Peterbilt 379 Flat Top lowboy project

what does a guy have to do to get a Michelin man like that? I have never saw 1 on this side of the creek!! that would make a nice conversation piece

I think you have to have sandals and track pants to get one of those.

FSERVICE said:

what does a guy have to do to get a Michelin man like that? I have never saw 1 on this side of the creek!! that would make a nice conversation piece

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They're available on eBay in the US, maybe also on other sites like Amazon - this is just one example of an 18"-high one. There will be others that are smaller.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-MICHELI...T-BOX-TRUCK-/301721122214?hash=item463ffaf5a6

LoL, I want to see this Michelin man on a Peterbilt. I'm sure it's been done several times. Nige it's strange that the trailers and tractors are sooooo different but I like it that way. Same with pick up trucks but all the heavy equipment is the same.

I am really considering making this a tri axle. I cannot believe I have cut the frame down 32" already but it wouldn't have been enough at the original 252" WB. I am going to start looking into this. Either buying a salvaged rear tri axle frame section or extending it and adding a pusher axle. My plans are to trade the 35 ton in on a 4 axle lowboy with a flip axle and lift axle. I still want a super short dropped deck lowboy and the pintle hitch to pull the 20 ton tag trailer. I then think I would be as versatile as I could possibly be. Yes I am going to be for hire.

Fastdirt said:

LoL, I want to see this Michelin man on a Peterbilt. I'm sure it's been done several times. Nige it's strange that the trailers and tractors are sooooo different but I like it that way. Same with pick up trucks but all the heavy equipment is the same.

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So...you been busy this afternoon ordering a pair for your Pete?

The problem as I see it with conventional tractors like yours is that you literally need a 3-acre field to get it turned round which is fine if you have the roads for it but here in the UK where most of our highways were designed and built by the Romans (and some would say they've not improved since that time...!) we don't have the luxury of that sort of space. A cabover doesn't have that long nose to get in the way and I could put one in some pretty impossible spaces. One place we used to go was a reverse of a 50-foot curtainside trailer through 3 x right-angle turns, all on the blind side of the tractor, then down a ramp and into a loading dock that had 3" of clearance each side of the trailer. A test of manouevring if ever there was one .......

fast dirt you had better check the cost of cargo insurance before you go spending any money in that direction up here I think it's something like $3,000. a month for one truck just for cargo

hey fastdirt what kind of mirrors did you use?

Fastdirt said:

I'm going to get into equipment transport here in the future.

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I think that's a good business venture to look into. One of the largest civil contractors over here in Birmingham has a dedicated heavy haul division that stays very busy. They deliver and move the big iron for Thompson Tractor and everyone else. Several smaller operators also deliver and move equipment for the rental store and the tractor side. Thompson has it's own transportation division but they get overwhelmed at times.

There is also opportunity with the large rental houses as well. I would wager that Yancey has a need to move iron.

Oh yeah, the Pete is looking awesome.:thumbsup

I know what you mean Nige. I won't lie that big hood can hide a car when swinging into traffic making turns. In town work is the worst. It's mostly the traffic blocking the roads in the city.

wisfirui, I went with the dual axis Moto Mirrors on both sides. They are made to order and have to be pre paid. Got them through Fleetpride but you might find a supplier that has them in stock but I had zero luck there and I checked everywhere.



Got the last of the fuel lines made. Still waiting on a few PS hoses and such. Finally mounted the painted door handle. The next and hopefully last visor is on the way. Hopefully the intake and turbo tubes will be finished next week.



Clint, I'm waiting on some quotes to come back now. Thanks. If anybody knows any great insurance providers I'll give them a try too.

CM, I like your optimism. I have a few leads going with a few places and know quite a few contractors that don't own lowboys and just hire it all out. I have some connections with those companies and have some friends at rental places. I have also made relations with Yancey and won't be scared to venture into anybody's office with my shirt tucked in and a custom price list. You never know but you have to plant the seeds. I do know that you better be equipped and legit if you're going into those places and you better be ready. Like you said it is a venture and I've done my time. I've been doing this since I was 19 and I just turned 40. Even though the latter half I've been digging pools I spent all those years before working for grading/pipe companies. I have also been looking at bids but that's to come also. I need to change my name to such and such contracting or enterprises or services I believe. Got to have goals and aspirations when you're a start up company like myself. I'm not interested in expanding in the pool digging business I will say.

Thanks fastdirt been following your thread for quite awhile and truly shoes your dedication to doing things right the way you like without following what others think.

I ask about the mirrors since I'm putting together my Pete ( no comparison to your beauty ) and I went to the cab mounted mirrors and from your pictures I can tell yours have great visibility and the 4 way adjustment would be a big help since I can't afford the 1 piece window conversion yet.

Cargo insurance comes in at just under $1000 for the year. The money gets eaten up when you change from a private tag and insurance to a for hire tag and for hire insurance. That raises the insurance by about $3000 a year and then if you go into other states the apportioned tag goes up along with the for hire tag.

If you'll notice on that Super Liner it has a Private tag which means he doesn't have for hire insurance either. Since his Dad owns the big grading company they probably hide behind the excuse that they only move their own equipment but he is no doubt for hire and hauls for all kind off places for years now. Kind of ticks me off. That means if he dumped a rental hoe off the trailer and hurt somebody his insurance wouldn't cover it.

Well here is some cool progress. The 5" down pipe, air charger, and coolant tubes all ceramic coated. Dropped some other parts off for polishing and coating.

How is everything coming along? Haven't heard anything on it in a while.......

:iagree:update

I've been steadily making progress but was getting burned out on it. Took a vacation last week and it's time to get back on it.

I've taken the last of the aluminum to the polishers because I've sworn off polishing after the 100 hrs I have done already.


Got the 5th wheel cover painted.


Got rid of the ugly tin can power steering reservoir that mounts up on the block and went with the late model reservoir that mounts nicely on the frame.


Finished the entire sleeper and interior with Hush Mat. This picture was taken as I was getting started on it.



Here is the visor that is pinched/bowtied at the bottom. Didn't want it and knew I wouldn't like it but they shipped it to me. They are custom made.


Here's the one I like.... the most anyway.

Who's the visor/s from? RLK?

Lowboy

What year is your lowboy and how is the 379 coming along

rockytop the visor came from the same guy who makes the mirror brackets.

IDODIRT the trailer is a 99. Exact same as a 2015. Haven't changed in 20 years.



Ok I've been making progress. Still just an overwhelming amount of work and time.


After spending so much time polishing aluminum I took the remainder of the aluminum to a professional polisher. I went to HS with the guy and was not at all prepared for the prices he hit me with. He polished the right step box and billed me $900!! So I got all the aluminum back and will finish it all.





This was a heck of a job.

I also polished the intake inlet aluminum pipe, the 7 way, but I still have to re polish the new tanks and straps.






Got the turbos on. I was waiting on the BD stainless studs and spacers for the exhaust manifold that finally came. Also used the BD exhaust manifold gaskets which omit the inserts that reduce the flow.