First time builder project - SCX10 II

[WesleyRoy]

Looks great and beefy.

[IVIaarten]

Thanks all

Started with the rear bumper as well.

[IVIaarten]

On to figuring out the mounting. Started with some steel bar to make posts that will bolt directly into the c-frames



Loads of grinding and filing but got them to fit. If I lay the bumper directly on them, it sits too high, so next up is grinding out some slots for the bumper to sit in, mount a steel cross-member, drill and tap some holes, and I should be ready to go.
New mockup

[IVIaarten]

Wanted to add an extra bar on the bumper as well, soldered in just now

[IVIaarten]

Here we go, front bumper is just about done. What do you guys thing, keep it shiny metal or paint it black?

[IVIaarten]

Not 100% done yet, still want to add tow shackles, and try to fit some led's in there, but took the truck for a spin today, and the approach angle is so much better, it's great

[luckster]

I like the bumper. What are your thoughts on the new shocks after running it?

[IVIaarten]

Originally Posted by doubler

Bumper turned out very nice. Looks right on the xj

thanks

Originally Posted by luckster

I like the bumper. What are your thoughts on the new shocks after running it?

Shocks are pretty much spot on for my build. I've added quite a bit of weight on the roof rack. I think otherwise I would look for slightly lighter springs.
I've removed the red rubber stoppers on the front springs, I now have back all of the travel/flex I had with the stock shocks on the front, and the diaphragm makes sure there is room for the shock oil to go on full compression. I think I'll leave the stops on the rear shocks.
Altogether very happy with them, no leaks

Originally Posted by MrLee1990

those bumpers suit it. i like the raw metal look.

Thanks! I'm still torn between black paint, or just completely buffing them up, adding a coat of clear, and have damage/scratches age and rust it over time.

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by IVIaarten

Here we go, front bumper is just about done. What do you guys thing, keep it shiny metal or paint it black?

Damn dude. Great work on the bumper! Looks legit!

[IVIaarten]

Originally Posted by saddlesore

Damn dude. Great work on the bumper! Looks legit!

thanks!

[IVIaarten]

Since I wasn't entirely happy with the low end control on the brushless setup, I wanted to try brushed. Managed to pick up a quicrun WP1080 + random 21T motor so decided to give that a go. Since I want to eventually make an interior as well, I figured I might as well replace the receiver box and move the electronics around. First to remove the original receiver box.





With that gone, I decided to make a small mounting plate for the ESC out of aluminium sheet.



And add a coat of paint to it



Electronics needed a new home too, recycled the rubber grommet for the cables from the original box.



With the receiver mounted, and added a spot for the light controller



Mounted the on/off button to the steering servo



And here with everything back in place. I think this is the most amount of space I can make available with the tranny in this location.



I must say I'm completely amazed with the difference in low end control after fiddling with the WP1080 a bit. So many settings for a crawler. The extra external port for the programming card is super helpful as well for changing settings without having to unplug the unit from the RX so that it can sit in its waterproof box.

Looking forward to testing it outside.

[Pilot_MM]

I have the same ESC I am putting in my first time build. It was a steal at the price IMO with the program card. Care to share your settings or are you sticking to default settings initially.

Thanks!

-M

[IVIaarten]

Originally Posted by Pilot_MM

I have the same ESC I am putting in my first time build. It was a steal at the price IMO with the program card. Care to share your settings or are you sticking to default settings initially.

Thanks!

-M

No problem at all, here's my settings:

1. Running Mode: 3 - Fwd/Rev - in my opinion the best mode for a crawler, if you want to can start on 2 - Fwd/Rev/Brk to avoid accidental backing up
2. Battery Type: 1 - LiPo - pretty self explanatory
3. Cutoff Voltage: 3 - Auto (medium)
4. Initial Start Force: 2 - 2%
5. Max. Forward Force - 4 - 100%
6. Max. Reverse Force - 2 - 50% (with a 21T motor that's fast enough, on a 35T you might want to go with 75%
7. Max. Brake Force - 9 - 100%
8. Initial Brake Force - 1 - 0%
9. Drag Brake - 9 - 100%
10. Drag Brake Rate - 4 - Level 4
11. Neutral Range - 1 - 0.02ms
12. Start Mode/Punch - 1 - Level 1
13. PWM Frequency - 4 - 8K (can set this lower for lower ESC temp, but smoother control on higher settings)
14. BEC Voltage - 1 - 6V
15. Freewheeling 1 - Enabled (Not too sure if they named this correctly, but according to the manual this gives better linearity for crawlers, not suggested for faster race cars)

[IVIaarten]

Originally Posted by Pilot_MM

Thanks!

No problem at all.

Also going to pick up some styrene this weekend and make a start on the interior.

[Pilot_MM]

Originally Posted by IVIaarten

No problem at all.

Also going to pick up some styrene this weekend and make a start on the interior.

Hey I wanted to let you know I liked your setting on my ESC. The only thing different I did was like you said, brake force at 75%.

Please document your interior. I have never worked with styrene and am a little apprehensive. I was thinking about cheating using a 3D printed interior. There is a hobby shop where I live that will print stuff for you for $10. He told me he would do the inner fenders for $40 + the $6.50 for the file. Thats cheap compared to what they want shipped.

-M

[IVIaarten]

Started work on the interior. Went to a plastics specialist and picked up 2 sheets of styrene (was cheap, but they only sold 2x1m sheets, got one 1mm thick, and one 2mm thick. Guess I've got styrene for years now ).

Anyways, started with the first part, to cover up the electronics and extend the floor.



Next up a pretty complex part to close off the rear.



Then started work on the rear wheel wells.







Quite a bit of work to get everything to line up to the body, but got it really well fit now.

Next up will probably be the front wheel wells, and a start for the dashboard.

[2mtech]

I guess you got distracted by your LC70 and forgot to finish this one...?

Did you say this was your first build? I don't like you any more haha. Curious to see how this one comes out too!

[IVIaarten]

Originally Posted by 2mtech

I guess you got distracted by your LC70 and forgot to finish this one...?



Did you say this was your first build? I don't like you any more haha. Curious to see how this one comes out too!

Ow yeh, I haven't updated this one in quite a while have I...

Yeh, was my first one, but did loads of reading/watching before attempting it. It's always nice to learn new things.

Small update for now; last big trip was the Walk the Trial event in Belgium, Near Antwerp. Went there with some friends who both built a 6x6. Big thanks to Demolition Team for organizing another amazing edition of this event.

Here's some pictures.















As you can see I finished the front bumper, and am really happy with the results. It's tough as nails, and helps the approach angle quite a bit. Emptied out the roof rack for more of a JeepSpeed look, and moved the spare wheel to the rear interior.

Made some progress on the interior. It's basically closed up, and fabbed up some seats out of dense foam with my dremel.

[Natedog]

Very nicely done, soldered up bumper, paint, lighting and now interior! G6 pics look good too, looks like time to crawl again!

Edit; you could use a heat gun on low to carefully to permanently bend the grill, your ziptie is working nicely though.

[IVIaarten]

Originally Posted by Natedog

Very nicely done, soldered up bumper, paint, lighting and now interior! G6 pics look good too, looks like time to crawl again!

Edit; you could use a heat gun on low to carefully to permanently bend the grill, your ziptie is working nicely though.

Thanks for the compliments .

Must say I'm still very impressed with the 10-2, but further changes to this truck are on the backburner for a moment now, since I'm having a boatload of fun building my new Trailfinder 2 with LandCruiser 70 body set from Killerbody. The details on the body are simply amazing.