XC Brat 4WD build [Archive] - Tamiya Crawler Forums

SMOKE-DOG

07-23-2008, 03:24 AM

Always wanted a Tamiya Brat kit. I just always had a problem with it being rear wheel drive. So after I saw a few people put the Brat body on an XC chassis, I knew what I had to do.

mock up:

SMOKE-DOG

07-23-2008, 05:43 AM

To start, I chopped off the front of the chassis to get the body to fit lower in the front. I then closed off the tub with plastruct and painted it flat black.

william

07-23-2008, 06:26 AM

the thing I never liked about that chassis was the steering bellcranks

The brat hard body fits perfect under there though, that looks like it was made for it.:thumb:

Moondoggie

07-23-2008, 06:51 AM

Looking good so far! :cool:

I notice a lot of projects that require the front of the XC to chopped off... maybe something for Tamiya to take into consideration if they ever make a CC-02

SMOKE-DOG

07-23-2008, 07:04 AM

I agree William. There are a few mods for that, but mine isn't too bad...yet.
@ Moondoggie: I have a feeling they will come out with something comparable soon.

I also shaved off a lot of plastic on the rear so I could fit the body as low as possible on the chassis. Body now sits lower with the wheel wells up in the fenders.

Integy 55t lathe motor to slow it down and a couple coats of Tamiya metallic blue.
Still a lot more work to do.

Moondoggie

07-23-2008, 07:09 AM

Looking pretty good now! Makes me wonder how many XCs have been cut, shaved and modified... :LOL:

McFig

07-23-2008, 10:18 AM

I am just so impressed by how good that body looks on that chassis.

Very nice!

7point2

07-23-2008, 10:20 AM

nice build brandon, this looks alot better this way than the original tamiya version.

Wyoming

07-23-2008, 07:22 PM

A chopped up XC now thats a thing of beauty, I think I've cut the bulkhead off or trimmed it anyway on nearly every one I own that doesn't have a Tamiya shell. Love the Brat body on here.

SMOKE-DOG

07-23-2008, 07:50 PM

I got a bunch of old Duratrax shocks laying around so I usually use them on my trucks. I like the look of them plus they're real smooth. They are about 2mm longer than stock so that works for me.

Wyoming

07-23-2008, 08:01 PM

Those look great

pagedm

08-18-2008, 08:05 PM

Dang it SMOKE-DOG, now I want to start another project.... I love it, the Brat body looks like it belongs on the CC-01 chassis :)

SMOKE-DOG

10-30-2008, 06:15 PM

Finally got back around to this. I haven't messed with RC in a while but I now have the urge to get back on it. After looking at the Brat for a while, I decided I need to chop off a little more at the front to give it a better look. The suspension is now more exposed and looks a lot cleaner at the front.

teebeehex

10-30-2008, 10:25 PM

Yep, looks a whole lot cleaner, leaner and meaner!

It'll be great to see the finished product. I really like the way the Brat body looks on the XC chassis and am planning to build my own sometime.

7point2

10-31-2008, 06:10 AM

i used a piece of styrene to close the hole back up and clean it up a little.

SMOKE-DOG

10-31-2008, 12:16 PM

i used a piece of styrene to close the hole back up and clean it up a little.

That's what I did C, I just painted it black. The second pic shows this, hard to tell cause it's so dark. I'm also going to put a little metal plate on the bottom to help protect the plastic.

7point2

10-31-2008, 12:30 PM

yep, when i blew up the picture, i could see it.

bigoggy

11-03-2008, 09:05 PM

i've just finished a brat build like this. they look great when finished:)

Wyoming

11-04-2008, 11:43 AM

Looking great B, I also find I cut the front bulkhead section and more off of most of my XCs unless I'm using a stock Tamiya body.

Blazerbogger

11-05-2008, 12:08 PM

I have also found that raising the front of an XC performs better. This can be done by lowering the spacer on the shocks or replacing them with longer ones as Smoke-Dog has done.

SMOKE-DOG

11-05-2008, 08:34 PM

I took some tin snips to a strip of aluminum and made a small guard, will be painted flat black. Then I added some spot lights to the front bar and a piece of diamond plate plastruct. Will be painted white with some old school decals.

Wyoming

11-06-2008, 09:24 AM

Keeps getting better and better, I'm looking forward to this one :cool:

SMOKE-DOG

11-06-2008, 08:38 PM

Thanks fellas. Got some junk for the bed and the spotlights ready. Now just need to finish the driver, T-tops detail, and mount the body then I'm ready for some action shots.

Dakillswitch

11-06-2008, 10:19 PM

Get going man ,put some dirt on it :D this Brat looks very good on that chassis oh and i love that color on it:thumb:

Wyoming

11-07-2008, 09:24 AM

very nice bed details B :D

Blazerbogger

11-07-2008, 11:21 AM

The front suspension looks very clean. Nice work.

klrp

11-23-2008, 05:35 AM

Hi, really nice rig, any progress?

SMOKE-DOG

11-26-2008, 10:51 AM

The Brat is complete. All I need to do now is make some bungee cords to hold down all the crap in the bed. I painted the knuckles black because I didn't like the blue. (wonder why Tamiya made them blue?) I kinda rushed through painting the driver but it will work for now.

Dakillswitch

11-26-2008, 12:58 PM

Looks great man :thumb: and i love this pic:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x276/ceodude/bluebratonxcchassis.jpg

:rockon:

Blazerbogger

11-27-2008, 12:57 PM

Man, this thing is going to look great on the trails. Are you going to take action pics?

Wyoming

11-27-2008, 07:12 PM

looks superb B, will look even better with some mud accents :D I really like this rig!

