Mattzilla/Lentsnh2012 build: Birth of a Cruiser

[Lentsnh2012]

This is a build I found on Pirate4x4 a VERY long time ago. It was a hard decision to either get the Jeep TJ finished up OR build this. After a looonngggg look at all of his threads on Pirate, I texted Lue and told him we're going to do this truck. His reply was short and simple. This one might take a while just because I'll be going back to school to get my machinist degree. I'll try to have regular updates though.


Build list:

Carter-Fab Wraith axles (passenger drop with faux hydro ram mount and centered rear)
RC4WD Super Soft leaf springs
RC4WD 100mm Ultimate Scale Shocks
CREEPERBOB Universals/ rear axle shafts
Holmes Hobbies 27T or lower turn

Have/bought:

RC4WD Hammer Transfercase
RC4WD R2 Crawler Box
RC4WD D44 knuckles
RC4WD D44 C-Hubs
Tamiya Bruiser frame
Gear Head UTE wheels
RC4WD Mojave front clip
Tekin FXR

Anyways, Here is what I'm going for.

[Lentsnh2012]

I have already got the body handled. There are some small tweaks but overall its pretty close to the 1:1. This is during the transformation, though. It is already perfected, primed and ready to go!

[doublej]

I have clicked through that build a couple times over - Do her good!

[Lentsnh2012]

Originally Posted by doublej

I have clicked through that build a couple times over - Do her good!

It's one heck of a build. I absolutely love the rig! I'll try my best captain!

I just realized this should be in the 1.55 section. Can a mod please move it for me? Thanks!

[Bulldog]

So Clay is going to bring the narrow funk to the wraith pumpkin and narrow the beJesus out of them?

[Lentsnh2012]

Originally Posted by Bulldog

So Clay is going to bring the narrow funk to the wraith pumpkin and narrow the beJesus out of them?

I won't know exactly how the axles will look until after Lue gets the chassis completed. I have a slight suspicion that the stock Wraith axles will be wayyyy too wide.

I would like to have the axles scaled out to their 1:1 cousins. A Dana 60 WMS-WMS is about 65"-72" and then the 14 bolt is 63" or so. I'll work out the math later. It's still too early haha.

But yes, basically Clay will be getting some work done to the Titan60s.

Can someone give me the length (without chubs, knuckles and lockouts) of an Axial Wraith axle housing?

[Lentsnh2012]

Started to slowly get in some parts for this soon-to-be beast. From Scale Addict (Thanks Brian!), I received some Gear Head 1.55 UTE wheels and installed some Locked Up RC scale hardware. I'm thinking of getting some delrin beadlocks rings made to match the 1:1 wheels.

Also, I will be sending a Bruiser frame to Lue so that he and myself can get the cage work very well replicated. I want to make this thing scale porn. All of the parts will be coming from our highly respected vendors here on RCC. Die-Laughing, CarterFab, CREEPERBOB, RPPHobby will all be getting my money, as well as, helping making this an awesome rig for the 2014 year! MADE IN THE USA is the way to go on this project.


Here are the UTE wheels:

[greenjk]

Nice looking 1.1, I'll be watching this build, wraith housing length is 180mm.

[Lentsnh2012]

Originally Posted by greenjk

Nice looking 1.1, I'll be watching this build, wraith housing length is 180mm.

Perfect! Thank you for the width measurement. I've been reading around and it seems that a 1.150" narrow should do the trick. I'll have to make sure after I get the chassis made.

[dmtfabrication]

This is very cool and flattering. I built the original 1:1 over the course of a few years when I was in college. I've always wanted to do this, but you beat me to it!!

Good luck and can't wait to show my friends

Dave

[FATBOYrs10]

needs an axle like this under it-scx10 width ar60, and yes could easily be leaf mounted as well.

[Lentsnh2012]

Originally Posted by FATBOYrs10

needs an axle like this under it-scx10 width ar60, and yes could easily be leaf mounted as well.

I totally agree with you. It looks like your body is doved though? Do you have a picture of those axles with a stock mojave body? Clay and I will be talking together to get the axle to work with the frame and body.

Clay will most likely have to mill down a flat spot for the leaf springs on the chunk (just like on the Dana 60) so that everything can sit right and I can use u-bolts.

[Lentsnh2012]

Originally Posted by dmtfabrication

This is very cool and flattering. I built the original 1:1 over the course of a few years when I was in college. I've always wanted to do this, but you beat me to it!!

Good luck and can't wait to show my friends

Dave

Thank you for all of the pictures, Dave! Glad to see you here on RCC!

Can't wait to start making some real progress on it after the holidays!

[Lentsnh2012]

Slowly but surely parts are coming together for this build. Every part I buy just makes me what this build finished quicker! Anyway, I just bought RC4WD D44 knuckles and chubs, 1.55 RockStompers and a RN36 Tamiya Bruiser frame set. I hope it all works out because those frames are NOT cheap!! Mostly everything else I need will be custom built which takes time to make the parts JUST right.

[Lentsnh2012]

Update: I have been having a hard time imagining the width of the axles for this chassis, until this afternoon. It turns out that the RC4WD Yota I axles have the PERFECT "one ton" width to them. So, I made up a very crude blueprint and sent the measurements to Clay. The axle will be 180mm from the outside plane of the D44 knuckle to the other side. The hexes are not thick enough to count for much, especially being inside the hex negative in the wheel.

The tires look like they will work out just fine and the Bruiser frame..... I am perplexed at its dimensions and design. It is a beautiful piece of metal.

Onto the pictures!

[Lentsnh2012]

[JimmyM]

Do you have a link to the build of the 1:1 your building from?

[Lentsnh2012]

A little update:

There isn't too much to share but there are a few things I'm changing up on. First, I decided to take on the challenge of making my own axles. For right now, I will be using the plastic axle housings so that it'll be easier to make adjusts, modify and is cheaper if I do screw up.

Once I get the axles just the way I want them, I'll then make the axle tubes this summer in machinist school. It'll be a fun little side project. I plan on keeping the diff housing plastic so that it will slide over rocks easier. I also plan to still shave the bottom of the chunk and use delrin as the replacement piece. If you're confused, it'll be easier to understand when I start on everything and show pictures.

I spoke with Lue earlier this week and even though he is busy building his inventory for his business, he informed me that he will start on the chassis in January. I can't thank Lue enough for helping me out again with this awesome build! Because of the Bruiser frame, we can accurately build the tube lines of the 1:1 rig. Which, in my opinion, will make this build much more unique as well as look right.

Oh, also, the driveshafts will be the RC4WD Ultimate driveshafts. I should be able to use a length that they already have on their website which will be awesome.

[dmtfabrication]

I found the other pics of the rig you were looking for. I'll load them to my photobucket tonight for you to use. Looks cool so far.

[Lentsnh2012]

Originally Posted by dmtfabrication

I found the other pics of the rig you were looking for. I'll load them to my photobucket tonight for you to use. Looks cool so far.

Awesome!! You're the man, Dave! I'll take a look at them tonight and send them over to Mattzilla.

Just wait until the holidays are over with. Things will really be rocking then! I appreciate the compliment. I finished up the axle housings today and now I'll be sending a vendor on here the measurement so that he can make custom length axle shafts.

Stay safe and Merry Christmas!