My Own Ralph...Well Kind Of

[@tw!ll]

So I like many others have had a great fascination with the tuber known as Ralph. He's just got great personality. I decided a while back I wanted something like Ralph, a big heavy 2.2 tuber that made All T's look normal. Then RC4WD came out with the 2.2 Rock Crushers, and I thought even better. Finally what made me decide, was when I bought my Hilux a couple weeks back. I bought it for the body basically, and decided the axles would be perfect for my own version of Ralph.

Having said that, please keep in mind that I am nowhere near the likes of rckjeep or JIA. This is strictly based off of Ralph, not a copy. I've seen people scale pics off the internet, print them up, and use them as plans. Well that's not me. I just took my laptop out to the garage and used the pics to base things off of, and just kinda guessed. So here is the beginning of the build of "Ralphy"

Btw he is being made entirely of 3/16" solid steel, mig welded together.

Tentative specs:
Hilux Axles
Stampede Tranny w/all metal gears inside
Novak Rooster
Who knowa what motor
Custom servo mount for front axle
Proline black on black 2.2 Beadlocks
RC4WD 2.2 Rock Crushers


First setting the wheelbase, 13.5" sounds good.


Next for the base. Can't thank Badger enough for posting that link to rckjeeps original build pics.


Yup it fits.


Next some hoops.


Now the rear hoop and braces.



Now the down tubes, and the front hoop.



Side braces and center tube. Now I noticed that the roof was way too tall at this point. Didn't really want to wack the whole thing off, or scrap it for that matter either. So I decided to hack some out of the bottom of all three windshield tubes, rebend them, and basically give the roofline some rake. Like I said, it's based off of Ralph. But different.







Beginnings of the stinger.


Side hoops on the stinger.

[@tw!ll]

Now I've added tubes along side the windshield. Don't ask me why, but something told me I needed them there.:?



This is it for now. Front shock mounts done. I knew I needed to get as much done on him as possible today. Going to the coast with my new lady tomorrow, and then snowboarding with her on Monday. No more updates until sometime next week. This is only just the beginning, lots left to do on him.

[cotharyus]

Looks good! I'm still trying to sort out what to do with the tuber I'm building - I've actually got two different starts made - one is a big ugly scale looking tuber, the other is more of a comp type tuber. Decisions, decisions.

[4u2nv]

That's coming out great... I think everyone here has wanted their own version of Ralph at some point. Imagine the sales if someone mass-produced them.

[rckjeep]

Just don't try to drive over it with a truck, like it's current owner did. Silly Jason.

If someone massed produced them I'd sue! Speaking of lawsuits, @tw!II how much money you got?

[Rudukai13]

Maybe you should start selling them rckjeep?

[JasonInAugusta]

Originally Posted by rckjeep

Just don't try to drive over it with a truck, like it's current owner did. Silly Jason.

If Ralph had been with us on the Hell's Revenge trail ride in Moab he'd have gone cliff diving.

[@tw!ll]

Originally Posted by rckjeep

Speaking of lawsuits, @tw!II how much money you got?

Originally Posted by @tw!ll

, please keep in mind that I am nowhere near the likes of rckjeep or JIA. This is strictly based off of Ralph, not a copy.

Good thing this is for personal use and not to sell.

Well ended up getting a little more done on him today.

More vertical bracing front and rear, and added the skid mounts. Got the rear shock mounts done, and almost all of the body panel nuts on.






Still have to do the link mounts, and start grinding down the welds. That will be next week.

Thanks to 1BadJeepBruiser, my 2.2 crushers are on the way next week.

[@tw!ll]

Man, talk about not paying attention. I've been using rckjeep's original build pics for reference, since almost all the pics of Ralph are gone from the Ralph 2.5 thread. I just noticed that the rear has two more bars from the hoop back to the rear cab bar. Oh well more welding I guess.

[Trikster]

Livin the dream man...

[LST022752]

Good job on that chassis. It looks great.

[@tw!ll]

Well I can attest that having a new woman is not conducive to spending much time on your hobbies. Got the tires in (thanks Mike), and mounted them on my Proline beadlocks. They fit, but man are these wheels narrow



Then grabbed the welder and finished the last few body mount nuts, the missing rear tubes, and figured out some linkmounts.







Again that's all for now. Next is links, and waiting for my shocks to arrive. I guess I could make some body panels in the mean time also.

[Brainstain]

That looks great! What welder are you using? New women always equals less time to do anything. But it's worth it in the long run...

[red jim]

Originally Posted by rambuller84

That looks great! What welder are you using? New women always equals less time to do anything. But it's worth it in the long run...

Only if they make good money

[Brandon]

Looks awesome Dave, nice work

[@tw!ll]

Originally Posted by rambuller84

That looks great! What welder are you using? New women always equals less time to do anything. But it's worth it in the long run...

Hobart 110v model 140 w/gas
I couldn't agree more. A good woman is worth the trade off.

Originally Posted by red jim

Only if they make good money

Actually she will be going to school shortly to be a therapist. She'll easily end up making WAY more than me

Originally Posted by Nluvwithxlr8ing

Looks awesome Dave, nice work

Thanks Brandon, I was surprised it turned out this good. I'm going to buy a bunch more rod next week and start playing around a little more. I really want to build a 1.9 RR. I love your rig's design, and the gimbals also. Have to try to come up with something a little more my own.

[Grizzly4x4]

Ralphy's looking great so far. This'll be a great build.
I'm impressed that you can MIG weld those 3mm nuts in place, I've always been afraid to try that.

Ralphieeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!

[@tw!ll]

Originally Posted by Grizzly4x4

Ralphy's looking great so far. This'll be a great build.
I'm impressed that you can MIG weld those 3mm nuts in place, I've always been afraid to try that.

Ralphieeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!

Thanks Grizz.
I had to break off a half dozen before I figured the trick. Put a 1" long stainless screw in the nut and use pliers to hold the screw to hold it in place. Then just unscrew it.
It's funny, owned the welder for 5 years, and used it a lot when I was building racing lawnmowers. But I'm having a lot more fun with it building this little stuff.

[Wrecker]

Looking good. The OG Ralph is one of my favorite's, that thing is a tank!

[@tw!ll]

Played around for an hour last night. Made body panel blanks, and put the axles under to get an idea of what it will look like. Going to extend the wheelbase a smidge more than original plan. These are with a 13 3/4" wb, and I think I like it. Also got in my shocks. Made by Kershaw Designs. Got them off ebay. Very nice, and better quality then the Hot Racing I had on one of my older tubers. Now it's link time.






Not sure why these ended up so dark, but oh well.