LIAZ Inspired Tekin L-55 Rally Truck

[Ty@Tekin]

The time has come for Dakar Rally Truck inspired build #3! This time around we are using the Big Shock Liaz as our inspiration. The chassis is the same as the K-55 with some tweaks here and there to fix a few small things and accommodate for a different style cab and box. The parts list is just about identical to the K-55 with only a few changes to the suspension, mainly the shocks. There really is no timeline for this build, but it is already under way and should start coming together pretty quickly over the next few weeks!



Chassis

Custom 3/8" Aluminum C-Channel

Electronics

Tekin RX4
Tekin ROC412HD 4200kV
Tekin T-440 Servo
Tekin T-120 Servo
Tekin Power Cell 2S 8400 X2
Spektrum SR515
ESS One Sound System
6V UBEC
Lots of LEDs

Transmission

Axial SCX10-II 2 Speed

Front Axle

Vanquish Currie F9 SCX10-II
Vanquish Knuckles
Vanquish Knuckle Bushings
Vanquish Spiral Cut Ring/Pinion Gears
Vanquish Spool
Vanquish 12mm Wheel Hex
Incision VXD Shafts
Fast Eddy Bearings

Rear Axle

Vanquish Currie F9 SCX10-II
Vanquish Spiral Cut Ring/Pinion Gears
Vanquish Spool
Vanquish 12mm Wheel Hex
Vanquish AR44 Axle Shafts
Fast Eddy Bearings

Wheels & Tires

Vanquish 2.2 Method 105s
Incision #7 Hubs
RC4WD 2.2 ZXL 5.2" Tires

Suspension

GMade XD 103 Shocks X4
GMade XD 103 Piggyback Shocks X4
Vanquish Bomber Trailing Arms F/R
Vanquish Currie Anti-Rock Sway Bars F/R
Incision Bomber Rear Upper Links F/R

[Ty@Tekin]

DAY 1

Build commencement day saw frame rails cut to length. The rails are 24", cut from 3/8" aluminum c-channel plywood edging. Provides us with plenty of strength, yet still enough flex to give the trucks a very real feel to them when driving. I love seeing the frame flex and move while driving, it makes for awesome slow-mo video.



We have been printing parts for about 3 weeks so far and have about 60% of that project out of the way. Still hours upon hours of sanding, filing and fitting parts in front of us, but I am determined to have this done as soon as possible.



My strategy is starting at the front of the frame and working back. This way I can pull measurements from the drawing between parts and use the parts themselves as the template for drilling the frame. So far the front bumper, bumper mount, cab tilt hinge, front shock towers, rear cab truss, front box rib and the drop skid are all drilled and mocked up. Not bad progress for the first day!

[durok]

Waiting on further progress...

I'm sure it'll be another drool-inducing big rig!

[smog]

Are version one and two still around?

[Almighty Malach]

In, thanks for the chance.

[Ty@Tekin]

Originally Posted by durok

Waiting on further progress...

I'm sure it'll be another drool-inducing big rig!

Thanks for following! Putting every spare minute I can find towards this one.

Originally Posted by smog

Are version one and two still around?

Yep, both are still in the garage. I drive them every now and then.

Originally Posted by Almighty Malach

In, thanks for the chance.

In all seriousness, I have considered raffling one of these off...

[Almighty Malach]

Originally Posted by Ty@Tekin

In all seriousness, I have considered raffling one of these off...

That would be rad. I have started collecting parts to build a Dakar style rig and cutting the body parts out on my router, but buying a ticket and winning one would be much easier.

[Ty@Tekin]

Week Two Update!


Transmission is assembled and mounts are attached. Set it up with the 2 speed gear set.



Transmission installed in the chassis and ROC412 HD 1800KV motor attached. Shift servo mount is also in place and ready for the T-120 servo.



Rear shock towers are mounted! ESC mount with bolt pattern for the RX4 and both of the rear trusses are in place. Also started on the rear box core.



Battery trays are hung and we made a mount for the ESS ONE sound module. Just a few more holes to drill!

[doublej]

Love your builds! Keep it up.

[Ty@Tekin]

Suspension components and axles were on my list for last week.



Got the Vanquish F9 Curries assembled, upper links and lower arms assembled and hung everything on the L-55 chassis. Hot Racing 80mm limit straps but my mounts will probably have to change since the shocks are 7mm shorter this time around.

[Ty@Tekin]

Shocking news! I decided to try GMades on this truck and went with 103mm XD piggybacks and regular ol XD 103s. I have one full set built with 100wt oil and the 2-hole pistons. The springs are way too soft and I have some of the Hard Reds on the way, went for the longer springs so I can have more preload to play with. I'm guessing this truck will be around 17lbs loaded up, it has less plastic in it than the K-55 but otherwise identical everywhere else. May need to source some small helper springs to go inside the other set of shocks, we will see when I get them all built and the truck sitting at running weight. The shock towers have also been redesigned and printed about 10mm lower to make up for the shorter shock length on this build.



The box upper frame is done and the right side door has been mocked up and temporarily mounted to check the hinges. They work great! Now it has to come back off and be acetone welded together before I can cut the lexan panels and fit them. Lots of room on this one with the whole side of the box opening up!





The rear end is also pretty much done, just have a few more holes to drill in the frame rails. Tire carrier system is all tied into the fenders, lower pieces we printed on the Form3 SLA printer out of Tough resin.



Working on installing the Currie Antirock sway bars, building driveshafts and getting the left side box door put together. Still plugging away at sanding the cab an prepping it for paint.

[durok]

So much "win" in this build, as usual!

I just love watching these come together...

(I used Gmade XDs on a massively upgraded Bomber build - they are good shocks)