Tiny Jeep Build......Or One More China JK Build!

[joe122]

I have been watching these J2/Skeleton Jeep JK builds for a long time. I have finally caved! I just wanted something competent and somewhat competitive. Maybe a little well placed styrene here and there other wise some well chosen parts to make it fun to beat up a bit! Going topless, using GCM's J2 Skeleton kit for the chassis. I Had a old Wroncho build that was collecting dust so it became the parts donor. I researched how to shorten Wraith AR60 axles and used Axial's AR60 OCP universal axle set up front. Going Holmes Hobbies 13t Crawlmaster, Castle SV3/10a BEC combo, all metal gear Wraith trans, stock gearing in the diffs for now and Team KNK Hardware stainless hardware throughout.

[CODYBOY]

You go Joe!!!! I think next week I'm going to take time off from axles and work on my jeep build. Nice to see you finally caved!!!!
Ernie

[joe122]

Originally Posted by CODYBOY

You go Joe!!!! I think next week I'm going to take time off from axles and work on my jeep build. Nice to see you finally caved!!!!
Ernie

Hello Ernie, you axle King! Looking forward to your build updates, I think your builds are part of what drove me to give in!

[CODYBOY]

Originally Posted by joe122

Hello Ernie, you axle King! Looking forward to your build updates, I think your builds are part of what drove me to give in!

Just remember that any styrene you do on your body you'll need to plan to do on mine.
Ernie

[joe122]

Originally Posted by CODYBOY

Just remember that any styrene you do on your body you'll need to plan to do on mine.
Ernie

Got it, no problem Ernie!

[joe122]

A bit more progress. I have a "semi" roller. Tons left to do, but at least I can see where the stance will be, have room to lower or raise with no problem with the J2 / Skeleton frame/chassis.

[neilus]

Looks great. Subscribed!

[MUF DVR]

Looks fantastic Joe! What size tube are you using to sleeve the axle housings?

[joe122]

Originally Posted by MUF DVR

Looks fantastic Joe! What size tube are you using to sleeve the axle housings?

3/8" stainless tube. Thanks!

[Disco Stu III]

Hey joe, where did you get the scale accessories for your workshop? They look great.


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[joe122]

Originally Posted by Disco Stu III

Hey joe, where did you get the scale accessories for your workshop? They look great.

Thanks Disco Stu! #Exclusiverc supplied a few of the pieces. The shop roller chair, bottle jack, brooms, creeper, the socket and wrench set. I made the shop cart, all furniture, the work bench, shelving, floor jack, shop lights and floor / jack stands. the boxes on the shelves were from an ebay vendor.


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Thanks Disco Stu! #Exclusiverc supplied a few of the pieces. The shop roller chair, bottle jack, brooms, creeper, the socket and wrench set. I made the shop cart, all furniture, the work bench, shelving, floor jack, shop lights and floor / jack stands. the boxes on the shelves were from an ebay vendor.

[joe122]

OK, big kid time....I've had a few crawler / scaler type builds, have an Ascender and a SCX10, but this "Jeep Thing" has got me geeked. Made a battery tray/rear body mount and a bracket for the front to tie to the front of the chassis. I want to go test drive it but will wait until I tackle a few more body mods. So, its wired, does run, had to shorten the old Wraith steering rods (excuse crappy brazing job) and make a panhard rod and the mounts. Found a way to mount the China JK body to the #GCMracing J2 #tinytrucks Skeleton chassis, see photos for what worked for this build. I started "phase 1" of the body mods and trimmed the stock fender flares, may take them further, but I am tying to keep this a "hey what if it was a 1:1 and a daily driver" kind of look.

[joe122]

Now for something completely different! Somehow while looking at dozens of tube door styles, the idea in the photos below popped in my head. One piece gull-wing style doors, they will have a prop and probably a mechanical/magnetic latch. Not sure if it could ever work in the 1:1 world, but it looks so different that I am going with it.....I did run the idea by FB friend - he said it will look like "Dumbo". So, now all the while - working on it tonight, Dumbo was all I could see! Well I am liking Dumbo even more now. So, it's different, it is - now it's out there for all of your feedback.

[CODYBOY]

Very nice Scott!!! You really stepped out of the box on the doors, I.........like them!!!! Hood louvers look cool, just enough of a change to go from plain to nailed it!!!
Ernie

[neilus]

Wow! That's how to be unique... Good Job, love it.

[joe122]

Thanks for the comments gentlemen!

Quick China JK / Skeleton J2 #tinytrucks #GCMracing build update. I love the details in the dash but I felt there was to much black plastic, and there were some details missing. So added some gauges, the entertainment/info center and some dash lighting. Figured out the latch and prop system for the gull-wing doors, I used two magnets per door latch which are mounted to the body, then formed mirror brackets that double as the prop rod mounts. got the cage cleaned up and painted, painted the hood, and now on to the bumpers, sliders and a couple cool interior bits from #exclusiverc as well as a few other details. Here are a few photos of the JK and scratch built XJ 2dr. catching some rays....video later. #losb

[joe122]

Originally Posted by CODYBOY

Very nice Scott!!! You really stepped out of the box on the doors, I.........like them!!!! Hood louvers look cool, just enough of a change to go from plain to nailed it!!!
Ernie

Thank you Ernie, idea is coming together!

Originally Posted by neilus

Wow! That's how to be unique... Good Job, love it.

Appreciate it neilus! Thanks!

[King James]

I really like the hood. Clean work. Nice looking jeep.

[joe122]

Thanks King James!
Thanks Guys!

The China JK build needed bumpers, so when I couldn't find the exact type I wanted I tried my hand at fabricating the front and rear bumpers and some simple sliders. The rear I modeled after the Westin Tube bumper, the front just a hybrid so I can mount a winch in the future. Approach angle is perfect with the front so far.

[joe122]

eBay/China JK finally got wired up. The amber lights had the back of the recess opened up and a couple of Axial light buckets added to get then to transmit light. Added some #exclusiverc items, jack, CB radio and the harnesses! Pro-Line curved light bar fit perfectly! Now just waiting on #ProLineracing Hyrax tires and a set of #LockedupRC wheels to complete it. Once the winter weather leaves, its time for some breaking in!