66 Ford Metal Body C3

[sam63]

Finally got the itch to build something again. Much of the inspiration comes from the metal body built by Metal Masher.

Not sure where this will go but the end result will look similar my TTC Ford but this will be more of a capable rock crawler. That's the intent anyway.

It quickly dawned on me that I need some parts and ASAP.

[WesTX]

That body is freaking awesome.

I think a set of the GCM axles would look killer under here. The Currie axles from VP are too modern for this, it needs an old school look to me. Something along these lines:

This old school build type:


With this style tube bed:

[Metal Masher]

I'm glad i could be an inspiration! i'm anxious to see what you come up with!

[Grizzly4x4]

I don't know how you get more capable than your Big Red build but I'm interested to see where this goes. What is that motor? I see its brushed but that's all I can tell.

[War Pig]

Looks like a Brood Axle Buster.....

Oh man, we're all in trouble.

[bmuzz1]

Sweet, Sams building again and another metal masher body to boot.

[MountainStorm]

That is an amazing piece of metal work.

[sam63]

Originally Posted by WesTX

That body is freaking awesome.

I think a set of the GCM axles would look killer under here. The Currie axles from VP are too modern for this, it needs an old school look to me. Something along these lines:

This old school build type:


With this style tube bed:

Thanks. The ford Baja rig is cool but with would be more like class1. The bed on the other rig is not even remotely my style. This will not be a street/trail type rig.

It will be more of a moon buggy with a old Ford body on it and big oversized tires, lol!

Originally Posted by Metal Masher

I'm glad i could be an inspiration! i'm anxious to see what you come up with!

You are most welcome. The pressure is on now

Originally Posted by Grizzly4x4

I don't know how you get more capable than your Big Red build but I'm interested to see where this goes. What is that motor? I see its brushed but that's all I can tell.

We shall see, the TTC ford is a beast but it is not the most nimble thing on the rocks. This will be much lighter and less top heavy. I don't think it will ever hang with my class 3 buggy but I need something new to comp with none the less.

The motor is what I ran at nats last year, Axle Buster by Brood. Strongest brushed motor I have had and surprisingly smooth.

Originally Posted by War Pig

Looks like a Brood Axle Buster.....

Oh man, we're all in trouble.

Correct on both Tim

Plan is no rear steering on this one so I will have to really drive to keep up with guys like you, Josh and Trenton

Originally Posted by bmuzz1

Sweet, Sams building again and another metal masher body to boot.

I was long overdue.

Originally Posted by MountainStorm

That is an amazing piece of metal work.

Now to see if I can do it justice and build something that doesn't suck.

Parts are slowly rolling in so I should be able to start soon.

[sam63]

Just so you didn't think I forgot about this I thought I would post some junk up.

I spend a tremendous amount of time planning the layout of the major parts. I always try to get things low and centered as possible, forward too but since this will not have the extra weight of rear steer I will not be running the motor/trans up front and the T-case. I was thinking about it but the rig wouldn't be as balance and downhill accents would get ugly without adding weight in the back, atleast that's my thinking.

The axles are done and waiting for custom tube trusses, first thing on my list once I start in.

After playing with the body placement and steering it dawned on me that the front needed bobbed. I did some practice on my old lexan body. Doing the same to the aluminum body has me a bit nervous. The grille will be easy but the hood will be a trickier.

Not fab work yet, just some pics of the layout and where it is going.

[Szczerba]

You always have the well thought out/laid out rigs.
Have you ran that Protek 170t yet? I bought one, ran it for 5 minutes and bought another! Mucho good.

[hotwheels000]

Very nice Sam, love the winch placement if you go with that...nice and low.

You hit it on the head with downhill descents, my bronco needed weight added to the rear to keep it in check.

You need to come up and see us this summer when we comp at the lake

[joshsmith512]

we cant hardly beat you now without rear steer on your current rig, cant wait till this new one is done we wont stand a chance, well at least Trenton and piggy wont stand a chance

[sam63]

Originally Posted by Szczerba

You always have the well thought out/laid out rigs.
Have you ran that Protek 170t yet? I bought one, ran it for 5 minutes and bought another! Mucho good.

Thanks. I have one in my class 2 and really like it. Has a very precise feel to it, and fast.

Originally Posted by hotwheels000

Very nice Sam, love the winch placement if you go with that...nice and low.

I have an even better spot for it now. It will sit vertical behind the steering servo and the batter will just barely fit between the winch and spur.

You hit it on the head with downhill descents, my bronco needed weight added to the rear to keep it in check.

I had to do the same on my class 2, and my on this before its all said and done

You need to come up and see us this summer when we comp at the lake

I have it on the calendar this year. That place is sweet.

Originally Posted by joshsmith512

we cant hardly beat you now without rear steer on your current rig, cant wait till this new one is done we wont stand a chance, well at least Trenton and piggy wont stand a chance

Haha, we shall see. To tell you the truth I just want the thing to hang with my own class 3, shortfuse. I am thinking it wont but at least it will look cool.

[sam63]

Ok, so finally with some real progress. The chassis is almost done. Need to add a hand full of tubes to stiffen it up a bit, mount electronics and throw something that resembles a passible interior. Oh yeah, and some body work and body mounts.

Everything on the chassis is stainless .028 wall tube, even the 1/8 baby stuff. Feels pretty light.

At full bump the belly is at 2", ride height should be about 2.5". The wheelbase is a short 13" so we shall see how that plays out. I want it to take break overs well. Steep climbs will be the test....all about trade offs and compromises. I guess I just want something that has a different footprint of a wraith and that's all I have ever known in Class 3.

[DrewHammer]

Looks awesome! Can't wait to see this out on the rocks

[chino63]

Looking good Sam, Metal Masher body for the win and your tube work is always so neat and tidy.

[BigSki]

Great work! I love the fabbed rear axle truss/link mount. Nice and sturdy, yet basic in design.

[Highmark]

I guess you can get away with 1/8" A and B pillars when you have a few championships under your belt (do you even roll?)

Looks awesome so far!

[sam63]

Originally Posted by DrewHammer

Looks awesome! Can't wait to see this out on the rocks

Thank you! I cant wait either, lol.

Originally Posted by chino63

Looking good Sam, Metal Masher body for the win and your tube work is always so neat and tidy.

The tidy tube work is often a struggle. Just when I thought I knew how to build these things I change it all up. Part of the reason its so fun right!

Originally Posted by BigSki

Great work! I love the fabbed rear axle truss/link mount. Nice and sturdy, yet basic in design.

Thanks. With how bare bones the back half of the chassis is I knew I better do a truss that looks somewhat scale.

Originally Posted by Highmark

I guess you can get away with 1/8" A and B pillars when you have a few championships under your belt (do you even roll?)

Looks awesome so far!

Many thanks Jon. We shall see if they hold up or not. Im counting on the body as a "crumple zone", lol. I will throw some triangulation to help. As far as rolling over, I actually end up on my lid more than most. I think its because I don't like to give up on a climb and will often die trying.

[sam63]

Ok, now for some progress! I finally got a few hours to fab today. Things are getting a bit crazy.

A lot going on is some of these pics so pay attention