CR-01 FJ Cruiser Build

[IceChilly]

After spending some time on the forums again you all and your great work have sparked the interest in building another truck.

I have decided to go with the CR-01 since I have never owned one and wanted more capability of this truck than my Tundra High Lift (even though I miss her so).

This is a basic goal of what I want to build...

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/FJ1.jpg

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/FJ2.jpg

I found the Nikko FJ Cruiser at Toys R Us today and manager gave me 10% off since the box was open :)

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/FJ3.jpg

Im still puzzled which way to go with it however. 1.9 or 2.2? I thought of lowering the chassis and putting 1.9 Tomahawks with the Axial beadlocks and it may be spot on to the pictures above but there is still a part of me that wants to make it a nice monster!

So if anyone has any thoughts and/or suggestions, please share!!

[skinny_TC]

I would leave the Nikko just like that, it looks very capable! Especially with that front bumper. :LOL:

[IceChilly]

Haha, will work good for plowing the snow ;)

[Waterboy]

haha, id say that combo would rock:thumb: by the look of the tires they look like rock lox, but tomahawks would also look good! id say put the shocks in a droop configuration, for some realistic looking articulation for that fj cruiser. good luck man, cant wait to see it!!

[IceChilly]

haha, id say that combo would rock:thumb: by the look of the tires they look like rock lox, but tomahawks would also look good! id say put the shocks in a droop configuration, for some realistic looking articulation for that fj cruiser. good luck man, cant wait to see it!!

I'll check out the rock lox...I was thinking the GMade G-Transition 90mm shocks and get rid of the cantys...

http://www.junfac.com/shop/images/transition90s_black_620.jpg

[Waterboy]

mort said he used those and i told him to post some pictures of them but he never did, haha. if you look at the middle of the tire theres kinda C looking tread lugs, the same thing thats on the rock lox.

[IceChilly]

Your right Waterboy :) but they are out of stock! grrrrr

http://tracgear.com/product/rc4wd/tires/RokLox/g6/RL1.9-03.jpg

[Waterboy]

ugggh!!! that stinks! try ebay, usually has them;) if you find some pictures of some worn out rock lox they look EXACTLY like those Fj cruiser tires. (Not the Toys R us one, the real one:D)

[IceChilly]

Hahaha...Tomahawks are cheaper, are in stock and look good too, so just add another decision to make lol!

http://tracgear.com/product/rc4wd/custom/tires/Tomahawk/g3/th1.9-003.jpg

[IceChilly]

Phew! :eek: I just spent the past 2 hours placing my order for the CR-01 and goodies to go along with it! :willy_nilly: It should be here by next weekend (fingers crossed). Ill be sure to take some pictures upon arrival and the build. I cant wait!

[Flowmastered87gl]

Rok Lox are out of stock because my local hobby shop ordered like a case of em... or more :p

[860Crawler]

can't wait to see this

[Waterboy]

congrats on your buy!! cant wait to see this!

[OldSchoolRC]

Love my T-hawks, great tires. Wore out set number 1, and have set 2 mounted and awaiting spring. Rock Lox are nice tires, just wish they came slightly smaller in diameter. (and a little cheaper wouldn't hurt either!)

Hopefully you get your shipment in this week, I hear we'll possibly be snowed in again this weekend. :(

[IceChilly]

I went with flat irons, I had liked them on my Tundra so I have to wait and see how they pair with the truck.

We are supposively only getting rain this week with maybe a mixture of snow and sleet by me...too warm.

[IceChilly]

Im going to have to return the flat irons or ebay them once they arrive because I found these brand new on ebay for $75 (couldnt pass up on it and he lives 15 mins from me so Im picking them up tonight)...

http://i.ebayimg.com/20/!BmqKmEg!mk~$(KGrHqIH-CIEtq7L-fpJBLgZRY!2!w~~_35.JPG

4 rc4wd wagon wheels and tomahawk tires!

[JAnderson]

Very nice!

