Long time Tacoma build

[rockhugger]

So I started this a few months ago and have had so many ideas that it stifled my production and it's progress. I hate that. Here are some pics in no particular order, because I'm not as good at thread building as some of RCC awesome builders, but I try to remember photos, stories and part #'s.

contemplating frame and ride height and of course getting the visual weigh points.







so I decided to go with the metal chassis. I want to weld to it and have as much metal as possible (I'll be weight conscious though since I have to hike with it sometimes)



initial steering setup was going to have the Servo perpendicular to the chassis, but it's changed now to parallel, pics to come of that. The motor is divorced and spurred up to the tranny.






more pics to come. it's time consuming to use a host and until I get my star agian the photo process is annoying.

[rockhugger]

then I made a cross brace for the Chassis and servo mount.

[rockhugger]

building the motor mount

[rockhugger]

the motor mount has been braced so it is bearing supported on both sides... pics later. I'll clean it up a bit after it's first run and proof.

[rockhugger]

some updates to the interior cage, and motor mount.

setting up for the A-pillars



got them in nice and identical and threw in a dash brace






threw in some more tubes and took it for a spin





More triangulation you say, ------ So, here it is right now



here's the motor mount after a bunch of unnecessary material was removed



I like the way this looks






It looks really good when I test fit the body in clear, it's a shame I have to paint the body, but I'm hoping to tie it all together nicely. pretty soon I can start bench tuning for the final weight with everything on it, right now there is no point in adjusting shocks & springs other then guessing, I can say the rear's are way to stiff, so I'll probably use greens in the rear also because I like the wya the front articulates freely.

alrighty then


_____________

[Natedog]

Looking great so far! Nice triangulation on the cage too!

[rockhugger]

Thanks Dude. I was able to drop the motor mount down about 1/4 in. or more by cutting the bosses off the cross brace... I took before and after pics.. I'll post them when I find them.

[Natedog]

Originally Posted by rockhugger

So I started this a few months ago and have had so many ideas that it stifled my production and it's progress. I hate that. Here are some pics in no particular order, because I'm not as good at thread building as some of RCC awesome builders, but I try to remember photos, stories and part #'s. ...
....So I decided to go with the metal chassis. I want to weld to it and have as much metal as possible (I'll be weight conscious though since I have to hike with it sometimes)

initial steering setup was going to have the Servo perpendicular to the chassis, but it's changed now to parallel, pics to come of that. The motor is divorced and spurred up to the tranny.

I have that same problem with my builds, way too many ideas and then I have to choose one and build it. That's how my Honcho got kinda derailed for a couple months at the beginning. LOL

Originally Posted by rockhugger

Thanks Dude. I was able to drop the motor mount down about 1/4 in. or more by cutting the bosses off the cross brace... I took before and after pics.. I'll post them when I find them.

Very nice, that'll help the CG...can't wait to see it in action!

[rockhugger]

Me and Natedog went out crawlin this weekend. Here are some pics of the rigs on the trail. It's not finished yet, but it was ready enough to run without messing any of the tube work up.

[Natedog]

Great crawl time and I can't believe how well your Honcho crawls without any weight in the wheels! The whole truck just plain works...love that front bumper too! I made my list of next Honcho upgrades last night, need to go through my crawl pics and post up too. Your pics came out great!

[rockhugger]

Update time,

New wheels & foams...





they got modified,







then I start thinking about my options.





this one is my favorite for now.





so into the paint booth they go


drill some holes



chucked up some Al to make some locking hubs.



test fit on Natedogs rig





built a spare carrier








weight check



enjoy.

[Natedog]

Looking good bud!

[rockhugger]

I've run this rig a bunch of times, then taken it apart to do more construction, then slap it together again to go run it. It's at a point where I can weld or change something without a full disassemble, which is nice.


I recently did an electronics overhaul and tidied everything up into this box.
First I fit everything in without wires,


then with wires

[rockhugger]

I also made some beef tubes,




and a battery tray



and I've been contemplating some sort of bedside

[89rotary]

Very nice! i'm hoping building one of these will improve my DIY skills lol. especially with metal.. as of now... i'm EXTREMELY limited. i could do.... nothing you've done lol except for the wiring bit. lol Amazing work. i think a bed would look nice on the Truck

[rockhugger]

thanks. It's a great starting platform. I would definitely recommend the DIY, but maybe drive it first and have fun with it so you know what direction you want to go.

[Natedog]

Originally Posted by rockhugger

I've run this rig a bunch of times, then taken it apart to do more construction, then slap it together again to go run it. It's at a point where I can weld or change something without a full disassemble, which is nice.


I recently did an electronics overhaul and tidied everything up into this box.
First I fit everything in without wires,

then with wires

Originally Posted by rockhugger

I also made some beef tubes,

and a battery tray

and I've been contemplating some sort of bedside

Originally Posted by 89rotary

Very nice! i'm hoping building one of these will improve my DIY skills lol. especially with metal.. as of now... i'm EXTREMELY limited. i could do.... nothing you've done lol except for the wiring bit. lol Amazing work. i think a bed would look nice on the Truck

Just do what you can and have fun with it. Upgrade as you go.

Originally Posted by rockhugger

thanks. It's a great starting platform. I would definitely recommend the DIY, but maybe drive it first and have fun with it so you know what direction you want to go.

Those are some beefy tubes!

Electronics box came out great too, no more worries about snow and smoke.

Looks good without bedsides, but with would be cool.