Venture with proline ambush body
 

This isn't a build thread but a spot for me to put stuff that I find as I go along with the adventure.

I purchased a Proline Ambush 12.3 wheelbase crawler body from RPP after seeing the body thread in the paint and body section. I was tired of the FJ Cruiser body and wanted something I could get some bigger tires under. I was running Braven Iron sides on Vanquish Method Roosts with CI foams. Here is an old pic:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4605/...4a44d203_c.jpgVenture by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

So as soon as it came in I started the process of fitting it.

The body mounts on the rear of the Venture are tall but all the parts are there to convert it to a low setup like the Ambush body needs. After I got it cut and the body mounts sorted this is what things look like:

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/963/4...43b2b6d6_c.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/944/4...376be8e6_c.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

As you can see from the second pic there is TONS of room for a full interior in this setup. The body sits very low and almost touches the sliders. They are actually the perfect width as they come with the FJ Cruiser body. The body is also a bit longer than the frame over all.

So after that success I installed the cage and the dash to try to start fitting interior parts (steering wheel, shifter, driver, etc). BTW why do none of the interiors or bodies with interiors from Proline include a freaking steering wheel?!.

I also started playing with some axial spare parts I had to see what would fit. FYI, the poison spider front bumper that came on the Jeep Rubicon RTR fits perfectly in the front bumper mount holes! See below. The frame is about 5 mm wider than an axial SCX10.X frame so none of the bolt onto the side of the frame bumpers are going to work.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1723/...c850780d_c.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

That's it for now, I've been talking to my painter and I think we have a plan on how it will be painted. Unfortunately, I don't think a 3D printed grill is in the works. The molded details on the grille aren't exact enough to really work with it. So, I'm going to do paint on grille (see my SCX10.2 body thread in the paint and body section for an example of it). It will say "Scout" on it and will feature the "IH" logo.

thanks for looking

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

I also power coated all the Al bits under the truck. That thread can be seen here.

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/hpi-v...t-al-bits.html

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Looks like a fun project. Thanks for posting it!

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

I discovered the same thing, earlier today, regarding the direct fitment of the Poison Spider bumper. Good deal!

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Had some 4.75" Hyrax sitting around on some plastic wheels so I used them for flex clearance testing. Interestingly enough, the front shocks have a bump stop that limits their travel compared to the rears.

Rear at full stuff:
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/948/4...44f3f30b_c.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Front at full stuff, servo straight:
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1728/...721329da_c.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Front at full stuff, servo straight, inside the body:
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1724/...bafaa62e_c.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Front at full stuff, turned hard driver:
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1747/...15ac2d15_c.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Front at full stuff, turned hard passenger:
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1747/...a65b946d_c.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Looks good so far, cant wait to see it done.

Not many Venture's around with other body's than the FJ (me included).

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Small update. Fitting some detail parts before sending it to my painter. Next is trying to find a driver.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1732/...a75de988_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Ready to be shipped off. 'Merica!

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1747/...47a9647f_z.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1759/...031669b4_z.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Inspiration for the body:
https://www.streetsideclassics.com/v...nal-scout-800a

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

i like that body a lot. cool build

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

My tires came in while I was on vacation so I mounted them up to some old SCX10 OG beadlock wheels I had with some old Delrin rings I had that I got from a guy on here a long time ago.

Boggers just look badass. They are the same height as the Hyrax that I fit the body with but a hair narrower. I think I am going to source some aluminum rings with more bolts and use some scale hardware and see how good I can make these plastic wheels look.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1724/...1a076955_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

I also found the clean rear frame crossmember that the Venture came with in the spare parts bag and installed it since I don't plan on running a rear bumper right now.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1736/...b6ecd60a_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Stay tuned as I may be getting pics of the body from my painter later today.

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

As promised, Axial beadlocks with Locked up RC rings and scale hardware. I think it looks pretty good.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/891/2...4a621888_b.jpg by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

My painter didn't get a chance to do my body this past weekend but should get to it this weekend so pics to come on that.

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Small update. Locked up RC hubs.

Fronts:
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1802/...2b7ae42d_c.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Rears:
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1772/...c40f00ed_c.jpgimage1 by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

I've got stainless lower links in route from a guy on Facebook and the body should be painted this weekend.

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

As promised, painted pics. Can't wait to get it mounted up with all the interior details.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/884/2...b092360c_b.jpg35821849_10157517808434278_5333165121709539328_n by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/892/4...f974420e_b.jpgIMG_6713 by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1812/...082502e7_b.jpgIMG_6710 by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1822/...f8512db1_b.jpgIMG_6709 by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Dude...sick! Really liking the stealth but not murdered out look.

Nice job!

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using Tapatalk

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Small update, stainless lower links installed.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1824/...2c390f93_c.jpgimage1 2 by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

That Paint job made the body look good. Is it a dark metallic grey?

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Yeah, with a flat black hood.

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Poser driveway shots with body mounted up.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/837/2...2faf4b80_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1763/...a5314a5c_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1767/...c73cfba5_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1822/...c196e307_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

I need to figure out what to do with the rear bumper area. It needs something.

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Scout out for its maiden voyage. It did pretty well. I'm not completely happy with the Hobbywing 1080/stock motor operating characteristics. If it binds up even a little bit and I keep giving it throttle it wants to jump forward on me when it breaks free. Not sure if it is something I can tune out or not. Anyway, on to the pics!

