Slicktop SAS's FJ Cruiser

[eddievedder]

A lot of you now know through my "For Sale" ads, that The past few months have been extremely difficult for myself and my family. As I have been selling off most of my prize possessions (RC related), I did manage to keep a few bodies and parts for some future builds as this hobby can be very therapeutic at times. When I dug up this RTR RC Toy FJ Cruiser , I was going to sell it as well, but, I decided to keep it since it had potential. I tested it as is on our hardwood floor and did some drifting. Has head and tail lights too!!

OK so on to the build.

Specs:
Loaded MRC with metal lockouts, Cs, knuckles, ball bearings, metal diff and tranny lockers, Holmes mini torque master motor, Metal gear servo with metal horn, Basic MRC electronics-
Chassis: The rare K2 Point Five for MRC
Shocks: Super smooth Mini LST
Wheels: Gearhead 1.55 UTE 8 lug beadlocks
Tires: RC4WD 1.55 Mickeys MTZ
Body: Officially Licensed Toyota FJ Cruiser body 1/12 scale- made by SchuangXing-Total oddball body and I have only seen two of these, but it has a full interior. Wheel base is 8.75" No roof rack, hence "Slicktop"

Body!!!

Here are a few pics of the 1/12 scale body next to a Nikko body. Nikko is the yellow one.



Next to the China made FJC body which is smaller than the Nikko body.


Officially Licensed


Highly detailed though some things kind of throw me off like the "euro" side marker on the side of the body.




TOYOTA steering wheel. Sweet



I have always liked this SAS's 1.1 FJ Cruiser so…


I quickly swapped MRC running gear into my only K2 Point Five chassis.


Tear down of the body


Neat Dashboard/steering wheel


Wheelbase adjusted to 8.75"


Body mock up shots. I am going to do my best to incorporate the interior. Also I am going to leave this rig it's "factory" blue color. I removed the front grill as I am going to paint it for a throwback FJ40 look.





That is all for now. Waiting on the 1.55 wheels/tires from RPP Hobby

[eddievedder]

I maintained most of the interior parts.



Interior, and bottom view. I am going to make a skid plate for the rear to cover the battery.




Proper solid axle up front. Built.


Ahhhhh RPP Hobby delivery…



Much more better-er. I m going to doll up the wheels with some scale acorn nuts and beadlock bolts too. I painted the front bezel white and the door handles white as well. I like the white front and white roof. Retro FJ40 look.




Stock bumper wings or not? I need to trim up the front bumper to clear the tires so it is going to be tough to keep the bumper wings.

[kakachille]

How do the losi axles look under the Nikko fj

[Ramination]

Damn, I had no idea there was an FJ interior out there! Thanks for the heads up!

And I say forget the stock bumper wings...forget the stock bumper all together. A FJ like that needs a real bumper!

[eddievedder]

Originally Posted by kakachille

How do the losi axles look under the Nikko fj

Way to small!

Originally Posted by Ramination

Damn, I had no idea there was an FJ interior out there! Thanks for the heads up!

And I say forget the stock bumper wings...forget the stock bumper all together. A FJ like that needs a real bumper!

As for the interior, it is very detailed. There is one if these rare 1/12 FJs on eBay right now for $130 buy it now. The interior could work in your FJ body as yours is slightly smaller than the nikko.

As for the bumper, I think I'm going to make one. Something simple.

[pardonmyn00b]

We should SAS our FJs when we grow up.

That's a nicely detailed body. It's cool that the wings are separate pieces like the real ones.

[Szczerba]

Very nice blend of parts you have there.

[1BadJeepBruiser]

Cool truck

[pardonmyn00b]

Is that a Hummer?

[eddievedder]

Originally Posted by pardonmyn00b

We should SAS our FJs when we grow up.

That's a nicely detailed body. It's cool that the wings are separate pieces like the real ones.

I might SAS the front of my real FJ turk but I think I'm gonna independent rear suspension.
Yeah I like the wings that they come off. Would be cool trail damage to tear one off.

Originally Posted by Szczerba

Very nice blend of parts you have there.

Thank you sir!

Originally Posted by 1BadJeepBruiser

Cool truck

Cool post

Originally Posted by pardonmyn00b

Is that a Hummer?

A what?!?

[pardonmyn00b]

Oh, it's a PT Cruiser. Sorry!

[kakachille]

Thanks for the reply builds looking sweet

[eddievedder]

So I decided for now to stick with a stock-ish look. Re-worked and trimmed the front bumper to clear the tires and full turn/flex.

I like it


I made some basic sliders for it and the flat black paint is drying as I type.

I like the detail and proportions of this body.




I am blinging up the wheels a bit. Started on one. Still waiting for some bolts but I think its gonna look sweet when all four, plus the spare are done.

[eddievedder]

I finished adding bling to the 1.55 Gear Head Beadlocks

I made some center caps too. Well I didn't make them but they were GMade anodized red and I hit them with flat black then sanded all the red and black off, leaving a little black detail.




Flexy


Simple solid steel sliders.



Im gonna make a skid plate for the rear to cover the battery, then I am going to start wheeling it as is and make improvements as needed. Should be a fun little rig with all the MRC upgrades and HH motor!

[fourxfunk]

Man this thing is sweet! I just picked up a Nikko body for my scx and will be following for inspirations.

[eddievedder]

Originally Posted by fourxfunk

Man this thing is sweet! I just picked up a Nikko body for my scx and will be following for inspirations.

Those Nikko bodies are great. This one was "different" so it was fun to build. Thanks, I'll be sure to check out your build.

[eddievedder]

OK with the FJ Cruiser Charity build off Official FJ Cruiser Charity Build Off for the Fallon Jade Fundraiser - Scale 4x4 R/C Forums going on right now I had to tidy up this one and put it away for a bit to get cracking on my build off entry FJC. I charged up the battery and drove it around the house. It works really well and needs minor tweaking. Im looking forward to getting it on some rocks to see how it handles and how these tires hook up.



I added some stickers for more horsepower.


Spare tire/wheel to match.


I left the front wheel nut covers/center caps off. I like the look.



Little brother from the show room floor


The same 1/12 scale FJC, just in yellow

[GREEDY GENIUS]

Looks good man,wheels bring it out.

[eddievedder]

Well I finally took this little beast out on its first run. I wasn't shocked at all how well it handled. Not much tweaking to do. I need to build a proper front bumper for it though.











Lost a few headlock bolts….

[1BadJeepBruiser]

I have some extra bead locks bolts for you. I wanna go back out to that spot with some of my trucks