First total scale build, advice

[spencertrax]

Hi guys Just received a pair of 2nd hand TLT axles as the foundation of my next project. I intend to scratch build the chassis. I'm looking for suggestions for an economical transmission. I've seen lots of projects using the stampede one. Is that going to be the best bang for the buck?

[Blazerbogger]

I use the Traxxas Stampede tranny on all of my custom rigs. For it's capability, it's definitely the best bang for your buck in my opinion.

[spencertrax]

Getting started on the project, as this is going to be another budget build I picked up this ford body from my brother. The proportions are pretty poor but it should serve the purpose with a little body work. I think it was some kind of monster truck and the front wheel wells are way way to far back into the front doors. Cut off the box as I want a cab and chassis look anyway and am using the quarter panels to relocate the front wheel wells. It's still not going to be proportioned quite right and the tops of the fenders are odd, but with a flat black or primer paint job it will have to do, I may remove the front bumper as well to make the front look a little less bulky. For the time being I'm using the stock wheels and tires off of my Pajero.

[Wyoming]

I've had very good luck with Axial scorpion trannies even new they are only about $35 and they are very small and compact. also the CR-01 tranny is a good choice but harder to find. I use a lot of Rc4wd R2 trannies but they are kind of ritzy if you're on a tight budget. Good looking truck also :thumb:

[Blazerbogger]

Great job relocating the front fenders! Looks clean. If you really wanted to make the front less bulky, you don't have to take the whole bumper off, you could just trim a little off the bottom.

[spencertrax]

Made a little progress last night. Blazer, Do great minds think alike? I already took the bottom off the bumper, just kept the part thats steel on the 1:1. I put a rear wall in the body, took 1/4" section out of the body and filled the rear handles to make it an extended cab, it just wasn't long enough to be a four door. I also had taken a 3/16" wedge out of the top of the front fenders to lower the hood a bit and reworked the bottom of the windshield pillers. Just needs some filler and a bit more detail. It won't ever be perfect based on this body but it will at least be a bit closer.
ps. working on a deal for a XL-5 tranny and driveshafts look like I can make them work.

[Wyoming]

Nice looking body work!

[spencertrax]

Thanks for the feed back guys. Did a bit more bodywork yesterday as I was off work early, had to start at 6am though. I still wasn't pleased with those front fenders so I moved the flares forward another 1/4" so they don't protrude onto the doors and the radius is closer to a BFG. Put some filler on and the first coat of primer, needs some more filler of course. Did a quick mock up for height and checked out what stock tlt tires would look like as well. I kind of like the tlt tires from a size perspective, and then I had to try them on a couple of other rigs as well. They sure make the jero look like those Icelandic rigs and there wouldn't be nearly as much fender trimming as I would have expected. I plan on a flat bed similar to these 1:1s.

[spencertrax]

Decided to steal my brothers idea for an army surplus truck. Gave my cab a Cdn military look. I think of it as a truck picked up cheap at a government auction, lifted up and the box stripped off for use as a tuff trail truck.;)

[Blazerbogger]

Magnificent bodywork! You can't tell the fenders were moved either.:omg:

[spencertrax]

Made a mock up for a frame frome coroplast and hot glue. Used my axial as a pattern. Bought some aluminum, threaded rod, bolts etc. so I can get a start made soon. Made up a scratch built snorkle as well.

[spencertrax]

Hi again. Spent a few hours in my shop this afternoon while the wife had company. Ripped up the aluminum angle on the table saw, made a few more cuts on the band saw did some filing and the chassis half way there. Right now it's just got a piece of plywwod as a tranny mount, will swap it out when I decide what to make it out of. The shock mounts are just clamped on to adjust the height then will be either rivited or bolted. Picked up a couple of cheap flashlights last night that fit perfect behind the headlight lenses. Used some"household goop" to attach them. Anyway I'm enjoying this project.

[Arcocustom]

Raidio Shack has a vast array of LED's and small bulbs. The May issue of RC Driver has an article on " DIY LED's".

[spencertrax]

Raidio Shack has a vast array of LED's and small bulbs. The May issue of RC Driver has an article on " DIY LED's".

Thanks I have been looking at trying my own lighting sometime.
I made some more progress on the flat bed and cage this week, going to Florida on vacation next week so I had to get a little building in while I had the chance. The bed is all aluminum and the cage is brake line. The height needs some more work but over all I am pleased with the look.

[Arcocustom]

Functional ligts are easy to do and add to the fun that can be had by wheelin at night. I to am going to Florida in two weeks and some of my trucks are coming with me.

[spencertrax]

Haven't worked much on the trucks lately, but got my a** in gear and did a little work. Made a grill guard from the stock tlt guard. I had the truck out for a test run with the stock Pajero tires and it needs something better. I've been watching for a deal on some MRC tires or something similar. But, in the mean time I decided to experiment with some TLT tires my brother had given me. I made a jig for my dermel drillpress and made 7 cuts in the tread with a cut off wheel, then I used router bit to cut some circles in the knobs of the sidewall. The treads seem much more flexible, sidewalls are still pretty stiff but they are much better and they were free.

[Arcocustom]

Trucks lookin pretty tough with those wheels and tires on there. I have a set for my F-350 and they are the best snow tire I got. Good for muddin too.

[Wyoming]

Looking fantastic :jaw:

[Moondoggie]

Man, that is looking really nice! Can't wait to see some more of it! :dance:

[spencertrax]

Well I threw a coat of black on the frame and flatbed and made a faux fuel tank for the bed and she's close to done. A few more details and some better tires and I'll be pleased to call her done. But for now she's a runner. Took a couple of quick poser shots in the back yard after work, hope you guys approve. J

[Arcocustom]

Man, that thing is awesome! For your first scaler I think you hit a home run! If you run different tires and wheels, keep the TLT ones handy, they are great for the snow.:first:

[Moondoggie]

That is one sweet looking rig! Excellent work!:yikes:

[Wyoming]

Turned out just super, really a mean looking machine!

[Northwest 4x4]

:cool:nice all that hard work pays off in the end when you can stand back and see that bad a..... machine in front of you is from your two hands

[HuskeyHilux]

:jaw:Dude, that thing is sick!

[spencertrax]

Haven't posted any pictures of this lately. Just received a set of losi MRC tires I got cheap off e-bay. Painted the jero rims flat black and detailed them with a little silver on the bolts. Glued them on, not much different in size but much stickier. I had shortened the bed up by about an inch a while back to help with the departure angle. As you can see she picked up a few battle scars over the summer. If it's not raining after work tomorrow I'll try it out on the new backyard trail I've been building.

Old tires on the new trail
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm172/spencertrax/100_6399.jpghttp://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm172/spencertrax/100_6404.jpg

New tires in the shop
http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm172/spencertrax/100_6415.jpghttp://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm172/spencertrax/100_6417.jpg

[Waterboy]

man thats SICK!!! i love the rear roll cage, that makes it;D

[Siggy]

Build turned out very sweet, TERRIFIC Job Buddy!:)