[WIP] 1/16th Scale MB Arocs (Working on the Cabin)

[John Daniels]

As the title states I am building a to scale MB Arocs. My goal is to faithfully recreate the chassis, axles, cabin, and other details.

#1

I will brake down each section of the build bellow.

Frame;

Just like the frame in the true Arocs, my frame consists of two parallel beams that flare out at the front, while having a minimal number of cross members. This was actually one of the hardest parts of the build so far. I went through many different designs, each one failing to provide the proper amount of rigidity, or being overly large. After a few weeks of tinkering and experimenting I finally stumbled upon the design that you see above. It consists of two rows, one horizontal and one vertical. Through the liberal use of connectors the two are connected, and thus create an exceptionally strong and compact chassis. Which is resistant to compression and stretching, while allowing a certain amount of torsional rotation, just like the real Arocs frame!

Axles / Suspension;

I have endeavored to recreate the axles used in the Arocs, therefore the truck is suspended on leaf springs. The rear axle follows the design of the original, with dual links stabilizing the bottom of the axles, and shared leaf springs; regrettably I have not been able to realize the triangulated upper links. Even though I plan to yet again redesign the axles so that they include this link. The front axle to a lot of work to find a design that was compact, allowed me to include leaf springs, and also utilized the linked steering system of the real Arocs, in the end I prevailed and was able to create a simple and reliable set of front axles. Each of the front axles is suspended on it's own set of leaf springs, but they are connected together to create a reactive suspension system.

Engine;

The engine is a compact I6 with - for the moment - minimal detailing.

I hope that you have enjoyed this glimpse into the design process of one of my MOC's. Updates will most likely be scarce, as work is a little crazy right now.

Comments, questions, and criticism, are all welcome.

Thanks,

John

Edit: Added numbering to the photo.

Edited May 24, 2017 by John Daniels

[Imanol BB]

Looks very good so far, i am looking forward for more updates.

[Lakop]

I've seen a few of the real merc Arocs in the past year. They are a sight to behold. One thing i've noticed about the merc Arcos dumpers is they have a short wheelbase. Your wheelbase looks a bit long.

H

[John Daniels]

Looks very good so far, i am looking forward for more updates.

Thank you, hopefully I will be able to give an update every couple of weeks.

I've seen a few of the real merc Arocs in the past year. They are a sight to behold. One thing i've noticed about the merc Arcos dumpers is they have a short wheelbase. Your wheelbase looks a bit long.

H

I can only imagine! I would be thrilled to see an Arocs up close and personal. Thanks for the tip on the wheelbase, it won't take more than a few minutes to change to the proper length. That is one of the strenghs of the chassis, the length is easily adjustable.

Thanks again,

John

[Lakop]

Have a look on youtube for the Arocs. There are some good videos. A few have passed me on my way to work (there are some demolitions and major building works going on nearby), they really are incredible looking. Very tall cab and very rugged, but clean, looking.

H

[John Daniels]

At the suggestion of Horace T, I shortened the wheelbase of my Arocs build and it helps quite a bit with the proportions.

#2

#3

Besides shortening the wheelbase I have also added on the mudguards, fuel tank, exhaust gas after treatment system, front bumper, and a couple more engine details.

During the process of shortening the wheelbase I discovered a way to lock the end of the chassis. If you look closely at photo #1 you can see that the inner frame rails aren't attached to anything, thus creating weakness in the chassis. Now the inner frame rails attach to the outer rails using the perpendicular pin and pin hole connector. This creates a rigid connection at the end of the chassis which increases the rigidity of the chassis as a whole even further.

In regards to the side detailing I feel that the front mudguards could use some improvement, and possibly the fuel tank. On the other hand, I am really pleased with how the EuroVI exhaust system cover came out.

I'd love to hear what you guys have to say.

Thanks,

John

P.S. The next update will include the front bumper and, if all goes well, the cabin.

Edited July 28, 2016 by John Daniels

[Imanol BB]

It is getting more realistic with every update.

[Kman860]

I can't wait to see the end product of this.

[sm1995]

this is turning out to be a superb build. So clean and realistic. I would love to see a view of the front now, since I think the official Arocs bumper could be improved upon a fair bit.

Also, I'd like to folllow you on flickr if you don't mind. Would appreciate a link to your page :)

[2LegoOrNot2Lego...]

This build is going strong...so far so good...very cool!

[Victor Imaginator]

John Daniels, I like your approach. I build my Porsche same way. Following and waiting for updates)

[John Daniels]

First off I would like to thank you all for your comments!

And now, as promised, I would like to present the newest additions to my Arocs build, the front bumper and the cabin.

#4

#5

#6

#7

Cabin;

For the cabin I have chosen the StreamSpace L-cab, which is the second largest cabin available for the Arocs line of vehicles. The real cabin has a length of 2.3 meters and a width of 2.5 meters. I used Sariel's excellent "Model Scaler" and "Wheels Chart" to find the approximate dimensions of the cabin. So a big thanks to you Sariel! Using the Scaler tool I found that the models scale, using these wheels is 1:12.5 1:16.7. The cabin is still very much a WIP. I have quite a bit of work left to do. As I discovered during the process of making the blueprint overlay image above, namely, my dimensions are slightly off. The top of the cabin needs to come down by one stud, and the roof needs to move back by a couple of studs.

