First hardbody build Gelande D90

[jj650]

Picked up this almost NIB D90 last weekend at team KNK buddy run/swap meet. I traded Mike Kirby my scx10/Vaterra Blazer that took 4th place in class2 at the Top Truck Challenge a few weeks back.


The kit was assembled but looked like it was only ran once. It has the 2spd transmission and battery tray installed. A plus in my eyes.
A Holmes Hobby 27T Torquemaster motor. Some brand of MG steering servo that someone waterproofed with plasti dip. And a standard shift servo that was not hooked up.

Picked up a brand new Tekin FXR for a great price at the swap meet too.


Got up Sunday morning and within a short time had myself a running Turk.


We all know it's a 1.9 out of the box but those wheels and tires were not on it. It has 1.55 black steel wheels with Pitbull Growlers on them. I'm a big fan of Growlers, in fact same tires I had on the Blazer at TTC. They just work.


You'll notice the white body. It was still in the plastic and all the parts still in original box.
So after some encouragement from fellow modelers it was decided to make this build a very clean or newly restored daily driver/weekend trail machine instead of weathering it. I'll let the trails naturally do the weathering.

I chose Italian Red for main body with Classic White for the top. I'll then paint the grill/front accessories and fender flares flat black.


Primer on, will wait a day before paint.




I actually started the paint on Monday so I'll bring this post up to speed fairly quick. Lol

[jj650]

And some flat black doohickey's to go with the red and white.

[jj650]

Mated black parts with red parts.

[Brewboy]

Looking good.

[2kind]

Hey man, great choice and welcome to the club. Such a fun truck to drive. Nice job on the paint Bet that red is sharp in person! I'm diggin the black rocker panels too. Do you have a vision you're working towards?

[801RYAN]

I'm liking the way the 1.55 growlers look on these D90s

[jj650]

Originally Posted by 2kind

Hey man, great choice and welcome to the club. Such a fun truck to drive. Nice job on the paint Bet that red is sharp in person! I'm diggin the black rocker panels too. Do you have a vision you're working towards?

Thanks! It does look great out in the sun. I think it's to be a Ferrari red. The vision I'm not sure about yet. I want to keep it class 1 legal and will use it for that if anything comes up our way. Right now it's just my trail/fun truck. I don't want it to get all loaded down and top heavy, although I love the look of these with loaded roof racks. I think my plan is to cut the rear seat portion off the interior and make a flat rear cargo section that I can put scale accessories in. I also like the stock bumpers. I like the tight approach/departure angles they allow. I will be adding a winch, possibly a servo winch inside the body with just a fairlead out front. We did a 1.62mi trail run on the 4th and it performed awesome. Just a couple minor tweaks with suspension and it will be great. I encourage any advice or opinions on tricks or ideas.

Originally Posted by 801RYAN

I'm liking the way the 1.55 growlers look on these D90s

I'm pretty much set on this look also. And this is the second set of 1.55 Growlers I've used on builds, they perform trust me! I would like to find a different set of wheels to go with the body style and age though. You know, these were built from 84-2016 so not sure the black wagon wheels fit the years?

[2kind]

First and foremost. If you haven't come across this little tid bit yet, it's prolly the single best thing I can personally do for you. Passed along to me by Mr. Johnnyluv (Thanks Bro!). Mostly introduction and initial setup stuff but lots of great info like moving the front axle forward 3-5 mm.
Comprehensive Guide to the Gelande 2

Second, I haven't had my kit for very long but you bring up all valid points I can attest for. You might also consider relocating the spare. Even on the stock mount I found it could be troublesome.

Also, There will soon be a new dog in town. Super pumped for the PitBull PBX A/T Alien 1.9 Tire! They look to be everything the Growlers are not and yet somehow keep all that makes them great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3WvfliFMqs

If your heart is set on the Growlers though, the 1.9 Landies are really nice, IMO. No doubt the 1.55's are alike. You can get them raw as well.