Ford F350 HD All-Pro Expedition Pack Rack Build

[cmbscx10]

Scored some cheap wheel & tires. Makes it a little more visual in what the end product might look like. Obviously can't determine ride height without axles. Still on the lookout for those.

3-3/4" Worth of boxes


4" Box

[cmbscx10]

Small Update.

I had zero time over the last few days but i was able to at least cut out the bumper. I am going to leave the sides off for covering the up cut part for now. I left enough room to braze on some sides later if i want to. I used 3/4" material. I need to cut out some bar stock for the supports. I am not to sure about the design. It is basic and i will make something better later after she is running and i gain a little more skill.

I was able to score a Wraith Spawn roller which should be here next week. I'll raid it for the axles and then real mock up starts.

[cmbscx10]

Small Update.

Brazed on the bumper supports. Need to drill holes and mount it up.

Received my Shapeways Rotopax. They are 1/10 scale and close enough for this scale of rig. They are very nice detailed pieces. They are thick for the size but hollow. I want to fill them with something so when they take a hit they don't come apart. Not sure what to fill them with yet. Anything with heat will melt them. A little hand fitting to get them to mount together but nothing major. Need to paint them up and mount a mock up.

While going through some junk i found a scale backpack and climbing rope i bought for my SCX JK. Might as well use it.

[cmbscx10]

The detail is unreal on the RotoPax. They come with 2 mounts and even the little clips to hold the packs together. I never used them in my real life RotoPax but still cool. I "Sharpied" the Fuel and the mounts. I think i will slot the accessory mount and just glue them on. If they come off i will figured out another way to mount them.

[adamargue]

Do you know where you got that back pack and climbing rope they look cool.

[Mike Flea]

I don't know if it heats up when curing, but would it be possible to use expandable foam to fill them. If not, you could fill them with sand.

[cmbscx10]

Originally Posted by adamargue

Do you know where you got that back pack and climbing rope they look cool.

This is the company i bought mine from.

Knife
Did Knife LAPD SWAT Assaulter Driver 1 6th Hot Toys Art Figures | eBay

Backpack (They haven't been on the site for a few months)
Soldier Story Backpack USAF Pararescue Jumper Type C 1 6th Action Figure Toys | eBay

Rope
1 6 Scale Soldier Story SS080C USAF Pararescue Jumper PJ 1 6 Scale Rope | eBay

[cmbscx10]

Originally Posted by Mike Flea

I don't know if it heats up when curing, but would it be possible to use expandable foam to fill them. If not, you could fill them with sand.

Thanks for the suggestions Mike. Much appreciated.

I don't have extra material to test the melting point. I would guess a hot glue gun temp would be right at the limit. The foam sounds like a good idea. Never thought of that.I know that won;t be hot enough to melt it. Being a 3D printed item it should be ok with some heat. I also like the sand idea.

[cmbscx10]

Small update

Rotopax filled with foam Thanks to Mike Flea suggestion.

Bumper:
Mounted. Do to all the variables like the body mounts, where i brazed the supports it was off just enough to make it a little crooked. Nothing a roll over or two won't fix.

Wraith Spawn doner vehicle should be here tomorrow to start pulling the axles from it.

[Mike Flea]

Like you said, you'll never notice it once you've come off a sharp rock, or bounce it off one dragging it going up. The bumper came out nice, looks strong and sturdy, glad the suggestion worked,

[cmbscx10]

Very true. With the weight this thing will be it will align itself. It's just a simple bumper for now.

Not sure why this pic didn't load but i shaved the supports to get just that little bit of clearance.

** My poor PL shocks are just hanging out waiting for axles.

[cmbscx10]

WOOOOFFFFIIIIINNNNHHHHOOOO. Received my Wraith Spawn donor rig and immediately pulled the axles.


Made the rear links and ran out of juice for today. I should have learned from doing the links on my other rigs but someday i will apply what i learned. I was just to excited to get my axles and dove right in.

For the front i am going to rough measure, use a 8/32 all thread w/Revo end attached to a plastic coupler with my left over turnbuckles w/Revo end for the fine tuning of the final measurements.





Got bored waiting for friends to arrive for dinner so busted out the Silver & Gold (For G8 HW) Sharpie and went to town on the Method wheels that came on the Spawn. I like the Silver accent vs All Black. I will go with VP Method Orange Wheel and Black or Silver rings but only if it performs like i think it will.

[cmbscx10]

Shes on her feet at least. Ran out of 8/32 AT so to the HW store tomorrow.

Had to use 6mm spacers on all corners to get the springs off the frame. The shocks on the short tubes will have to reside on the outside of the Axle link mount otherwise they would be directly in the middle of the frame. I'll get some spacers to fill the link mount and longer bolts.