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/152932242@N02/41390666790/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1789/41390666790_b013972bb4_b.jpg" width="1024" height="679" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/152932242@N02/41390662370/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/843/41390662370_1f58d21861_b.jpg" width="1024" height="664" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/152932242@N02/43201192551/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1789/43201192551_6cc425e414_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/152932242@N02/43151426672/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/833/43151426672_8e19122955_b.jpg" width="1024" height="712" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/152932242@N02/43201187001/in/dateposted/" title="Untitled"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1804/43201187001_46e9419795_b.jpg" width="1024" height="688" alt="Untitled"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

So my transfercase crapped out during the outing above. I'm was getting some binding and not so nice noises out of it at the end of the day. Got a chance to take it apart last night and found nothing obviously wrong with it. With the case split and the gears sitting in one half everything rotated nice and smooth. When I put the other half on something is causing it to bind up. At any rate I sent a email to HPI NA asking if there was anything they could do for me. I also found a complete one on Ebay for 25 bucks shipped so I ordered it to hopefully get me back up and running. So if HPI comes through with a new one (I'm not holding my breath) I will have a complete spare. Sucks to have the truck down though.

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Got the new x-case off ebay after some drama. It works great the truck is very smooth now. Looking forward to taking out again and getting some nice video.

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

What made the stock transfer case fail? Did HPI ever get back to you?

And lastly, what did you do with those Roost wheels? They look perfect on the tan FJ body.

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

The only thing I can think of that would cause the issue I was having is that the hole for the shaft in the output gear or idler gear was not concentric with the outer tooth circle of the gear. HPI originally sent me a new X-case housing but that didn't fix the issue. They never got back to me when I emailed them back about the case not fixing the problem.

I still have the Roost wheels with Bravin Ironsides and CI foams. All 5. Not sure what I am going to do with them yet.

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

So I got the proline roof rack and 4" LED light bar for the Ambush body.

What are you guys using to wrap your LED light bar wires before it goes into the body? I was looking at 1/16th braided wire sleeve but am worried you will be able to see the red through it. I also thought about using heat shrink but I'm worried it will make it too stiff.

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Sometimes I feel like I am talking to myself, lol. Anyway. Lighting and roof rack installed along with some random scale crap.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/859/4...0670af5c_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/939/4...097d7619_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/938/4...97a0afc9_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/931/4...5c0da6f2_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/932/4...4a4f3698_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/938/4...6328cee3_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/861/2...76728019_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Talking to yourself? Don’t be crazy!

Keep posting about your crawler please, I’m keen on the Ambush body and lurk in your thread just to see some real world pics of one!

It’s very hard to find many other pics of this body being used, thanks for sharing.

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Really like your body setup and the tires and wheels just set it off even more. Nicely done.

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

very cool build up, looks great. I love the venture, only thing I have done to mine is change the wheels/tyres. steering servo needs upgrading straight off the bat though

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Body looks great! I just picked up a Venture roller for cheap so I’ve been scoping the venture forums. I really wanted a FJ body but can’t find any in stock or less than a $100, but I’ve considered the ambush body as well. The only thing about the ambush body is the rear frame showing.

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

So after months of looking for a suitable rear bumper, I had a wild idea. Let me know what you guys think. Considering there are zero options out there, I think it looks pretty good. It's a little wide but it tucks up close to the body pretty good.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1959/...f66a443e_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1930/...3cd6bf4b_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1926/...5014da06_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

I chopped up an old Axial front bumper and used some RC4WD diamond deck plate for my custom rear bumper. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1600e04163.jpg

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

finally got to take it out since I fixed the transfer case and got the rear bumper mounted. It runs sooo much smoother and slow speed control is what I thought it should be from the get go.

On with the pics!

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4863/...02e56611_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4859/...ab087378_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4807/...253efbd4_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4826/...8d7f8afe_b.jpgUntitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

It's surprising how similar looking our Ventures have turned out to be, despite going in two pretty different directions. I am a bit jealous of how light your body probably is compared to mine.

Having the full cage on mine + 2 light bars + batteries + inner panels + body puts my body at 800 grams. I just added a bunch of weight to my wheels, in order to counteract that, so that now my 4 wheels are 800 grams.

But now, with wheel weight, brass in and on the axles, steel links and a heavy body, I've got enough weight on this rig that I need to upgrade my steering servo again. My Traxxas 2075 isn't cutting it anymore.

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Nice looking rig! Hows that trans case working out for you?

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

X-case is sooo much better now. Buttery smooth on startup where before it would jump as it overcame the binding in the old case.

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Got my CVD's installed this past weekend but I seem to be getting some slop in the steering when weight is on the tires that is limiting the angle. I have a feeling it is the stock servo saver. Anybody got a link to a Al servo arm that fits in the stock location and doesn't throw off the front end geometry?

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

I'm using the Vanquish servo horn with a spacer. See my post here: http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/hpi-v...ml#post5896870

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

When you go full right lock do you get any interference with the servo arm and the frame track bar bracket? There isn't a lot of room under there when you start swinging the servo arm around I noticed.

Re: Venture with proline ambush body
 

Not that I remember. I got full steering throw and I had to limit it with my transmitter. If I remember I'll double check for you tonight. If you want to remind me to check send me a PM after 4:30 PM EST today.