Rebirth of my King Hauler

[BiggusDitchus]

After a year of running it with all chrome blacked out and a dark blue colour scheme I fancied a change. This is how it looked

A few months back I stripped it all back to parts, and set out on changing things. I planned to get new chrome parts but that was really expensive and then I found a place near me that does this chroming technique that is close to a paint type application but has an amazing finish (you will see as soon as I get them all back.) I also got him to paint the cab and chassis for me in Kawasaki green (he is doing something special for me on the cab itself, more about that at a later date.

The chassis was lengthened by 6inch using an aluminium extension sourced from PMD (gardentrucking.com)

I painted the gearbox halves in silver as I think it looks better

The tanks, grille, front bumper and 5th wheel are all in aluminium.

Once all together this is how it is looking at the moment, its as much as I can do till I get cab and chrome back.

[Tamiya1/10]

You old black and blue version is still pretty good. Look forward to seeing the revised stretched?? version. The King will always be the King of Tamiya's all 5th wheels

[SteveU30]

I like it! I think the chrome is really gonna set it off.

[BiggusDitchus]

Time is dragging on and still no cab back, nor any chrome . I have started collecting some more bits including aluminium to make steps instead of using the stock plastic ones. I did receive another King Hauler cab for the next project (yup thinking of another before even finishing this one LOL) so decided to mount it on chassis to see what it will look like, taped the aluminium grille on too.

[BiggusDitchus]

At long last my cab and fenders are back and almost ready for build up, just got to leave them till tomorrow to let lacquer fully cure. And to say Im happy with the result is an understatement I guess it was worth the wait. Probably not to everybodies test but I love it.









Photos dont do it justice as Im struggling with getting photos from camera onto my new pc (linux which i have never used doesnt seem to like my SD card) so using my iphone.

[bromvw]

That is the total dogs dangles . love the colour and the airbrush? work . once all the chrome is on ITS going to pop. Please please don't fit those over size smoke stack to this one though lol

[BiggusDitchus]

Thanks chap, its actually done by a process called hydrodipping. First saw the process on American Chopper where they dipped fuel tanks and fenders with camouflage design. I found a local guy who does it, done me a cracking deal, he does alsorts like car wheels, guitars, car parts in designs like camouflage, snake skin, carbon, money etc.

[BiggusDitchus]

Slow progress as per usual, mainly slowed up by the lack of drop visor, exhausts and rear plate still waiting to be chromed. but siince those last photos I have managed to build much more onto it and get it into the sun.

Those green mirrors will be replaced with chrome ones shortly. and the wiring will be hidden and tidy when completed.

I did get some stainless mesh and finished off my air cleaners, think they look the danglies.

And I have started another project (a daycab ) and have plans for a special project which Im collecting bits for it should be different (more so than this one)

[Psylence]

Love that grill! Those aircleaners look very nice too.. got any plans for the exhaust stacks? Slash cut? Flaps? Curved?

[BiggusDitchus]

The air stacks are same ones that were on it but are being chromed, so slash cut. Thinking of changing mesh behind the grille to stainless like on aircleaners

[mr crispy]

Looks great! How much did the hyrodipping cost? I saw that episode of American Chopper, they used it on Donald Tumps bike to put dollar notes on the fuel tank. They also used the process in Wheeler Dealers to give the plastic trim in a hideously painted Range Rover a carbon fibre look.

[BiggusDitchus]

Hes done me a good deal and well under what it should cost. Its still not an expensive process and you can do it at home.

[BiggusDitchus]

Getting there now. Stacks done and mounted as is the visor. Just got to sort the steps and all the wiring and its pretty much there.