Swivel Frame Power Wagon Build
 

I have always loved the old post-WWII Power Wagons, especially the oddball ones, such as the crew cabs, 6x6, and my favorite, the swivel frame. I decided to build a 1.9 scale swivel frame as one of my winter projects, so I started gathering parts.

I am starting with a completely stock High Lift. The frame is easy to work with, and the transfer case is already in about the right spot for what I wanted. Besides, the limited travel leaf spring setup is really what I wanted to begin with anyway.

Swivel frame Power Wagons were all regular cab, which left me only two body options I am aware of. The Axial, which isn't really scale, and the Bolink. So, I ordered myself a new Bolink 1946 Power Wagon body.

I had a set of black 1.9" five star wheels which I put on one side. I also had a set of HPI stock car wheels, which I put on the other. I'm not sure which, if either I will go with. I may get a set of Hummer wheels. Stock High Lift tires are still on for now.

Okay, getting into the pictures...

Here are a couple pictures of what I am going for:

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g.../SwivelPW4.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g.../SwivelPW1.jpg

After stripping down the High Lift some, I basically just cut the frame in half, just above the rear drive shaft output.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020071.jpg

Then I cut some 3/4" x 3/4" Delrin square bar, which fits perfectly inside the High Lift frame channel. I drilled a 1/4" hole through the middle and countersunk one side to clear the bolt head where it would have interfered with the back of the transmission. I bolted the two pieces together using a 1/4" bolt, nylon lock nut, and two bearings.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020072.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020073.jpg

Then I slipped the swivel assembly into the frame.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020075.jpg

Initial test of the swivel mechanism in the frame:

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020076.jpg

Here's the partially trimmed Bolink body sitting on the frame:

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020078.jpg

Then I cut the body in half between the cab and bed:

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020081.jpg

Body halves mocked up on frame, showing some initial flex shots:

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020083.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020084.jpg

Next will be painting the body, getting it mounted, and some additional scale accessories. I'm not sure what color to go with yet. I already have the Pro-line crew cab body on another truck, painted dark green with black fenders. This one will probably either be a darker red with black, navy blue with black, or yellow with black.

Nice so far. I've always liked the old Power Wagons as well. I'll be watching this build.

wow, this will be one to watch

Very nice so far. Interesting ideas here. Clean and fuctional. Keep up the good work."thumbsup"

Ryan

Cool build. Don't forget limiters of some kind. You don't want the cab on it's side while the rear tires are on the ground.

Yes, I will be adding some rotation limiters. I plan on allowing up to 45 degrees of swivel in each direction, and then whatever little bit the leaf springs add to that.

I want to bring the axles up a little closer to the frame too, so the drive shaft doesn't have quite as much angle on it. Maybe get rid of the lift blocks between the axles and the leaf springs?

Looks cool, I've kicked around ideas similer for a few builds in thoughts past.
Although, I don't think those are so much flex pics as rotational pics!

Good for you buddy!
Step away from the pack.
I'll be watching this thread "thumbsup"

Now we got something different happening "thumbsup" Never even knew they existed :shock:

This is very cool indeed....

The tamiya hummer wheels would look dead on

Looks good. "thumbsup"

I've always been facinated with WWII combat vehicles.. especially the early 6x6 trucks with the rear bogeys.. I have never seen a swivel framed vehicle before.. that is really somthing else.. especially the pic of someone with a restored one.. Good luck on this awsome build.. (BTW anyidea of production Numbers or remain ing examples?)

I made a swivel mechanism like this for another project.

The easy way to limit travel in the mechanism is to cut two radiused slots in one half of your pivot assembly and put a couple of socket head cap screws in the other half.

its kinda like the xmods truck chassis. when i had one i took the limiters out and it had mad flex.

Ah the ol power wagon. I forgot bolink made that body. I was searching around the net for a regular cab version.
What is the wheel base of that body?
Your project looks good & I second B.D. on the hummer wheels. Powerwagons always had that nice aggressive look which would set this project off nicely.

i would do some kinda of opposed crossover shock system with droop springs in the shocks so the chassis straightens itself out. looking good though. i think cole 82 did one as well check his thread for some ideas. i think you got farther than him though.

Here's one that, to my knowledge, never got finished.
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/2-2-scale-rigs/44396-leaf-sprung-steel-chassis.html

Thanks for all the comments guys. Like I said at the beginning of my original post, I really do like all the old oddball stuff like this.
The swivel frame was not a Dodge option. It was an aftermarket product manufactured by Truckstell Manufacturing and sold by Willock Truck Equipment. Not many exist, that's for sure.