Old Skool

11-28-2008, 10:51 AM

Really nice job B I may have to try one. :thumb:

jepensedoucjsuis

12-23-2008, 12:56 PM

I did a brat on a old f150 RTR chassis it looked great with the full independent suspention set up just like the real thing. I might have a pic or two. BUt you got me thinking that I might have to do that again. I miss my real Brat.

SMOKE-DOG

01-07-2009, 02:55 PM

Took the Brat out in the wet snow today. Handled pretty well but the tires packed a lot of snow.
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC02666.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC02672.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC02674.jpg

SMOKE-DOG

03-04-2009, 03:37 PM

Took the Brat out today to get it a little dirty.
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC02951.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC02964.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03023.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC02968.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03045.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC02986.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03025.jpg

teebeehex

03-04-2009, 11:59 PM

I've admired this project for a while and am looking forward to building my own xc-brat.

It certainly looks good in the elements!

SMOKE-DOG

03-05-2009, 04:33 AM

Thanks.
More pics from yesterdays run. Sad thing is, I lost half the crap I had loaded in the bed.
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03018.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03042.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC02980.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC02976.jpg

Wyoming

03-05-2009, 12:10 PM

Great shots B, love that Brat!

SMOKE-DOG

03-15-2009, 06:16 PM

Had the Brat out again for another dirty run. Haven't cleaned this thing in 3 outings. Found a new spot with everything: mud, dirt, rocks, gravel, water, and a creek. Ran through 3 packs today.
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03096.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03090.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03103.jpg
This was a steep rocky hill.
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03102.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03094.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03108.jpg

Blazerbogger

03-15-2009, 07:44 PM

I've found that scale trucks tend to gradually look better if left uncleaned. Great pics too!

Wyoming

03-15-2009, 08:15 PM

Great shots B, Love those octopus looking tires in back too :dance:

SMOKE-DOG

03-15-2009, 08:46 PM

Great shots B, Love those octopus looking tires in back too :dance:

Thanks Wyo. This is why I'm haulin' these tires around. I had my vintage Grasshopper out today too. Just in case I needed to change a flat. I'm prepared.
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03164.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03113.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03120.jpg

SMOKE-DOG

03-18-2009, 06:40 PM

More action pics from the days run. Forgot to post 'em.
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03176.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03192.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03189.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03202.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03203.jpg
After slipping in the mud and fighting to stay on land, the driveshaft popped off and electronics got wet. That was the end of my day.
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03206.jpg

Wyoming

03-18-2009, 08:40 PM

lol! Great pictures and I know that feeling well! A little dry out and I'm sure it'll run again :dance:

SMOKE-DOG

05-03-2009, 04:35 PM

I decided to make a few mods to the Brat. I went back to the HPI wheels and added RC4WD Rock Creepers. The Highlift tires just weren't cutting it anymore. I wanted working lights so I broke down the front bumper and added some Hilux rollbar lights in place of the dummy lights I had on there.
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03300.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03407.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03432.jpg
Rock Creepers look a lot better on here, should perform better too. Need to touch-up some areas with a little paint where it got a little rock rash. I threw some more junk in the bed too. Should have it out this week for a run and some action shots.
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03449.jpg
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03443.jpg

IceChilly

05-03-2009, 05:04 PM

Nice Brat! I like your front bumper light mod!

teebeehex

05-04-2009, 12:35 AM

still one of my faves on here!

great to see the ongoing mods.

SMOKE-DOG

05-04-2009, 04:39 AM

Thanks fellas.
I like the working lights on the bar. I almost want to cut out the fake headlights and add a light bucket so they will work too. After the next run, I'll start to add rust and weather it little by little. Looking back through this thread, this thing looked brand new off the lot and slowly, with each outing, it's starting to look like crap. Exactly what I wanted. It's going to hit some rocks this week so I should have some nice scratches to work with. The only areas that will receive touch up paint will be the bumpers, lights, and window trim.
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03451.jpg

cmac slides

05-05-2009, 01:38 AM

VERY NICE!!! whats the pajy hiding in the back there??

SMOKE-DOG

05-05-2009, 03:37 AM

VERY NICE!!! whats the pajy hiding in the back there??

Thanks. The Pajero in the back is based on a TCS X-trail chassis and Axial axles. I couldn't post it on this site cause the only thing Tamiya about it is the body.
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03335.jpg

Check it out here:

http://www.scale4x4rc.org/forums/showthread.php?t=30029

Moondoggie

05-05-2009, 05:35 AM

That brat is looking good! :cool:

SMOKE-DOG

05-07-2009, 10:41 AM

Had the Brat out today on the rocks. This is one of my favorite RC's to photograph. I might have to grab another Brat body and do a SAS version.
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03464.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03461.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03462.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03474.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03480.jpg

SMOKE-DOG

05-07-2009, 05:55 PM

More pics from todays run.
http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03488.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03508.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03505.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03510.jpg

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/ff342/Simpson75/DSC03494.jpg
Please excuse the odd angle of the exhaust pipe. It got bent on a rock.

Wyoming

05-07-2009, 07:37 PM

Sweet pictures B, great area to play in!

I Can Crawl

05-26-2009, 06:37 AM

SMOKE-DOG

05-26-2009, 06:12 PM

Smoke-dog, think these duratrax shocks would work without any modifications http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1%2F10th-Shocks-DuraTrax-Shock-Set-Blue_W0QQitemZ200343289766QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ200 90518?IMSfp=TL090518154001r33637
Very hard to resist because they are so cheap. Thanks, nice ride

Not sure. But in this hobby, you can make anything work. The ones I have are a little different but I'm sure you can make them fit. I also changed the bottom ball connector on the shocks to Tamiya ones. Thanks for your complement.