Re: BlueBronco budget build Awesome truck/submarine! :P I love these old fords, Ive been wanting to make a 1993 Ranger like my 1:1 Defs time to get this runnin again |
Re: BlueBronco budget build All I lack is an ESC and she will be back at it!!! Ive tossed around the idea of makin the thing float as often as Ive drowned it in water. Funny thing is, the ESC didnt die from water, I sold it to get another which ended up being bad from the get go :roll:. Sometimes you just cant win. Matt |
Re: BlueBronco budget build very nice build my friend! |
Re: BlueBronco budget build I appreciate it!!! Itll be back on the trail shortly. I like bein able to cycle my rigs around so they never get old to me!!! This ones been sittin for a little bit so I hope to spruce it up and start beatin on it again soon! Matt |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Just read throught the whole thread 66 another cool ford build mate"thumbsup" |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Thanks!!! This sucker has been riding the shelf lately after selling the ESC and blowing up the replacement lol. Its about to be its turn on the trails here shortly tho!!! Matt |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Awesome rig man! Just read the whole thread. I am building a bronco just like it so it's cool to see what you have done to yours. I went with the tamiya body aswell so I will have to chop the frame like you did. I am going to be running leafs in the back like you did but i'm really looking for a way to mount dual scale shocks on all corners. I will be getting a build thread going soon. Your pictures are very helpful, and also very inspiring! |
Re: BlueBronco budget build I think Castle still has the v1 sidewinders on sale for $40. Check there website. Cool rig , been wanting to do a short wheelbase lately. |
Re: BlueBronco budget build I been toyin with the idea of doin a dual front and rear shock setup but she crawled so well that I was afraid of hurting it :lmao: Early in the build I was lookin at putting this short wheelbase, small tire rig together and goin to town on it scale look wise. I figured it wouldnt crawl for crap so might as well look spot on. I was WRONG. She crawls like crazy and I LOVE the challenge! Eventually Ill toss in an interior and some more scale stuff but Im not in any hurry. ESC first and Im not rushing on that either, somethin will come up when I need it! Matt |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Don't mean to echo so many others, but I've certainly enjoyed reading this thread. I usually get bored 1/2-way through a long build thread, but this is good action-packed reading. I feel like I'm there with ya on the trail runs, thanks to the excellent pics and recaps. I can relate to this build especially, because you run the snot out of it just like we do ours! Probably my favorite rig on the site... It oozes with character "thumbsup" I love my Proline Bronco SCX, but hate how wrong the proportions are with the body(looks more like a Scout). Your rig is really making me want to shorten my chassis, or just build a new one and detail up a Tamiya body for it :) |
Re: BlueBronco budget build I appreciate the kind words for sure "thumbsup" The Bronco has had a long rest and is now on deck to come back out for some more abuse!!! I got an ESC on the way and a servo and then Ill be rockin and rolling. Ive cleaned her up and fixed a couple issues and look forward to driving her again. I love seein people keep their rigs and watching them progress through time as well. Most of my build threads are put together the way I enjoy seeing build threads done! Matt |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Reading through your thread I kept thinking "I live your cut TSL's" then other people were saying that. So I'll say it again. Those cut TSL's are AWESOME!!! Dig the blue bronco. Thanks for the entertainment :) |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Thanks!!! The cut TSLs work so danged well on the Bronco that I dont dare swap em for any of the RC4WD offerings at the moment. I even tossed the Irons I made for it on another rig just cause the TSLs seem to fit, look and work better on this particular rig. Well...after 8mo+ of sittin on the shelf broken, beat and scarred...the BlueBronco started receiving some much overdue attention. A new(ish) servo, a new AE2, BEC, some tire work and a alot of loc-tight later...she's back on the trails! Started out in the Bronco's favorite obstacle...water http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-08-18_869.jpg Then moved to dry ground, but only for a moment http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-24-23_325.jpg The old motor gave up the ghost and would only go if you bumped it. Eventually I lost all low end control and called it a day...but LUCKILY Jmel stepped up and hooked me up with a slow, yet SUPER reliable and strong 45T and we were back at it. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-38-48_571.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-38-36_578.jpg After pushing thru the mud we found a creek and decided to follow it as far as our rigs would allow http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-01-23_283.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-03-31_674.