Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

Not sure, if I manage to keep this thread updated, but I wanted to let you all know, how a Vaterra Bronco body fits on the Sawback chassis. I have been always busy with my other rigs and almost forgot I had a sawback. I actually liked it, but somehow never drove it much. I recently installed a Vaterra Blazer on one of my SCX10 chassis and loved the oversized look of it. So I wanted that Bronco body also!

First: The body is huge! Even 1.9 wheels look tiny underneath it. You could probably build one of those russian dolls out of a small Tamiya Bronco, put HPI's Bronco over it and then the Vaterra on top covering them all - lol.

Sawback chassis wheelbase is 287mm, Vaterra Bronco is 278ish. So about 10mm shorter. First I wanted to change the leaf spring mounts but went the easier route. I just cut the chassis in half and took about 12mm out on each side. That's not only the difference needed for the wheelbase but also the distance between the outer screw holes on the skid plate - so that is a perfect fit "thumbsup"

http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1i7fsrwl.jpg

Excuse the "crappy" paint job - this used to be a military version ;-)

I used some L-shaped aluminum that I had laying around to join the front and back together. Would serve as a start to hold an interior as well - but more about that further down.

So this is what it looks like for now:

http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/...psnbqtlneg.jpg

http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/...pslshzfcif.jpg

Notice the Maxxis Trepadors which have a large diameter already. They fit easily into the wheel arches and tuck in too. I am waiting on hex adapters with a larger offset for the steelies in order to get a wider track.

Haven't taken pictures of the next steps yet, but I hinged the body at the rear end and used earth magnets mounted to the top of the former body mounts, that will hold down the front of the body.

Interior:
I chopped up the old Sawback Willy's wannabe body - was never fond of it at all - and used it as an interior. Fits perfectly under the Bronco body "thumbsup" - by the way: kudos for this trick have to go to a guy on facebook (Ken A.)! Great idea!

Waiting for better weather so I can paint the body "thumbsup"

This is the look I am going for:

http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7j63vsxe.jpg

More to follow during the holidays. Can't wait to take the good old Saawback out on a run!

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

Just awesome.

Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

Off to a great start!

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

Weather is nasty - raining and freezing here :-( Hardly any progress... Here is just a shot of the Sawback under the Bronco body -which I hinged in the back for easier access:

http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/...pscgnu2109.jpg

http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/...pscaye3ufj.jpg

Hoping for better temps so I can paint that sucker! Oh, by the way: I ran a Y-harness from the steering servo to another one behind the dash board. Steering wheel is turning too :-)

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

I'm really liking this body on the Sawback!

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

Nice touch with the steering wheel.

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

Me too, great fit and looks.

X2

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

Thanks guys - hope, this week will be sunnier and warmer. Can't wait to paint the body!

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

Huge Bronco fan here. Be definitely watching this!

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

keeping an eye on this! cant wait to see how this comes out

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

Lol - I just ordered an RC4WD Blazer and almost thought it is even cooler than this Bronco, so I had the idea of donating this Sawback chassis again - but then, the weather is getting better and it fits so well, so I will go ahead and paint it this week for sure - yes! Still figuring out how to fit proper wheel wells in the front. I have several plastic containers I intended to use, but none of them are "deep" enough, which means, they don't fill the room between chassis and body... any suggestions? These have to be much deeper than the usual containers.

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

Do both rigs!!!!

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

Don't you worry. I will find another chassis sooner than my budget allows it ;-)

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

Needs coil springs up front to be a scale Bronco. Other than that great project!

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

Don't know much about Broncos - thanks for the hint - should be do-able "thumbsup"
3 or 4 linked? Linked at all? Maybe I do throw the Blazer on this chassis and build a different one for the Bronco ;-)

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

Bronco front suspension. Track bar is hidden by the draglink. Just in case you really do want to go this rout. "thumbsup"

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

Update: Finished - well almost. Only a few details left to be done. Photobucket seems to be down, so here is just a teaser shot. Will upload more tonight "thumbsup"

Attachment 336128

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

So, the new ride is added to the fleet:


http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1zynzyav.jpg

http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/...psqxg06bdx.jpg

http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/...pssorej2qg.jpg

http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/...psotx5zkmo.jpg

Still need to do something about the white letter sticker and the bumper is too plain.


http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/...psuuxd8za4.jpg

Made some wheel wells, winch is missing the hook.


http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/...psmhlkt4kz.jpg

Got some delrin leaf springs from "Peppe" (rc-crawler.it) which still need to be broken in - but hopefully won't break.


http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4gfutsvu.jpg

I painted Tamiya copper, then black on the inside. Afterwards I shot the roof with the same black as a primer. Then finished it off with a thin layer of flat black Krylon. Still have to finish the underside.


http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8agxbvt4.jpg

The dashboard is made by rc-crawler.it as well - I just made it wider and added a top part to it. The steering wheel and the driver's arm actually turns - attached to a second servo with a y-harness behind the dash.


http://i1334.photobucket.com/albums/...psase5dyh4.jpg

And we got a driver too: the "six million dollar man" Lee Majors "thumbsup"

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

I think I just fell in love. Great job!

Re: Sawback Vaterra Bronco
 

That is AMAZING! Love it!