Here's an original advertisement:

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...on/Willock.jpg

And I think I've pretty much decided to go with the red on black paint scheme, like this:

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...gon/RedPW3.jpg

And you guys are right, the Hummer wheels will be the way to go. Now I just have to find some.

Wheelbase on the Bolink body is about 11".

You can still order them through the Bolink website. "thumbsup"

I've read in a couple of other threads that you can pick the Hummer wheels straight from Tamiyas site now...

Edit: check with RPP, seems he bought them all

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showt...=hummer+wheels

Also, these RC4WD Landy wheels painted black would be cool as poo too

http://rc4wdstore.com/product_info.php?products_id=731

Oooooooo those wheels on the rock crushers are to die for...

Yeah, the Landy wheels would look sweet, but I'll probably just stick with the Hummer wheels.

I like the Crushers too. I ordered a set of 1.9s a week or two ago. When they show up, we'll see if they fit under the Power Wagon or not. They are pretty tall. 4.25" to be exact. :shock:

Beauty! Thanks alot.

Those hummer wheels are tough to get like B.D. said. Ive been trying for a while now as well. The best thing to do is just back order them thru RPP hobby and you'll be guaranteed to get a set when they do come in.
Looking forward to seeing the body getting some nice red and black paint laid on it."thumbsup" Good choice in color for it.
I just did that paint scheme to a 50's panel truck on a twin force. No pics yet though. The truck aint finished.:lol: ALthough the body is.

Interesting build. Very clean setup. So far so good.

Now this is freakin' sweet "thumbsup"

I agree with Young Version on the shocks. It's a bit more work, but it'll help the thing to self-center, and your limiters are built in. Plus it won't shake when you drive it on the trail if you use thick enough oil. I'd hit it with 5000 wt diff oil, to give the suspension something to do.

I have been looking at what to do to limit and dampen the rotation, and I think I'll have to try a few things. The droop style shock is definitely a good idea, and I'll have to fab something up to try that. I could use two small shocks, one on the top of the frame, and one on the bottom, crossed up to give the same effect. I'm also looking at a rotational damper, similar to what they are putting on the top of sportbike forks now. I could also just use a matched pair of torsion springs to provide rotational resistance and help return it to center.

What do you guys think I should try first?

I also made an order today for some additional materials, including lexan sheets to fill in the front of the bed, and the rear of the cab. That will make it look much cleaner when the frame rotates and makes those areas visible.

Also got some scale (and functional) headlights coming, since the Bolink body doesn't have headlights molded in like the Pro-Line or Axial.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g.../RamLights.jpg

I prefer it that way though, since the 1:1 headlights are mounted to the fender, not part of the fender... :)

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...gon/RedPW4.jpg

I'd stay away from torsion springs as they may cause it to unload unpredictably. do the limiter and add some type of damper to help control it. Not sure what bearings you are using or if this would work but try tightening the pivot bolt a bit and see if that will work (kinda like a slipper clutch). It would be good if space is limited. The only thing that I see would maybe be a problem is that the ball bearings might wear int the bolt/washer try and find some sort of hardened washer, maybe some old slipper clutch washer machined down, just lube it before you try it. If there is room, I'd use a small shock for best consistent results.

Nice job so far by the way."thumbsup"

Very nice.... We had a guy here about 4 years ago try to do this with a Tamiya Hummer. He got as far as hacking the chassis in half and gave up. I think your way is the way to go. nice build.

i like this build. i also like the swivel frame dodge power wagons. sweet build. keep it coming. "thumbsup"

This morning I worked on getting everything inside the frame rails. I don't like the stock High-Lift steering servo setup with the servo outside the frame rail and dual linkage cantilever system. I tried to figure out how I wanted to modify it, and still keep the 3-speed transmission shifting servo operational as well.

I decided to use the stock shifting servo mounting bracket, upside down, and holding both servos, like this:

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020102.jpg

Then I slid that assembly inside the frame rail and bolted it to the top of the bottom frame lip. :roll: Moved the servo horns, reattached the stock shifting linkage, and made new steering linkage out of threaded rod for now.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020107.jpg

Now there is nothing on the outside of the frame rails except the spring and shock mounts. I think it looks much better. "thumbsup"

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020110.jpg

If you notice I have also ground down the outside lip on the front diff cover. I still have to do the rear, and I will probably end up painting them black too. Looks better, but still sticks out (visually) too much for me.

Looks good, I like what you did with the steering.