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-03-45_302.jpg Lots of neat little waterfalls that were entirely doable http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-17-44_769.jpg Bronco was struggling with this one but a little winch action got her to the top http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-53-52_757.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-54-05_284.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-55-38_530.jpg I was able to return the favor later down the creek http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-00-52_872.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-02-59_870.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...222_212755.jpg Overall I am extremely pleased with the way the Bronco ran and look forward to crawlin it more and more! I was NOT waterproofed at this time and took care not to go too deep but have since taken care of all that...bring on the deep stuff LOL Matt |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Looks good as always Matt. Were those pics takin up at cedars |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Nah, I actually dont have a CLUE where we were. We hit up a couple "hopeful" locations and this one was the second we hit. I wasnt driving so I have no idea where we were :lmao: Im gonna find out tho, cause I wanna go back. Matt |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Hit the creekbed again for another shot at seeing how far we could explore. This time the water was a little higher and the mud was ALOT worse, but we decided to go full recovery, no hand of god (other than to attach winches or straps etc. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-59-04_365.jpg ooops http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-48-03_735.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-48-11_848.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-48-20_175.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-15-55_362.jpg Bronco's day ended here, RIGHT after being pulled from the muck. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-50-25_118.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-58-12_780.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-58-26_173.jpg The loaner 45T called it quits as did a servo earlier in the day. I got both working again and have waterproofed the servo and tossed a freshened up 20T Axial motor in so I can get some wheelspeed back lol. Waiting on a new winch controller then the winch will be back, till then Ill keep the tow straps around! Matt |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Nice. I love how you continue to push the limits! I enjoy all of the pics, but those close-up front shots are really great "thumbsup" |
Re: BlueBronco budget build HeyOK sent me some replacement winch controllers and got my winch workin again. Thank goodness too cause I needed it!!! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-52-33_506.jpg The tow strap was a stronger bet in this case :lmao: Man do I love recovery rides!!! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-07-23_746.jpg Glad to say the new round of waterproofing seems to be holding up and other than the 20T motor not liking the muddy water in some places, the Bronco ran without a hitch. Im thinkin I can finally say its back up to snuff LOL Matt |
Re: BlueBronco budget build After the latest round of fun with the BlueBronco, I decided it was time for another, WELL deserved tear down, rebuild and hopefully a bit of an upgrade...at least in the scale department!!! Got some TF2 Yota axles and 1.55s off LappDogg and got to work tryin to add a couple more realistic touches to the little guy. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-19-49_413.jpg Brand spankin new axles...before I destroy them, either in the process of mounting them or out on the trails LOL http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-20-17_772.jpg Mounting them up I realize a couple issues will need to be overcome. The Broncos had a drivers side chunk on the front end, so the Yotas will have to be flipped front and rear. I got the rear mounted up on the leafs after bending the frame rails near the skid to be wide enough and moving the rear shackles to the outside of the frame. Unfortunately, the new setup lowers the ride height QUITE and would need to be lifted to run the 3.8" TSLs. A bit of head scratching later, I remembered the 3.5", skinnied TSL I had made a while back. Mounted it on one of the new wheels and slapped it on... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-58-01_520.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-58-22_133.jpg Looks like a winner to me. Unfortunately, I can already see the performance of the old girl go out the window but Im gonna carry on regardless!!! I wont have the ride height, the tire height (which was already low to begin with) nore will I have the advantage of runnin underdrive in the rear. Then again...I didnt think Kathleen's Bronco would crawl for crap when I built it and look at it go!!! I thought the same thing when I leafed the rear on this one, but the sucker keeps it up. Im not worried either way, we been playin around with doin recovery style rides with smaller tire, less capable rigs lately so this is the perfect time to do all this I think. Ive got alot of work ahead of me, making brackets and links for the front, making sure it all works together without issue and and gettin the wheels/tires all together. Im hoping to get it all in and dialed in shortly!!! Ill update along the way. Matt |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Lookin good! Keep the updates comin! "thumbsup" |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Worked all night last night after work on gettin the front end mocked up and some ideas tossed around and what do I have to show for it? http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-13-05_206.jpg Yup, 3 little brackets, one of which (the smaller one) I had already made a couple days ago, I just painted it with the other two. The small bracket is the frame mount for my panhard bar and it made from C channel aluminum. The other bigger brackets are my radius arm mounts for the axles. They are cut, hammered, bent and brazed from a 2" long piece of 1/4" steel square tubing each. I took my time and tried to get the holes drilled at the right angles in order to have the mounts lean towards the pinion a tad. A little tweaking and they will be perfect I believe. I also tried to cut out what I didnt need from underneath to smooth things out a bit. I want to try and tackle the radius arms next. I plan to make em look like most available custom 2 bar into 1 radius arms for the 1:1 Fords. I will use 3 rod ends for each and use the panhard or track bar to keep the axle from moving side to side...at least I hope this all works LOL Matt |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Once again I worked a couple hours and have little to show for it LOL. I mocked up the finished radius arm mounts and tweaked em ever so slightly to get the angles a little more in line with what I wanted and set about figuring out the arms themselves. Like stated before, I wanted to keep it simple and in line with what you might see under any lifted 4x4 Ford from the era. I bent two pieces and cut a long straight piece of 3/16 solid rod (the long pieces are actually the rear links that the Mule destroyed). I then threaded each end to fit Revo rod ends, figured out the angle I wanted and brazed em. Im still learning the brazing thing and I think I really got it down on the second one. First one took WAY too much heat but I figured out my issed and moved it off the vice so the joint was hanging off the side and it heated up quicker and let the braze flow more evenly. Anyways, here is what i came up with mounted on the axles. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...1-37-31_46.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-37-14_933.jpg All I have to do now is put together a mount on the chassis and then cut and thread the ends of the arms to fit. I MIGHT have to bend them slightly depending on where I put the mounts on the chassis for clearance but Ill cross that bridge when I get to it. Matt |
Man, I can't wait to see those axels and arms installed...! Nice bronco! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD |
Re: BlueBronco budget build After mocking up the front suspension and bending, tweaking and doin all I could to make things work together...but couldnt get it where I would be happy. SOOOOOO, scratch the stock style radius arms http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...psba79913c.jpg I couldnt get the front to flex smoothly and it seemed to be extremely limited so I did some snoopin online at 1:1 3 link setups. I figured Ide bite the bullet and go with a simple 3 link but didnt like the look of any of the trusses that were available so I set off to make my own. Space is limited above the pumpkin which is what threw me off RC4WDs and BlueMonkeys, so I got some 3/16 solid rod and the old radius arm mounts and got to work. I mounted up the panhard mount and a 3 link mount and am SUPER pleased at the outcome. (dont laugh, i burned the powdercoating off one of the knuckles tryin to braze the panhard mount lol) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps8acb8414.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...psa13590e3.jpg It fits like a glove and is back behind the pumpkin just enough to stay outta the way. Here it is with the links and shocks mocked up http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps4760aad7.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps3f83d296.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps1bd15ddd.jpg Suspension is free moving and other than the panhard hitting the pumpkin at full flex I am extremely happy. I will bend some new links for the panhard and toss together the rest of the steering then I should be good to go again. Here are a couple more shots of the mount cleaned up and ready for paint. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps0188784d.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps61b0ecab.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps22a866a7.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...psb48b902a.jpg I also cleaned up the sliders and front bumper while I was at it lol http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...psbe4ebca1.jpg Gonna get everything painted and back together then itll be time for some tire work and maybe a back bumper. Itchin to get it out and see how she does!!! Matt |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Got the hardware kit from Harley the other day so now I can finally get to puttin the Bronco back together!!! Ive now got it to roller/semi running status, just need to tweak the wheelbase slightly, put together a steering link and then tweak my 3 link. It works perfect if you flex the passenger side where it is, but when you flex the driver's side it rocks the pinion up a bit. Im gonna do a little tweakin and then see if its enough to really matter before i take it all apart and try again lol. ANYways, here are a couple pics I took last night. With the old wheel/tire combo http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps14ad8621.jpg With the new wheel/tire combo. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps8e092780.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps0c959d71.jpg These tires are a pain to make but I believe itll all be worth it in the end. Wish they made a 5 lug wagon wheel but these will do for now! Matt |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Made some headway this weekend! I took apart the suspension after reading some 1:1 articles and looking at numerous pictures of front 3 link setups and figured out my issues. With the old setup pictured below my pinion would move when I would compress one side but would sit still when I compressed the other http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps3f83d296.jpg I realized what was goin on after doin all the research and tried it a little differently with great success. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...psce070e2f.jpg Unfortunately pushing the lowers out like I did made them contact the frame so for the time being I simply bent the turnbuckles Im using as links and they clear perfectly now. The issue is completely resolved and I moved on to bending the panhard to clear the pumpkin and moving a coupld nuts and bolts around for clearance issues. Ive almost got it 100% and just need to make a couple more tweaks, a steering link and either decide to keep the bent turnbuckles or go out and make a couple more links. I also finished up the last of the 3.5" TSLs which was a PAIN but as far as looks are concerned...totally worth it!!! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps0f6feddb.jpg In this shot you can see a little detail work Im gonna run for a bit and see if I like it. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps85333d64.jpg If you didnt notice, I cut out a dana "diff cover" which is just a ring cut out of aluminum and put around the pumpkin. If I like it Ill detail it more with some bolts but for now Im just feelin it out. Im gettin close! Ide like to take it out soon and shake it down before the big Shanty Hollow ride! Matt |
Re: BlueBronco budget build I like it, those tires look great. For the axle, I think if you were to paint inside the ring you cut out, it might actually look like a Dana. Or you could try with foil tape too so it would be easy to remove if it looked like crap haha. |
Re: BlueBronco budget build I masked it off earlier and colored it in with sharpie and hated it LOL. I tried makin a diff cover out of a coke can as well as some foil tape and also didnt like it. I saw a diff cover on google that was black and had an aluminum ring around it and thought it looked slick so thats what I went after. Its only gotta be enough to look decently real out on the trail. I will look into either painting the ring black and adding some bolts or like you said, painting the inside. Shoot, might even rust it up and weather it to look like whats usually on all my junk. All in all itll be impossible to make look just like a Dana, due to the size of the tubes and the pumpkin but I thought ide at least give it a go either way. All I really wanted overall was an offset pumpkin and a little skinnier track width and I got those, the cover is just one of those "wonder what it would look like" kinda deals. Matt |
Re: BlueBronco budget build the Dana diff cover is freaking Awesome! Keep rockin it out, I am totally stealing some of your ideas! Us EB guys got to stick together! btw, were I doing a "play truck" or "rock rig" or any other kind of vehicle besides my stupid scale truck- I would totaly go with a 3 or 4 link setup. my advice (for what little it may be worth) is to use steel brake line from an auto store (freaking really cheap!) - get a small tubing cutter and cut all your links to size and use the threaded rod ends- it makes the linkage look really "clean". to get the threads to fit- fill the ends of the tubing with silver solder then drill out the ends and thread them with a screw the same size as your link ends. cheap, easy, durable, and they look GOOD! L.R. |
Re: BlueBronco budget build I appreciate the advice, usually I just take 3/16 solid rod and grind the ends down and thread em to fit revo rod ends. I like this cause they are super strong and look good when they get all rusty lol. I abuse the piss outta this rig but have been wantin to take it another couple steps in the scale direction. When I first did the leaf springs I thought I would have to ease up on the abuse and that she would perform worse etc...nope, she took all I tossed at her and then some. Im now feelin the same way, with the smaller tires, no more underdrive rear and narrower track width itll prolly finally perform like doodoo...but Ive been surprised before and Im hopin she will do it again this time around! As for the 3 link, I just wanted to do somethin that someone with a mild lift and 35's might do to their Bronco up front, and Im never givin up the leafs in the rear its too much fun "thumbsup" Matt |
Re: BlueBronco budget build OH and steal all you want man, I been watchin your build like a hawk and thinkin bout doin some stealin myself :lmao: Wish I had a 1:1 EB like a bunch of yall but till that happens Ill keep messin with this little BlueBronco! Matt |
