Im trying to build (in LDD) a Freightliner classic xl type semi tractor

I have the overall design but Im stuck on the front bumper/grill and the fenders.

If anyone has any ideas that would be great. Ive attached the LDD file.

Thanks in advance,

Sal

Wfb, WI

white sleeper.zipUnavailable

Well first I would say the top of the cab stops and starts too much and that 1x4 tile - why ? because it upsets the airflow and look of it as compared to a real one you pictured there.

The fuel tanks are too far back - now for the fenders - try and use ......

- your prime mover might be a bit small to really give it's true curves.

Maybe 'Ralph_S' might pop up with some other ideas and suggestions.

Anyway it's a nice retro fusion of Legotown with Lego City !

I'm a conformist! 'legoboy3998' I'm a conformist! !

Why not use the technique used in the 3221 set? Or do you need bigger wheels?

Thanks lightningtiger,

Looking at it I do agree about the roof, as for the fuel tank, Im working of many pics (the one I posted showed tehe front driver side best,) and many have the fuel tank under the sleeper part and just small steps (like the ones at the rear of the cab), mounted up by the door for the driver to climb into the driving seat.

As for the part you mentioned, I tried it and it looks to large and dwarfs the tire, my main trouble area is the front of the fender where the horizontal plate "meats" the vertical plate with the headlight on it. because of the SNOT the headlight part only lines up horizontally with the fender, I really would like to get the headlight/bumper a half plate lower. I cant figure how to do that and keep it even with the front of the hood.

I probably should have mentioned that before but Im really open to any new designs.

Thanks again for the input,

Sal

WFB, WI

  On 8/22/2010 at 9:37 PM, lightningtiger said:

Maybe 'Ralph_S' might pop up with some other ideas and suggestions.

Anyway it's a nice retro fusion of Legotown with Lego City !

I'm a conformist! 'legoboy3998' I'm a conformist! !

I saw this one yesterday and ran into a problem I often have when people ask for advice: the only way for me to show what I might do, is to build it myself.

I agree though, that the roundness of the fenders presents a problem and unless you're good at using half stud offsets or are happy with the wheels sticking out to a full width of 7 studs, the fender parts LEGO uses for this sort of thing aren't an option either.

Cheers,

Ralph

Edited August 23, 201014 yr by Ralph_S

  On 8/23/2010 at 6:24 AM, Ralph_S said:

I saw this one yesterday and ran into a problem I often have when people ask for advice: the only way for me to show what I might do, is to build it myself.

I agree though, that the roundness of the fenders presents a problem and unless you're good at using half stud offsets or are happy with the wheels sticking out to a full width of 7 studs, the fender parts LEGO uses for this sort of thing aren't an option either.

Cheers,

Ralph

Yeah I attached the LDD file for those who wanted to try building it they could work of the model itself. Im not big on the fender part LEGO uses hence my problem.

Sal

WFB, WI

I assume the grille is 4 studs wide?

What I would try to do (and try to describe) is.

See the white bar holding the headlight 1x1 tile. move it forward one plate width to where the headlight tile currently is and turn it over so that the stud faces rearward. Whack a cheese slope on that rear facing stud to form an angle for the front inside of the fender and put a 1x1 plate headlight brick back on. Move the whole grille forward 1 plate width as well and thicken the front bumper with an extra plate to push it out 1 as well. It may involve some strange snot behind the grille to allow the grille to face one way and the headlight holding plate the opposite but as long as the grille is 4 wide it shouldn't be too hard.

Hope that makes sense.

The rear of the fender I'd try to have a 2x2 white plate somehow held at 45 degrees

Thanks for the ideas.

After a little trial and error in LDD I think Ive come up with a good fender and grill design.

Using one bracket to hold the grill and one to hold the bumper allowed me the get the bumper and headlight at the correct height for the fender to sit on top of it and get the grill to lime up with the hood. This results in a small gab between the grill and bumper but that is ok there is a gab there on the real truck. The back of the fender is built using a 2x2 corner plate and 1x1 technic brick to achieve the halv stud offset. There is a piece of cheese in front of the air cleaner. The 1x2 bracket by the drive axles will be cut and inserted behind the headlight and bumper to hold the headlight in place, it is just floating at the moment.

I can post more detailed images or a file for those interested. comments always welcome.

Sal

WFB, WI