[IceChilly]

:yahoo: Looked what showed up today! :yahoo:

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/IMG_0093.JPG

I now have everything except for a few goodies including my shocks that were ordered from Junfac that were shipped out 2 days ago and have no idea how long that will take to get here.

I may have an enjoyable weekend of building ahead! :rockon:

[Arcocustom]

Nice!!! Love them kind of deliveries. Build sounds good, now get to work. :D

[IceChilly]

I managed to get some work done on the CR-01.

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/cr1.jpg

Front axle with Junfac servo plate, skid plate (I know you guys said it gets hung up, but will try it for now), heavy duty steering rods and RC4wd alumimum link mounts.

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/cr2.jpg

Rear axle with Junfac link plate, and RC4wd straight axle adapters

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/cr3.jpg

Next step is to build the Junfac G-Transition shocks and figure out how I want to mount them.

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/cr4.jpg

I forgot how much fun it is to build these things! haha! So addictive!

[cydog510]

any update?

[IceChilly]

any update?

Post before yours I displayed my progress so far ;)

[Arcocustom]

Your truck is progressing nicely there Jamie. Customization... I like it. :thumb:

[IceChilly]

Thanks Jay...I wanted to get some more work done this week but with the bad storm we had over the weekend I have been working 16-18 hour shifts with a whole 3 hours of sleep a night since Saturday. (I work for the local power company).

Anyhow I have been pondering what color scheme to go with...While looking I came across this

http://forum.ih8mud.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=313706&stc=1&d=1239283798

I love the front bumper and guard along with the blacked out parts! Just dont know how to make them...at least yet lol. Gunmetal grey also fits it well.

Another scheme that caught my eye is the trail package sandstorm (tan) FJ

http://i38.tinypic.com/15nqb0y.jpg

Both have same matching roof colors which I have always disliked the white roof on the current models.

I like to make mine different from most and I always see blue FJs so I am going with one the above two...what do you guys think?

[teebeehex]

That first one is Bada$$!

When I caught a glimpse of the pic and before I'd read your text, I thought you were gonna do a Jeffro on us and tell us it was your new ride :D

[Wyoming]

I like that sandstorm one a lot. The have one at my local dealer and if it had a manual I would have taken it for a test drive but it looks cool. Its bold but not overstated. Personally I don't care for the gunmetal colored one it looks to in your face and aggressive.

[Arcocustom]

Thanks Jay...I wanted to get some more work done this week but with the bad storm we had over the weekend I have been working 16-18 hour shifts with a whole 3 hours of sleep a night since Saturday. (I work for the local power company).

Anyhow I have been pondering what color scheme to go with...While looking I came across this

http://forum.ih8mud.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=313706&stc=1&d=1239283798

I think this one screams Jersey... that bumper would come in handy in the Garden State! :D lol

[skinny_TC]

I like the first pic also, that would look tough on a CR-01.

[Waterboy]

mmmhmmmmhmmm!! comin along nice, i think the tan color with the blacked out parts and bumper:)

[OldSchoolRC]

Really like the gunmetal one, that's once of the nicest FJ's i've seen! Defintely liking the body colored roofs on each - really makes a difference.

[IceChilly]

Thanks for your thoughts but it hasn't made the decision any easier hahaha. The sandstorm one would be easier to replicate. I wouldn't know how to go about fender flares like the first pic which I think really makes the truck!

I'm setting a deadline for this afternoon so I can buy paint tonight since it's supposed to be really nice tomorrow. Can go outside and do my thing :)

[Wyoming]

why not mix them, the guards on that Gunmetal one look very cool and would be more visible on lighter tan paint. personally I still miss the white roof on both of them but thats just my thing. I miss the older styled cars with their 2 and 3 tone paint jobs even though they were all made before I was born lol! I am sure whatever you do it will look great since in the end only you can decide what you like :D

[IceChilly]

Well not a good start for my building today. :( I first lost a bearing, then built 2 of the shocks, and wow they are stiff! So far Im not happy with them at all. Im also not thrilled with how the body will look on the chassis so far. Maybe after finding a way to shorten the wheelbase will help or using 4-link setup just doesnt look scale.

