PeterBilt 359

[Rodney]

Here is my entry for the group build a Revell 1:25 Peterbilt 359 tractor. With any luck it wont look anything like the box art, I plan on doing some custom(scratch building)work on this kit and if I have any extra time I might build a trailer to go with it..

The Box art


Inside the box



Sprues







Chrome Sprues



Decals I might only use 2 or 3 off them


Couple shots of the instructions

[Rodney]

Here is a little History about PeterBilt.

In the early part of the 20th century, Tacoma, Washington plywood manufacturer and lumber entrepreneur T.A. Peterman was faced with a lumber logistics problem. He could not get logs from the forest to his lumber mill quickly or efficiently. He sought to improve upon the methods of the day: floating logs down river, or the use of steam tractors and horse teams. Peterman knew that if he could develop the then-nascent automobile technology and build trucks, he could solve his problem.

Peterman was rebuilding surplus army trucks, improving the technology with each successive vehicle. Then he put a battery on the starter (instead of the crank) and soon purchased the assets of Fageol Motors of Oakland, California in 1938 to supplement his need for a custom built logging truck chassis. Fageol had gone into receivership in 1932. By 1938, the Great Depression had driven the value of the assets to nearly zero. Peterman acquired the defunct truck manufacturer and although he produced two chain-drive logging trucks, they were unsuccessful. In 1939 he began selling his trucks to the public. T. A. Peterman died in 1944. His wife, Ida, sold the company (less the land) to seven individuals within the organization. They expanded it into a major producer of heavy-duty trucks. In 1958, Ida Peterman announced plans to sell the land to develop a shopping center. The shareholders, not wanting to invest in a new manufacturing facility, sold the company to Pacific Car & Foundry Co., then primarily a manufacturer of railroad freight cars, which was looking to expand its truck manufacturing presence. Pacific Car & Foundry Co, which had acquired the assets of Kenworth in 1944, was already a competitor in the heavy truck market. In June, 1958, they acquired Peterbilt Motors as a wholly owned subsidiary. One year later, Pacific Car started construction of a modern 176,000-square-foot (16,400 m2) manufacturing facility in Newark, Calif. In August, 1960 Peterbilt moved to the new facility and became a division of the parent firm. Pacific Car and Foundry Co. changed its name officially to PACCAR Inc. in 1971.

This next part I found interesting..

359: Introduced 1967 this was the first long-nosed conventional Peterbilt (289 single drive). In 1967–1972 it had the small-windowed "Unilite" cab. The first 359 was spec'd as a wrecker and sold to Coast Counties Peterbilt. In 1973, the 1100 series cab with bulkhead-style doors debuted (late 1972) Distinctive "Corvette" dash added 1977. Formal name "Dash of Class". The 359 was in production until 1987, when it was replaced by its successor the model "379". 1987 Peterbilt produced the "359 Classic", a limited run of 359 trucks with numbered dash plaques. The bulkhead style doors of the 1100 series cab are still used today.

A little info about the sleepers

In the 1960s and 1970s, 30" and 36" sleepers were available. If a buyer wanted a larger sleeper, Peterbilt worked with Mercury Sleepers for 40", 60", and custom sized sleepers. Mercury would paint the sleeper to match the factory paint or the sleeper came with polished quilted aluminum. In 1978 Peterbilt's engineers were tasked with making a bigger sleeper. They designed the 63" sleeper with rounded doors and a walk-through from the cab. The sleeper debuted on a 359-127" and can be seen in the 1978 brochure "Best in Class". This truck also featured the first set of rectangular headlamps. The first raised roof (high cube) sleeper was on a 359 in 1986 and with changes (no right hand forward door) carried through to the 379 family. In 1994 the Unibilt sleeper debuted with air-ride suspension for the cab and sleeper with a large cab to sleeper opening. The Unibilt sleeper suspension had a one piece shock/air bag mount system from 1994 to 2006, until Peterbilt redesigned the suspension system for the 2007 model year, making the shock and air bag system on separate brackets. The Unibilt cab/sleeper option allowed for the sleeper to be removed for a daycab conversion. The UltraSleeper was Peterbilt's largest and most luxurious. At 70" long, it featured a right-hand access door, table, closet and a small "wet closet" accessible from the driver's side to store boots, gloves, and other 'damp' items. The last UltraSleeper was built in 2005

[SgtSaboo]

I'll be watching this one

[Paul]

Great choice of model, will be watching this popcorn and all

[HistoryRider]

I'll be following this one! I love Peterbilts!

[T3hGuppy]

Cool subject dude.

Wanting to do one of these myself at some point.

[kiwigav]

Nice choice mate, love to build a big rig one day

[eoinfinnegan]

I'm gonna enjoy this one great choice

[Rodney]

Just a little update Starting with the engine..
The engine is a Caterpillar 3406 Engine. It is an inline six-cylinder, four-stroke diesel engine. With an overall displacement of 893 cubic inches..The 3406 has a total dry weight of 6,819 pounds without any engine accessories installed. The horse power for the 3406 engines range from 305 all the way to 550, depending on the model number (ex 3406b,3406c,and with some computer tuning and bigger injectors and so on)..
Here is the engine and gearbox


Here the oil filter assembly is installed

Here the Air compressor and injector rail installed

Here is the timing chain cover installed

Here we have the Head, turbo and after cooler on



Here I have the engine painted with cat yellow.. hmmmm don't know where the pics off it primed are gone..

The engine is together again and painted oil filter, turbo, inter cooler tube and the fan and alternator belts added..





To be continued

[fly1ngdutchm4n]

As a ex truck driver I still got a weak spot for trucks, especially these big rigs.
So I'm following this with interest!
Love what you've done with the engine!
Keep it up buddy

[Rodney]

Tank you fly1ngdutchm4n.. Im a truck driver to
Just for fun I adding this pic to show the size off the engine I like it when some guys place other thing next to what there building... The engine is 1:25 the little guy trying to work on it is 1:35 and well u all know the glue

Oh and the ISUZU in the back ground is 1:25

[Rob]

Love the photo with the figure! Impressive looking model, looking forwd to seeing it done

[robertw]

Sweet! I always thought it'd be cool to do a big rig. Especially with a trailer.

That figure looks like he's working on a huge engine.

[T3hGuppy]

Now that's is one big engine dude.