Cowabunga Dude-TMNT road to the NW Nationals

[4VRYNG]

This can all be blamed on Tim(Warpig). We were talking one day about ideas for my new class 2 and he sends me a picture of a toy truck and says to me. I picked this up at a thrift store, you should build this. Then he proceeds to tell me he wants to keep it. TEASE! Then he goes on ebay and finds me one and gets it to me about a week later.

Here's where it's starting.





I will be using these wheels and tires.

[4VRYNG]

The body is just over 7" wide and is just under 14" long.

Cut down length is about 9"

I will be using scx chassis and axial axles and transmission.

Here is what I've done to the body so far.











Yes, now I have 2 bodies.

The body has been shortened to look like a sleeper cab. It will have a tube/flat bed in back. The spare will be about where it is in the picture. I may move it back and lay it flat. The front fender wells will be trimmed an inch farther forward for a better approach angle. All the electronics should fit in the sleeper part of the cab and should be able to get a fairly complete interior in the forward cab section.

[grob23]

I love the progress so far! Chopping and joining a long body (such as a van) to make it into a Unimog-esque body is something I've never seen before... but it opens up all sorts of options/ideas

[mjderstine]

thats gonna be awesome!

[4VRYNG]

It's got axles under it now.

[johnnyh66]

Very cool

[elsewhere]

word!

[jfergz]

I really like where this one is headed, think I would use the second body to build a tow vehicle for it

[mmbackpacker]

H-E-Double Hockey Sticks Yeah!

[Mr.Joshua]

Looks sweet! Reminds me of Jeep FC...kinda.

[4VRYNG]

I got the front fenders trimmed. Suspension is at full compression. Will sit just about 1/8" farther forward and just off the tires. Next is the forward body mount.



I have 20 feet of tube to start with.

[brianw]

Originally Posted by 4VRYNG

I have 20 feet of tube to start with.

well...then get started!

[calikingcrawler]

That is a good idea. I have one of these sittin in storage. Never thought to shorten it into a cab. Damn. Now I can't!!

[Modbug]

Looks very cool, the detail and shape of the front end is great.
I was thinking of shortening the Tamiya lunchbox cab, but you beat me to it.


Different is good!

[DISTURBIN' tha PEACE]

Very cool!

[2manyprojects]

super sweet man! cant wait to see updates!

[4VRYNG]

Progress.

Front bumper mount/body mount is nearly done. The front bumper and tube work will bolt on to this.



With the body.

[4VRYNG]

Actually got some body work done. Joined all 3 sections. No more blue tape. Used some thin styrene over the seams where I cut out the section of body.

I also added the little filler piece on the bottom of middle section.

will be doing some trimming on the inside to reduce the weight. Every little bit will help because this thing sits pretty high.

[dezfan]

Love it!

[4VRYNG]

Here is the rear body mount. It will hold the dual fuel tanks as well as providing a place to mount the rear of the body and the floor of the sleeper section. I still need to make the end caps for the fuel tanks and I will be putting grooves in the outside for some wide zipties that will hold the tanks in place. The tanks are 1.5" aluminum tubing. I will be hiding a BEC in one and possibly the lighting controls in them. We will have to see what I can fit in them.








I also got some transmission parts.



I picked up 18' of 3/16 x .020 wall tube. When I finish getting the body mounted I will start fitting tube.