Sp3cia1K's GCM Skeleton J2 on Narrow AR60s- A dual purpose build

[Sp3cia1-K]

A dual purpose build you ask?

The plan is to build 2-4 different style rigs off the same chassis, running gear, wheelbase, etc, with minimal headache between changes.

Thoughts are for China Jk 2dr, Tamiya Clod or Proline Blazer, Proline 1956 Ford F-100

To start things off for this build, I'll start with a little recap of my current rig, my trusty and nothing original scx10.. Really the only original scx pieces left were the frame rails and skid.. It had a list of GCM goodies and BeefedRC custom axles that I'll explain a bit better in a bit.

The thing I loved so much about the rig was that for a class 1, I could easily have it set up to perform stupendously well, but most of the time I enjoyed fiddling and tweaking so over the past 8 months I hardly drove the 'same' setup twice. So that got me thinking, why not do a build that is multiple rigs in one instead.







Being so impressed with the GCM scx setup I decided I would go ahead with the J2 for the new build.





So I got ordering and the first of the new parts arrived and there was a red toy truck thingy inside, I guess I can work with that...



I know everyone always said the detail was exceptional on these bodies but I was really surprised at the level they were once in hand.



Since I knew these bodies could be broken right down with just screws I figured it would be a good way to familiarise myself with it and spark some ideas..

[Sp3cia1-K]

I'll be transferring a lot of the parts over including the axles, I had David from BeefedRC Custom Axles build me a really nice set of axles that run short side wraith axle shafts on both sides for ease of maintenance as well as sucking the width in compared to stock. I've been beating on them pretty hard for about 8-10months and they are still going strong! Plus who doesn't like the vp scale knuckles and hulksta carbon 4 link mount..



Once the J2 chassis arrived, it was full steam ahead with basically everything ready to bolt together.

[northkona]

Glad to hear those axles are holding up, I still haven't run mine. I'm waiting til the rig is finished, you only get one chance to get a heap of "fresh " pics before it's trail rashed.

[Sp3cia1-K]

Got the T-case built up, after having the china version of GCM's tcase before being aware of the original, I have to say that the quality is obviously much better on the GCM one!

A little scale hardware is not going to harm anyone, no matter how visible it is I will go back later and replace the rest of the visible hardware later once everything is finalised






Just a couple of the other things going into the build, a new HH Torquemaster 40T, HH BRXL-WP, CC BEC, new Junfac shafts and some old rc4wd scaler shocks for now as they are the shortest I have on hand for the rear, I'll run my 90mm Kings up front for now.

I may swap the BRXL out for a FXR or something else with a small footprint for space issues.

[Sp3cia1-K]

The chassis itself went together so nicely, everything lines up perfectly with no worries!




With a little front and rear body trimming around the stock bumper mount locations we have this....

[Sp3cia1-K]

Originally Posted by northkona

Glad to hear those axles are holding up, I still haven't run mine. I'm waiting til the rig is finished, you only get one chance to get a heap of "fresh " pics before it's trail rashed.

Yeah I know what you mean. I got this build up and running very quickly with the first run being lunch time today. I didn't really get much of a chance to get some clean bench poser shots, got some good trail ones though!

[Sp3cia1-K]

I can't stress enough the quality and fit that the chassis and body have..

[Sp3cia1-K]

The front body mount is super simple with this chassis as the front electronic plate has holes made to line up with the body mounts built into the light and grill area of the actual body, so 2 screws and the front is in.

The rear needed some type of mount as well and was wanting to only use mounts already in the body, I eventually decided to use the stock bumper mount holes as the line up with the RC4wd rear tire carrier bar



All that I did was line the body up, mark through the pre-existing holes then just drill and tap

A simple thumb screw or normal screw and its on/off.

[1goodyr]

This is going to be my next build, so I'm excited to see your progression with it. Looks like it fits absolutely flawless

[JohnRobHolmes]

Pretty cool idea, and I like those axles!


Would you be interested in a BR mini that was built like a little airplane ESC? With the new hardware they run cool as a cucumber, and we are thinking about building up some with 13g leads, waterproofed, and heatshrunk. Seems like it would be useful on a scaler, easy to hide.

[Sp3cia1-K]

Originally Posted by JohnRobHolmes

Pretty cool idea, and I like those axles!


Would you be interested in a BR mini that was built like a little airplane ESC? With the new hardware they run cool as a cucumber, and we are thinking about building up some with 13g leads, waterproofed, and heatshrunk. Seems like it would be useful on a scaler, easy to hide.

Ahh I didn't even think about your BR mini.. If you were to build waterproofed ones I would be down for that because Even with my small 1300mah batteries I can hardly fit everything upfront, and that's without my servo winch..

Two WP BR minis smashed together would make the best esc/winch controller combo ever, just saying....

[JohnRobHolmes]

Sounds like a winner, we are already planning that. Maybe a 13g wire for the main motor and 16g for the winch?

[fr8cture]

That sounds awesome JRH. I would be interested in that when I rebuild my 2dr.

[JohnRobHolmes]

any need for a two pin plug on the winch side like the rc4wd winches use, or do people like to solder their own?

[Sp3cia1-K]

When I make my own servo winches, I use jst plugs. Everything for me is either Deans or Jst so I'm fine with no plugs.

[distinctive pd]

AWESOME BUILD!!!!

[Sp3cia1-K]

So after just a couple days, everything is together and running!



Naked shots of the current electronic placement. Such a tight squeeze..





In there is the motor/trans, BRXL, Nano-tech 1300mah 3s (my zippy 1300 3s batteries don't fit at the moment) Hitec 7955 and flysky rx and somehow need to fix my servo winch as well


Also here is a side by side showing where the body mounts are. Gotta love paint when you are lazy...

[Sp3cia1-K]

Before anyone comments on the 1.55s, I'm just waiting on my 1.9s to arrive

[d_j_stockton]

Originally Posted by JohnRobHolmes

Pretty cool idea, and I like those axles!

Thanks John, these were the first set I built am I'm glad they are going strong.

Since then I've built axles for a guy in the states and a fair few in Australia, I've also built a full set of carbon fiber tubed wraith axles for my sportsman.

Cheers

David Stockton
BeefedRC Custom Axles and Wheels

[Sp3cia1-K]

Originally Posted by d_j_stockton

Thanks John, these were the first set I built am I'm glad they are going strong.

Since then I've built axles for a guy in the states and a fair few in Australia, I've also built a full set of carbon fiber tubed wraith axles for my sportsman.

Cheers

David Stockton
BeefedRC Custom Axles and Wheels

Not to mention also my axles on my ibex

I love them!