Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck *now with link to vid*
 

I'm starting a new thread seeing my original thread "another cheep Deadbolt" in the scx10 forum turned into this.....
I bought a NIP unpainted Vaterra Blazer body. And so begins my 1.55 scale trail truck.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...1d148cde73.jpg

I'm going with RC4WD 1.55 white steel wagon wheels. I think they fit the era. And I was torn between Growlers and Rock Stompers but seeing our weather here in Ohio and our muddy trails I went with the Rock Stompers.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...32d1414a77.jpg

I'm not changing much on the drivetrain seeing the Deadbolt platform is pretty good for what I intend to do with it.
I did put aluminum links all around, steering yet to make.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...f2ce1fc70e.jpg

I put the 4 link up front.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...ff6587c7c2.jpg

I added a Gear Head rear 4 link truss because I was/am going to put 70mm shocks on the rear of the axle and up under the frame.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...6d4eb07832.jpg

I mounted the esc on the passenger side frame rail between the slider mounts.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...442feaa830.jpg

And mounted the rx and winch controller on the drivers side the same way.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...d3744cda00.jpg

This put everything nice and low so I can get the Dinky RC interior as low as possible.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...e66fc16bb7.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...93e7220b7e.jpg

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck
 

I didn't take any pics of the five main pieces but here is the interior glued together.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...566c474f47.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...fd2e369221.jpg

I am impressed at how nice this interior kit fits the scx10 chassis.
I mentioned I got 70mm shocks and was going to mount them behind the axle and up under the frame but the Dinky interior is molded to allow the shock towers and shocks to stay in the upright position.
I did have to move the shock towers back towards the rear of the frame in the other set of holes.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...977a0af626.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...936dc3429b.jpg

I got the interior mounted as low as it can go. I did have to heat up the area where the transmission is and then push it down in. This puts the interior right down on the rear of the frame rails.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...c0a2401734.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...542d8dcfd1.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...fa46c7a666.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...ef4b18ac36.jpg

I wanted the interior to be easy to remove for cleaning or trail repairs. I used the stock body mounting posts in the front, just pushed the posts all the way down and cut off the access.
You can't see these with the body on.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...a12237e5a4.jpg

In the rear I used the extra post mounts that's on the parts tree they give in the RTR trucks. I put them in the last holes on the rear of the frame rails. Again pushing the posts all the way down and cutting off the access.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...59275850ed.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...74e639683f.jpg

This puts the rear posts in the cargo area of the interior. Easy to hide with some scale accessories thrown in.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...046517b143.jpg

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck
 

Now with the interior/underbody all secured I mounted the body with 8mm rare earth magnets.

The rear has magnets Gooped on the interior and on the rear of the body.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...da95312fb7.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...8ba51d0b37.jpg

And the front I made a styrene bracket to glue magnets on. And another set under the hood.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...f3910524e6.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...fb9642f514.jpg

I wanted the sides of the body to be sucked in at the bottom to get away from the square look. I drilled holes in the sides of the interior and glued magnets in each hole.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...0626c248e5.jpg

I then glued thin strips of metal inside the body so once on they snap in against the magnets on the interior.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...31421fe424.jpg

This setup holds the body tight in place.

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck
 

I made some steel bumpers. Simple flat stock with Yeah Racing heavy duty shackle mounts and shackles on both ends.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...0f516deeaf.jpg

Rear......

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...212b30b044.jpg

Front.....

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...13852fc3d8.jpg

And how they look with the body on. Yeah, painted body! Metallic blue and gunmetal grey. I really wanted to make this look it's age but figured I'd paint it up like a fresh rebuild and let Mother Nature work her magic.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...cb862344fa.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...5547df6627.jpg

Got paint to start working on interior. And still have lots of detail work to do on outside of the body.

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck
 

Very nice indeed. I like how you mounted the interior/body. Color looks nice also.

