How to Build the Peterbilt California Hauler 359

How to Build the Peterbilt California Hauler 359 1:25 Scale AMT Model Kit #866 Review for Right On Replicas, LLC. Copyright 2016 Right On Replicas, LLC. All rights reserved.

[@theklanch]

I used to build models as a kid but I never really had the patience to put the time into painting and detailing them... I would just glue them together and call it done but I was always disappointed in my results... so after watching all of your KZbin videos I decided to buy a kit, I had a 40% off coupon at Michael's so I bought a revell peterbilt 359 conventional kit... $17 out the door so I figure I might give it a try with painting and detailing and I want to try my hand at weathering... I drive a truck for a living and I have driven a few big Pete's and hopefully I can have some fun and enjoy an old hobby and maybe learn a new trick or two. thank you for all the time and effort you put into your videos. I really enjoy watching them and appreciate your talents and you are very talented.

[@RightOnReplicas]

TK, That is really nice of you to say. It is a labor of love and I'm really geeked that you are going to give it a try! -Doug

[@blueridgemodels6697]

another beautiful build.....enjoying the videos

[@RightOnReplicas]

Thanks Gary - We aim to please! -Doug

[@jamescoleman7764]

I bought this kit a few years ago, got to step 5 and shelved it because ran out of some paint. Just now returning to it, thank you for the video!

[@RightOnReplicas]

SP, It's a good time to get that big rig back on the road, er shelf! -Doug

[@valdemarkrigger1003]

Great build beautiful color choice

[@RightOnReplicas]

Thanks VK, I'm glad you liked it! -Doug

[@devinrussell2372]

The best part about buildIng the Peterbilt 359 California Hauler by AMT,is that you can take a soldering iron/hot knife and carefully cut the sleeper and the sleeper portion of the cab interior from the Revell kit and glue it to the AMT kit before priming and painting. You could also replace the two stroke 350 hp 8v71 Detroit diesel engine with a 435 hp turbo charged Caterpillar 3406 six cylinder diesel engine from the Revell kit if you choose to do so.For those looking to do a custom build of the Peterbilt 352 Pace Maker cab over(COE),just use the chassis from the Peterbilt 359 California hauler kit to build a stretched Peterbilt 352 Pace Maker cab over. It is "Kit Bashing" at it's finest.

[@RightOnReplicas]

DR, that is some great information for adventurous modelers that want to customize their big rig kits! -Doug

[@florentinomejia2555]

Very interesting video build/review.....thank you for posting. I'm going to purchase this kit......actually 2 of them, based off of your video today. Thank you.

[@RightOnReplicas]

FM, Glad it was helpful. PS, please subscribe if you haven't already to help us reach more modelers. -Doug

[@troydavis8593]

Yer nice build brother, you've convinced me to go and order the California Hauler, for the next Big Rig, thanks for the build review.

[@RightOnReplicas]

Troy, Glad to help out. LMK how it goes! -PS, please subscribe if you haven't already to help us reach more modelers. -Doug

[@Mike-rp8ev]

Sweet I'm a 70s kid I love trucks

[@RightOnReplicas]

Mike, We've done a few those - check them out! -Doug

[@50corn]

you just got yourself a new subscriber. really great video

[@RightOnReplicas]

THanks Casey - I'm glad you liked it! -Doug

[@50corn]

+Right On Replicas no Problem. I like the one you did on the mack dm600 to. I'm in the process of building it right now

[@RightOnReplicas]

Thanks Casey, I'm sure you'll find the review helpful! -Doug

[@SolidCold]

Peterbilt is one of the best companys

[@RightOnReplicas]

N8S, Yes, they made a rugged product! -Doug

[@kyleSD70MAC]

Looks great! I'm going to get this kit soon lol

[@RightOnReplicas]

KB - It's pretty cool! -Doug

[@RJDCR]

sahweet , great Semi build

[@RightOnReplicas]

Thanks Rob. Hope to hear from you again soon! PS, please subscribe if you haven't already to help us reach more modelers. -Doug

[@charlie418791]

Nice build,Doug.I have this kit,in a box,half done and got so frustrated with the flash and bad plastic that I put it back in the box and gave up.Maybe you've inspired me to get it back out.