Oh well, just a bit bummed but hopefully I will come up with something.

[IceChilly]

This is my first attempt at shortening the wheelbase and lowering ride height. I used the side plates from an old PTI Goliath chassis I found laying around and used highlift shock mounts from my old Tundra. Shocks are in a droop setup.

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/ptiplate.jpg

Tomorrow I plan on building the tranny and figuring out how to mount it along with the battery and electronics trays. Wish me luck because Im gonna need it ;) haha

I also just noticed I need to move the front shock mounts forward a set of holes also.

[teebeehex]

Jamie, that rear axle looks pretty well angled down. might do you well to either drill new mount holes or shorten the upper links to try to get the axle at less of an angle. Also, play around with those front shock mounts, you may get better articulation where they are (that depends if articulation is your priority or scale is). and don't forget to check your drive shafts for any binding at full compression / expansion.

[IceChilly]

Thanks hex, I will give that a go, however, the rear has more articulation than the front does. I think the biggest problem Im having is the length of the shocks, I think they are too long. Mounted straight up makes it rediculously stiff, at the angle I can get some more action. Its more like a stock highlift articulation vs a cr-01 though :(

[Waterboy]

what i suggest to shorten the wheelbase (im gonna try this soon) buy some threaded rod at nome depot or lowes, cut it to the exact length you need, the sleeve it:)

[OldSchoolRC]

wow - those are some large beefy shocks!

[IceChilly]

wow - those are some large beefy shocks!

Yes! Too beefy in fact. That is the reason why they need to go! They may end up on the for sale thread very soon ;)

[IceChilly]

Im buidling the transmission and ran into a problem. I finished step 23 on page 14 where you attach the planetary gear...On step 24 where you install the sun gear into half of tranny you just built I cannot get the sun gear to go in far enough to install the motor plate. I double checked my work and did every according to the directions. Maybe I am missing something?

[IceChilly]

Just found another thread that I hope will help...

http://www.tamiyacrawlers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=270

[Arcocustom]

It sounds like the bearings are not fully seated. Go back and make sure that BD8 (15x10 bearing), BD7 (24x15 bearings), BD9 (8x5 bearing), and BA18 (10x5 bearings) are fully seated. The fit is very tight and it will have to be pressed together.

[IceChilly]

Thanks Arco, it was the 2 BD7 bearings where they go onto the sun gear. Used vice and tapped on it with hammer and was able to get them on properly...phew that was interesting to say the least lol

[Arcocustom]

No problem. :) there are 5 bearings on that assembly and it is a tight fit. The biggest two have to be press fitted on the outside and the inside. I have seen others have the same issue.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p79/ni_smo/Image044-1.jpg

http://www.tamiyacrawlers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=647&page=2

[teebeehex]

Hi Jamie, this is a common 'trial' with the CR01 trans assembly. I've read where people have used a hammer to tap the bearing into place. I prefer the softer approach of squeezing the assembly together in a vice or clamp. This is less likely to cause damage to the bearing, housing and gear while keeping the bearing square going in. (I worry that the 'taps' would damage the bearing internals which would accelerate wear n tear)

[IceChilly]

Thanks as usual for the responses and hopefully using the "lightly tapped" method didnt do any damage I managed to get the tranny done and seems to be working properly.

I decided to go a different route with a different chassis...attempting to use the TCS X-Trail chassis. I have tranny mounted to it and I think it will work. I will have to fabricate some cross members, battery and electronics tray but that shouldnt be a big deal.

Here is what it looks like.

http://www.simsportscafe.com/newchassis.jpg

Im going to a crawler comp tomorrow morning (never been to one so Im looking forward to it) and Im sure when I get home I will be motivated to get some more work done :thumb:

[IceChilly]

I was able to get alot of work done today on the project. I was able to use 6 of the 8 stock links on the 4-link suspension. The other 2 which are the upper front links I just cut the stock links and tapped out cut end and it worked great!

I had to drill holes in order to fit the links for the wheelbase I wanted.

