Toms cxt build “big bee”

[rs10man]

Gday all. Thought I’d put up some progress of my cxt build.
Purchased it from the states as they weren’t available In Australia and I was inspired by szczerbas builds amongst others.

Utilising AR60 diffs as they are the perfect width. Nothing is really planned out I’m just making up things in my mind as I go and so far I’m very excited with how it’s turning out.

This was when I got it.




Testing fitment. these are 1.9 cnc custom wheels smoothies and boggers. These wheels aren’t for this build, just what I had fitted at the time.






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[rs10man]

I began making my own chassis, I have a bender for larger things and tried using it to make the required bends for this chassis. Using 25x25mm box.
I couldn’t get the bends tight enough and the pressed inner and outer edges annoyed me.




As you can see the deformed curves using this style bender, it’s ok and looks alright on large scale stuff, I build Ute trays, canopies and dog cages with it but coming down to this size I just couldn’t have it like this.

I then tried the slicing method, mark where I want the bend and then make numerous cuts into the steel and then bending it to the required angle, I don’t have photos of this method but you’ll see the final result. It turned out perfect, couldn’t be happier with it.






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[rs10man]

The rear bend required a little tweak, I had to use the torch to heat it up and bend it up as it was leaning down. It was only 2mm but I could see it. Better to start out right than for it to be out of whack later.



Time to split it down the middle to form the 2 C channels.



I’ve got the hang of this and can get quite a straight cut with the 125mm grinder.



Cleaning up the inside of the rails was easily the worst part. Didn’t take long but just a combination of small sanding discs/flap wheels and the die grinder got it looking nice.
Thankful to have the milwaukee sander with roloc bits. Couldn’t do it without it.




Ok so this is after clean up. Afew small pin holes only on the inside but I’m ok with that. Very happy with the result.




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[rs10man]

Next was initial mock up. Set the chassis width and make it all square. I couldn’t do this with the rails just sitting there. I did try and it just wasn’t right.
I decided to mark the desired width on my welding bench, mark the end for the rear rails and then I tack welded it to the bench.





Doing it this way I’ve been able to pull the entire chassis back square, obviously the heat from cutting the steel apart makes it warp etc.
from front to back it’s even and square, that mission I’m very happy with.


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[rs10man]

Now that the chassis is square and ready to be worked on I decided on a mounting system. I already knew the rear tub would sit flush on top of the rails so that was easy but I’m building a chassis, I want it to look like a chassis with mounts and braces etc.

The good thing with using the box section is I can just slice it in half and I ave the bent edges for looks and strength, cut some angles and done!!!




These photos are mock up just sitting in place. I made the mounts to be as wide as the underside of the inner tub.
My measurements for the chassis height from where the bed sits to where the body will sit turned out perfect, the underside of the cab sits flush on top of the rails from the middle lower section forward.
Measurement wise, the front chassis height turned out spot on as well to pick up the stock mounting points under the bonnet.







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[rs10man]

Now that I knew where the tray would sit and how the cab would sit, it was time for cab mounts. Same idea as before, Slice the tube in half and cut on an angle to the desired length etc. the cab mounts are wider the the tray and come out to be as wide as the body. I’ll make an internal frame inside the cab to strengthen it but also be the mounting point also.




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[rs10man]

Almost up to date with where I am now, front body mounts are done and just a general tidy up on smoothing welds. I have had to cut the chassis from the bench and turn it around to weld and smooth the opposite side but it’s back on the table and still all square.
I think that’s what I’m most happiest with is the fact I’ve took the time to ensure it’s all spot on. Every mount from front to back is square and symmetrical.



The beginning of the front most body mounts.



And turn out like so.



A bit of welding and some smoothing and done for now.

Next I took a piece of 40x40 to make a front chassis brace, not certain of its positioning yet but it’s almost done.
Don’t ask me why I made it how I did, just for some reason I decided on getting creative and this is what I came up with.





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[rs10man]

These are the aforementioned wheels by cnc custom wheels. I think they have an alcoa look to them and will be perfect for this build.

1.9s I’m just waiting on new rings from lockeduprc and I’ll mount them to the boggers.
Almost up to date with the build but I’ll leave it for now, I’m getting the chance to work on this afew days a week for a couple of hrs now.

Next is going to be link location, lower link placement to be exact. Stay tuned and safe!!!







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[Szczerba]

Subscribed. Love that frame work for sure!

I used 1" square tube ripped down the middle for my first couple chassis but then swapped to 1" flat bar. Way less work! haha.

[MSB]

that is awesome. I wish I had that kind of patience

[rs10man]

Originally Posted by Szczerba

Subscribed. Love that frame work for sure!

I used 1" square tube ripped down the middle for my first couple chassis but then swapped to 1" flat bar. Way less work! haha.

Thanks mate, appreciate it coming from you after looking through all your builds, it is a lot of work but I’m in no hurry with this build. Really enjoy working with this scale vehicle.

[rs10man]

Originally Posted by MSB

that is awesome. I wish I had that kind of patience

Thanks MSB, thank you for the kind words, I’m working on the patience part, especially as I only got a few hrs here and there between the kids and my job.

[Mike Flea]

it's going to be a good build, I love these rigs

[rs10man]

Originally Posted by Mike Flea

it's going to be a good build, I love these rigs

Thanks mike!


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[rs10man]

Not much to report today, a bit of tidying up the front chassis support. I cut it down to size and am just filing out the inside edges to straighten them. Think I’ll need to do a couple of welds on a couple of the ends (where the grinder went too far) and file them out to make it neat, I may aswell keep trying to make it the best I can.

Should have this in place tomorrow!



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[2manyprojects]

Looking good!

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[rs10man]

Originally Posted by 2manyprojects

Looking good!

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Thanks mate!


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[rs10man]

Again not much today but all these little things take time.
Welded a couple of the front brace shaped holes I made to fill in gouges, worked great, then file and file and file until I was happy with it.

Front brace tacked into place and now removed from the bench for a reposition tomorrow!

A few photos outside for those following. Really looking like how I imagined it now...

[2manyprojects]

Originally Posted by rs10man

Again not much today but all these little things take time.
Welded a couple of the front brace shaped holes I made to fill in gouges, worked great, then file and file and file until I was happy with it.

Front brace tacked into place and now removed from the bench for a reposition tomorrow!

A few photos outside for those following. Really looking like how I imagined it now...

That looks awesome!


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[B-MOW71]

Great looking chassis work! Well done!

This looks like it is going to be a cool build! Can't wait to see the rest of it!