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showp...0&postcount=71

WOW! Been quite some time since I bothered with RCC, but this build made me do a double-take. I had to sign-in and reply. Great build! Very simple and functional. Looks like something that Tamiya coulda done! OOOHH, a PowerWagon hardbody would be SO COOL!

that looks awesome keep it up

I pulled out my extra TLT parts and started experimenting with how to put a shock on the swivel. I'm still not sure it's completely necessary, but it's probably a good idea. I made some measurements, drilled a couple holes where they needed to be on the frame, found standoffs so the shock body clears the frame in it's full range of motion, and bolted it in. After a couple different attempts, here's what I've got:

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020111.jpg

With the frame rotated in one direction, the shock bottoms out, acting as a limiter:

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020112.jpg

And in the other direction, the shock is fully extended, also acting as a limiter:

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020113.jpg

The only issue is that the TLT shock I am using only has a swivel on one end, so it is binding up some. I'll either have to modify the shock to allow a swivel to be installed on both ends, or find a different shock. Then I'll add a couple small springs, inside and outside, to help return the frame to it's flat position. I'll also need to experiment with oil weight to determine how much dampening I want to have.

Oh, and I replaced the stock motor with a 45T Integy lathe motor. :)

Looking pretty darn amazing!
Silly/ stupid question tho.. Do you think that you will have any trouble with a tourqe twist transfering to the swivel joint? It may be a newb type question but figured its better to ask than not ask... Also if you have your battery in the rear part of the frame wouldnt the gravity of it being there encourage the frame to return to its normal at rest position?

Okay, regarding the torque twist, I had thought it through and did not anticipate that being an issue at all. However, having not actually tried it, I found myself unable to answer you for certain. So, what's a guy to do except try it. I hooked up some electronics I had laying around, and rubber banded a battery high on the rear frame portion. And... not an issue. No torque twist.

Since I had it running under it's own power, I was forced to play around a little bit, and I have to say, it is quite impressive. I ran one side up a ramp to see how far I could go before rolling over, simulating an obstacle on a side hill. Here's a picture of the rear axle almost completely vertical (probably about 80 degrees). Because the limiting shock was fully extended, the front right tire was about an inch and half off the ground. I was able to drive back out of this with no problem.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020115.jpg

The issue with the battery and weight of the rear bringing the rear half back to center was also being tested here. My biggest reasoning for the swivel shock with springs now, in addition to stabilizing/damping on trail runs, is to ensure that the rear end going "back to center" is upright in a side hill obstacle, not upside down.

Looks like this will perform very well.

Looks like you did your homework before starting. And it shows!! This rig looks amazing! Your truely pioneering a new way of building"thumbsup". Very clean and simple mods. The torque twist was what i was curious, and it looks to not be an issue. Due to good design"thumbsup". But maybe grab a couple clicky pens from your local bank, and try a few different strengths of springs with the different oil weights in that shock. Keep up the great work bro!

id run a good heavy weight oil to slow it down, and when/if you put on some springs make sure it rests at center other wise it will have some balance problems. for the shocks upper swivel you could try drilling out the hole and using some fuel line as a bushing.

have you thought about swapping out the rear drive shaft to a pede or something to fix any binding issues that might come up?

Good idea on the fuel line for upper shock swivel. I may give that a try, or some other smaller rubber tubing.

For the drive shafts, I had thought I might have to change them out (at least the rear one), but it is doing very well, and on my test run had no issues at all. I don't think I'm going to mess with it.

:shock:speachless!!!!!!:shock:
totally amazing!
Really thinking I am going to have to track down a second Hi Lift.. and continue with a second "King Lift" running a swivel setup....."thumbsup"

I'm a little disappointed because my recent parts order has made it within 6 miles of my house via UPS, but due to the weekend and holiday, I won't get it until Jan 2nd. :-(

So, to keep some momentum going, I decided to tackle the battery mounting. I really like the ease of the stock High Lift battery tray, but it just wasn't going to work the way it was designed because of my my modifications. I decided to still use the stock tray though, but mounted lengthwise in the rear portion of the frame.

In order to get it to fit, I first had to grind down a couple grooves in the rear cross member with my Dremel:

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020117.jpg

Then I had to grind off a little bit of the latch end of the battery holder to clear the X cross-member towards the rear:

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020118.jpg

Then I slid the battery tray mounting brackets INTO the frame rails (you have to remove the rear cross-member):

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020119.jpg

A little bit of foam tape on the top of the cross-member at the front of the battery tray, and it's wedged in good in solid (though I'll still probably fabricate a bracket at some point to make sure it can't shift). It looks good, it's still fully functional with battery access from the back of the truck, and it fits in the only location I could come up with anyway. "thumbsup"

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...n/P1020121.jpg