Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

So I had been wheeling SCX10s with the lexan body for a few years and it was time to go hardbody. So I started a new rc build earlier this year. I had been wanting to weld up a full cage for my scx10 JK, but didnt want to cut out the roof and build an interior. So I found a used 1/10 TJ body in the classifieds and the build has begun. First of all in order to include the interior you have to eliminate the typical transmission location. I opted for a divorced setup from GCM and planned to use their motor mount as well.

Here is my jeep and my inspiration for a red TJ build. This build will be a bit more extreme than my real jeep, but I dont have to drive this RC to work!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t...32927281_n.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-M...o/DSC_2638.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-D...o/DSC_2945.JPG

Here is a teaser pic with the body just sitting on the frame.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9...h540-no/tj.jpg

the first step was sticker removal
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-y...-14-27_282.jpg


Did a little bit of plastic experimenting to try to see if my body work idea would work. I had seen plenty of posts on here about people having trouble getting styrene to stick to the Newbright TJ bodies.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u...-25-58_521.jpg

My original plan was to stretch the body using two TJ tubs and glue them together with a bit of styrene work. I soon changed my plan.

here is another sticker off shot
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-m...-14-12_616.jpg

At this point I was worried about my bodywork holding together and also, how I was going to fit a steering servo up under the grill while still having my wheelbase stretched where I wanted it.

Re: Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

my Tcase and motor mount came in from GCM and I found that I wasnt going to be able to use the motor mount like I had planned because there would be no room for a servo behind the grill and in front of the spur. So on to plan B

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-t...-38-06_328.jpg

I spent some time bending some metal and finally settled on a design that let me mount my servo and motor and also clean up the front of the frame where it swooped down. In hind sight I should have mirrored the tranny and had the motor on the right side, but I didnt even think of that till after I was to far along.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G...-28-26_538.jpg

At this point I finalized my decision to not stretch the body and to just comp cut it with some rear corner guards. Also, you can see how my winchplate/servo mount worked out with the grill.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y...-35-07_460.jpg

Re: Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

So, I mounted my rear shocks....not sure if its how I'll leave it but it works well. I also decided to see what the rear corner guards would look like, so I made some templates out of cardboard.

New rear shock mounts, I cut up some old aluminum skidplate from my honcho.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-u...-29-25_575.jpg

Another shot of the trimmed front servo mount/bumper.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N...-29-45_450.jpg

With the basic shape cut out.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Y...-28-43_138.jpg

testing the flex and clearances
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H...-28-28_550.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f...-28-18_885.jpg


Next step is mounting the body and starting the cage I guess.

That wheelbase looks perfect. Your 1:1 looks like fun too.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2

Re: Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

got the body mounted. I made it hinge at the back at the frame, and then it has Velcro on the servo to hold the front down. The rear is a tight fit and keeps it mostly situated, the velcro is just for when it rolls over.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n...-59-50_340.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-y...-59-59_724.jpg

This is what I'm going to weld the cage to in the rear

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L...-00-39_389.jpg

Ride height with body mounted but no cage or rockers.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k...-01-15_539.jpg

after lunch today and decided to work on the TJ. I really like working with this solid rod. I'm not sold on the grill hoop design thats why its not painted yet, but I like the cage. I went ahead and painted the cage. Its not bolted in in the pics and is about 1/4" higher than it is when its bolted in.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E...-30-58_886.jpg



https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z...-30-45_451.jpg

Re: Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

quick top view of the cage triangulation. I wanted to add more, but every tube I add puts on the lbs...so I went for less is more. But I put enough so that it wont buckle when it rolls down some big hills.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-I...-51-44_301.jpg

The cage will hold up but I dont know about the body haha.

Re: Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

this is the look I was going for with the grill hoop, but I cant get it to look just right. I think its because the frame is a bit narrower than the grill unlike in the 1:1 jeep.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9...D550/ry%3D400/

Re: Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

Awesome work there bud! "thumbsup" Are you friends with Marcus Manley? I did one of his TJ that was very similar

Re: Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

we have Aluminum!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-C...-18-02_941.jpg

Also got my hardware in for the corners, beadlocks from MThead and got the Rockers finished minus paint.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9...-13-20_102.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M...-13-30_299.jpg

Re: Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

yeah, this build actually happened about a year ago, when I finished mine he started gathering parts to build his. You did a good job on his cage, now if I could just get him to bring it to a trail ride!

I hadn't done a build thread here, so I'm going back through my build pics and putting one together.

Re: Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

the first test drive last march
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-a...460-no/tj3.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H...460-no/tj4.jpg

Re: Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

Your rig is looking great! I have a nice tj body just like the one you started with. If you want a backup shoot me a pm."thumbsup"

Re: Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

tried to clean up the electronics mounting a bit. here are some overall shots

http://williamsonwebsolutions.com/share/images/tj.jpg

http://williamsonwebsolutions.com/share/images/tj2.jpg

http://williamsonwebsolutions.com/share/images/tj3.jpg

Still have some body work, like trim off the tailgate posts, and make the full doors into half doors, but its in running condition now.

Re: Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

pm sent

Re: Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

I had some black foam sheets in a drawer left from a project in college, It is super easy to work with and made making inner fenders like cake walk. I used CA glue to put it together and it seems to be perfect. I forgot to get some pics, but I'll try to snag some tonight. I think that will keep the dirt and mud out of the electronics pretty well.

Also cut the full doors into half doors.

its a bit crude, and still unpainted, but...its a half door. Gotta add a handle as well.
http://williamsonwebsolutions.com/sh...s/halfdoor.jpg

Re: Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

Nice work, you solved my problem for securing the rear of my jk to the the frame"thumbsup". I built a similar front bumper to the one you were wanting to make, your right it never quite looked right, I ended up making the hoop the size of the whole front of the jeep. I don't have any pics sorry. Keep playing around with that bumper, you'll figure it out! "thumbsup"

Re: Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

I lowered the cage about 3/8" and I think it looks a lot better

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Nk...4=w816-h460-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pQ...I=w816-h460-no

At this point I had to rush to get it ready for some trail duty as we were heading to Harlan, KY for the OffroadSC.com Annual Ride and we had a number of guys with scalers coming for a few scale runs.

Re: Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

The little jeep did great at OSCAR 2 and we had a great time in the real jeeps to. Can't wait to go back next april.

http://www.offroadsc.com/attachment....6&d=1365131842

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r...130402_012.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h...130403_008.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-w...130403_009.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-y...130403_012.jpg

Wasn't sure how long those flimsy front flat fenders would hang on, and I got my answer as our group was climbing rail trail at Harlan. I tumbled off one of the waterfalls and lost a fender....ol well, Time to cut them off when I get home.

Re: Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

So I finally sleeved my "temporary" lowers after wheeling on them for a few weeks and added heat shrink to my steering and uppers to make them look a bit less hack. Also trimmed off what was left of the fenders on the front since they were now both broken.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-M...72/%5BUNSET%5D

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-U...17/%5BUNSET%5D

Re: Guzzy the RED TJ Build
 

had some time sunday night chilling in the garage and I decided to try something that I had been wondering about.

I took a piece of piano wire and some servo mounts and made a rear sway bar for the tj. Seems to work great at speed and still lets it flex pretty well.

Also built a rear bumper last week before the offroad festival to grab some scale points!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H...255BUNSET%255D

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H...255BUNSET%255D