Peterbilt 589

With Peterbilt recently debuting their new model 589 which is set to being production in 2024 and no model kit in 1/24-1/25 of this even thought of, I decided to try my hand at scratchbuilding one. I had previously scratchbuilt a 579 back in 2012 as well as modifying NewRay toy 579s. The new 589 has too many changes from the toy to use that as a base.

The model 589 will replace the traditional cabbed Peterbilt 389 which uses the narrow cab that has been in production since 1986. The wider cab required Peterbilt to rethink the traditional long hood and create a new interpretation of the classic look.

I scratchbuilt the cab and hood from Evergreen plastic. The sleeper and chassis are AMT/Italeri Peterbilt 378 Long Hauler. The sleeper roof is an old resin piece cast by Eric Jones/P&P. The battery box and exhaust aftertreatment box are scratchbuilt. The DEF tank is from KootenayBay resin, the headlamps are from Jamie at Mo'Luminum.

Measurements were obtained by spending an Sunday afternoon with a 589 - staring at it, sketching shapes, measuring parts and taking various photographs. Many truck manufacturers offer "body builder guides" for installation of accessories and bodies into their trucks. These builder guides often have dimensions and rudimentary drawings helpful to scratchbuilding. I used the Peterbilt Heavy Duty Body Builder Manual for information.

My build here isn't meant to be super-detailed or 100% technologically accurate. It is meant as an exercise in creating the shapes and building a "what a nicely spec'd truck might look like."

Thanks for looking!

Started 9/19/23