Custom wreckluse land cruiser (lots of pics)

[southcrawler]

Well I started this about 2 weeks ago, taken lots of photos so thought I'd better put some up one here!

Bought a secondhand wreckluse chassis

started cleaning it up, wanted simpler lines and an open roof, also straightened out the stinger


Then I decided the roof was a little high so I chopped it off and cut the skid out to accept a wraith one.


Quick mock up with standard length wraith links and shocks


Dready advised me of the new changes to the class 3, the inside wheel to wheel measurement is 8" and the chassis width is 6.75" which should be fine.


then I decided the chassis was too short so...

So i added 20mm to the back end and cut a few bits of sheet

about to start welding

half way through

don't think these pannels are going anywhere

so with 10mm taken out of the height this is how it now sits






I've got wraith axles to go under it, but now currently figuring out how to run the steering.

I want to run it as low as possible, to keep the COG down and help it claw better.

let me know what you think.

[paleblue46]

WOW thats some mods but it looks good so far . I did the same roof twin bar on mine

[southcrawler]

Cheers man. i'm pretty pleased with how it's turned out so far, just got to try and figure out how to rig the steering servo without having to shorten the front links to much. Was think CMS and then I can mount a servo winch next to it.

Must admit I saw yours yesterday and thought it looked really good.

[paleblue46]

Thanks Im thinking of getting rid of my cms because I have a TSS Jeep grill that I want to use this time and the cms on mine is in the wrong place for the grill. Some how on this one I got a whole lot of flex, not sure how but I think its a combination of the revo rod ends,link length and shocks.
Whats your wheelbase going to be?

[Postclanker]

Looks great shortened like that...when you cut 10 mm out did you have to adjust any of the supports to get them to line up ???

Seems like. 10 mm is just about right ...looks real good...

[Lobonyc]

I had to check this thread out when i read wreckluse land cruiser.

Now those are some serious mods man...a lot of cutting and welding...

The low stance has got it looking like a foff, all it needs are some paddle tires.

I like the landcruiser body

[southcrawler]

Originally Posted by paleblue46

Thanks Im thinking of getting rid of my cms because I have a TSS Jeep grill that I want to use this time and the cms on mine is in the wrong place for the grill. Some how on this one I got a whole lot of flex, not sure how but I think its a combination of the revo rod ends,link length and shocks.
Whats your wheelbase going to be?

It's currently at 14.5" but I reckon I'm going to have to take quite a bit out the front link length to get the steering to work, just stocked up on threaded bar and ali tube to make some links up. Probably bring it down to about 13" but i want to keep the rear long as i know these things like to flip!

[southcrawler]

Originally Posted by Postclanker

Looks great shortened like that...when you cut 10 mm out did you have to adjust any of the supports to get them to line up ???

Seems like. 10 mm is just about right ...looks real good...

I had to slightly tweak the front 4 post out to get them to line up, and the rear 2 meet the rear end half way along the back, rather than right at the back if that makes sense?! i'll post a pic if it doesn't. But I also extended the rear end by 20mm so that will effect it too! but i does mean I can look at making a tyre carrier....

I think you could probably get away with chopping the top off and then taking 10mm off the front 4 posts and then bending the rear out to line up with the back end and then cutting them down to size probably taking 5-6mm off.

Sorry if none of that made sense it's been a long day at work!

[southcrawler]

Originally Posted by Lobonyc

I had to check this thread out when i read wreckluse land cruiser.

Now those are some serious mods man...a lot of cutting and welding...

The low stance has got it looking like a foff, all it needs are some paddle tires.

I like the landcruiser body

Yeah was a lot of cutting and welding! i probably should of just built from the ground up!

Yeah I like to keep things nice and low, and heavy...

I felt pretty bad about hacking up a perfectly good land cruiser body just for the bonnet and grill but i think it's paid off!

[Lobonyc]

I agree, it would have made sense building one from the ground up but sometimes its easier to change something already made.

Nice and low is the way to go...will keep the rig off its back.

[Postclanker]

Originally Posted by southcrawler

I had to slightly tweak the front 4 post out to get them to line up, and the rear 2 meet the rear end half way along the back, rather than right at the back if that makes sense?! i'll post a pic if it doesn't. But I also extended the rear end by 20mm so that will effect it too! but i does mean I can look at making a tyre carrier....

I think you could probably get away with chopping the top off and then taking 10mm off the front 4 posts and then bending the rear out to line up with the back end and then cutting them down to size probably taking 5-6mm off.

Sorry if none of that made sense it's been a long day at work!

I've had those....
and it made sense to me...figured they didn't line up too well and a little bending would fix it....thanks...

[doc.hamilton]

Originally Posted by southcrawler

I felt pretty bad about hacking up a perfectly good land cruiser body just for the bonnet and grill but i think it's paid off!

Nice looking FJ... inspiration for me to aquire then chop up a FJ body. Cause sometimes in life ya just gotta do what'cha gotta do!

And the low stance!!! Can't wait to hear how this handles on the trails...

Cheers,
Todd

[pajey]

Awesome chopping the wreckluse down looks so much better. The fj body looks great too.

[southcrawler]

Cheers guys.

Well think I've worked out a good way of mounting the CMS and servo winch on one plate. I'll try it at work tomorrow and if all is successful i'll post pic's!

[paleblue46]

Damn it I thought I was close to painting and done with cutting and welding but I like the lower roof line......maybe
Looking really good so far

[Postclanker]

Originally Posted by paleblue46

Damn it I thought I was close to painting a done with cutting and welding but I like the lower roof line......maybe
Looking really good so far

If I could weld like you do Pale I wouldn't hesitate one minute....It would be done already....

[paleblue46]

Yeah maybe . Planning on tearing it down tomorrow night anyways so it might get shorter.

[southcrawler]

Originally Posted by paleblue46

Yeah maybe . Planning on tearing it down tomorrow night anyways so it might get shorter.

do it!

[southcrawler]

right got a little done today made cms/servo winch mount and cut new links.




pretty pleased with it as drilled extra holes so can adjust it up and down, only got 4 links assembled as turns out i broke 2 bones in my hand this morning after stubbing my thumb first thing...


:(

[Lobonyc]

OUCH!!!!

That hurt just looking at it. Hope it had nothing to do with your build.

The CMS looks good as well as the welded side plates under the shock mount.