[MOD] 42128 - Tow Truck - Mods and Improvements

[efferman]

Because the leaked Picture shows not everything and i have to speculate, i better start the improvment thread.

first point: the doorstep and the rear end of the Front Fender

Edited March 21, 2021 by efferman

[Void_S]

I would also try to close the front holes, between wheelarches and angled 3+7 liftarm. Perhaps, the 2*1 plate with a pin hole and some wedge plate or tile may close it. Will try to check it tomorrow. 

[efferman]

11 hours ago, Void_S said:

I would also try to close the front holes

iam trying it, but not yet satisfied.

[Void_S]

2 hours ago, efferman said:

iam trying it, but not yet satisfied.

I mean something like that:

 

Initially I planned to use it as a rear part for 42098-compatible car (with trans-red 1x1 cheese slope) but it may work here as well. I can not say that it looks better than yours but just one more option. 

[efferman]

i guess your option is better than my previous version. Maybe this one is better too

And yes, it is tiltable

[Frequenzberater]

Much better

[Jundis]

Yep, best one so far!

[suffocation]

1 hour ago, efferman said:

Maybe this one is better too

Way better

[Void_S]

Great! Now I would replace the bumper with 3x4 tile-plates, to make it authentic to flat chrome panel. It worked the best for Model Team trucks and may add more places to add more orange lamps  

[efferman]

1 hour ago, Void_S said:

Now I would replace the bumper with 3x4 tile-plates

Thanks guys. I want keep the Technic look.

The progress so far

[Frodman]

The way this is going on makes this set a must have for me !            I'm sure you will find a solution to reduce the hight of the crane efferman !

 

[efferman]

23 minutes ago, Frodman said:

I'm sure you will find a solution to reduce the hight of the crane efferman !

With pneumatics and no RC the crane is the smallest problem

[u118224]

Not a fan of the headlight change to the front of the fenders. Just my .02, everything else looks good.

[efferman]

First Sketch of the rotator

[XTN]

Do you know if the wheelbase between the rear axles will be the same as in 42087 or the shorter variant as in 42112?

[efferman]

16 hours ago, XTN said:

wheelbase between the rear axles

7 studs i guess

[Void_S]

On 3/25/2021 at 12:54 AM, XTN said:

Do you know if the wheelbase between the rear axles will be the same as in 42087 or the shorter variant as in 42112?

I also counted 7 studs (6 if don't take into consideration the stud holes used by the axles themselves). 42078's "spread" does not fit here.
The full wheelbase looks like that: [1st axle /1 stud] - 33 studs -  [2nd axle /1 stud] - 6 studs - [3rd axle /1 stud] - 6 studs - [4th axle /1 stud].

But... being a fully correct (the wheel base is a distance between front axle and a center or rear non-steer "trolley"), the wheelbases are:

• 41 (40 between axles) when the lift axle is lowered.
• 44.5 (43.5 between axles) when the lift axle is raised.

Added: BTW, some tasty recolor:

Edited March 26, 2021 by Void_S

[efferman]

3 hours ago, Void_S said:

BTW, some tasty recolor:

Mack chassis?

btw, you bumped me to a long haul Tractor unit.

I guess the cab floor should be lowered a stud.

[Void_S]

9 minutes ago, efferman said:

Mack chassis?

btw, you bumped me to a long haul Tractor unit.

Exactly! I had a 42128 cabin and 42078 chassis, so... 

Again, comparing with the 42078 set, the floor is really too high here. Possibly TLG put it 1 stud higher because of such big gas tanks.

[XTN]

4 hours ago, Void_S said:

I also counted 7 studs (6 if don't take into consideration the stud holes used by the axles themselves). 42078's "spread" does not fit here

That's a pity.
All the trucks in my garage have 42078's spread (42078 A and B, M-Longer's Granite snow plow, ...). I even modded 42112 to make it fit into the line-up.
I hope my OCD is fine with the look just because of the huge amount of rear axles.

Edited March 26, 2021 by XTN

[Void_S]

I have digged into the US Bridge Formula and this diffrence looks OK now for me. 

The main ides is "a bigger wheelbase can carry a bigger weight", so for 3-axle semitruck it was required to have a bigger inter-axles distance, like on real trucks. While 4-axleled tow truck or cement mixer are capable enought to have a tiny spread due the axles number. Moreover, this formula acts for inter-state hauling, whilie construction or resquie machines have a shorter range of use.

But for a visual apperance, it is pity, right... 

[efferman]

actually 815 Parts and it could end at roundabout 1000 parts.

[Void_S]

Hmm, I see rear suspension))

[efferman]

You have good eyes

[efferman]

Driving ready 1011 Parts. Only Cab interior and a motor fake is missing.