TAMIYA GRAND HAULER 389

SHANE MCMANUS « POPLAR GROVE, IL

RC big rigs are a big deal and Shane’s sports many custom parts and detailed work that take it over the top. “It’s been a while since I’ve built a semi, or just done an RC build in general,” Shane explains. “So, I started to get parts together to build a replica of the 1:1 I currently drive, a 389 Peterbilt with a 48-inch stand-up sleeper. The chassis is a Tamiya Grand Hauler. I ended up shortening the frame by a couple inches to match the full-scale truck. For a body I went to Shapeways; I ended up getting the hood, front fenders, cab and sleeper, all from them. It took a lot of sanding and prep work to make the body perfectly smooth for paint since it was all 3D printed. The sleeper was the most time-consuming to make. It’s actually made from a 48-inch flat-top-style sleeper and a piece that is actually designed to go onto the Grand Hauler sleeper to make it a stand-up version. With some epoxy, body filler and Rustoleum Primer/filler, I was able to make it into a 48-inch stand-up sleeper.” Shane fills us in on how he got the 3D-printed parts so smooth: “The best way I found to smooth out a 3D-printed body is by first doing an initial sand at 220-grit. After cleaning the body, do several light layers of Rustoleum Primer/filler. After a day of curing, I hit it with a few more coats to help build up the imperfections. The key is to then let it cure for several days before sanding it. I started out at 300, then worked my way up to 5000. If I saw more imperfections,

I repeated the process again by hitting it with more Primer/filler. The mirror brackets are homemade to match a 389. I used aluminum tubing I got off of Amazon. It was very tedious to bend them just right without them breaking.

Micro LEDS fit perfectly behind the watermelon lights, with the wire running through the mirror bracket. The cowl panels were also homemade; initially I used roof flashing to make prototypes. After getting the right design down, I then used metal for duct work to make the final product. It’s very rigid but still easy to work with. The hood actually opens, showing off a scale engine. It fits right over the brushed motor on the stock Tamiya 3-speed trans. Overall, I’m happy with how this project has turned out. I will eventually probably get an MFC for it and continue to add little details. Until then, I’ll enjoy running it around whenever I’m not in the 1:1.” Truly fantastic job, Shane!

BUILD HIGHLIGHTS

- Chassis: Tamiya Grand Hauler

- Body: Customized Shapeways 3D-printed 389 Peterbilt with 48-inch stand-up sleeper - Motor: Tamiya silver can brushed 540

- Speed Control: Hobbywing 1080 brushed ESC

- Battery: 2200 mah 2-cell Lipo

- Wheels & Tires: Stock Tamiya Grand Hauler

- Paint: Tamiya primer & paint, Racing Green & Pure White, Rustoleum Primer/filler - Other Options: Parts supplied from Hobbytown USA Rockford, IL, True-scale RC,

Gardentrucking.com, Semi Joe RC Truck Stop, Amazon