Slimer, 1.9 Ram aluminum "tuber"

[SuperDrty]

So, my first build thread on here, but my 3rd build and 4th crawler.

For this, I started with a Proline Ram reg. cab crawler body, and went ahead and painted it. Modeled the color breakup of the Ram Power Wagon concept a couple years ago, but went with Tamiya Bright Green. It's painted silver on the inside, and the green is on the outside.

Now for the Chassis, I wanted something different, and to challenge myself, and hopefully expand my skills and knowledge on building, so I'm going aluminum! I picked up some cheap 1/4" aluminum rod (from Lowes, so not the best) and the aluminum brazing rod is from a local True Value. So far it's going well, but that could change, haha.

Axles will be narrowed AR60's, I've already cut the 35mm's out of them, just got to make my beef tubes. I'm going to build my own axle trusses that incorporate the link and shock mounts. For now I've started a crude mockup out of styrene, but I plan to either 3d print, and possibly construct the final pieces out of aluminum (steering link layout will change from what's pictured, what's pictured won't do)

It will be 4 link front and rear, but all 4 lower links will be XR10 links, the 101mm 30° bend links to gain maximum ground clearance.

Wheels and tires are on the way, SSD-RC steelies, and Proline Super Swamp XL's.

Now onto some pics















The final chassis design will change from that layout drawing, but it's getting me started for now.

-Derek

[Dig_race]

How hard is the aluminum to work with?

[SuperDrty]

If you have a little patience, its not too bad. Biggest thing is the fast heat transfer it has, so ideally you want to preheat the entire part, which I try doing by moving the MAPP torch Im using over the entire chassis for a bit, then concentrating on the area of the joint. And it will just take longer the further you get, as there will be more aluminum to take in that heat.

You want the surface temp of the aluminum to be hot enough to melt the brazing rod on its own, with the flame of the torch moved away, but there's a fine line with having enough heat to do that, and too much to where the aluminum part just melts away. So just check it often by moving the flame away, and touching the brazing rod to the part.

Also you have to cool the part pretty evenly, otherwise it will crack, already had that happen once, by spraying water heavily on only one spot.

[SuperDrty]

Only spent about 20 minutes on it tonight, got 2 more bars brazed in.

[SuperDrty]

It may not look like a lot of progress (because it isn't, haha) but got a few more pieces brazed in, and set a few items in their general areas.

Using some steel wire to hold pieces in place while I braze them in





-Derek

[SuperDrty]

Tires came in, but haven't gotten the wheels yet, so threw them on a set of drift/touring wheels I had laying around. Took a pic of the foams they come with outside the tire, they're HUGE!

Propped the body up, and set them up under it, this shows where I plan to have the truck sit.





-Derek

[4X4 Freak]

This is looking great. I like the color on the body looks good

[SuperDrty]

AH, much better now....




Never have liked the beds on one-piece lexan bodies. Plus as cool as the spare tire carrier on this body was, I find it kind of cheesy. Plus it's a lot of weight up high.

-Derek

[SuperDrty]

Slowly making some progress on the chassis.

Got the tranny plate in last night, and have the main bars for the rear half brazed in. I'm letting it air cool this time round, so I'll get another pic or 2 up later with the body on it.






-Derek

[SuperDrty]

Starting to look more like a mud/mega truck, haha

-Derek

[SuperDrty]

Got a couple more pieces made and brazed together, but not to the rest of the frame yet.




-Derek

[hotwheels000]

Nice job, I am going to use the wire trick when working with stainless. I always fight holding the peices in place since magnets dont work.

[SuperDrty]

Yeah, I got the wire at Menards. 18ga annealed steel, spool of 50 ft. Its over with the trailer hitches and acc. in the small automotive section

It works pretty well in most situations but can be a pita at times, but worth it for being able to hold it hands free

[Wheels7]

Very cool build!

[Reflektr]

Very nice! The "ecto-cooler-green" wheels are even growing on me a little.

[SuperDrty]

I have a set of SSD-RC d-hole steelies coming, should be here tomorrow night. I plan to paint the rings on them the same green as the body, the green wheels grew on me too, they were the closest 1.9 wheels within reach with no tires, haha

[Reflektr]

Should look pretty good with the swampers. I thought about switching to the swampers but I can't let go of my old g8 flat irons for some reason... Those tires will stick to a greased cookie sheet lol.

[SuperDrty]

Original plan was to go with RC4wd Baja Claw TTC's, but was convinced to go with the Super swamper XL's after seeing them perform extremely well on other local trucks.

Got a couple bars bent up for the front, but have some trimming to do on them before I do any brazing. They're pushing the front of the body up a touch.




Thanks for the compliments guys, I'm just over here having fun and trying new things
-Derek

[SuperDrty]

No progress on the frame tonight, but my wheels came in and got my tires swapped over onto them





-Derek

[holycaveman]

Did you clean up your joints or did they braze out that way? Mine do not look anywhere close to being that clean just brazed.

Also are you tining both pieces?

Thanks and great job!