1/33 Scale Peterbilt 379 with 53' Dry Van Trailer

[murphyaa]

This is a beta build for my latest model. I thought I'd try out a build thread.

This is one of the trucks I got to drive when I was more mobile. Unfortunately, I thought about a build thread after I had already done most of the work on the trailer. But I can show pictures.

First thing I did was build the trailer body. Relatively straight forward


Next to build is the landing gear. I used toothpicks for the extending part. I didn't have a silver marker to color them.


After that is the chassis rails and DOT bumper


Used a toothpick for the Kingpin


Now for the undercarriage. I'll include some jigs to hold everything in place


Swingarms and Airbags attached.


Now to build 8 wheels.


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*crickets*

[Siwi]

Very good progress; we don't see so many truck models. Did you get hold of any plans or just design by eye?

[MacSongLi]

Looking great Murph. Good luck with the all of the wheels.

Gary

[Isaac]

Murph

Is there a picture of the actual truck and trailer? It would help me understand what you are building ( from a perspective of an airplane guy ).


Thanks

Isaac

[rickstef]

Basically this

[Isaac]

Beautiful truck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Looking forward to the build.



Isaac

[murphyaa]

More specifically, I'm shooting for this model.


I had to redesign the wheels. The complicated versions I started with were too difficult and didn't look good at the scale it ended up at.

[murphyaa]

On to part 2 for a "wheelie" good time.

I simplified the wheels to make them easier.


Sub-assemblies sub-assembled


Everything glued together


Glue two wheels front to front to make a duelie


Repeat 4 times


Glue duelies to the chassis (I used small bamboo skewers trimmed to length as axles so they will rotate)


Attach aerodynamic skirts (these are optional, and placed in different places depending on the age of the trailer) and slide the wheel subchassis onto the guide rails. (Don't glue if you want them adjustable)


Finished trailer. On to the tractor

[sgoti]

Good lookin' model so far, sir!

[murphyaa]

I hope somebody thinks my tractor's sexy.

Todays progress:
Cut out the frame


Form it up. And true to my build skills, it's just as twisted as I am.


Got the spring hangers and air bag mounts mounted


Air bags


The steer axle at the front goes together the same way as the trailer axles did.

Front drive axle. It's made of some really fiddly bits, so I went with the ten thumbs method of "smash it together and pretend it looks good"


Rear drive axle. Rinse and repeat of the front drive axle


Undercarriage done (yay!)


I got carried away and forgot to take pictures, but here are the fuel tanks, DEF tank, fifth wheel, and various fenders, boxes and steps added.


Sleeper berth


And the condo cab attachment, showing the formers inside. and the rear cab fairings.


Sleeper berth assembled


Got carried away again. Here's the cab


Hood, showing the overlaps


Fenders, headlights and bumper attached


THe full assembly


Cab sitting on the chassis.


Next step is the air filters, then the wheels...10 of them. I wonder if there's a 3D printer that uses paper mache.