Ram 2500 scx10 build

[Dad,Canyoufix?]

So I plan on creating a scale build of my 1:1 tow rig. Its a 2013 2500 HD 4x4 Cummins Crew cab Long bed.

I know that this new body is modeled after the 2014-15 2500 but it's as close as I'm going to get.

Picked the body up off ebay to get started, first thing I had to do was adjust wheel base and I also noticed the boggers are waaaaay to big.







I plan on a paint job, of the outside as I haven't found a for sure way of cleaning the factory paint off without compromising the body.

Here is a pic of my 1:1 I will be shooting for.


I plan on stretching the wb and creating a long bed when more accessory options are available for purchase( lexan bed and cab clear). Also hunting a set of gladiators 1.9. smallest toyo replica I can find.

Sorry the pics aren't that great, my phone takes good ones sometimes, other times, not so much.

Will update when I get parts!

[Dad,Canyoufix?]

So today I did some adjusting with my old wheels and tires. Got fed up with trying to get TSL SX's on rc4wd steel wagon wheels so I went with my old reliable, cheap a$$ Gmade plastic beadlocks. Without trimming the body(avoiding that at all costs),TSL XL's and Boggers will be way to big and cause severe rub and ruin the overall look imo, so I am going to stick with the smallest 1.9 I can find that's not a mudslinger or something not really scale(suggestions welcome).

How the truck sits with rebuilt stock shocks and wheels/tires.



The foams that sit inside those TSL's. Makes them quite firm with about 2-3 mm gap between foam and tread bridge.


G-made ts-02s to replace stock honcho shocks are on the way. Hopefully it will see paint this weekend. Any thoughts or suggestions? Would love some ideas to throw around in my head while I budget and wait.

[TacoCrawler]

you should be able to remove that paint
without damage to the lexan/poly

you'll need to soak the body in DOT4 brake fluid.

I'd suggest getting a container that will fit the length/width
of the body...

lay the body first on it's roof...
Lather the paint surfaces generously with DOT4 and let is soak overnight
attempt to wipe/scrape (soft wood dowel) the softened paint off
Paper towels will help remove the softened paint
it could likely take a coupla' rolls to clean the whole body. Lol

It could require another soaking overnight in the DOT4 bath.
patience is a virtue here.

Once the upper interior side of the body is cleaned...
Then generously apply your saved DOT4 onto either right or left interior sides. (one side at a time basically)
^ body positioned on it's side when DOT4 is lathered on the paint.
repeat overnight soak and attempt to remove paint next day...
Did I say paper towels make it easier !? LOL

It's going to require some effort and is likely to test your patience some...
But if you paint on the outside...
the red will show thru when it gets scratched.
Not ideal IMO

Instead, I would suggest removing the red paint...
and replacing it with silver or a primer colored base
and then paint the exterior what ever color you fancy.

remember... only DOT4 brake fluid will work.
other brake fluids do not

[Dad,Canyoufix?]

I have read a few times that it makes the body brittle, I now assume they might have not been as attentive to the ONLY DOT 4 suggestion. Well, scratch paint this weekend folks, It will take all my free time to clean the body it seems.

Thanks Taco, I was thinking of being lazy until the clears are released, thanks for influencing otherwise. I will probably do the silver underneath and still paint the outside.

[Dad,Canyoufix?]

Messed around during my son's nap today and crudely fabbed up this little bumper reinforcement. When I first saw that the grill and tail gate bumper pieces were separate I vowed to leave them whole. The problem I see is the bumper and grill piece will fold under if pushed correctly, and to avoid stretching out the body's joints, I thought of this.

I will talk to Troy at Scaler Fab first to find out if a less embarrassing possibly a smidge wider finished piece is possible.


Took a pic from above and below to show that the body rests against the reinforcement so that it's looks are preserved but strength increased.

Above

PS, gotta love my hair in the reflection! Bed head day FTW.
Below


Other ram body owners(and anyone for that matter) please speak up if you like the idea or know of a piece like this that already exists! I'm all for supporting our RCC vendors.




Thanks

[SAL45]

Looks good so far. Nice thinking 'outside the box' on the front bumper. Good idea

[TacoCrawler]

I'm not really sure of the point of that bumper/reinforcement
tho' I'll assume you wish to keep the stock lexan apron up front ?

Not sure it's a great idea to use the lexan body as a bumper !?
but if you must...