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck
 

Coming along. Got the aluminum side trim, windshield, and vent windows trimmed out.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...fdba5e6401.jpg

Put the stock Axial steering wheel in. And John mounted to seat with magnets also. Makes removing him easy. Oh and sporting a Coke. Lol

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...d95956f8aa.jpg

And mounted the winch to the frame behind the body. Waiting on my order from RC4WD and their aluminum winch fairlead to mount to bumper. The winch will be hidden and nothing stick out further on the front bumper for good approach angles.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...d534f8eb35.jpg

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck
 

Very nice, with Class 1 my new favorite Class I will be watching your progress."thumbsup"

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck
 

Made up aluminum steering links.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...7dccdcd4fb.jpg

Got the RC4WD fairlead installed.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...a90e494a68.jpg

Painted the interior. Needs some weathering. Too glossy. Dash finished.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...7d16e2750b.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...3c32ce39b2.jpg

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck
 

I sprayed the interior floor with a rubberized paint to more look like carpet or a bedliner material.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...4369ff30ac.jpg

Throw in some scale accessories and not too bad.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...764aae40b3.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...d275e19bb5.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...e37ea154af.jpg

More pics to come. Took it out for its first trail run. Very impressed with it overall.

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck
 

And it's first trail run.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...060db1e1a9.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...1e03a57b0b.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...d385be13e5.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...32e1f9b1ea.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...f44244b5d8.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...260c5f4539.jpg

Overall for a trail truck with class 1 tires it performed great. The deep sand was a challenge on the steep hills, but wider tires would fix that.

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck
 

So my son gave me an early birthday present. 1.55 Pit Bull Growlers!!
I mounted them on Axial 1.9 beadlocks with a single stage foam I had from another project.
I like how that widened them out but lost a little height though. I think these will work out much better overall and I really like the look of them on the truck.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...a6e3c31c12.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...c2601856a0.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...7e0d679c2a.jpg

I also added four headlights so far. We are planing on a trail run this weekend hopefully.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...da7e32105a.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...ffc406be0a.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...df06985a09.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...cf0f324ee3.jpg

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck
 

Finally found Nikki Bella to go with John....

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...6e323d9be0.jpg

Too bad I don't get scale points for Fido. Lol

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...0fcb96b27a.jpg

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck
 

Looks good, I like the 1.55s though. First time I've seen Sgt Rock as somebody's driver and he fits well. :) 2-speed would help in the sand too.

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck
 

Glad I found this thread. Just remodelling mine back to a Blazer and have 1.55 Growlers sat here waiting for the rims and shell to arrive.

Looks great, very scale!!!

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck
 

Looks great, digging the interior. The only thing I see that I think would make it look better would be some trim around the wheel wells. I also really like the craftiness with the magnets.

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck
 

I stuffed CI comp cut dual stage foams in the Growlers. Much better now. Filled them right out but still have enough squishiness to them.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...d71e02fe0e.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...f82ea27c0e.jpg


And finally got it out to trail test the Growlers. I'm VERY happy with how they perform! There wasn't any sand at this spot and I purposely stayed out of the deep mud holes. I'm very happy with the overall setup. It's an awesome scale trail truck.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...e9f80e3d13.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...68a7243996.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...8eab161954.jpg

I put together a little YouTube vid of our trail run. I'll try to upload it later today and I'll post a link to it.

Thanks for looking and for the great replies!

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck
 

And here's the latest video testing the Growlers out.

https://youtu.be/SqFbO_r6d-w

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck *now with link to vid*
 

I wasn't happy with the front bumper, sat too low and left a big space between it and the grill.
I modified the mounts, shaved the ends up at an angle and added some bars.

In the rough.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...bbb92c7d6b.jpg

While I was at it I added a spare tire/hi lift bracket to the back bumper, and shaved the ends same as the front.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...d72f332cb6.jpg

They're in the paint shop now. Stay tuned for assembled pics.

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck *now with link to vid*
 

Much better! Up high and tucked in tight.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...1684912e01.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...5da45c1860.jpg

And the back end.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...58771aa211.jpg

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...ffe2cd0362.jpg

Re: Vaterra K5 Blazer body+SCX10=class 1 trail truck
 

Revised bumpers definitely add to it. :)