Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Been working on this a couple of weeks but here is some progress on a replica of my 1:1 88 samurai.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oe...DI8VHqgkQ=w720
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PR...RnDPcU0bQ=w720

Body wasn't my design that credit goes to the original creator, all I did was shrink it down to have a 8" wheel base and narrowed the body about 4mm but feel like it still looks a little wide compared to my 1:1

Spec wise it will be similar to the lj81 I made with the exception of being full width ecx temper/barrage housings that I will Make custom housings for.

Frame will be same layout as well but in this case I'm printing it out in abs and acetone gluing the suspension mounts to it before I bug shapeways.

Anyways less talk more pictures!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gZ...Xpw9bpWcg=w720

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/do...Xq6HzEcBA=w720

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iw...zqptAu9gQ=w720

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jR...I6RWYFiLQ=w720

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/l1...gXHatquNw=w720

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/f2...Zc2T4vhEQ=w720

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_o...1e575kdpA=w720

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8Z...vBeLuos7A=w720
Think the stock ecx tires are a bit huge lol
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Df...CRA2v96tw=w720

Oh these will be popping up on thingiverse once I'm home some 1.55 glue on wheels that use rc4wd mount hub bolt pattern already tested and good
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MQ...hByczLcvQ=w720

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Link for thingiverse for the vehicle as I work through the project
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3188476

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Sorry bout the tripple post thought some folks would ask a few questions.
Anywho just messing with the rear suspension right now will eventually make a new housing but for now will get the ecx rear 3 link going a bit... shrunk down though.

Old scx10 small shock springs are giving me a idea... coily anyone?
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mz...2OT2q9QaA=w720

Ride height looks about right for scale with 3.3" tires but I do plan on printing a upgrade for my printer to hopefully get ninjaflex rocking to print some 2.8" tires.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/C7...wjd41DuQg=w720

I'm thinking some mini e revo shocks this time around with no springs as they are 47mm ish long just will have to deal with that dumb offsized screw holes..

Also... scratching my head a little on the front.. maybe someone with a 1:1 rig can give me some insight but I want to do front radius arm suspension with a panhard bar only issue is... I haven't the foggiest idea how the heck that stuff flexes any. I could just do the same setup I did on the LJ but rather do something that looks more scale.

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Sammie is looking great.
My understanding is on stock 1:1s that the radius arm suspension flexes on the
bushings.
Link rod ends will do the same.



http://images.off-roadweb.com/images...adius_arms.jpg

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

hopefully so looks like only one side of the axle has two connections and the other side is just one?
I could go a little crazier an maybe try to print a ninjaflex bushing around the right ball ends to make the suspension work correctly ish... maybe would likely need to put a brass tube insert for the outer part.

Have based the coilover setup off rocky road outfitters kit just been slow work.

Will say this ECX axles are a bit odd compared to the MRC stuff I'm used to using gonna be interesting when I work on the steering knuckles.

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

I was looking at Calminis system. I have everything Calmini on my lil Kick.

I'm sure there 2 connection points on both arms, just can't see from the angle.

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

I've experimented with Traxxas rod ends a bit in the past on a Jeep build. Same deal, I wanted radius arms, but couldn't figure out how to get some flex out of it. I removed the ball and used fuel tubing as a bushing. Worked ok, but it had "scale" flex - meaning not a lot. On a small scale rig, might be a good solution. Certainly looked the part anyway!

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Use hard threaded rod ends and leave them a little loose so that they have extra twist and ‘flex’.

For reference purpose only. I do not endorse these.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F122558249749
Or
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F141309815437

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

The fuel tubing method sounds like something I could do. Use a larger Traxxas rod end but use a mrc ball with fuel tubing wrapped around it.

I'm not looking for insane flex as I'll start rubbing everything but if I can get a scalish amount that's fine.

