RCCrawler Forums

DougH · 03-09-2005, 11:44 PM

I'm building a TXT based crawler and was wondering if anyone has tried narrowing a body? I've got a HPI Bronco and was thinking of narrowing it to fit snug against my chassis for clearance. I want to mount as low as possible and am trying to avoid tire rub. FYI WB is 16 1/4", frame is cut and have Savage shocks mountd high. Shocks will be above the hood line.

The seam can be hidden on the hood, roof and trunk with color and/or stripes but what about a seam in the middle of the windshield. Think it would look wierd? Also am not sure if I should paint first or to cut then paint.

Is this a bad idea overall?

BENDER · 03-09-2005, 11:48 PM

Sounds like a mean rig.

Jason narrowed a stock E-maxx body here, 4th post down.
There’s something new on the horizon………………

jason · 03-09-2005, 11:51 PM

I narrowed this one, just cut out what I needed then CA glued it back together. It was already painted. The glue leaves marks and I think painting from the underside like normal will look like crap. I think you'd have to paint it on the outside.

a_vdk · 03-10-2005, 12:22 AM

How much did you take out of the middle. I just have eletronics to put in my stick and I was going to cut up a traxxas body like yours. Did you get yours together yet? Do you think goop would work better?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason

I narrowed this one, just cut out what I needed then CA glued it back together. It was already painted. The glue leaves marks and I think painting from the underside like normal will look like crap. I think you'd have to paint it on the outside.

Clod_Master · 03-10-2005, 08:48 AM

I have an idea to get around the windshield seam problem. Just cut out the whole windshield, and replace it with a new piece of lexan. The only seams would be around the edges, so it wouldn't look bad if you glue it cleanly.

4RnrRick · 03-10-2005, 09:38 AM

I narrowed my body on my clod, I think about 1 1/2". Its not pretty but it worked. I just cut the body down the center while taking about about 1" of material and then rivited it back together with an over lap. you can see it in the ORCRC comp videos.... Its the black dodge with a whilte skunk strip rolling on BFT's. (it use to have two racing stripes.....)

ORCRC 2-27-05 Comp Video

kevinlongisland · 03-10-2005, 06:50 PM

ruberized ca holds my narrowed body together without problems. i even tried to pull it apart and it's on there.

wrmorrison told me a good idea. take a piece of masking tape, 1" or 2", whatever you want to narrow your body by. run it down the center and cut along the lines. this way you know you cut straight and even on both sides.

DougH · 03-10-2005, 06:58 PM

Thanks for the info guys.

Bender your rig was my inspiration, love the looks. So far have cut the frame for clearance, raised tranny and fabbed skid plate, shortened for shocks and clearance, flipped the links, revo shafts, GD600, make servo mounts, narrowed stock wheels and am in the process of cutting tire tread. Later plans are narrowed Outbacks and moabs

I figure to cut about 1 1/2 inches out right down the middle using masking tape as the guide. Current plan is to then use that piece to bolt the body back together with 2/56 button head screws to simualte rivers, and the strips painted a contrasting color (black) from the body (flourescent blue)

Vitamin_J · 03-10-2005, 07:01 PM

i'd say cut the windshield out. i cut the windshield out of a few of my bodies......i think it looks better, plus i can change batteries and fool with electronics easier.

BENDER · 03-10-2005, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougH

Bender your rig was my inspiration, love the looks. So far have cut the frame for clearance, raised tranny and fabbed skid plate, shortened for shocks and clearance, flipped the links, revo shafts, GD600, make servo mounts, narrowed stock wheels and am in the process of cutting tire tread. Later plans are narrowed Outbacks and moabs

Cool, thanks for the props. Sounds like you've done your homework. When are we going to get some pics?

03-09-2005, 11:44 PM	#1
DougH Newbie Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 25	Anyone narrow a body? I'm building a TXT based crawler and was wondering if anyone has tried narrowing a body? I've got a HPI Bronco and was thinking of narrowing it to fit snug against my chassis for clearance. I want to mount as low as possible and am trying to avoid tire rub. FYI WB is 16 1/4", frame is cut and have Savage shocks mountd high. Shocks will be above the hood line. The seam can be hidden on the hood, roof and trunk with color and/or stripes but what about a seam in the middle of the windshield. Think it would look wierd? Also am not sure if I should paint first or to cut then paint. Is this a bad idea overall?

03-09-2005, 11:48 PM	#2
BENDER 2006 2.2 National Champ Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Big Bear Lake Posts: 8,328	Sounds like a mean rig. Jason narrowed a stock E-maxx body here, 4th post down. There’s something new on the horizon………………

03-09-2005, 11:51 PM	#3
jason R.I.P. Chip Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The Crawler State Posts: 13,938	I narrowed this one, just cut out what I needed then CA glued it back together. It was already painted. The glue leaves marks and I think painting from the underside like normal will look like crap. I think you'd have to paint it on the outside.

03-10-2005, 08:48 AM	#5
Clod_Master Rock Stacker Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Central, Ok Posts: 77	I have an idea to get around the windshield seam problem. Just cut out the whole windshield, and replace it with a new piece of lexan. The only seams would be around the edges, so it wouldn't look bad if you glue it cleanly.

03-10-2005, 09:38 AM	#6
4RnrRick Rock Crawler Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: www.ORCRC.com Posts: 693	I narrowed my body on my clod, I think about 1 1/2". Its not pretty but it worked. I just cut the body down the center while taking about about 1" of material and then rivited it back together with an over lap. you can see it in the ORCRC comp videos.... Its the black dodge with a whilte skunk strip rolling on BFT's. (it use to have two racing stripes.....) ORCRC 2-27-05 Comp Video

03-10-2005, 06:50 PM	#7
kevinlongisland The Wheels Keep Turning Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 2,831	ruberized ca holds my narrowed body together without problems. i even tried to pull it apart and it's on there. wrmorrison told me a good idea. take a piece of masking tape, 1" or 2", whatever you want to narrow your body by. run it down the center and cut along the lines. this way you know you cut straight and even on both sides.

03-10-2005, 06:58 PM	#8
DougH Newbie Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 25	Thanks for the info guys. Bender your rig was my inspiration, love the looks. So far have cut the frame for clearance, raised tranny and fabbed skid plate, shortened for shocks and clearance, flipped the links, revo shafts, GD600, make servo mounts, narrowed stock wheels and am in the process of cutting tire tread. Later plans are narrowed Outbacks and moabs I figure to cut about 1 1/2 inches out right down the middle using masking tape as the guide. Current plan is to then use that piece to bolt the body back together with 2/56 button head screws to simualte rivers, and the strips painted a contrasting color (black) from the body (flourescent blue)

03-10-2005, 07:01 PM	#9
Vitamin_J Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 388	i'd say cut the windshield out. i cut the windshield out of a few of my bodies......i think it looks better, plus i can change batteries and fool with electronics easier.

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