After all the questions and research about making my own links and buying threaded rod, I didnt even use them haha. However, I will use the rod and tube to make the cross members on the chassis.

I also have to make mounts on the chassis for the shocks.

But anyways heres where I am at now. (The body is just laying on chassis to see what it could look like)

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/progress1.jpg

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/progress2.jpg

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/progress3.jpg

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/progress4.jpg

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/progress5.jpg

[Arcocustom]

Now you have something...
This is really turning out well. That chassis made a real difference.
Trial and err....

Very nicely done!

[RDM77]

Looking real good Chilly. Did you enjoy the crawler comp? Keep up the good threads :D

[IceChilly]

Thanks for the compliments.

I do have a question about shock length if someone would have an idea. I was thinking 80mm but it may be a little short but since it's a scale build that's probably ok. I was also lookin at the 90mm as well, both from rc4wd.

Suggestions welcomed as I would like to place the order today. Thanks!

[Waterboy]

Hmmm, that depends on how much articulation you want. I personally like the Dual spring 80 mm shocks, seems about right for your build too.http://www.rc4wdstore.com/2/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=550

Also like that you can adjust the stiffness of the upper shock by just turning the upper cup of the spring clockwise or counterclockwise. Thats a cool feature. Hope this helps.

[IceChilly]

Thanks Andrew :) I actually found a set I thought I had lost...Im psyched!! Just saved $60 woohoo. You are correct, the 80mm are tall enough, any taller wouldnt work.

[IceChilly]

Just to post some progress to my ride

Truck is basically finished minus body and bumper work. The last update showed the tranny mounted straight to the frame but that caused the universal shafts to have too much angle so I lowered it using the side plates I attempted to use with the CR-01 stock frame.

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/side.jpg

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/sideupper.jpg

I made shock mounts installed on the axles

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/mounts.jpg

Hope Seth doesnt get upset if I use his battery holder idea from his live axled Wrangler :D

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/battery.jpg

Just shot of the front where you can also see the electronics tray

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/front.jpg

The following are after doing some of the body work, filling in a few holes, primed and sanded.

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/fronttop.jpg

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/sidetop.jpg

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/rear.jpg

I hope you guys like it, but Im still not sure what to do with the front bumper. I have a winch I would like to install and was going to use the Axial Honcho bumper but so far I dont like the look of it.

Oh well something will come along lol!

[Waterboy]

Thats looking great! The 80mm shocks look at home there, and the brackets you made look like they hold the shocks perfectly snug. They axial bumper i think would look good on there! But its your choice.:)

[OldSchoolRC]

x2, that is one wild looking CR!

[chaos]

wow very nice build you have going on here, i like the new shock mounts plus a few ideas you had with a few things.....keep the updates coming!!!!

[Northwest 4x4]

So what are you thinking for the color and I do think that you should put the winch on the front

[Waterboy]

I think hes thinking Black, or thats one of the colors he was considering:)

[IceChilly]

Thanks for the comments :)

I saw a burgandy one the other day and never saw one before and liked it so thats what I went with...I have to post pictures later though. I also painted top black instead of the stock white and it looks pretty good. Im leaning towards blacking out the grille completely also...but still stumped on a bumper haha.

[IceChilly]

Well here she is painted (top is just laying on chassis). It was supposed to be burgandy but I see more violet in it. Im not too happy with it. What do you guys think?


http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/painted1

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/painted2

http://www.simsportscafe.com/rc/painted3

[OldSchoolRC]

Looks like "TRF pink" to me...Slap on a TRF logo and you're good to go

[skinny_TC]

Yeah, that looks like burgundy, if I close my eyes.:eek:

Body work and chassis looks great!

[teebeehex]

Hey Jamie, it does look a little pink(ish) :o, although that may be to do with lighting or the camera. Did you have to mix for that colour or is it off-the-shelf? (looks like it has metal flake through it?). I reckon when it is mounted and detailed it will look superb. :thumb:

[IceChilly]

Looks like "TRF pink" to me...Slap on a TRF logo and you're good to go

Pink!:eek: Nooooooooooooo! btw what does the "TRF" stand for? I guess im slow lol


Yeah, that looks like burgundy, if I close my eyes.:eek:

Body work and chassis looks great!

