Land Rover Mountain Rescue

[UNGLEWD]

Just started to get back into this project and though I'd share it over here.
A Mountain Rescue vehicle based on the Land Rover Defender.
More details to follow...



Here's a few more shots.
I'll be using a HPI Lexan Defender body to start then building the rest out of styrene. I'll have to loot stuff from my Bangers & Mash project, axles, wheels, leafs...
Anyways here we go.
I want to do a slightly more aggresive version of this.






The scale shocks I picked up are going to get the black shock boots. The Landy wheels look scale but the Rock Stompers give it a nice lift and appear a bit more rugged.


Well up making late night deals one night and managed to make some major progress on the drivetrain for this build! LOL
Picked me up another Hilift, so much for the TLT axles.


I was tossing around ideas for the frame and still can't quite decide. I really want to make something that would appear to be an original Land Rover frame or at least a tube replacement. Much of the dimensions will depend on the the stretch to convert to a wagon (4dr).

[UNGLEWD]

Seems to be a good choice to chop up because of the nice clean lines. I'll be using my 110 Defender images as a reference to figure out the doors and stretch.
Set it on top of the frame with the wheels and tires and the width is perfect, the wheels tuck up behind the flares nice and should look pretty scale.



My Sister N Law snapped a few cool shots for me on a recent trip to Africa of a 110 Defender in the parking lot of the hotel, thought they were cool.
This is the real deal, no fluf here, all business!




Well it was a slow start indeed, but it's funny what a few items can do for you. Picked up my reduced rubber today (Corycrawler) and threw them on my rims. I thought you'd get a kick out of seeing Original 1.9 RC4WD Rock Stompers beside the new reduced 2.2's


I was concerned about filling up the rather large HPI Defender wheel wells with 1.9s.
No longer an issue, this things going to be huge!


My big decision was now wether to make this a 110 4 door or keep it a 90 2 door? It's going to add at least 3 inches to the body length, maybe great for stability.

The 4 door for starters would be a bit more unique?

[UNGLEWD]

Well my bearing kit came in and could finally put together the axles. Mocked it up with the leafs, 2pd and have started on frame mods and mounts.
I'm realy liking the 1/8 th body, haven't worked with one since the Bronco and the track width is beauty. The last photo gives the idea of the true width. I'm dying to do some body work though.

A few sneek photo's...

[pantablo]

this is going to be great, especially if you do the 4dr (I'm hoping). That would be very special indeed.

[UNGLEWD]

Yep started on the 4 door, more pics to come tonight.
Stay Tuned

[UNGLEWD]

Here's a shot of my first cuts.


This is one of my reference photos with the cuts marked in blue.


I've decided the best way to handle the additional body panels is to get a second Landy body. The door hinges are molded in and considering the time it will save it's worth the few bucks not to scratch build. My rough calculations (magic eyeball) tells me the stretch will be between 2" - 2.5", should be interesting for stability.

A few more shots...


Things should move along pretty good in the next few weeks, October's creeping up fast!

These should be a cool addition behind the landy wheels.

[UNGLEWD]

Well got to cutting the 2nd body yesterday and got the back doors cut out. I've left the roof on both sections for now for support while I get my styrene supports cut and bolted in place. It's 32 in the shop tonight and there's no air conditioning so I'll get back at it in the morning.
I'm a little concerned with the distance from the rear wheel well to the back of the box, it's unusually short. I'm not sure if I want to modify this or leave it and work with it.
If I was to go with a heavily modified version of my reference this build would be alot more forgiving! As soon as the body's more rigid I can get my holes drilled in the frame and see what this looks like with wheels under it.

Here's a photo, wheelbase's at 13.5"

[Stormin2u]

This will be a interesting and complex project, I look forward to seeing your progress.

[0778drz110]

how tall are those stompers after you cut them?

[UNGLEWD]

The Stompers end up being 4.75" o.s.d.
The Rock Crushers make a nice reduction too and end up being the same size.
I've got those done for my 72' Blazer build.

[sniper]

Looks good.
one question how do you plan on putting the lexan back together?

[UNGLEWD]

A good portion of this truck will be built with Styrene, components will be sandwiched between panels, some seams will be hidden by Exo-cage and a few may be exposed to simulate door gap....
Playin it by ear!

[ROCKEDUP RICKY]

Great start. I'll be watching you.

[Racer4Life]

Originally Posted by UNGLEWD

These should be a cool addition behind the landy wheels.

How you going to see them behind the Landy wheels?

Looks like an interesting project. Figured out what you are going to do for the chassis? Extending the 350 chassis is the easiest. But, then again this doesn't look like an easy build!

[super pig]

sweet truck cant wait till its done

[UNGLEWD]

Thanks for the comments guys!
The disks will only be visible from underneith or behind, so every once and a while you'll catch a glimpse.
For the frame I'll be cutting an aluminum one with all of the basic Hilift mounts and holes. The body will mount by the Exocage as a unit and mate up with the bumpers and rocker guards.
Thanks for lookin

[UNGLEWD]

Spent some time today and created the mock up frame rails, mounted the axles and made all of the temporary supports to hold the body together.
The final WB is 13.25" and aside from sitting a bit high, I think it's going to look cool. I'm happy to be past what I find to be the hard stuff now, mocking up a 3pc lexan body is a pain!


Now that I see it coming together I'm thinking it may be cool if the rear portion was an exposed pickup style box and the back doors were moved up. The exo cage and roof rack could still cover from the back to just behind the front doors. This will still leave room for all of the emergency lights and with the back open I can add more junk.
What do you think?

[rcjeepbuilder]

Bitchin!!!! Love your approach to multi piece lexan...
Keep those pics commin!!!!Thanks for sharing..
Are you going to make the raised up part of the roof?
IMHO, It would look cool if you went with your original plan and made it a full top...

[UNGLEWD]

Hey thanks man!
I will be doing the full (raised) roof whether shortened or full. This and the tops of the doors, rear door assembly and internal body structure will be built out of styrene. When the body has enough strength on it's own The exo cage will be bolted on using 2mm hardware.
Thanks for looking, I know you build some wicked stuff on your end!

[pantablo]

Originally Posted by UNGLEWD

I agree. keep to your original plan. it looks fantastic!