Toyota HDJ80

[octanas]

Originaly I wasn't going to post this build in this forum since it's dedicated only to cars from Tamiya or Tamiya based custom builds but, although it's from a diferent brand it's going to sport Tamiya TLT-1 axels since they are much scaler and a bite shorter than the original axels of this car, which will hep to keep the tyres under the body.

Recently I bought this bodyshell (and also a used scale car from a different maker)...

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_03.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_04.jpg

this bodyshell has lot's of details, but it doesn't have the front bumper (I wonder why). So I decided to build one... ARB style front bumper

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_09.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_07.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_08.jpg

Since I'm not sure about the mechanical strength of styrene, I decide to beef it up "just in case" and also added a chassis mount.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_10.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_11.jpg

(I know it's upside down but it's to give an idea of how it attached to the chassis)
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_12.jpg

Sneak preview of the final result
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_13.jpg

More to follow.

[teebeehex]

This will look great with the narrower TLT axles under it. Those 'other' axles are far too wide for a scale appearance. Good work on the bumper, looks pretty sturdy for a styrene job.

[octanas]

After a few hours arround this car, it has come close to it's conclusion.

It was a pain to get the wheelbase aligned with the bodyshell.

The 1st thing that came up was this... very High Lift version

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_14.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_15.jpg

Notice the rear axel, very close to the center of the chassis :mad:

Decided to lower the car a little bite as I don't like to see high in the air... this came up (1cm lower)

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_16.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_17.jpg

Still with a High Lift look but not that high.

There is something that I don't like in this car at the moment, but I can't say what is it. I need to test smaller shocks.

[octanas]

Just "saw" what was annoying me in this car... the rear bottom links way to short compared to the front ones.

Decided to pull everything to the back a litlle bite and now it's looks a little better. Still need to move the rear shock tower to the front, just a little, to place the shocks on the vertical position.

The end result...

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_18.jpg

when compared to this

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_14.jpg

The car is still sitting a little high in the air but, at full compression the tyres are rubbing the bodyshell. Still need to try and shorten this shocks by 5mm (or so) to bring the car closer to earth. I guess, more than 5mm will be too much and the coils will be way to compressed.

[skinny_TC]

Looks good Octanas.
So did you shorten the front and rear links? Or only the rear? It looks like you used threaded rod for the links?

[octanas]

At 1st I was using the standard links in the front and short ones on the rear.

Now I'm using shorter ones in the front and not so short ones in the rear. Anyway this were home made with threaded rod... still missing the tube arround them.

[manuel-vlc]

hi octanas. Where can I buy that car body?. is very nice. thanks

[Flowmastered87gl]

That land cruiser body is hot :eek:

I want one :D

[octanas]

hi octanas. Where can I buy that car body?. is very nice. thanks

You can find it here (http://www.genkidoridori.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13&products_id=1161&zenid=546e712db740ef3b50948a24c43325b4)

[tinker]

Sweet body. The site you gave a link to also has a cool short wheelbase Samurai body that gives me some ideas.

[octanas]

Basicaly it's done... just missing the electronics and some minor details like finnishing the front bumper.

Beefed up the front bumper a little, shortened the shocks by 5mm and now it's looks OK.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_19.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_23.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_22.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_24.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_26.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_20.jpg

It has a good looking stance with HPI 0mm offset wheels but the front tyre is rubbing the rod end at the nuckle :(

Any sugestions or ideas ?

[Arcocustom]

Basicaly it's done...

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h172/octanas/Rock%20Crawler/HDJ80_2/LC80_20.jpg

It has a good looking stance with HPI 0mm offset wheels but the front tyre is rubbing the rod end at the nuckle :(

Any sugestions or ideas ?

Truck looks good. I like the rear truss/4-link mount.
Tamiya Wheel Spacers Item #53646 (http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFSD2&P=7).

[skinny_TC]

Looks good Octanas. How long is the wheelbase?

[octanas]

Looks good Octanas. How long is the wheelbase?

Somewhere between arround 10,25" (or a little over).

[R/C Modz Full Throttle]

Pretty nice setup of that rig, Like the body... it didn't strike me at first but it grew on me. Nice work.

[octanas]

... it didn't strike me at first but it grew on me...

Seems I've planted some "virus" in you :D