[@RightOnReplicas]

Charlie -When they re-issue of this kit a couple years ago they had cleaned it up pretty nicely. There's still flash and thick sprue points but it wasn't bad. Your kit may be a little older - before they did the refurb. Still, it builds up into a nice model with the extra effort.

[@scaleautoworkshop4426]

Thanks Doug Vaughn

[@RightOnReplicas]

V -It's a labor of love! -Doug

[@russvoight1167]

Later on with the release of the 40' Fruehauf van trailer, a coupon was enclosed. For a Dollar, AMT would mail a box sleeper as an ad on. Peterbilt or Kenworth did not custom paint engines. Pete and KW engines were painted flat white.

[@RightOnReplicas]

Great information Russ. Thanks for watching. Please subscribe if you haven't already, to help us continue our mission to inspire more modelers! -Doug

[@pasander4371]

I'm building the Pacemaker currently with the Budweiser livery. This is an older AMT kit. Lots of similar parts to the subject kit of the video.

[@RightOnReplicas]

Pa, that's right, there was a lot of parts sharing and sometimes the only difference between similar kits was the decals! -Doug

[@squach6239]

This was the first truck I built after an almost 20 years absence from plastic kits. Loved it so much ,I've built another,and totally customized it. stretched the frame ,lowered the suspension,and built a pretty cool looking(if I do say so) camper. First one is pretty much box stock,with the removal of fifth wheel and addition of a hand built wooden bed.

[@RightOnReplicas]

Sq - You've come back with a roar! Keep up the good work. -Doug

[@kevinfalkner2243]

I had this as a child late 1970s and it came with a cummings diesel engine. Now has Detroit diesel. Most people wouldn't notice. I guess does not matter to anyone but me.

[@RightOnReplicas]

KF, I'm sure some might have a preference if they were closer to the real one but it's up to the individual. Thanks for sharing! PS, please subscribe if you haven't already to help us reach more modelers. -Doug

[@hensleyshobbies-doug7761]

Nice Doug! Doug w/HH

[@RightOnReplicas]

Thanks Doug! -Doug

[@davethebarbarian2363]

Why haven't i seen this kit anywhere. I guess im gonna have to go get one

[@RightOnReplicas]

DtB, they're not featured very long. On shelves about six weeks is all! - Doug

[@ezpz2ez]

Beautiful build! I wish I had this kind of patience and talent. I attempted this kit awhile back and it drove me nuts. When I got it finished it looked like a rat turd on a wedding cake! Sitting next to a Revell Peterbuilt 359, it didn't even look proportionate or to true scale. Maybe 1:25 scale was different back in the 70's, who knows. I enjoy building 1:25 scale tractors and trailers but the quality choices out there are limited and that's a shame. I have put together a number of AMT trailer kits and they came out pretty good. I have a AMT Mack DM600 tractor kit under my bed, partially finished, and it will probably end up in my junkyard...ugh!

[@RightOnReplicas]

EZ - The best thing to do is keep trying and read as much as you can about building models on forums like RoR here. Practice makes perfect! -Doug

[@SolidCold]

Nice

[@RightOnReplicas]

N*, Thanks ! -Doug

[@SolidCold]

your welcome

[@andrewjohnson8929]

The AMT Peterbilt California Hauler was the first AMT truck tractor kit released in 1968. It was to be priced at three dollars but the price was raised to five dollars. As with this issue a sleeper was not included. A sleeper could be ordered from AMT for all of one dollar.

[@RightOnReplicas]

Andrew - That's cool, I'm gad that we have members with that kind of history to share. It puts things into perspective. -Doug

[@superbat07]

I just paid $100NZD for this exact kit. In the original box and still sealed bags. Am putting together supplies while waiting for it to arrive. And sorry purists, it is getting turned into the Duel truck.

[@kristophermathis8584]

Any ideas on how to do "straight pipes" ? I'm currently building the AMT freightliner coe but this one is next!

