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-   -   Defender D90 Rat Rod (http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/1-9-scale-rigs/606673-defender-d90-rat-rod.html)

valheru 02-24-2019 01:56 PM

Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
What should be my last shipment of parts for this winter’s RC build (which contained the body) finally arrived not too long ago.

The idea of this build started with one set of very special axles that I won this spring from Beef Tube RC; a beautiful set of black SCX10-2 portal axles from Vanquish Products and an inspirational photo.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7801/...416359c4_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7872/...b7ef815a_c.jpg



I first started by sourcing a RTR SCX10-2 chassis, G-Made RSD shocks, gorgeous Team DC 1.9” bronze wheels, Boom Racing 4.19” Hustler M/TX tires I had lying around and a GCM Racing LRT scale transmission combo.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7842/...e275e49b_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7816/...438c4a83_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7859/...265ca037_c.jpg



Some of the other bits include: a Castle Creation Mamba Micro ESC and a brushless-waterproof 1406 slate motor, a RC4WD Warn 8274 winch, a HeyOK high voltage winch controller, a Yeah Racing cantilever rear suspension setup, some Vanquish Products front shock hoops and ALOTS of other parts.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7858/...72322261_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7877/...b5292f54_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7885/...998991e3_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7805/...401375b8_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7831/...3ab16000_c.jpg



I still need to buy a servo and an external BEC, as well as some odds and ends.

On with the build; I previously assembled the VP portal axles and the tires on the wheels, therefore the next big item on the list was the GCM Racing LRT transmission, the motor and I mocked the servo using a dead one I had lying around.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7884/...bdc1bc69_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7908/...e87c5e3e_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7867/...66c877d8_c.jpg



D 8)

Xx Losungen xX 02-25-2019 05:25 AM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
Went full-chub for this one

Brian5582 02-25-2019 05:51 AM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
Those axles are hawt, gonna be awesome

JatoTheRipper 02-25-2019 09:39 AM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
Wow quite the mix of parts. Sexy axles and wheels for sure! I can't wait to see this build progress.

valheru 02-25-2019 02:51 PM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
Today, project Defender Rat Rod or “D-Rat”, had its wheelbase shorten from 12.3” to 10.8”, the links were made out of 1/4” rod, the tops are aluminum and the bottoms are steel.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7800/...a73fa0f2_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7896/...b5111f90_c.jpg



The Yeah Racing cantilever suspension was installed, but not before upgrading the plastic shock bodies with some aluminum ones from Hot Racing and filling them with 90 weight oil.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7903/...4e8ae24a_c.jpg



The ride height will need to be adjusted later, once the body is finished and all the scale accessories added.

What is the saying again: “off with her head”?

Well this just happened… I guess there is no turning back now!

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7852/...8e1af12a_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7855/...d708a527_c.jpg



I also fabricated a custom panhard bar that matches the contour of the front diff pumpkin, no more hitting the axle on compression.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7838/...0376a81b_b.jpg



D 8)

valheru 02-26-2019 09:37 PM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
This evening on project D-Rat, I finished cutting 15mm worth of roof height and lapping with 220 grit all the pieces flat and level, ready to be glued back together.

I used a good old Sharpie and my digital caliper to scribe the finish heights of both the body and the roof section and to highlight any sections that were not touching during the lapping process.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7852/...9fdb85ec_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7864/...90905494_c.jpg



A good makeshift lapping surface can be made using a straight piece of melamine, Elmer’s spray glue (removable using brake cleaner) and your choice of sandpaper. Nothing precise enough for machine shop work, but more than sufficient for the purpose at hand.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7899/...3d2eed0f_c.jpg



D 8)

valheru 02-27-2019 02:28 PM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
Well... I wasn’t entirely happy with the overall proportions of project D-Rat, therefore I lowered the roof line an extra 5mm for a total of 19mm (3/4”) removed, this ends up being around 175mm (6.9”) of drop in 1:1 scale.

I glued the rear structure (cargo area) to the sides of the cargo section and moved the front structure forward to match the “A” pillars.

The top rear corner of the door frame was cut, then glued to match the “B” pillar and maintain the full entry to the cab.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7808/...3377b9c0_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7907/...cd04477c_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7820/...7f256c41_c.jpg



The roof section was cut in two as it needs to be extended by about 12mm, the front structure (passenger area/cab) was glued onto the main body and a stiffener was added in the middle of the windshield cavity, which is on the inside of the cab.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7881/...4797c678_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7832/...238f3d0f_c.jpg



The top section of the windshield panel was cut in 2 and extended by 3mm, and a middle stiffener was added, matching the inner one.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7845/...c1b5b1d9_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7925/...3c5e71ac_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7885/...bb55617b_c.jpg



Next will be extending the roof panel and refining the seams.

D 8)

valheru 02-28-2019 09:45 PM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
Well, nothing interesting was on the idiot box this evening, therefore I worked a bit on project D-Rat.

