Lentsnh2012 builds: 1981 Toyota Pickup

[Lentsnh2012]

Okay, okay. I know you're already saying "Lents, there are tons of Toyota builds already. Why do you want to build one too?!" Well the answer is, it is a pickup that everyone loves whether it is a scale model or the real thing. The design is such a classic and ageless design. I'm not building this just to jump onto the bandwagon but it's because I truly enjoy seeing them around as stockers or full blown crawlers.

This build will be HEAVILY inspired by chino63, pardonmyn00b and imthatguy. However, I will not copy one's rig.

It's like that saying: "Give 20 people the same parts and see 20 different builds."

The build won't be as scale as far as the drivetrain and whatnot. It'll mostly be the exterior that will have the most attention.

Plans:
3 link front and leaf springs in the rear
Generic Toyota color
50/50 performance and scaled exterior focused

Bought/have:
Tamiya Bruiser frame
RC4WD Yota axles
Leaf spring mounts and shackles
Axial transmission with Vanquish DIG
RC4WD Mojave body set
RC4WD Ultimate scale shocks (for rear)
RC4WD Ultimate scale coilovers (for front)
RC4WD 1.55 Steelies (painting them black)


So as you can see, it'll be fairly simple and I hope for it to be pretty capable. I'll be switching back and forth through all of my builds through the Winter.

[TREE]

Perfect, I cannot get enough Toyotas....
Give me ideas for my in progress build

[lee250]

I think the 1.9 wheels look better. They do on mine anyway. They don't rub anywhere on mine either.

[Lentsnh2012]

That's also a Tamiya High-Lift.... Not a Bruiser based Hilux.

I will have the Tamiya Bruiser frame and Yota axles. 1.9 wheels scale out to be a 21"- 22" wheel, which won't look right as most Toyota mini-truck/Hilux crawlers use 15-16" wheels.

The Hilux I'm building will not be that high... That's too high for it to crawl well. It'll be linked front and will have leaf springs in the rear which should give it a nice and low center of gravity. In addition, making it very reliable and fun to wheel with.

[Lentsnh2012]

Well after searching eBay and the RCC Classifieds, I now have everything to get started on the build! Unfortunately, I'll be playing the waiting game until next week or so.

[z71baja]

what's up Lent, so which is your priority, this or the birth of a cruiser? I'd go with the cruiser!!! Happy Holidays

[Lentsnh2012]

Originally Posted by z71baja

what's up Lent, so which is your priority, this or the birth of a cruiser? I'd go with the cruiser!!! Happy Holidays

Well hello there brother! Where have you been?? The Birth of a Cruiser is more of a priority but as it is being built, I'm building this rig with the parts I have laying around. Also, I need a rig to wheel anyway...

Happy Holidays to you too! Stay safe out there!

[Lentsnh2012]

Finally some pictaursarous-Rex!!!

After messing with the transmission mounting, I finally decided that I needed a new case. Stupid plastic!

This is how it started:



Because I'm going with a linked front end, I had to make a 3 link apparatus that resembles the 1:1 Toyota stuff. Don't hate on my sick brazing skillz...!





Here is what I found in my random parts bin that will work as shackle mounts. If you haven't noticed they are the stock Axial Wraith Ackerman arms. They work PERFECTLY! Also, those shackles are, in fact, #41 roller chain.







Well that's it for today! I'll pick back up on it when all of the other parts get in. Like the body, wheels, tires, links, and more!

[Lentsnh2012]

So, after staring at how I left everything yesterday, I decided that nothing was going to work the way I wanted it to. The transmission didn't seem like it was in a good place and that there was zero room for the servo when it was mounted on the frame rail.

Because I don't plan on doing an interior just yet, I figured that I could drive it with the transmission in a central location. The servo is also in a location where I feel that it will have the most amount of power output for a CMS. We shall see though!

I also got a massive care package from RPP today, but nothing will be shown from it until Monday when I get the other parts.

[imthatguy]

Have you considered mounting your servo under the frame support at the front? That's where I put mine on my Hilux build. Might be worth a look-see.

[Lentsnh2012]

Originally Posted by imthatguy

Have you considered mounting your servo under the frame support at the front? That's where I put mine on my Hilux build. Might be worth a look-see.

That was actually the first thing I looked at doing after looking at your thread and N00bs. For some reason, when I mocked it up, it seemed very low and the draglink was really far away from everything else.

[imthatguy]

Hmm. I do see that you linked the front end… I never had any issues with rubbing anywhere, is your wheelbase different than a standard Hilux?

[Lentsnh2012]

Originally Posted by imthatguy

Hmm. I do see that you linked the front end… I never had any issues with rubbing anywhere, is your wheelbase different than a standard Hilux?

Oh! That was the other problem with the servo on the front crossmember. The 3 link mount would hit smack-dab on the servo. I double checked the servo placement with how you did yours, everything was correct.

I tried mounting the servo both ways. The way you did it on your High Luxe build and how N00b did it on his Hilux. Both were denied, so that's when I came up with that simple servo mount.

As far as I know, the wheelbase should be very close to the standard Hilux body. I don't have the body to confirm that though. It is still on its way here.

[Lentsnh2012]

Looks like it's becoming a real truck, Clark!

I took care of the panhard bar and the installation of all the electronics. Because these frames are so expensive now, I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't braze/weld or drill any new holes into it. So I made brackets for everything and utilized the holes that were already in the frame. Boy, was that a challenge!

Some will see that the draglink and panhard are not parallel but sooner than later, I'll get a longer servo arm that will solve all of that. I still have to take care of the shock hoops somehow... Maybe try and use some TF2 shock hoops??








Here are all of the electronics in their spots:









Now to wait for the body!

[imthatguy]

Pick up a n00b drop bed from RC4WD and mount that to the frame. Bingo bango.

[Lentsnh2012]

I definitely would if the body set wasn't a RC4WD Mojave body. The bed is secured by screws going through the bed and to the frame.

Any help on mounting the rear of the cab to the frame?

[imthatguy]

The drop bed works fine with this body. Looks to me like you need some spacers if you want to lift it up off the frame. Or, go one better and build a full interior and mount to that.

[Lentsnh2012]

Yeah, the bed is attached to the frame via screws with spacers on it. I might need bigger spacers or some type of suspension lift.

The cab and bed are not attached, the tabs have been cut off the bed. That's why the cab looks kind of funky.

[FATBOYrs10]

Originally Posted by Lentsnh2012

Woohoo!! The body and wheels came in! Thank you, Jeremy!

you're welcome Lents

[imthatguy]

Originally Posted by Lentsnh2012

Yeah, the bed is attached to the frame via screws with spacers on it. I might need bigger spacers or some type of suspension lift.

The cab and bed are not attached, the tabs have been cut off the bed. That's why the cab looks kind of funky.

Weird. Looks like your suspension could use a little work. Shorter leafs maybe?

Here's how mine was setup:



Doing this, and doing the n00b drop bed allowed for perfect ride height.