Cherokee XJ Hardbody Class 1 Build

[Dustinf]

Originally Posted by ADlBOO

Is the cantilever set-up just so you can have an interior? Excited to see how this goes, trying to convince myself to build a hardbody XJ.

Yeah, mostly. I stood there looking at it wondering how I could integrate the shock towers and fuel cell into the interior. There's no way.

With the cantilever, there's as much room as a real cherokee. And it doesn't lose any function.

This setup (without a bracket) still rises above the frame. So I might find a way to lower it.

Now I just need to figure out a battery location.

[Dustinf]

Front body mounts:

These are not finished yet, but the general design is in.

These brackets mount to the frame using the servo mount screws.



Then they will mount to the plate I attached to the body. I'll drill and tap holes in the body plate and use short m3 screws to attach the body.





I'll paint them black and clean them up along with all the other aluminum pieces.

I put this off for awhile because I didn't know how itd work
But it's actually really solid and accurate and I was able to get the body really low. But it could be lifted easily with spacers.

I couldn't see any other way of mounting this body to this chassis. I'd love to see what you guys come up with

[Dustinf]

I could also see a way of using the rear bumper mount holes to mount the body. With or without the bumper. Depending on how popular this body becomes, this mount system might be something to look into producing.

[Thumlock]

Excellent idea those body mounts! I guess I went for the easiest way, I'm using magnets on mine using the vaterra's posts.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g5...psqtxlthwn.jpg

[Dustinf]

Originally Posted by Thumlock

Excellent idea those body mounts! I guess I went for the easiest way, I'm using magnets on mine using the vaterra's posts.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g5...psqtxlthwn.jpg

That looks awesome!!!

I was going to do that exact same thing with magnets. But I wasn't sure it would be strong enough. I guess it is!

But besides strength, I couldn't get my body low enough for what I'm doing.

Your rig looks really great. What tires are those?

[Thumlock]

Originally Posted by Dustinf

That looks awesome!!!

I was going to do that exact same thing with magnets. But I wasn't sure it would be strong enough. I guess it is!

But besides strength, I couldn't get my body low enough for what I'm doing.

Your rig looks really great. What tires are those?

Thanks Dustinf!

The tires are KRT 1.9" 108mm crawler tires, but I've been waiting for the Dirt Grabbers 1.9 to arrive. Personally think they look more scale and that's exactly what I'm looking for. Keep up the good work and looking forward to see updates about your rig. Cheers.

[Dustinf]

Originally Posted by Thumlock

Thanks Dustinf!

The tires are KRT 1.9" 108mm crawler tires, but I've been waiting for the Dirt Grabbers 1.9 to arrive. Personally think they look more scale and that's exactly what I'm looking for. Keep up the good work and looking forward to see updates about your rig. Cheers.

Thanks.

My dirt grabber 1.9's will be in this Tuesday! They really are the most scale looking. The challenger 1.9s are nice too, but big.

I think i got the rig low enough to look stock, but we'll see.

[Dustinf]

Heres a quick mock up with the body mounted.

I'll need to adjust the wheelbase and tweak the suspension. But so far so good.



And the inside. Tons of room for a full interior. As much as a real cherokee, possibly.



Next I'll make brackets and start with the styrene. I'm on the list for the 3d printed interior, but that may be awhile.

[ThatGearHead]

What tranny are you using?


ThatGearHead

[Dustinf]

Originally Posted by ThatGearHead

What tranny are you using?


ThatGearHead

Twin hammers kit version with the ascender spur gear (for now).

I cut/sanded off the second unused mount, giving it a round, more scale look.

[Dustinf]

Finally, some results.

Here is what I did to the rear bumper. I drilled through for all the mounting screws and then just filled the holes with glazing putty.

[Dustinf]

And the last post on body mounts hopefully.

I guarantee that I'll regret using m3 nuts for rear body mounting. As I can see them being a pain. But I was worried about the strength of the bumper and repeatedly putting screws into it.

Edit : I've already re posted the pictures that belong on this post... so see above.

I still need to adjust the wheelbase. But the height is perfect.

Here is the dirt grabbers on some Gmade wheels (pain in the ass to mount this combo). The wheels are likley temporary.

The tires actually tuck really well.


Next I'll figure out how to power this thing and keep a full interior.

[Dustinf]

The windows that come with this body are it's biggest and possibly only real issue.

They are scratched and different thicknesses. Making them very unclear.

I was planning on wet sanding them flat and then bringing them back by polishing.

But, messing around with some .06 lexan I can see another way to do this. All but the windsheild can be cut and replaced easily. I can't see any drawbacks to doing this yet except that the window will be slightly deeper set. Shouldn't be an issue though... I'm waiting on some sheets in the mail. Once here I'll see what I can do with them.

[Dustinf]

Originally Posted by XRAYRON

Looking good, man you made a lot of metal parts awesome! Can't wait to see it done!

Yeah, I feel like I'm always covered in aluminum dust, the worst kind, in my opinion.

I still have a few more to make then hopefully it's on to easier, cleaner styrene.

[lappdogg]

I don't post much.. but think this deserves my attention!! I have this combo on the project shelf! if you made the body mounts as a kit, I would buy it! nice work! I too plan on a semi stock build as I like this body a lot, and it has so much potential.
well keep watching this one!

[Dustinf]

Originally Posted by lappdogg

I don't post much.. but think this deserves my attention!! I have this combo on the project shelf! if you made the body mounts as a kit, I would buy it! nice work! I too plan on a semi stock build as I like this body a lot, and it has so much potential.
well keep watching this one!

I really appreciate the post. I've looked into making a few sets of these mounts. But I don't have a mill yet (got a metal lathe instead... stupid), so it's all hand made.

It probably wouldn't be worth what I'd have to charge to make it worth it... if that makes sense.

If you are interested when the time comes, I'll be happy to send you directions or measurements.

Thanks for following the build. Im thinking this build may turn out to be the best I've done. I can't wait to start painting.. but I'm still waiting on parts before I can get to that.

Shapeways takes a long time, and the 3d printed interior is made and shipped by one guy.. so that's taking a long time as well.

[Tantaran69]

Sub'd, this is looking awesome.....
Great fab work btw.

[Dustinf]

Interior floor pan mounts:

I made yet another set of brackets. These will be the base of the interior for this rig. I'm hoping to make the interior removable by only five or six hidden screws. But if all goes well, I should never have to remove the body or interior.






Once these are painted black they will blend really well.

I guess three pictures was overkill. But I enjoy posting them.

[Dustinf]

I take back what I said about shapeways. This last order shipped in under two days. A lot faster than the ten it was predicted

[Dustinf]

Ive started working with styrene. This is .08 thick.. the thickest I've worked with and it's kind of a pain to cut. I'll also be using .04.

Where the two halves of the body come together make this a bit more difficult. I've debated sanding them flush, but for now cutting grooves in the styrene seems to work.




I've gotten it to fit snug with the body. Almost too snug. If I'm not able to put the battery underneath in a "quick-change" location, then this is going to make removing the body more difficult if done often.


Much more to do, but this is the basis for the entire interior.

I'm not sure why I chose black styrene.. I'll be painting it anyway. It's much harder to write on and see the lines.


Thanks to all who have been checking out this thread and posting comments. Im really hoping to build something great and make it worth your time.