Robotboy attempts a Scorcher Bug

[Robotboy]

Wanting to do one for a long bit so I started gathering. I will probably make
lots of changes as I go, basically winging it till I see what works best for the
bug. First off it had to be the Sand Scorcher body and already had tires and
wheels in mind for it. I was mauling over what axles & chassis to use. I have a
built set of MRC axles I was leaning towards but then saw the TT Hilux (CR12)
was on sale cheap. Worth a shot, about the right size and scale-ish looking
axles. Got it here and stripped it down.

Drilling and using 3mm hardware wherever I can. One of my first thoughts was
to use a Temper trans, hence the skid.



Quickly changed my mind once I saw ExtremeRC made a hi clearance/low profile
trans case for CR12. I switched the 4mm gear shaft for a 5mm. I used the Axial 2speed hi/lo trans shaft.
Good fit and now I'll have more driveshaft options. Got the servo installed, laying down,
trying to keep everything as low as possible.



More slow going progress, taking some shape.







Wheels & tires I wanted on it.
BR 16 Hole Classic Steelies with BR 1.55 Maxgrapplers. Love the look of
these on the bugs. I have since reversed the rears for deep dish to widen
the track width.



OK so here we are as of now. Just set the body on there to see where to go next.
We shall see...

[smog]

Off to a running start. They are a nice tire/wheel combo for the Scorcher. Chassis and body mate nicely. Gonna try and keep the fenders?

[Tossedman]

Cool! Another Bug, can't have enough Bugs. I'm thinking of my next one already. Will you do an interior? And what's the diameter of those tires?

[Robotboy]

Originally Posted by smog

Off to a running start. They are a nice tire/wheel combo for the Scorcher.
Chassis and body mate nicely. Gonna try and keep the fenders?

Gonna try to keep the fenders. I say that now I do want to cut the back
fender and straighten the back of it. Saw that on another build here and really
like it.

Originally Posted by Tossedman

Cool! Another Bug, can't have enough Bugs. I'm thinking of my next one already.
Will you do an interior? And what's the diameter of those tires?

Your bug is great and made my itch that much worse I'm planning on
some kind of simple interior. I have some things in my shapeways cart but
I'm wrestling with pulling the trigger. The 3 parts I want cost more than
the body did. But I will, wouldn't be complete without them. The tires are
3.75" mounted.


I'm already messing with the links. Stretching the wheelbase a bit for a little
breathing room.

[Tossedman]

Thanks. I think the Shapeways parts make the car. Expensive but worth the splurge. If you get luck you might catch a sale, or free shipping. It doesn't take much to make it look great. Looking forward to how this one turns out. Carry on sir!

[Robotboy]

Stretched the wb a bit, a smidge f&R, I may go a little more in the rear.
Have the body sitting pretty much where I'd like it to be. A good fit all around.
Now to figure out mounting. Thinking I might just do pins through the rear and
velcro in front. Velcro is my friend and has never let me down

[Robotboy]

Not too much progress. Parts are starting to trickle in. Got in the GPM metal
gears for the trans and replaced the 3x6 bushings with bearings. Found some
metal gears for the axles. Made up some bent lower links. Changed out the
motor for a 480 I had laying around, it fit, so I said what the hell. I think I
have the body mounting figured out. Picked up a Sand Scorcher roll bar and
got it installed. Gonna try the SS body clip in the rear and the velcro in the front.
Should be solid enough. If not I'll lose the clip and velcro the rear as well.

[smog]

Such a fun build! CR12 trans looks 3D printed, the squareness of it is pretty cool. Even better, it appears to leave you plenty of space. Any other advantages to it?

[Robotboy]

Originally Posted by smog

Such a fun build! CR12 trans looks 3D printed, the squareness of it is pretty cool. Even better, it appears to leave you plenty of space. Any other advantages to it?

Trans is ExtremeRC. 3D printed with alum motor mount. It's got it's +'s & -'s.
It's compact, lcg and high clearance. It essentially becomes your skid, almost
even with the bottom of the chassis rails. The original hangs down past the
rails almost a 1/2". Three big downers; the plastic being used is cheesy, you
have to remove the trans to change motors and pinion mesh has to be set
before assembling it. So it's a whole process but I think it'll be worth it in
the end.

[Tossedman]

Making good progress. Looking good so far. That chassis is a great fit, as are the axles - nice width. Your wheels are the same diameter as my 1.9s. I like the look. Looking forward to seeing what's next.

[Robotboy]

Slow progress but getting there. Threw on some paint, after trying 4 different
colors I'm happy with this one. Also bit the bullet and ordered a few shapeways
items; dash and rear window louver. Picked up an engine from a guy in Greece
on fleabay. It's a little bit bigger than I'd like but I'll make it work...somehow.
Still lots to do and waiting on some slow boat items.

[Inferno!]

Looks great! Love the color.

[Robotboy]

Progress has been slow but almost there. Been doing some detail stuff and
working on a simple interior. Just wanted to put these pics up before I take
some new ones tomorrow. Forgot I took em

Whipped up some fast styrene inner fenders. Nothing fancy, just to hide the
guts and keep out some dirt.



Unsure what to do for a front bumper I found a tiny steel stinger and slapped
it on. All the others I tried blocked the headlights. It's kinda growing on me so
it'll do till I find another.



More pics and progress in the next couple days. Almost bug time

[Tossedman]

Hey, looking good man! Love the paint colour. The blacked out chrome will look great and the dash and louvers will really add to the build. Nice work.

[Robotboy]

Originally Posted by Inferno!

Looks great! Love the color.

Originally Posted by Tossedman

Hey, looking good man! Love the paint colour. The blacked out chrome will look great
and the dash and louvers will really add to the build. Nice work.

Thanks guys! I had a hard time picking a color. I wanted something "new to me"
and one that would go good with the wheels. Very happy with the choice.

[Robotboy]

Just about a done deal now. Interior installed with some hippie chicks driving.
Simple LED's front & rear. Installed a PL roof rack with some scale goods. This
was mostly to save the body (hopefully) in case of roll over. But I think it looks
great up there. Gave it a quick run today and it did very nice. A pleasure to drive,
it will be a fun trail rig. Here's some pics of the finishing then a couple outdoor
posers and a short vid of it's very first run.





















Outdoor posers and vid...

[SurlyBurly]

Looks phenomenal.

[Robotboy]

Originally Posted by SurlyBurly

Looks phenomenal.

Thanks man!

[AnimalHippie]

This thing is cool bro! I think beetle crawlers are great! I've always wanted to do one. Just haven't yet. LoL!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Robotboy]

Originally Posted by AnimalHippie

This thing is cool bro! I think beetle crawlers
are great! I've always wanted to do one. Just haven't yet. LoL!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks AH! I have wanted to do one for a long time. I think the future will
hold a better chassis for it but I'm lovin' it so far.
Where you guys go in Ocala? I'm in Citra myself. I've seen a few of your
vids, some nice spots