How to build an Australian Road Train
 

Thought I'd stick up my build project of a slightly different nature to the normal :evo:

It's taken well over 2 months worth of building and a whole load of swearing. At a few points I thought I may have overdone it for my first ever custom truck build - but it all came together in the end.

The start of the projects was simple enough... building the chassis!

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Rolling chassis finished and 'Roo Bars installed

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Then the gearbox was built up. It seems a shame to cover it up as it has a working 3 speed transmission!

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Next job was fitting the custom headache board from America. True to it's name it was a total pain to fit.

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Test fitting the body to make sure it cleared everything so far

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Then the work started on the front spot lights. Made by RC4WD they are really designed to go on scale offroad 4x4s, but with a bit of tweaking they were mounted onto the front bars

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Then the exhaust stacks were started as they were also going to get a bit of customizing

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I then fitted the hazard beacons a nice guy for Germany custom made for me. They look fantastic lit up - just like the real thing!

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And in another first for me the body was sanded down and filled to allow the use of King Hauler air cleaners

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Starting to build up and sticker the body

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A good friend then wrapped my existing box trailer white for me (a nicer finish than paint and far less hassle!)

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Once the second trailer turned up they were both stickered up Aussie style.

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Beacons wired up

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And then it was time for the MFU (multi-function unit) fitting. I almost had to take the whole truck apart again to get it fitted neatly. Not a fun task at all

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Worth it though! Also a sneaky shot of my personalized Queensland plates

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Truck cab finished with its black bonnet

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The dollie for the rear trailer was made using the chassis from a Scania and the suspension from the pole trailer

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So into the final stage, getting the trailer lights to work on all 3 trailers. Again a total total pain to do but well worth the final result. They looks fantastic

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First test

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Then the final touch, fitting the raised air intakes and painting the tyres. I had to do this with a pin head!

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Comments welcome as always :)

Some serious effort gone into that, I assume a fair bit of cash too! I used to be into nitro r/c cars years ago so still have a soft spot for stuff like this. Must admit though, that little motor will be working hard even if it does have a 3 speed gearbox :P

Looks awesome, wish I had the time and patience to do something like this myself.

Amazing top job

Great job Ross, loved the pics and story. Thanks for taking the time to post it all. Know the temptation is to keep your head down and crack on with it. Must be well disciplined, to stop and get the camera to do a photo build like this.

Going to put it into a Truck Race now???

And I thought I was doing well with my £12.99 r/c helicopter.

Think it looks awesome, great attention to detail, lucky you didnt have anything else being built at the same time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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So much detail, a very nice build. Well done.

Thanks lads! it's always nice to hear kind words about a project. I have to admit I am quite supprised with myself about how well it turned out. I really need to get proper pictures of it outside though

Well the other white lump was away having work done by a specialist, so I needed something to keep me busy :joker:

Im amazed at the amount of work you put into that, looks absolutly fantastic :bow:

Wow thats awesom... looks great... where did you find the truck... I am currently building a Nitro BMW from scratch but fancy something like this afterwards...

Well done mate...

That is amazing!! There's me thinking my nitro buggy was complex lol

Hats off to you, a job well done :)