This kit is from Merit, it's mostlikely the same as is being released by I LOVE

A nice engine, very detailed.


Good fit so-far

Watching this one. Very curious to see how this kit turns out. I was not aware of it either which only heightens the interest!

I have both the hard top and the soft top versions! Will be following your Build.

Donald, you should ask the Admins to change the thread title to M19 so it can be found more easily on searches.

KL

Hey Administrator can you change the thread title.I don't know where I got the T from.
I'm getting senile in my young age of 73.
Thank you.
Donald

I'm not even going to try to explain how I did the following, I don't know ?

Now I remember why I don't do TRUCKS.


Very Frustrated.
Donald

[Donald,
A great pick. I will follow along as I have this to build.
John

It looks the gearbox is backwards (180 degrees out) on the inner (right side) axle in the below pic. I believe both gearboxes should face the same direction. This would align all the drive shafts.

As pictured is exactly how it is on the Instruction sheet, I think it's kind of strange way of doing things.
In all the trucks that I've seen the drive shafts are alighned.
I don't have a Pic of the real thing so I go with the instructions.
Here's a Pic. of the instructions.

Regards.
Donald

I don't think the whole axle is backwards. I think it is just the triangle-shaped gearbox on the top side of the axle that is turned around. I could be wrong, but that is how I see it. I would turn the gearbox 180 degrees to fix it.

It wouldn't fit, The drive shafts would be too long and they are angled on the ends to fit this way.
I wonder if anyone has a picture of them?
Donald
Each Axle is identical except for the plug in the rear of the final one.

Donald, Look here at the real thing on 2nd page...click to enlarge
and control plus to magnify.

https://www.tankograd.com/cms/website.php?id=/en/Tank-Transporter-M19.htm

Cheers,

Apparently that is how they were on the actual vehicle. Strange.

Thank You very much.
It looks like I have it assembled correctly.
The fit is very tight and tricky to do.
Regards.
Donald

A little more done.

Today I'll be installing the Pe. running boards, Fuel tanks & storage boxes.
The running boards are Pe. and need a rounded edge on the outside edge. Here's how I did that.
Using my Pe. bender and a thin brass rod to give the edge.

Place rod on thinner area and bend up over the rod.

This is what you want here , a thin rounded edge not a sharp square one.


Be shure you don't trim off the pins as they are needed to mount the fuel tanks.

Don't bother with the seams on the fuel tanks as they will be covered and not visible .

The fuel tanks & tool boxes get tread plates on top .



Next, painting it all.
Donald

I really enjoy following this build. Thank’s for sharing! 🚛

—mike

Today it's the Wench that is Winch
I painted the frame, man I know I screwed up, I should have painted it before putting it all together.


Here's the winch assembled, If I wanted to describe in detail building it, it would take a whole chapter.
The main thing to look out for is the 2 little holes where the control rods go , they need to be drilled out a little and they go toward the control handles on the end of the wench.

You will have to enlarge the 4 openings on the bottom of the winch to fit it to the frame.

The Drive Shaft is offset slightly.



When test fitting or installing the winch, install the drive shaft loosly then slip the winch forward engaging the shaft and mounts.