Tamiya Volvo FH16 Globetrotter 750 6X4 Timber truck
Discussion
I’ve been busy, I rewired some of the lights so the roof lights came with the side lights and the roof bar fogs separately.
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49795383372_685e656ab7_c_d.jpg)
However, I have since ordered a new set of lighting that is much more impressive than the MFC setup. I will keep the MFC for sound and the ESC, but the new lights have an L shape DRL which changes into an amber indicator, xenon cornering lights that fade out with the steering and rear scrolling Audi style indicators.
I’ve now got the custom trailer chassis built, which uses the same chassis rails and suspension as the truck. I wanted to do this so the overall height matched between truck and trailer. I also got some rear arches which are unique to the timber truck to fit on the trailer to match too.
The dolly then looked a bit bare, so I’ve ordered some for that too.
I’ve got a rear truck bumper bar for the trailer so that is a close match to the truck too.
All lighting for the trailer is now on hold, so I can match it to the new lights when they arrive. It uses an infrared system, so no connecting wires needed.
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49795078466_62cb54e9bf_c_d.jpg)
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49795061401_ea5b74b9db_c_d.jpg)
Next job is to get the wheels, arches and other bits painted
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49795383372_685e656ab7_c_d.jpg)
However, I have since ordered a new set of lighting that is much more impressive than the MFC setup. I will keep the MFC for sound and the ESC, but the new lights have an L shape DRL which changes into an amber indicator, xenon cornering lights that fade out with the steering and rear scrolling Audi style indicators.
I’ve now got the custom trailer chassis built, which uses the same chassis rails and suspension as the truck. I wanted to do this so the overall height matched between truck and trailer. I also got some rear arches which are unique to the timber truck to fit on the trailer to match too.
The dolly then looked a bit bare, so I’ve ordered some for that too.
I’ve got a rear truck bumper bar for the trailer so that is a close match to the truck too.
All lighting for the trailer is now on hold, so I can match it to the new lights when they arrive. It uses an infrared system, so no connecting wires needed.
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49795078466_62cb54e9bf_c_d.jpg)
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49795061401_ea5b74b9db_c_d.jpg)
Next job is to get the wheels, arches and other bits painted
As with most things like this, they are ever evolving and never finished!
I chanced upon a new light system from Germany that I've never seen used or mentioned by anyone. Thank god it doesn’t snow here, because their main product is a radio control piste basher which looks awesome, with an equally awesome £3k price tag!
Any way, all of the existing lights and sound was removed. I then planned to run a new ESC instead of the Tamiya MFC.
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49862720951_47132da51e_c_d.jpg)
The upside being better motor control, the downside being no sound.
I ran it like this but missed the sound more than I thought I would.
I was frustrated by the usual problem of trying to squeeze it all in the cab, and then had a brain wave... put it in the truck body!
This worked perfectly, I just need some extension cables to make it all a bit tidier. Now just 4 screws remove the roof for access to everything.
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49862185893_f46ef86ec8_c_d.jpg)
The new lights are very clever, and all work through two wires instead of single wires for each LED with all other systems.
For example, this is the MFC wiring for one side of the front lights
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49862186093_e343e69dd7_c_d.jpg)
That had indicators, dipped, main beam and side lights.
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49862186098_08749ae2f1_c_d.jpg)
The new one has all of that as well as L shape DRL’s which change to orange at the bottom when you indicate, front fog lamps, cornering lamps and an extra indicator at the top on the side the same as the real thing. Pretty impressive for juts two wires on one connector!
It also has rear Audi style scrolling indicators, rear fogs and number plate lights.
The best bit is the controls. With the MFC you can only cycle between side lights, main, high beam and everything. This is done by moving the steering trim down and then pulling back on the stick each time to cycle to the next option. My new one uses this pad, attached to the TX with 3 wires soldered to the potentiometer of the steering channel.
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49862720866_7d9080bd20_c_d.jpg)
Finally, I have rebuilt the towing dolly with longer chassis rails and sourced some wheel arches that match the truck and trailer. I also got a stepped A frame, so it sits flatter because the truck tow hitch is quite low to clear the bumper.
Eventually I will change or spray the cross members to black.
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49862720881_b9500f67a8_c_d.jpg)
I’m currently spraying the wheel arches and wheels to match the truck.
After that all I’ll have left is the trailer lighting, which can wait for now as I want to run it for a while and not have it in bits!
I chanced upon a new light system from Germany that I've never seen used or mentioned by anyone. Thank god it doesn’t snow here, because their main product is a radio control piste basher which looks awesome, with an equally awesome £3k price tag!
Any way, all of the existing lights and sound was removed. I then planned to run a new ESC instead of the Tamiya MFC.
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49862720951_47132da51e_c_d.jpg)
The upside being better motor control, the downside being no sound.
I ran it like this but missed the sound more than I thought I would.
I was frustrated by the usual problem of trying to squeeze it all in the cab, and then had a brain wave... put it in the truck body!
This worked perfectly, I just need some extension cables to make it all a bit tidier. Now just 4 screws remove the roof for access to everything.
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49862185893_f46ef86ec8_c_d.jpg)
The new lights are very clever, and all work through two wires instead of single wires for each LED with all other systems.
For example, this is the MFC wiring for one side of the front lights
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49862186093_e343e69dd7_c_d.jpg)
That had indicators, dipped, main beam and side lights.
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49862186098_08749ae2f1_c_d.jpg)
The new one has all of that as well as L shape DRL’s which change to orange at the bottom when you indicate, front fog lamps, cornering lamps and an extra indicator at the top on the side the same as the real thing. Pretty impressive for juts two wires on one connector!
It also has rear Audi style scrolling indicators, rear fogs and number plate lights.
The best bit is the controls. With the MFC you can only cycle between side lights, main, high beam and everything. This is done by moving the steering trim down and then pulling back on the stick each time to cycle to the next option. My new one uses this pad, attached to the TX with 3 wires soldered to the potentiometer of the steering channel.
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49862720866_7d9080bd20_c_d.jpg)
Finally, I have rebuilt the towing dolly with longer chassis rails and sourced some wheel arches that match the truck and trailer. I also got a stepped A frame, so it sits flatter because the truck tow hitch is quite low to clear the bumper.
Eventually I will change or spray the cross members to black.
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49862720881_b9500f67a8_c_d.jpg)
I’m currently spraying the wheel arches and wheels to match the truck.
After that all I’ll have left is the trailer lighting, which can wait for now as I want to run it for a while and not have it in bits!
Yep, it’s www.pistenking.com you can change the site to English at the top
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