My 1:1 is a bit of a oddity it's nearly stock just some Dr z lift shackles up front. It runs and drives nice so rather than cut it up and make a mess of it I decided to make a rc scale one I can abuse!
Part of the nice thing with abs is acetone welds so modifications can be welded on like the 1:1

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

A little suspension theory to add to this: Think of a radius arm as a fork that is pointed dead ahead at ride height. As the suspension compresses, the fork begins to point upward. As the suspension droops, the fork starts to point downward. This is perfectly fine and will move up and down freely if both sides are moving the same direction at the same time. However with a solid axle connecting both arms, one side can not compress while the other side droops because the forks are now trying to go in opposite directions and twist the axle tube into a corkscrew, basically turning the axle tube into an enormous anti-sway bar.

There have been a few ideas over the years trying to find the better mouse trap ("wristed" radius arms, axle housings that rotate in the middle, etc.) but if you simply remove one prong from one of the 2 forks, the axle will follow the arc of the complete radius arm (I would generally recommend keeping the complete arm on whichever side is closest to the diff), and the straight lower on the opposite side will allow the axle tube to pivot the small amount needed to allow the axle to articulate. Longer arms will have less angular change as they cycle, and yes, rubber bushings can deflect to some extent, but the bind will still be there unless you change something else to allow the caster change from side to side.

I've setup a 1:1 solid front axle this way and the outcome gave exactly the desired results: a "linked" setup that was extremely simple to build, controlled axle wrap, kept the driveline angles in check, and allowed lots of controlled articulation, all without having to run numbers through a calculator. It still has more caster change than your typical 3/4link setup, but with nearly 4' long arms and starting with a little more caster than ideal, it stays within an acceptable range through its travel.

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Thanks J that really does make a bit more sense the way you explained it

Only drawback I have with the front is I lack a welder to lengthen one axle shaft so I can have a offset pumpkin.. Got lucky with the lj as it was easy to keep the long shaft full length.

I been scratchin my noggin on how to retain the rear axle shafts on the ecx parts and came up with a idea from 1:1 stuff use 4 m2 screws to keep the outer retainer attached
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4G...SDvuTA8ww=w720

Not perfect but it's what I managed to do in my lunch break

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ou...TMwWSWWpQ=w720
Need to work on another prototype of the axle need to lower the shock mounts down another 5 mill and fix some more tolerances around the various parts to make everything spin more freely as well.

Also once I lower the shock mounts down I can put the spring cups onto the axle an frames to look a bit better.

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

I just remembered GCM Racing has some Radius arms from their Bronco build, they use a diamond shaped bushing at the axle to allow it to flex and pivot freely.

GCM Webstore Canada International - CMAX Bronco Radius Arms Kit

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Good looking rig up.

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Thanks and I did email gcm to see if I could get more pictures of how they worked their solution but nothing so.... came up with this for now with the 1st prototype of the front suspension.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6v...jHOmRE6Ew=w720

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Mh...tlf0PnocQ=w720

picture of the radius arm attached to the stock ecx axle
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/IL...bBKtd4Tlw=w720

A bit out of order on this picture but about how the car sits moc'd up front with the new rear axle shock height once I have shocks up front I'll be able to do a suspension flex shot.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/x-...pB28rE8dg=w720

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Been a little stalled with money to get the front shocks mounted will need to print some none functioning replicas so I can least get the front axle locked in place to get steering taken care of.
Besides that have been puttering about, got the Dash printed (round vent style) and rear floor and front inner fender wells finished working on printing the main floor board next.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uh...mQcjP5YBQ=w720

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Zs...0e4jGdPSA=w720

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rS...XaXI-dVrA=w720

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xB...pnCNOC31w=w720

I still need to print the grab handle for the dash then either print out the steering colum or... make a new dash with a 9g servo mount for animated steering wheel... that and I need to figure how much space I can squeeze behind the dash for the receiver...

Have been on an off trying to print my jimny's transmission also and finding... a object designed for SLS shapeways printers =/= easy to print in FDM

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Nice work! I'd love to have a little samurai rc. My brother had a heavily modified samurai with a beefed up 4 cyl. It was a fun little death trap

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

I plan on one year to either get a 100hp 1.3 for my 1:1 or go ev conversion with tesla packs but who knows what the future holds!