Thanks! But more body work is in order!


Hey Jamie, it does look a little pink(ish) :o, although that may be to do with lighting or the camera. Did you have to mix for that colour or is it off-the-shelf? (looks like it has metal flake through it?). I reckon when it is mounted and detailed it will look superb. :thumb:

Paint was off the shelf and label says burgandy and these are the comments I knew I would get because its what I said too :o hahaha. Guess its back to the paint shop!

I did see a black one with a gold top and trim at the Toyota dealers...hmmmmm

[Waterboy]

Pinky, haha:) It is definetly coming along nicely, and i really like the black top.

[Wyoming]

Looks great, Pink is a good color in my book!

[McFig]

Coming along nicely.

[Waterboy]

Any update?

[IceChilly]

The status of the CR-01 is up in the air. Im not really happy with it, and now thinking maybe going 2.2 and back to stock chassis. It may even end up like my Tundra on ebay. :(

Busted my knee playing softball and im out of work for 7 weeks and things are tight so Im not sure if it will have a new owner or not. ;)

[Northwest 4x4]

I'll help build it than send it back to you if helps I'm there

[IceChilly]

Hey Northwest a sincere thanks for the offer. I can do the work on it but I never did a 4 link before and Im not sure if its the shocks or the link setup but it seems to, I guess, bind. When you push down it resists and then finally will go down and articulation isnt all that great. Im using the blue rc4wd 80mm shocks and have em set to the softest setting.

The more I look at the truck Im thinking it would be cooler up higher with 2.2s, I know the scale factor wont be as close but I think the driving will be more capable and more enjoyable. With that said Im assuming the stock chassis may work better for the 2.2s but the wheelbase will be off. (But that can be fixed with the link length if I am not mistaken)

Im just at a road block and not sure where to go with it. It feels like I have writers block in the RC hobby lol

[Northwest 4x4]

ya thats cool cant wait to see it

[Waterboy]

I hope this gets finished soon:)

[TubbyT]

Sorry to hear about the knee. Not that any injury is good, but they're a great way to get caught up on some work in this hobby.

Don't quit now. It sounds like you just need a rebuild. The stock chassis with some 90mm shocks and 2.2's is a super fun and pretty darn capable rig.

Plus the stock chassis has practically infinite mounting locations for anything

[Northwest 4x4]

i have to agree it has lots of possiblity

[IceChilly]

Sorry to hear about the knee. Not that any injury is good, but they're a great way to get caught up on some work in this hobby.

Don't quit now. It sounds like you just need a rebuild. The stock chassis with some 90mm shocks and 2.2's is a super fun and pretty darn capable rig.

Plus the stock chassis has practically infinite mounting locations for anything

I hear ya TubbyT I have been catching up on way too much xbox, darn red dead redemption haha.

I am definitely going to look into that! I will probably build it stock since I never built it that way with the stock shocks and go from there.


i have to agree it has lots of possiblity

Nice Rig Northwest, definitely looks cool!

And regardless Im repainting the body haha...Think Im just going to be simple and go to blue. Its my favorite color so why not.

Just to have to find some 2.2 rims tires that are fairly cheap. (I did find (2) 2.2 flat irons so maybe Ill get another pair since I already have them)

Thanks for the motivation haha

[IceChilly]

Hey guys, I received some goodies today in the mail and since I am excited about it I figured I would post some pictures of the goodies and where I am currently in the build.

Here is what came today...

http://www.simsportscafe.com/images/rebuild3.jpg

Novak Havoc 1s brushless system with 10.5 motor. It even has drag brakes! :thumb: fan for speed control, Pro-Line Scaler shocks, 18t pinion, metal yokes and traxxas driveshafts to hopefully strengthen up that area with the brushless going in.

