel so it can be seen.  I'm guessing that the winches and cables etc on the tow gear would be hydraulically driven ???? Hoping you guys can tell me if this is right,  if so I'll mount a hydraulic tank somewhere. I do want to open up a locker or two on each side with tools and odds and ends in them.

Great work Tim, this should be a winner when you're done.

Thanks guys, lots of little stuff going on but not much to show for it!

Okay, started putting all the little bits and pieces onto the body. The original edging was just on the tall front sections and ended where it met the floor of the body. I replaced the side pieces of edging all the way to the rear of the body and sanded the front edge down in thickness to match. Made a new back end for the body out of chequer plate. Trying to change the kit feel and give it a home mods feel. Made up a new boom and sliding insert. used the kit roller in the end. Am making the slider hydraulically operated as well as the winches.





Gone for a heavy duty multi height tow hitch at the back and have made a new support for the boom. I have also made this so that it can be adjusted to suit different loads and jobs.



The original kit boom had 3 different points for the support but only 1 was actually usable so I made a new mount plate from I beam about twice as long as the original. It gives the boom a more home improved feel. I still have to make up some pins to use to lock the it all in when set as required. Just adding some very basic hydraulic detail to the boom. No sure if it is accurate but does add some detail.

Looking the part.

Watching this build with interest looking good Cheers

 Can't wait to see the finished article. Looking real sharp.