[@RightOnReplicas]

KM, If you mean straight pipes off the engine - use some 1/8" solder to form the pipes off the engine. Glue them together at a collector and paint them flat black or white.

[@MrSnakeplissken81]

Beautiful build. What shade of green did you use?

[@RightOnReplicas]

SW, I custom mixed this from various leftover automotive paints I had laying around. All I can say is it's a medium dark green metallic that looked like it would fit the subject well! -Doug

[@richtesar848]

Great review sir I hope they re issue the R600 soon

[@RightOnReplicas]

Rich - I haven't seen anything on that one - have you? -Doug

[@richtesar848]

Not yet I'm looking

[@RightOnReplicas]

Let me know if your see something! -Doug

[@richtesar848]

They reissued the Mack Dm600 which is the convoy kit without the special parts

[@RightOnReplicas]

Gotcha -Doug

[@christopherkrigbaum175]

the peterbilt 359 California hauler I had back in the mid 70's had a sleeper and the picture on the box the truck was dark brown

[@RightOnReplicas]

CK, Thanks for the info. The makers are always swapping out parts and decals to come out with a different version to sell. PS, please subscribe if you haven't already to help us reach more modelers. -Doug

[@valdemarkrigger1003]

I had a question was it difficult to assemble the frame

[@RightOnReplicas]

VK - Not really but you should build it starting with one side and adding the cross members one at a time as you remove them from the sprue starting front the back to the front to avid mixing them up. Then add the other side. -Doug

[@jamesschultz30]

@@RightOnReplicas , that's how I build them. Put all the cross members on one rail. Then add the second rail. You can always add a rubber band or several of you need to.

[@alfredogontijo8044]

Legal.

[@RightOnReplicas]

Thanks AG! -Doug

[@jimsmodelcargarage3196]

Is that one a semi snapfit?

[@RightOnReplicas]

Jim, If you mean half-snap - then no. In fact, this is a full glue kit! If you mean is it easy to build - then no. There are a lot of parts! -Doug

[@jimsmodelcargarage3196]

Right On Replicas Thanks, I just did the Peterbilt snap kit and didn’t want to build another one. I want to try a full glue truck, never done one before.

[@icenesiswayons9962]

Good job! Build a car carrier!

[@RightOnReplicas]

IW, THere is a transporter in the Big Rigs tab. Take a look! -Doug

[@gwhand39]

i like your builds, but being an old ruck driver, you found the wrong dash. That dash you used was for a 87-2000 379 Peterbilt, and the steering wheel would have been all ivory colored. Overall though, nice build. keep up the good work.

[@RightOnReplicas]

GWH, Thanks for the info! -Doug

[@sirknickolissiv4083]

I remember the big ivory steering wheel in my dad's 68!

[@gwhand39]

@@1badseabee watch again, he has the dash decals for a 379.

[@wallyfronzaglio372]

Wheres the sun visor?

[@RightOnReplicas]

WF, I don't remember seeing those in the kit. Anyway, I use my RayBan's! -Doug

[@wallyfronzaglio372]

@@RightOnReplicas I know the old 500 kit had one

[@wallyfronzaglio372]

I've been enjoying your vidios I'm getting ready to break a truck kit out and build it its been 25 yrs

[@RightOnReplicas]

WF, Different versions have different parts it seems! -Doug

[@RightOnReplicas]

WF, I am so happy to hear that. Take it slow! -Doug

[@justinmyslive4108]

I wish this kit came with a Cummins of Caterpillar rather than a pusstroit

[@RightOnReplicas]

JM, the customiz er can order one on the aftermarket! Doug

[@jameskulenski7963]

that steering wheel is awfully close to the rear of the seat you will have to sit under/over it

[@RightOnReplicas]

JK, Pretty sure it's one of those rare optional tilt-n-telescopic columns! -Doug

[@Djp2987]

not a big fan of this build. directions were kinda hard to follow

[@RightOnReplicas]

AP, Thanks for the feedback! -Doug