PFB's 80 Series

[pigeonfarmboy]

Been drooling over these bodies and others' builds for a while and decided to get one with the RC Modelex chassis. Not a huge fan of the chassis but he does a really nice job with the ARB bumpers which I had to have for this build. Worst case I'll chop off the bumpers and mount them on a CMAX or SCX10 frame.

Trying to set this build apart by using accurate to the full-scale captured coil spring suspension along with the GCM Toyota Radius Arms/Bowhouse Axle housings. LRT2 up front with a built up engine bay, R3 interior, and lots of Expedition goodies all over the vehicle.

Got the bumpers trimmed off and the body mounted to the chassis. The sliders will be replaced, need the kick-out towards the rear to keep those fender flares from taking hits. Since we have ARB bumpers, we're putting an ARB Rooftop Tent on it. Think I'm going to cutoff the rear portion of the Roof Rack Basket so the tent sits lower like ARB's Touring Rack is laid out. Eventually I'll tackle making this thing functional but for now let's get the rig done so it's driveable.


Got some vinyl and laid out some patterns.


My Mom is a very talented seamstress specializing in quilts so I know just enough to get by doing something like this. I have my Grandmother's Singer Featherlight to make clothing repairs so this is perfect for this job. Cover is complete. I may make another slightly tighter-fitting one.

[pigeonfarmboy]

Just realized I put the straps on the wrong way but they're just elastic straps so no big deal.

[Bananaclip]

Nice expo style build. BTW....... You stitch like a man.

[pigeonfarmboy]

Originally Posted by Bananaclip

Nice expo style build. BTW....... You stitch like a man.

Poorly haha

[Bananaclip]

Originally Posted by pigeonfarmboy

Poorly haha

Oh, you do much better than I would brother....

[pigeonfarmboy]

Since Bananaclip sew-shamed me for the sloppy and loose tent cover here's V2 haha! Got the Bowhouse 152 Axles assembled but since they're made for the smaller LC70 I'm going to have to run wideners. 725 SLW are all I had and are too wide so I ordered up some 600's. Once I've got them mounted to the chassis I'll go into more detail on the axles.


Plan to build up a detailed engine bay so off comes the hood. Luckily these bodies have really deep panel lines on the hood so it's really easy to get a thin saw in there for straight cuts. (Real Hands this time)

[Bananaclip]

Loving this build. Can I ask for a link to the body?

[pigeonfarmboy]

Originally Posted by Bananaclip

Loving this build. Can I ask for a link to the body?

Ebay, Asiatees, or RCModelex. Sadly I don't believe any of our vendors here have them. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that.

[pigeonfarmboy]

Roof rack is cut down and ladder hacked off


Just need to weld the bent bar ends back to the rack and re-powercoat or paint. Maybe a mesh floor too.

[pigeonfarmboy]

Got frustrated at both the weight and amount of work I would have to do to the chassis to make it work so we're going to plan C.....Max. Just need these fancy bumpers. Very fortunately, the plates are the perfect width to bolt right up to Cmax rails.


Getting rid of the servo mount.


These radius arms are the bee's pajamas!


RC4WD 4-Link bar mounted up just right and then I ordered my playdoh robot to make me some rear spring perches


Just waiting on some parts to get the axles mounted up. Then I'll be able to tackle body mount locations.

[chino63]

Very nice, I love the 80's... well the 80 series. GCM makes some of the cooler products these days. More pics please.

[pigeonfarmboy]

Originally Posted by chino63

Very nice, I love the 80's... well the 80 series. GCM makes some of the cooler products these days. More pics please.

Don't lie, I can picture you sporting a Flock of Seagulls hairdo!

GCM really is bringing some great stuff to the table. Fit/finish is outstanding.

Probably will start on some bodywork while I wait on the mailman for the chassis. Want to cut that fake license plate mount out of the tailgate. Thought about filling in the sunroof too.

[RootBreaker]

Originally Posted by pigeonfarmboy

side note.. I have a few screw drivers like this and love them but didn't buy them so curious if you know where they can be had in bulk? or did you buy them one off? I'm so looking for better allens vs the standard L shaped ones that strip out so easy!!!!

{/hijack}

[Brandon]

Originally Posted by pigeonfarmboy

Don't lie, I can picture you sporting a Flock of Seagulls hairdo!

100% agree.

Cool build PFB

[pigeonfarmboy]

Originally Posted by RootBreaker

side note.. I have a few screw drivers like this and love them but didn't buy them so curious if you know where they can be had in bulk? or did you buy them one off? I'm so looking for better allens vs the standard L shaped ones that strip out so easy!!!!

{/hijack}

So the grey-handled wrenches are all Arrowmax which are handy to save weight in my travel setup. I really recommend MIP wrenches though (which are also on this tool rack) They aren't the cheapest option, but they're made in the USA and I've never broken a single tip in the 15+ years I've owned them. You will also strip less screws as they fit fastener heads more precisely. The Wiha wrenches in the upper left are all small nut drivers.

[JatoTheRipper]

Looks great. I like the Roost wheels on there. I think this is the first time I've seen Roost wheels look good on a vehicle.

[Shinchu]

great pics, great work, great build!
taking notes here... especially on those radius arms... ;)

[Bananaclip]

Such a killer build.... I really am enjoying this one. What brand band saw are you using? I am on the hunt for a solid one for the shop..

[pigeonfarmboy]

Originally Posted by Bananaclip

Such a killer build.... I really am enjoying this one. What brand band saw are you using? I am on the hunt for a solid one for the shop..

That's a Milwaukee portaband mounted to a Swag Off-road table. Love it! I do miss my larger bandsaw's throat depth every once in a while.

Chassis was on the porch when I got home from work today!!


Chassis is now a roller. Not crazy on the forward upper rear link mounting position but for now it will work.








Need to cut a bit more out of the front bumper so it can mount further back.



Rear bumper needs to be mounted a bit lower. Aiming for a mild lift of 3" or so.



Cut out the fake license plate mount and patched the hole. First time using an MEK slurry for filler. Looking forward to no shrinking!

[Bananaclip]

It's so pretty.......