Bruder low loader to Tamiya conversion.

[spannermonkey]

I'm fairly sure this has been covered before but thought I would share my build. A ruptured disc in my lower back has forced me to take time off work and take it easy. This has lead to me being very bored so I decided this is a project I could tackle and doing a build thread passes a little more time.

 

A recent eBay code got me this little beauty for just over £20 so I decided to give it a bit of a stretch and use it for displaying a couple of model steam engines I have had for several years. This will be far from a true scale build but I aim to put it behind a Tamiya truck so it needs to be a decent job.

Edited January 18, 2018 by spannermonkey

[spannermonkey]

I have looked at loads of ways people have stretched these and they all follow similar routes. Most use ally channel and some 10mm stock which is great but expensive. Quick call to a local metal stockist got me a big box of off cuts of ally plate and angle. Had to buy the 10mm stock but it was all under £10. 

 

So in between physio and MRI appointments I made a start.

[Gaz!]

Been ages since I’ve seen a stretch on one of these.

 

im watching with interest mate, if it turns out anything like your truck it will be a winner 

[spannermonkey]

Thanks Gaz. I have my next truck ready to pull this but haven't posted up what it is yet as it's going to be a while until I start it. Waiting for the warmer weather as I have a plan involving painting many parts.

 

So 10mm square stock fitted, kept it nice and simple. 3 holes each side with M4 thread in and some nice stainless cap heads from underneath. Added 100mm to the bed.

Bit of the angle along each side and a piece of 2mm ally plate to bridge the gaps. Nothing fancy as it's all going to be hidden.

That's the deck all braced and secure. Also as much as my back would allow today, even in my heated workshop the cold really got to it.

[RC4WD fan]

Looking good  any reason why the screws aren't in line ?

Edited January 20, 2018 by RC4WD fan

[spannermonkey]

Screws are set like that to avoid some of the bracing underneath. Didn't see the point in removing too much strength as all the deck will be covered when I'm done.

 

Managed to get the neck extended today.

Then shockingly the wife said I could work inside, she must want something.

so out came the plasticard

That's me done for the day. Pleased with the results so far. Just waiting on a reply from an old friend to help decide if the deck will be wooden or plasticard. For the life of me I can't remember what the floor was in our old low loader for moving the steam engines. Swaying towards painted steel as we used to move them in steam.

[yoodoo]

Excellent project this...subbed.

J

[53HRA]

Great work so far, I pretty sure Dave (Roverman), stretched one years ago, it looked huge lol. It'll look the part when finished, then you just need a couple of scale accessories to finish It off  

[RC4WD fan]

11 hours ago, spannermonkey said:

Screws are set like that to avoid some of the bracing underneath. Didn't see the point in removing too much strength as all the deck will be covered when I'm done.

That makes sense now  good job on the rest aswell  

[atom3624]

Must admit the screws had me thinking a bit too - will be interesting to see how this turns out.

Great work so far - nice precise lines.

 

Al.

[spannermonkey]

Thanks for the comments. I can see why people are puzzled with the bolt placement as a nice straight line is pleasing. I have seen these things stretched massively but I'm being conservative, enough room for my 2 steam engines and a few accessories. Neck stretch is purely to get the pin position where I want it as Tamiya seem to hang trailers off the back of the American kit and it's still a bit far back on Euro stuff. When it's finished it will be a little longer than standard Tamiya trailers.

 

Neck filled in today. Needs a little more work on the chassis extension at the top of the picture once it's fully cured.

Finished these up as well.

Box made up for the winch. Just need to make a handle for the tool box lid part.

Quick test behind the Grand Hauler. Truck that will pull it is a touch shorter so I'm pleased with the length.

[yoodoo]

Love this project.

J

[Rover Man]

Looks great so far. I did the same with mine and added about 100mm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[yoodoo]

Thats sweet. Going to have to get myself  a Tamiya tractor unit now.

J

[spannermonkey]

They are addictive and expensive. Lol. I started with 1 as a great to myself, then it had to have a trailer. Then comes the ally wheels etc oh and let's not forget the second truck and a low loader. 

[yoodoo]

I know. Over the decades the money I have spent on RC's I could have bought a small house .

 

J

[atom3624]

You could build a house USING the RC's you've bought!!

Know what you're saying - for me it's more 'could have done that kitchen refit / garden rebuild' rather than actual house.

I reckon in the last 15 years I've spent that per year in 'k'.

 

Al.

[spannermonkey]

Didn't get much done today after a hard physio session left me in a fair amount of pain.

 

Removed the toy landing gear and blanked the hole off. Some more realistic wooden blocks will be fabricated for it to sit on.

 

Then came my disaster. Took it out to the workshop to make up the new stainless rubbing plate. Mounts worked out perfectly, plate was spot on. Holes I drilled, well erm just no. No idea what happened with my measurements but they are a country mile out. That needs to be re cut now but by that point I was cross and hurting so it's a job for tomorrow.

 

Did have a go at the rear after tea for an hour.

clad one ramp and created a more scale light.

 

[RC4WD fan]

Loving the amount of detail you putting on  are you going to put all the lights on like a beacon side markers and all that sort of stuff ?

 

 

and I know this has nothing to do with the build but are they potatoes in with the oranges 

[Isle of Wight Basher]

Great build, I'm considering my first Tamiya Truck so this thread is of great interest to me 

 

RC4WD fan, I reckon it's 1 & 1/2 pairs of pears.

Edited January 23, 2018 by Isle of Wight Basher

[spannermonkey]

4 hours ago, Isle of Wight Basher said:

and I know this has nothing to do with the build but are they potatoes in with the oranges 

They are as has been said some sorry looking pears. Lol. The fruit bowl is a feature of my truck build too. We eat loads of it, I'm proof it doesn't keep the Dr away. 

 

There will be some flashing lights, full light kit may follow later but it's not a priority at the moment.

[spannermonkey]

4 hours ago, Isle of Wight Basher said:

Great build, I'm considering my first Tamiya Truck so this thread is of great interest to me 

Thanks, not sure if you have seen it but there is my build thread of a Grand Hauler and flat trailer. The truck builds are all very similar so it will give you an idea of what's involved.

[spannermonkey]

Got this far yesterday. Supports made and fitted for new bed plate.

Take 2 on the bed plate was much better. 

Pin won't be fitted until I've decided which truck is pulling it so I can set the trailer gap as I want it.

Did intend on doing some more but working with the stainless and tools really took it out of me so that's all for now.

one last picture to show a nice neat row of bolts. 

[RC4WD fan]

43 minutes ago, spannermonkey said:

They are as has been said some sorry looking pears. Lol. The fruit bowl is a feature of my truck build too. We eat loads of it, I'm proof it doesn't keep the Dr away. 

 

There will be some flashing lights, full light kit may follow later but it's not a priority at the moment.

I knew they must of been  did look like potatoes though at first  

[Isle of Wight Basher]

10 hours ago, spannermonkey said:

Thanks, not sure if you have seen it but there is my build thread of a Grand Hauler and flat trailer. The truck builds are all very similar so it will give you an idea of what's involved.

 

I have indeed and love it, the Black/Chrome look is a favorite of mine. I'll be starting with a Euro truck but no doubt it won't stop there