Got the front half of the floorboard printed and acetone glued in should be enough clearance for the transmission I use in the lj I built.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Mf...8yGssMtTA=w720

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Another small update got my spring mounts put in for the coilover springs on the front and rear on the frames I like how it ended up looking on the rear still haven't made the shock mounts for the front yet keep getting side tracked...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ds...RW_0NEluw=w720

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

I like Acetone! Do you ever use MEK?, or does it not work as well with ABS?

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

haven't tried that cause acetone just works perfectly and works with my model kits as well

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Another update on the way!
I made a mock up mini E revo shock that you use acetone to deform the ball seats for whatever ball studs I had laying around think its mini T ball ends and some ecx temper ones. Uses a telfon lining at the front and some random screws.
Ended up working out pretty good for getting the front hanged up as they are the same length an almost the same shape
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/t4...X6_eQ9p-w=w720

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9W...1WWFqYP6Q=w720

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sJ...uVN2PdPZw=w720

also... on my 4th revision on the axle housings front AND rear hunting down binding issues an making sure bearing seats are in enough to allow the ecx steering parts to work... they are... kinda odd compared to my mrc axle chub an knuckles I've made for older projects...

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

another update got it running though now the WONDERFUL process of figuring out where to put the ecs.
Now first thought is to put it under the hood an clean up the wiring add some bright orange motor an battery wiring to look like a EV conversion cause... lets be honest... I don't think I can make the 540 look like the 1.3L...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Wg...nAf17BZFA=w720

I will have to print out the new hood that's a bit better hallow of a shape to give enough clearance for everything but that's not all bad just will have to run the battery leads all the way back to this compartment

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/b4...p5l1Bd6-A=w720

Doing it all this way will allow this nice an clean setup also the battery box sits a little higher then on the 1:1 samurai and its tapered some to keep from being hit around when attempting to crawl.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/M5...e4vhsI8oA=w720

Overall I'm pretty happy with how its turning out I need to get some more white ABS so I can print more interior bits an pieces like seat sliders so I can pull the seats out now an then when I need to pull out an bind the receiver (which I plan on having tucked behind the dash)

Now lighting... I'm debating on wiring in the lights cause how much of a pita it will be to find a very small light controller. Or I could just wire all the lights in like their set for night driving and put a switch somewhere with no blinkers.

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Know these photos aren't the best but working on the light buckets now. Front and rear ones press fit snuggly into their bumpers and head light glue into the grill. Don't have a picture of the rear ones but I hope to try and print some clear lenses leats for the front blinkers and rear tail lights.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Tl...obhjTno5Q=w720

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8Z...WYJMdlj8Q=w720

Note to self.. Acetone smooth the buckets waaay more next time

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Update with a couple of videos and some pictures.

First up is a video showing light system testing on the little zook though I don't plan on keeping the lights in as... the light controller has no where to hide lol.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q6VpMGxfGeA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Then here is a video of it running around at my favorite little place at the park where there water run off steps with rather rough concrete slopes an bumps an such.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ERA0qZtxIDQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

gearbox is a mish of losi 1/18 parts, ecx parts and the final drive gear an outdrives from the axial scx10 gearbox.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uH...W6YQcIZoA=w720

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/v5...ugx5Wivrw=w720

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

This is awesome. Talk about built from scratch. That gearbox is certainly like no other! What does it provide for gear reduction?

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Thanks man its been a hell of a mental workout eyeballing gear lashing for that matter @_@

just by going from input to output shaft I want to say a hair over 16 input rotations to 1 output. I don't really need to worry about drag brake with it cause the gearbox is rather resistant to rolling unless you take the motor flat out of it then its nice an smooth.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Zb...fkNzCoQEA=w720

I need to make a second one of these to throw into the LJ81 then I can keep the 4:1 transmission for staged rallycross (one of the guys at my LHS said it be a hoot to watch) the sammy is actually pretty stable but I think its due to all the heavy parts being at or below the frame.

also digging through my stuff found a old spektrum 6channel rx I got god knows how long ago but fits perfectly hidden behind the dash besides the LED.. wonder if I can take some clear filament an route that light to a spot on the dash...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/NF...sXQZNhaHw=w720
Funny thing is I started printing my own stuff out of not having enough money to dump on full crawler kits an then modifying them... well least I can easily print spare parts or improve as I go now!.

