Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

When I was in Cisco Grove, CA at Axialfest - I had much fun with the Axial Crew. So many tiny trucks, on such a massive scale. 700+ participants. It had to be some kind of record. On our last day, which was a day off after the incredibly successful event, the Axial folks took me up to a ultra-secret spot for some very fun driving of small trucks. Since I didn't have room in my carry-on, they were kind enough to give me a demo rig to goof around with.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...913/0HiUGa.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...673/oswhpE.jpg

I'm so used to my modified trucks that it seemed a bit daft to run a stock rig. Much to my surprise, with a few off the shelf Axial upgrades, it was probably the best time I've had driving a truck in many years. Hence, my desire to do up an SCX10 with a few minor upgrades. Most of those upgrades are coming courtesy of Axial, SSD Vanquish, and most importantly, Knight Customs. For the most part, they're completely cosmetic upgrades, but some will aid in performance.

I'm starting with this:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...913/iC7L8s.jpg

That is all. Some more stuff to come.

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

I look forward to seeing the outcome.

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

The title reminds me of this. :ror:

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09...23d09362b3.jpg

Looking forward to the build.

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

Fr8cture, I have that sort of struggle when I consider what it means to manufacture things myself! Like manufacturing motors, I don't make the bearings, shafts, and laminations. So partially assembled, and partially manufactured from premade raw materials? Ha! Time to loosen up a bit.



Looking forwards to the build. Aint nothing wrong with buying a rig into performance. Otherwise I would be out of a job :lol:

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

Yes I understand. It's a joke about the people who claim their jeep is built not bought. :ror: I always thought the saying was kinda dumb. Nothing can be fully built not bought.

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

Looking forward to the build Matt :)

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

Built not built.

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

awesome picture of Rodney in action. he loves the camera!

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

So after pressing the shocks up and down and asking myself how fast it goes, I decided to fiddle around a bit.

Here it is all brand new and Ready to Run.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/633/qehaAm.jpg

Like I said, mechanically, I'm keeping it pretty much as-is. This is supposed to be a fun truck, not a comp/super-tricked-out accurate repro truck. First thing that I wanted to change was the position of the battery. Axial provides all the bits you need in the RTR to do this. I had to get a couple longer bolts from my bolt collection, but that's no biggie.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/901/Q7gfVp.jpg

Next, swap out the plastic links and plastic shock bodies.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/633/1EmN6i.jpg

Now that that majority of mechanical work was finished, it was time to cosmetically make a few changes. James Knight of Knight Customs was kind enough to provide the majority of his 3D-designed parts for the Axial Jeep Rubicon body. These are great parts that help add depth and originality to the very common Jeep. He's making some very cool parts, and you ought to check out his stuff for the Deadbolt body as well. He's even offering 3D printed metal bumpers now!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/901/2KkDxN.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/912/g3aDz1.jpg

The hood hinges and door handles are awesome. Drill a few holes, and you've got the depth needed to really add some detail to this lexan body.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/911/oP80dy.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/631/BAmX9M.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/633/KXdpyY.jpg

His interior fenders are very trick. I was super-impressed with how flush they fit to the frame and existing shock towers. This is a must-have - not mandatory but highly recommended.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/911/Vr5aKH.jpg

After a little paint, and some Vanquish Poison Spider Brawler Rockers, I'm happy with the new look.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/905/WX0v8N.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/633/PbLHXv.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/631/napsCz.jpg

The Knight Customs "Angry Eye" grille is the tits. So angry! It can come with a really neat inner grille piece that has a fake rad and light bucket mounts. All you need is a couple Axial light buckets. I opted to paint the turn signals the proper color.

And here it is in it's current state.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/911/sDG1Hm.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/910/oQ9rD6.jpg

Slapped a few stickers on and a nice snorkel, also courtesy of James Knight. I had some Pit Dogs mounted up on some GCM wheels I had from awhile back. They aren't made any more, but the offset is customizable, which is pretty slick.

I'm going to go have fun now.

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

Sweet build I just bought the same truck and ma doing a budget build with just basics links and steering for the time being

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Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

Very nice. Love the sliders and wheel well interiors.

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

Love the grill insert, really nice touch!

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

A ton of cool pieces that finish off this truck nicely.

Needs more bought than build though. Just sayin'.

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

Dig it!

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

Did you squeeze the tires? Did you ask yourself how far the range of the radio is? Is it gas powered?