I would set reinforcement inwards, farther...
and then figure out a way to attach some open/closed cell type foam
between the reinforcement and the lexan body.

similar to what pan type cars would have had
back in the day.

this would reinforce the lexan body better...
and help keep the bumper reinforcement from grinding the paint off
the interior surface.

[Dad,Canyoufix?]

Yes, that is the plan. Leave the front lexan as it is. I do understand that the rocks will chew it up. When more clear pieces become available for purchase I plan on picking up a few spares. I have a couple sheets of foam I plan on shoe goo'ing to it. To save the paint. Still need to DOT 4 bath the body though.

[Dad,Canyoufix?]

Shuffling my feet with the DOT 4 bath, need a couple days lined up that my wife is at home so she can help with little man. Got the new shocks in today and wow, its low. Think I like it though. Paint cans are ready, just need to pick up a load of DOT 4 and a pallet of paper towels.

Sorry for the low quality pics, IPhone camera works sometimes, other times not so much.


Took a pick next to my 1.9 wraith to show ride height.

[Dad,Canyoufix?]

So with the new suspension set up, I wanted to get it out on the trails to get a feel for it with its new wheel base and shocks. Plus going from boggers to tsl sx's is a shock in it self. In my opinion, this truck has never performed better. Sure I can't pull up to a log and grab it with the boggers and climb over, but it drives like I would expect a normal to mild trail rig would. Took a few pics on a little hiking trail with some pretty rough spots in it, so rough my wife told me she wasn't gonna stop with the stroller while I snap snap snap, don't blame her. Truck did very well and I feel my driving skills are improving(saving my pumpkin and not using the body as a seesaw). Never been to a scale comp but would love to some day soon.

Anyways, Incoming iPhone pics.










Thanks for looking!

Bumper reinforcements with foam inserts are awesome, body is very stiff in the bumper areas as it should be.

[Dad,Canyoufix?]

Just a small update, as it has been a while. After using 2 bottles of DOT 4 and doing some more research, I found the stock stuff they put on these bodies is extremely resilient (compared to Tamiya ps paint)and decided to try some ideas about painting the outside.

Painted a coat of black over the inside, then cleaned body and painted the outside silver and then white, it is looking great imo. Tested a spot to see how bad the red would show through when scratched, as long as I don't gouge the ever living crap out of it, it wont be very visible. For those gouges, I will have sand paper and paint if I need it. Will also order a clear body set when they are back in stock.

Anyways, here are the small pics as an update.

[RiderZ]

Looks good.Why not just pick up another body?

[Dad,Canyoufix?]

Originally Posted by RiderZ

Looks good.Why not just pick up another body?

Going to, gonna make this one useful though. Just trying my hand at masking and painting lexan.

[Dad,Canyoufix?]

Okay! Body is dry and some what decal'd. Using the proline Ram 1500 sheet to give it a better look. Axials headlights and taillights were based of the 2014, and look like a lower resolution next to proline's. Plus I get the 2013 look I wanted so it matches my 1:1.



Put the honey comb grill inserts in there bc mine has a clack honey comb grill as well, and yup, that officially licensed decal in the driverside windshield is proline as well.

Here I put some home made foam door handles on it. Working on mirrors later tonight. This pic was taken with IPhone, so its pretty junky, but I'll replace it later.


Let me know what you all think!!

[RiderZ]

Turned out nice.Pretty good rendition of your daily driver!

[Dad,Canyoufix?]

Originally Posted by RiderZ

Turned out nice.Pretty good rendition of your daily driver!

Thank you
Gotta find some Texas plates for it now....
And grab some bigger tires for the 1:1! If only they made MT's load range E that got close to 40k miles.

[Dad,Canyoufix?]

Mirrors are added!

Passenger side may need a going over or replacing. First attempt, looks sloppy compared to the drivers side, probably just replace it after I knock it off for the first time.



LMK what you think of the better pics of door handles and mirrors!

[Norton]

I'm liking it! Gonna have to get you out with us on a run to scratch it up. By the way, get ready to lose those mirrors real quick. Mine never make it thru a GTG. My Chevy is going to be a Dodge flatbed fairly soon.

[Dad,Canyoufix?]

Building spares tomorrow. Son is sleeping now, so the dremel is too.

[Dad,Canyoufix?]

Scale points?