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Printers back an working so now I'm working on a few things in tinkercad that may be a bit fun for folks as I been looking at various things for the 2nd gen jimny body can stumbled appon a couple of grills.

1st one is some random ricer style grill which is fine I mean I did make the jdm grill insert for this body
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/D4...b1EM2qKNw=w720
2nd is a "Bronco" style grill that made me chuckle but its groan on me some
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KE...KPPGZoNLw=w720

And I've also started cadding up a different front bumper and fender flares... OH and the turbo jimny hood!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Rl...TNYKXxeQg=w720
theres a little teaser to another project that will come if you look carefully enough in that picture.

Haven't done much to the physical model at this time besides printing out disk brakes for the front an rear (different size between front an back won't add calipers)
Really need to start printing the rear rally top or least the 1st prototype to see how that comes along as well.

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Looking really good.

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Thanks I figured since I have the master model I can least also try to make some aftermarket bolt in looking pieces as well if anyone else wanted to print out their own they have a nice mix of options. though.. most working rc wenches are HUGE on this thing...

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Got the rally top printed an sanded down and painted now just need to figure a means to keep it from falling off the build while still being removable!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9E...tL6vVOMLA=w720

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iG...Kl35pEkEA=w720

Also a pic of the bronco style grill printed out mocked up and the 660 turbo hood mocked up as well
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ib...TP_bG97YQ=w720

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Doing some more work on the little samurai printing out my drivers seat and seat "rail" has been glued to the floor (can be screwed into with 4 m1 screws)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cl...jEPi8capA=w720

And some tiny TINY little aisin locking hubs for the front that are to scale with the 1.55 wheels
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6B...uX5fQQ8sw=w720

Then the center wheel covers for the ion style 1.55 wheels
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/V9...hLAk5AY2g=w720

Also a fun size comparison
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/v2...vBX44FLyg=w720

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Hubs look great and I like the sportback.
Hard to find for the 1:1s these days.

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Thanks! The hardtop is from rallytops, they aren't cheap and I think the one I have may be a early model with how it mounts to the body.
The locking hubs came out pretty well on my printer but I imagine a sla printer would make it look even better. It's also up on thingiverse as well

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Got the spare tire printed out of M3D's tough ink with 0% infill and 3 layer top an bottom layer so has some ok flex still a little on the stiffer side but works perfect for a spare tire just need to get the right screws to mount into the body

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g...QvKmHEgkA=w720

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Hey Tank...great build "thumbsup"

Would like to pick your brain a bit about the drive shafts for this shorty...
Can you picture that when you get the chance and/or tell me what you used?

I’m searching for some high quality short shafts....or i’m Going to cut some MIPS

I have a 10.6 wb i’m struggling with....TIA

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

I am actually working on a lwb samurai model while this one is printing that close to 9.4 inches in wb but the front shaft would be the same length as the swb.

But the center drive shafts I'm using are ecx barrage gen 1 shafts cut heavily down.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/R9...Q6tgUXC_w=w720
I might have to look at my tlt but maybe axial wb8 cvd shafts can have a custom tube printed out to be short enough since they are separate pieces

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Progress on the new dash that has a 9gram micro servo tucked behind it just need to find the right screw or metal rod to run through the steering column to the steering wheel!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bC...qQu0TpXFw=w720

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RX...lj14lwyuw=w720

and both seats are printed out now an slid into their "rails"
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/s1...qUpa5f-DQ=w720

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

Here is a video of the steering wheel added and servo hooked up to a extra channel for mixing
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WpswRVYOTWo" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Re: Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4
 

More interior work done tonight got the transmission an transfer case shifters printed out and the emergency brake. Oh also got the grab handle printed out for the dash as well!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Xt...moTt4JP8w=w720

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Cb...Fi_RI8DOg=w720

now here is where updates may start to slow down as I work to sand then mr surface fill an mr putty fill parts of the body CAREFULLY before priming for paint. That and now shaking the build down more to see what breaks and figure out what may need to be strengthened.