Those tf2 axles just set ol blue off man. It looks great. Have you not test ran em yet. I was thinking bout getting some for my dodge build. I'd like to hear your feedback on the performance of them under blue.. Keep up the good work bud |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Nope, havnt ran em yet man but Ive seen some TF2s take a lickin so Im hoping these will hold up. Im not gonna throw alot of power at em so Im not too worried...yet lol. I finished up the steering and am just doin some minor touchup stuff before i take it out and shake it down. Matt |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Well...She's back up and runnin and after a quick shake down run with Wayne, I am as happy as could be with the new setup!!! The skinny, short swampers did AMAZING despite spinning on the rims :evil: and altho I had to be extra careful on steep inclines thanks to a little more torque twist than the old setup (stock front gear, underdrive rear) I was surprised to see her go up just about everything I attempted!!! Another pleasant surprise came in the sidehilling area. I can damned near get this thing up on two wheels and it stay there LOL. There were numerous times I would lift the rear wheel off the ground and have the front tire BARELY touching and I could sloooowly continue on my way. Its gonna take a bit to get used to the shorter ride height but I look forward to gettin it out again soon!!! I only took a couple pics due to the cold and wet conditions and I was a knuckle head and left my spare batteries in the car so I had to carry out the rest of the way, but here they are. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps5f483a2c.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps582ce30d.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps18d1239e.jpg The list of needed tweaks MOSTLY lies in the wheels/tires. RC4WD's TF2 wheels dont hug the inner ring like my black set do so I have to hammer em down a tad (thanks for the idea Wayne) and then I took the opportunity to put together a wider set of foams. Hopefully this will cure most of the issues I was havin along the way. Another thing I need is a better servo which will come shortly as well. Once i get it back together Ill post more pics along with some info on all the wheel mods Ive been messin with. Matt |
I'm liking the new stance. This little guy has come a long way and keeps getting better... It just has boat loads of character. |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Yeah I appreciate it and agree!!! I keep wanting to put together a new body for it but I just keep gluing, painting and strengthening this one. I wont be gettin rid of it so I hope to be able to continue modding it as I go along, making it more and more scale as I go! Matt |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Finished up cleanin up the Bronco's new wheels! Im gonna run them for a while like this, but the paint didnt like two of the wheels very much and Ill eventually re-spray em. They look good enough for now tho!!! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...psd50828bb.jpg Heres a quick run-down on all that ive done to em. First I noticed they werent holding a bead worth a flip so after some advice from Twisted I took a block of wood and a hammer and tightened up the clearance between the wheel faces and the inner ring. Then, after seein how much more I liked the look of the wagons over the steelies I decided to make them 5 lug like they should be. I bought some 1.9 5 lug hubs from RC4WD, drilled out the middle hole on the back wheel face to allow the hub to fit flush and then put the two faces together using a broken spindle and a wheel nut. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps2d9d0852.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...psc77be403.jpg I tossed it in the vice and drilled the new holes. One existing hole can be used. The next two on either side of this hole also use existing holes, you just end up widening them out a tad. The bottom two holes are new. That leaves you with this http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...psf279c7b1.jpg On my black set of wheels I coulda left it at this and been happy but seein that they extra holes stand out against the white...aaaaand I chipped the factory white finish when hammering them earlier, I chose to strip em (aircraft enamel stripper took about 30 seconds) and filled the holes with JB weld. I put a piece of masking tape on the front face of the holes to keep the JB weld flush and allow for less sanding. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...psb208b3ea.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...psce5e04f8.jpg After this I smoothed em out ever so slighly with some bondo (not necessary) and then hit em with some satin white. Im pleased as can be, other than the slight paint cracking. Im gonna take apart my black set and do them next. Now it doesnt matter that just about every wheel on the market is 6 lug, us Ford guys can finally get the look right LOL Matt |
Looks frickin awesome man. Can't wait to to see it eat up Shanty Hollow. |
Re: BlueBronco budget build awesome idea on the 5 lug man |
Re: BlueBronco budget build Thanks guys. Been thinking bout trying it for some time and finally said hell with it and gave it a try lol Matt |
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