Bumper;

As for the front bumper I am trying to incorporate as many of the distinctive details and angles as possible. I am having trouble fitting in the smaller light that goes on the inner side of the main headlight. Apart from that the bumper is coming along nicely.

I look forward to what you guys have to say.

Have a great day,

John

P.S. Link to my flickr page added to my signature.

Edit; Slashed out the incorrect scale and added in the proper scale.

Edited August 2, 2016 by John Daniels

[2LegoOrNot2Lego...]

Cool to see the progress and I really love it that you are willing to alter your build. Discovering things are off might be disappointing, but it is a challenge to just go and modify it. In the end the model will be much stronger... Good job bro!!!

About your scale of 1:12,5 that's most likely wrong... I use the same wheels and build at 1:17(5) other builders choose a scale of 1:16... Maybe you can look into that again, or am I missing something...

[John Daniels]

Cool to see the progress and I really love it that you are willing to alter your build. Discovering things are off might be disappointing, but it is a challenge to just go and modify it. In the end the model will be much stronger... Good job bro!!!

About your scale of 1:12,5 that's most likely wrong... I use the same wheels and build at 1:17(5) other builders choose a scale of 1:16... Maybe you can look into that again, or am I missing something...

Thanks Ingmar, I completely agree with what you said about finding incorrectly scaled sections, and I am really looking forward to tackling the problem area and putting it right! The scale very well may be off, there were a lot of variables in getting that number. I'll take a look into it for sure, and I appreciate having your scale to tire combination as a reference point.

[Dafgek81]

The truck looks very good so far.

The thing that is really off for me is the cabin doors, the windows it them are to small.

[MaxSupercars]

John. The chassis looks OK, but cabin front is to similar to 42043 Arocs. I was awaiting something new, something different that comes from you. I mean the front grill.

Max

[Dafgek81]

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/legotobi/

This link is to the Flickr photostream from Töbydesign, he builds lego models.

He had build an amazing Actros SLT in about the same size as yours, it's a studded design, but it might give you an idea about what Max is saying.

[Henkl]

Hai John, love the progress. I do not mind the fact that the front is looking like the 42043 because it is good looking. Can you make some more pics of the chassis? I would like to see how you have done it. Greetings Henk

[2LegoOrNot2Lego...]

Thanks Ingmar, I completely agree with what you said about finding incorrectly scaled sections, and I am really looking forward to tackling the problem area and putting it right! The scale very well may be off, there were a lot of variables in getting that number. I'll take a look into it for sure, and I appreciate having your scale to tire combination as a reference point.

You are most welcome...I know all about it... :laugh: The process of replicating a model is not done over night...

I'm not familiar with Sariel's tool, but what works for me is: take the wheel size of a real life truck divide that by the LEGO wheel size and you know your scale!

That is what works best with most trucks, having the wheels as reference. Basically these parts are "set" and all other parts of your build can be adapted to that...

...Actros SLT in about the same size as yours...

No it is not... ...that Merc is way bigger... Toby's design is in scale 1:13 John's ain't...

[suffocation]

I don't know about the scale and stuff but I think your model looks terrific. Keep up the awesome work.

[Rishab N]

Really good work so far. Looking forward to more progress

[John Daniels]

Thanks guys!

The truck looks very good so far.

The thing that is really off for me is the cabin doors, the windows it them are to small.

Now that you mention it, I can see it. I should be able to solve that when I fix the cabins dimensions.

John. The chassis looks OK, but cabin front is to similar to 42043 Arocs. I was awaiting something new, something different that comes from you. I mean the front grill.

Max

I should be able to fulfill your appetite for something new... The way it is designed now, I can only fit 4 rows in the grill, to be accurate there needs to be 5. So back to the drawing board!

https://m.flickr.com...hotos/legotobi/

This link is to the Flickr photostream from Töbydesign, he builds lego models.

He had build an amazing Actros SLT in about the same size as yours, it's a studded design, but it might give you an idea about what Max is saying.

Thanks for the link , I already pulled some inspiration from it!

Hai John, love the progress. I do not mind the fact that the front is looking like the 42043 because it is good looking. Can you make some more pics of the chassis? I would like to see how you have done it. Greetings Henk

I can't help but agree with you there, Lego did an excellent job on the 42043, but I am going to try and redesign the grill. Here's hoping that I can top Lego .

I sure can, I'll throw them into the next update - since I will have my camera out anyway.

You are most welcome...I know all about it... :laugh: The process of replicating a model is not done over night...

I'm not familiar with Sariel's tool, but what works for me is: take the wheel size of a real life truck divide that by the LEGO wheel size and you know your scale!

That is what works best with most trucks, having the wheels as reference. Basically these parts are "set" and all other parts of your build can be adapted to that...

For sure, I've been at this for 2 months at the least. I have the new scale; 1:16.7, I can't believe how much work that took

Thanks for your help Ingmar!

~John

[Alasdair Ryan]

The chassis looks very good but as others have said the cab scaling is off.

I personally would rebuild that cab.

[2LegoOrNot2Lego...]

... I have the new scale; 1:16.7...

That's more like it... ...that makes sense!

Really looking forward to any updates, whatever it is...

Edited August 3, 2016 by 2LegoOrNot2Lego...

[Dafgek81]

No it is not... ...that Merc is way bigger... Toby's design is in scale 1:13 John's ain't...

Sorry, you've right, saw it later on it uses wheels like 8258.