The cab structure was extended rearward to the cargo structure; in the attached photos, you can see the whole process from hot gluing supports between the 2 pieces, to laminating 2 layers of styrene to obtain the appropriate thickness.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7892/...101784d7_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7911/...335ecae4_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7925/...e308db2e_c.jpg



The roof panel is once again a single piece and is ready for body filler. One of the doors was cut down and the top window frame reattached.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7845/...70b6847e_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7800/...5b9a7168_c.jpg



The windshield and windows still need to be modified to fit their new frames and you can see the final drop top in comparison to that of Big Blue, both bodies from the same manufacturer have the same original height.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7822/...2e9a613e_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7886/...7774d258_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7876/...fdbf0174_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7831/...4695e61f_c.jpg



D 8)

nedmo 02-28-2019 10:14 PM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
God damn, thats delicious.

This was the exact look I had in my head for my own chopped and dropped D90 build!

valheru 03-02-2019 07:43 AM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
I started finishing the roof extension with Tamiya putty, I modified supplied parts in the Team Raffee body kit to patch the rear corner and roof windows, and I started the final body work on those as well.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7848/...72414b62_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7844/...35bb97d4_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7906/...ab612114_c.jpg
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https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7806/...d4a13307_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7826/...a0908d82_c.jpg



In between coats of putty and sanding, I modified the second cab door.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7913/...4a5bfb1d_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7857/...3541062c_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7824/...5761d1db_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7838/...7ba9a6c4_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7878/...60a870d2_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7827/...4fc17ea2_c.jpg



Tonight, I should finish removing all signs of lowering and extending the, and of condoning the rear corner and roof windows.


D 8)

valheru 03-02-2019 10:03 PM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
Good productive evening spent working on project D-Rat; the final touches of patching the seams of the dropped and extended roof line is done, as are the condemned roof and rear windows.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7857/...9f86d120_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7831/...3b0af72f_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7865/...41bacc8c_c.jpg



Next for the body will be the cargo area followed by the interior.

In the meantime, I took a break from the body and started fabricating a scale engine out of styrene to go over the electric motor. It’s roughly based on the Cummins 6BT, but adapted to fit between the front mounted servo and the scale transmission.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7855/...a3fb4c01_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7800/...95b080b3_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7859/...f71094d4_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7818/...501f4208_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7863/...5133e4c9_c.jpg



D 8)

THX_138 03-02-2019 10:26 PM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
1 Attachment(s)
Love that chopped rat rod look..

Have you given any thought to a little 70’s van style window in each side towards the rear?
Round bubble? Diamond?... etc...
Excuse my horrible image edit to display what I mean

Postclanker 03-03-2019 09:07 AM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
Really inspirational...you have way more patience than I do
Great looking styrene work

valheru 03-04-2019 08:58 AM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by THX_138 (Post 5914777)
Love that chopped rat rod look..

Have you given any thought to a little 70’s van style window in each side towards the rear?
Round bubble? Diamond?... etc...
Excuse my horrible image edit to display what I mean

Would be cool, but I already have plans for the side windows.



Quote:

Originally Posted by Postclanker (Post 5914842)
Really inspirational...you have way more patience than I do
Great looking styrene work

Thank you



D 8)

valheru 03-04-2019 09:05 AM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
Yesterday I manage to finish the rough shape of the engine and started refining the oil pan.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7922/...57d47170_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7877/...128db250_c.jpg



After a rough test fit, looks like I will have to reshape the oil pan since it interferes with the motion of the upper suspension links... :cry:

In between glue curing sessions of the engine I planned out the layout of the cargo area and I started work on the first main vertical wall and side cabinets.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7908/...17ec0781_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7903/...27cdc8ee_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7869/...7c88dd3e_c.jpg



D 8)

JatoTheRipper 03-04-2019 09:15 AM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
Very cool!

Robs07junk 03-04-2019 12:37 PM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
Hell Of A Build You Got Going There ... Looking Awesome

valheru 03-04-2019 09:02 PM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper (Post 5915102)
Very cool!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robs07junk (Post 5915180)
Hell Of A Build You Got Going There ... Looking Awesome

Thank you both.


D 8)

valheru 03-04-2019 09:02 PM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
Moving along nicely on project D-Rat; the cabin is now sealed off from the cargo area, the rear internal walls are up and the center tool stowage cabinet is taking shape.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7855/...3a00b1b2_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7916/...4c09d41c_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7922/...f4e1085a_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7853/...98e4569a_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7839/...25a8c516_c.jpg



D 8)

valheru 03-05-2019 10:11 PM

Re: Defender D90 Rat Rod
 
I made a custom body clip for the top compartment of the center tool stowage cabinet and I secured it with a chain as to not lose it out on the trails.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7880/...8cea3cfa_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7898/...5f414781_c.jpg



The spare tire retaining system is done, I installed custom D rings made out of good old paper clips at four locations.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7809/...cda285d6_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7904/...8a7796f5_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7820/...de2695a8_c.jpg



To secure the tires I initially started by using RC4WD scale ratchet straps, they did looked awesome, but too flimsy for my taste and protruding too much from the rear to survive at a scale comp.

Therefore, I decided to try some Hot Racing bungee straps instead. They hold well, but it’s not quite the look I was going for.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7877/...2936e90c_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7872/...49acee59_c.jpg



I may change the bungees for something else.

I also made the door for the lower compartment of the center cabinet. It will be held closed using a steel spring friction latch.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7873/...92d584bc_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7805/...12c06ca1_c.jpg
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https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7867/...1736557c_c.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7851/...75ea5a67_c.jpg



D 8)


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