#1 This project takes a little time but well worth it
in the end. I am very
impatient so if I can do it you can.
I am not an expert on custom building but can hold my own.
So let’s cut to the chase and get started.
We are going to stretch a semi tractor so it has a bigger sleeper and a little longer frame. You will need two trucks to do this custom build. I am going to use a couple of the Fast & Furious Freightliner Centurys. They were on sale at the local department store and ready to meet Mr. Hacksaw.
#2 We will need to
disassemble them. Refer to the disassembly section on the HWC main page for
help. There are three
rivots on the bottom of these trucks that need drilled out.
#3 Once
you have taken your trucks apart we can them start with the hacksaw
part. Please be careful
cutting these apart and I would recommend using a vice.
The first truck I will cut the cab deflectors off.
You can see the cut from these two pictures.
#4 The
next two cuts are to the frame of the first truck.
Make one cut directly in line with where you cut the cab
deflectors off. The
second cut is optional but the way I wanted the frame to look I went
ahead and made the cut.
#5
The second truck will have two cuts.
The first cut is directly behind the doors and right at the front
of the sleeper. This will
give us the extra length for the sleeper.
The second cut will be directly in front of the curved part of
the side skirts of the frame. This is also right in front of the front axle
#6 Here are the two
trucks side by side with the above mentioned cuts.
#7 These
three pictures shows the truck with the appropriate sections needed to
make the stretched look that we are trying to get.
We need the front and rear sections from the first truck and the
middle section from the second truck.
#8 Here is a picture of
the original truck beside the new stretched version.
#9
If you choose to reuse the roof fairing here is what your truck
will look like. I will not
be using the fairing for my truck.
#10
Well we received the truck back from the stripper and ready for
the J.B. Weld to assemble the sections together. This truck is a little easier to put together simply because
the frame is pretty straight and you can use a small piece of .080
styrene plastic to sit it on between the axle slots to keep the frame
and cab straight.
#11 I
used J.B.Weld for the assembly of the sections.
It is a little stronger (I think) than J.B. Quik.
You also need to be patient and make sure the frame and cab are
straight. Once you have
found what you think is straight then leave it alone
#12 Now it is time for the body work. I use good ole automotive body filler and it works fairly
well. The first coat is
usually a little thick when I put it on.
Therefore, I have to use the Dremel tool to sand it down to get
it ready for the second and remaining coats.
Again, I urge you to take your time and make sure you get the
filler real smooth. If you
can see or feel anything then it will show up on your paint.
After doing about two or three coats of filler I usually put a
coat of primer on to see where I have need to add more filler or sand a
little more.
#13 After
several coats of filler and numerous sanding hours we are finally ready
for a good coat of primer.
#14 After applying the
first coat of primer I was able to spot a couple of flaws in the filler
which I corrected and resanded. We
are now ready for the final paint.
I use Plasti-Kote Automotive paint which has been real good to
me. You may have a
different preference.
#15 Here is the completed truck with
paint and a trailer.