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

Nice! thanks for the shout out Matt!! The grill looks like it needs moving back a touch to be flush with the body.

Really amazing work on the door handles!

James.

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

Nice. I've got the parts sitting here to upgrade the steering. Just trying to do one thing at a time, and make adjustments as I see them become necessary.

Thanks, they're nice pieces built by nice people.

Thanks!

So I should spend more money? Check.

As in, add a Dig? No no, I get it. Thanks!

No, but I did ask if it's waterproof, and since it's blue...

Cheers James!

I took it out to Headquake's for a day of fun. Performed almost too well. Made it not nearly as challenging. I'm so used to my custom trucks, that it was sort of strange to take lines so easily.

Why aren't we all running stockfish trucks in comps? The differential in scale points would totally be offset by clean runs.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...905/qqt7F4.jpg

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

I was never really happy with the blue, and today I made a couple changes.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...910/qjA54Z.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...910/pztFEo.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...907/7v635z.jpg

I'm quite pleased with the refresh, it looks a lot more "Jeepy" now. Much thanks to James from Knight Customs for providing some very nice bits. I've also got a new bumper on the way from Wertymade - I'm really looking forward to seeing it in person. He makes some awesome stuff.

I'll be adding an FPV system shortly from FatShark - just waiting on a few 3D printed parts for managing the equipment.

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

When i fooled around with a fat shark I found the bumper was the best place to mount the camera btw.

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

Wow!!! Amazing how a different color and tire/wheel choice has transformed the look of your build. Very well done sir!

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

I'll try that, thanks for the tip. I do want to see a bit of the roof so I can get an idea of scale from what I see.

Tell me about it James, the blackout look always worries me but breaking it up with the blue stripe helps tons. The JConcepts tires definitely look the part. I'll have to see how they perform and report back. They're mounted on the Vanquish Products Method Roost 1.9 wheels. You'll need SLW hubs to make them work.


I thought I'd take a few better photos in the studio.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...907/F8Jd8n.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...903/2jVARu.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...903/IzrSSv.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...903/yOcyOC.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...903/Gg5D7d.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...907/Xqed5r.jpg

All my trucks need to have a driver, but the half depth interior makes it difficult. So I took one of my favourite 8 inch guys and chopped him off at the torso. Bruce LaBruce is an excellent driver most of the time. A few details like a can of Fanta Root Beer and a CB radio from Krawler Koncepts completes the look. The bumper is going to be replaced by a custom Wertymade stinger in the next couple of days.

Lots of thanks - first, to Axial for supplying me with the RTR AX90028 Jeep Rubicon, and secondly to Knight Customs for all the excellent add-ons from James' Shapeways shop. All his stuff is available here. I'm pretty excited to get it out in it's new form. Thanks for following along - I heartily suggest a stock-ish rig in your own stable of trucks - it's fun to not cringe when you inevitably roll it down a hill! ;)

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

Love it! Great pics.


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Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

Great job! Thinking about a little more buying? I suggest SSD housings!

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

how do you like the j concepts tires .

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

Thanks James!

I've already got a set under the Iron Pig, definitely considering another set for this one at some point.

They're big. But they look the part on this guy. The small tread design will probably work nicely. Hoping to get it outside as soon as my FPV housings are done printing. "thumbsup"

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

Whee! More additions!

I added some new Knight Customs pieces, namely Tail lights and Hood Tie Down hook thingies.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...905/1OUxiL.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...911/ksUYuO.jpg

Some little bolts for the wheels,

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...907/G2jlTr.jpg

And a very nice Wertymade Stinger/Winch bumper.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...903/w8UXvZ.jpg

Now, for the whole reason behind this truck, an FPV system from FatShark!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...903/VqtLJN.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...905/bQJtyE.jpg

This is really slick, and if you've never tried it, you're in for a treat. Nothing like sitting on your porch and driving all over the neighbourhood. So much fun. Highly recommended. Definitely buy the upgraded antennas for extra range. All the electronic bits are hidden below, and once I work out exactly where I want the camera pointing, I'll fix up that mount to look the part. Some day, I'd like to try organizing a competition like this.

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

So cool to see the FPV, have to add one of those to the list :)


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Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

Awesome Jeep "thumbsup" I've been tossing around the idea of doing a FPV

Re: Built not bought, with a bunch of things I bought.
 

Build a robot driver and use the camera for the head. Extra rx/tx channel to look right & left...

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