Poprivet's "Lil' TJ"

[Poprivet]

I've decided to try my hand at a build thread. I only have 2 months to get it done for the RC4WD scale challenge in Disney, Ok. It will be a bit of a prequel since the rig is finished already. It's based on shortened scx10 frame rails and home narrowed ar60's.
I built it to look like I WISH my full size Looked.
I am having some trouble with photobucket on my android. So please bare with me.

[Poprivet]

I know the full size looks like a pavement pounder, but trust me. It has seen rocks it shouldn't have.

[Poprivet]

Started with a new bright tj I got on ebay for $12.49

[Poprivet]

The tear down, and started with the cage. I'm not sure at this point how I plan to do the spare tire so I left the rear of the cage open. I do know that I want the cage to tie into the frame.







All the metal work is solid rod. 1/4, 3/16,and 1/8.
I am already sure the weight will be an issue, but I don't have a tig or a brazing setup yet so it is what it is.

[Poprivet]

Figured I should establish a wheelbase. Can't do that without axles. I've never narrowed axles before so I started with the beat up ones that I had replaced on my wraith. I had the tubing in my scrap material pile. It is 3/8 od, so I had to start by drilling out the axle housings. Then cut out a section on the long side tube. Very snug fit. I had to use a rubber mallet and a 2x4 with a 3/8 hole in it clamped in a vice to drive them in. I had to take them in and out several times before the final assembly.

[Poprivet]

While trying to decide on how to do the chassis I decided to work on the tube doors, rocker guards, and tube fenders.
the tube doors, and rocker guards are made to look like the ones I built for my full size.

[Poprivet]

At first I was going to build a class 3 on 2.2's, but that looked ridiculous. So I got some 1.9 ripsaws from a member for mockup.

[Poprivet]

Got some work done on the body.
Plastic epoxy...doesn't stick to plastic.
bondene didn't hold strong enough. CA glue did the trick, but I later found that the body filler I use later didn't stick to the CA glue. The clock was ticking though. So I had to deal with it.

Also skinned the fenders, and made a shifter from piano wire and epoxy rolled into a little ball. I later dip the ball into plasti dip.










Rear tail lights are from an axial parts tree.

[Poprivet]

I was going to make my own frame rails from 1/2 inch square tubing. That did not work out the way I planned
plus for aftermarket and stock part compatibility sake. I went with scx10 frame rails. got some other goodies too.
I shortened the rear of the rails about 1-1/2 inches. Then took about a 5/8 inch section out in front of the skid. You can kind of see where the paint is ground off. That's where I welded ot back together.




Also got links made from 1/4 inch steel. Drilled and tapped 3mm. This allows alot of rod end options.
The rear upper link risers are 3d printed, and sucked! I later welded some to the chassis made of 1/8 inch flat bar.

[Bananaclip]

Looking really nice. Stretched TJ's are the cats ass. You need to make me a set of those axle housings....

[btoungette]

Glad to see a build thread on this rig, Poprivet. "Lil' TJ" was hands down my favorite rig at Disney.

[lynxer]

How's the weight with all the solid rod? It looks GREAT! U have skills. Do my 1:1 cage? :-p

[Poprivet]

Originally Posted by Bananaclip

Looking really nice. Stretched TJ's are the cats ass. You need to make me a set of those axle housings....

Thank you. I was really happy with the stance.

I'm not sure about the axles though. That was quite a task.

[Poprivet]

Originally Posted by btoungette

Glad to see a build thread on this rig, Poprivet. "Lil' TJ" was hands down my favorite rig at Disney.

thank you sir. There were some really awesome rigs there. And some amazing builders behind them. I'm just trying to keep up.

[Crank]

Originally Posted by btoungette

Glad to see a build thread on this rig, Poprivet. "Lil' TJ" was hands down my favorite rig at Disney.

I'll second this

[Poprivet]

Originally Posted by lynxer

How's the weight with all the solid rod? It looks GREAT! U have skills. Do my 1:1 cage? :-p

9 pound 8 ounce baby girl. It's alot top heavy in the rear. I'm going to build a lighter cage. Same design, but aluminum rod. I'll have to make the pieces at home and take them to work and borrow the tig welder.

sorry. No new full scale projects until I get my dad's CJ7 done. It would be done by now if it weren't for toy trucks.

[Poprivet]

I got the front axle truss, and the front shock hoops fab'd up.








The shock hoops also served the purpose of leaning the gcm motor mount back for better hood clearance, and shaft angle.
Also wanted the upper shock mount to move back for a lower ride height.
And i got the servo mount welded to the frame rails.

[Poprivet]

Suspended! Got two more 1/8 inch tabs welded on, drilled and taped for the cantilever setup. Ebay 15 bucks. They're for a 1/16 revo. Came with 4 shocks and 2 short and 2 long rockers. I did order the metal balls for the shocks.
Got some 1.9 faultlines and swamper xl's. The xl's still looked to big for the build. and then...Finally found some 1.9 rock beasts. Perfect fit I think.












Locked up rc scale hardware, and rogue elements hubs. Wow! What a difference.

[Poprivet]

fenders, doors, sliders, and cage mounts welded on.










The way the fenders mount changes 2 more times before final assembly. Battery install, and clearing headlights.

[obijuan]

Looks like you have the long cantilever arms on. get enough travel with them outside the frame rails?