Heres my beadlocks and rims going on my FJ.

http://www.simsportscafe.com/images/rebuild2.jpg

Imex 2.2 swamp dawgs on a set of JConcept Beadlocks

Chassis and lid

http://www.simsportscafe.com/images/rebuild4.jpg

http://www.simsportscafe.com/images/rebuild5.jpg

and finally one with me holding up the bumper I will be installing...

http://www.simsportscafe.com/images/rebuild1.jpg

I cant wait to get started on her! Hopefully tomorrow after some fishing! ;)

[Arcocustom]

Those are some nice parts IceChilly. The chassis looks good. I like those wheels and tires too. :cool: It's turning out pretty nice.

[IceChilly]

Thanks Jay. I know what we talked already about the suspension but I ditched the cantis and used the new shocks in place of them. Articulation isnt too bad...way better than I had it before.

Only problem is that Tower sent me a used pair of shocks. One had oil in it which its not supposed to come that way and the tower where you adjust the tension is stripped. So frustrating. I can get away with it for now and Im hoping Tower will send me a replacement before I send mine back.

I have wheels mounted to the truck and its looking pretty tough I must say so myself. I will take some pictures tomorrow outside if the weather holds up.

[Wyoming]

Fine looking FJ Jamie, liking the look of this one!

[Waterboy]

YES! I was hoping you changed the color, lol:D Like everything you bought!

[860Crawler]

This looks pretty bad ass! Pardon my French

[IceChilly]

Thanks for the comments guys :) The chassis is pretty much done now. I just have to figure out if I should buy an extension for the front servo since the wire only makes it to the end of the battery holder or put the receiver near the front.

[OldSchoolRC]

Wow - haven't seen this in a while - looking awesome!!

Suprised to hear about the bad shocks from tower. Been ordering with them for ....wow, I guess about 10-15 years maybe? More orders and $ than I want to think about :) And only ever had 1 issue, which they took care of immediately and without question. RC$WD could learn something from them, that's for sure.

Sorry, back on topic: Would love to see some shots of those shocks once you get them mounted up. Been debating on buying a set for my CR - look like super high quality.

[IceChilly]

Suprised to hear about the bad shocks from tower. Been ordering with them for ....wow, I guess about 10-15 years maybe? More orders and $ than I want to think about :) And only ever had 1 issue, which they took care of immediately and without question. RC$WD could learn something from them, that's for sure.


Thanks Damon.

I called tower up the next day and they are shipping me a new pair overnight. Really cant complain and they actually sounded sincere with their apology. Hard to find that these days.

[IceChilly]

Just wanted to post some pics I took the other day of the cruiser. Chassis is further along than what is shown in the following pictures but will update sometime this week.

Ill start off with how I mounted the Pro-Line Scaler shocks since a few guys asked to see it.

http://www.simsportscafe.com/images/shocks1.jpg

Some with the lid on (just laying on chassis, not installed yet)

http://www.simsportscafe.com/images/build1.jpg

http://www.simsportscafe.com/images/build2.jpg

http://www.simsportscafe.com/images/build3.jpg

...and a few of the chassis

http://www.simsportscafe.com/images/build4.jpg

http://www.simsportscafe.com/images/build5.jpg

http://www.simsportscafe.com/images/build6.jpg

I will post more pics when I take more and hopefully more progress as well.

[OldSchoolRC]

Nice! Those shocks look somewhat short....are they fully extended? I couldn't mount my SCX shocks straight up like that without building extensions onto the chassis. Perfect amount of flex though.

[IceChilly]

Nice! Those shocks look somewhat short....are they fully extended? I couldn't mount my SCX shocks straight up like that without building extensions onto the chassis. Perfect amount of flex though.

They are 90mm but can make them 95mm if you change one of the shock ends which I have not done yet. I was also considering installing the shocks on the lower holes of the chassis and the upper holes on the axles...not sure if that would help at all or not though.

[McFig]

I like the body on there. My only problem is how far the wheels stick out, but I'm not sure there is anything you can do about that unless you put on some skinny, tall 1.9s.