I am using PL scalers set at 95mm in the top most mounting hole, pre load collars all the way up so no pre load in the upper spring and no oil in the shocks. I only put oil in when i am ready to tune suspension. With the weight of just the body it 100% compresses the upper spring but does not get into the lower main spring. Doing a test articulation the shocks bottom out and i haven't even trimmed the fenders for the tires yet. I'll install at the lower mounting holes and see the change.

Overall it sits way way to high for me but i haven't installed all the weighty items like the Bed rack electronics etc. Obviously that will make a HUGE difference. I want to go as low as i can without having to trim too much of the fenders but still articulate well. I have some major fender trimming to do as it sits right now. I am researching what a "Droop" set up is and if i can apply it to my build.

[TacoCrawler]

...looks good

I can't wait to get mine at least to this point

any link interference with the frame
at full suspension compression ?

possibly the CO's bottom out prematurely or limit that ?

Is your frame width the same as the skid, end to end ?
I measure about 4" on my skid... so was assuming yours is the same.
The 60 axle(s) outer/lower link mounts are a little bit wider
at the axle end(s).
So was curious if that were of any issue ?

Dang... need my link kit to see where I sit.

Just my observation of your monster belly up...
but the frame looks awfully thin up in there.

Now I'm starting to wish I'd have used and cut some square stock
down the middle, offering two rails that might more replicate a C channel or boxed frame rail.

meh...
hopefully I won't be spending enough time on my lid to to notice !? Lol

[cmbscx10]

Originally Posted by TacoCrawler

...looks good

I can't wait to get mine at least to this point

any link interference with the frame
at full suspension compression ?

possibly the CO's bottom out prematurely or limit that ?

Is your frame width the same as the skid, end to end ?
I measure about 4" on my skid... so was assuming yours is the same.
The 60 axle(s) outer/lower link mounts are a little bit wider
at the axle end(s).
So was curious if that were of any issue ?

Dang... need my link kit to see where I sit.

Just my observation of your monster belly up...
but the frame looks awfully thin up in there.

Now I'm starting to wish I'd have used and cut some square stock
down the middle, offering two rails that might more replicate a C channel or boxed frame rail.

meh...
hopefully I won't be spending enough time on my lid to to notice !? Lol

* No rush. I am having a really fun time with this one compared to my SCX and Wraith for some reason. Maybe because i am taking my time and trying new things.

Lol
any link interference with the frame at full suspension compression ?

* Can't test that until i finish my mock up links and trim fenders after that but the shocks bottom out well before that.

possibly the CO's bottom out prematurely or limit that ?

Is your frame width the same as the skid, end to end ?

* Yes. 103mm front to back

I measure about 4" on my skid... so was assuming yours is the same.

The 60 axle(s) outer/lower link mounts are a little bit wider
at the axle end(s). So was curious if that were of any issue ?

* Not sure what you mean. THe short tube link was directly inline with my frame s had to space it out on the outer link. See my picture.

Dang... need my link kit to see where I sit.

* I hope they are nice because i am ordering mine from the review you do on yours. Hint Hint [IMG]file:///C:\Users\Mike\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_ image001.gif[/IMG]

Just my observation of your monster belly up...
but the frame looks awfully thin up in there.

* Each rail is 3mm thick and with the skid and F/R support bars i could probably stand on it and not bend it and i am 6'-2" 230lb. The body will come apart before the frame does. If it twists for some odd reason there are pre drilled holes and additional holes you could make to strengthen it up if needed.

Now I'm starting to wish I'd have used and cut some square stock
down the middle, offering two rails that might more replicate a C channel or boxed frame rail.

* I doubt you would need that type of strength. Cutting and making the step ups would not be in my comfort level. Hence why i ordered a custom chassis.

[TacoCrawler]

Originally Posted by cmbscx10

* I doubt you would need that type of strength. Cutting and making the step ups would not be in my comfort level. Hence why i ordered a custom chassis

oh that red burns mine eyes


have no doubt your frame strength is enough...
as long as the frame is boxed and in the right places.
The Wraith belly skid does much of that in of itself.

IMO a thicker looking frame rail would be more scale looking is all.
a C channel frame rail really wouldn't be much heavier.
but would offer a thicker visual perception.

meh... heavier is what I'd prefer anyways.
I think the ride more replicates a 1:1 when the over-all
weight is on the heavier side.

Would likely need notch out for a C channel at the skid
if I attempted that...
but I already have the 1/8" flat bar so scratch that idea.

[cmbscx10]

Mock up Links finished and Drive shaft measurements complete. Need to wait for some funds and will order up the custom links and shafts.

In the meantime i will cut the fenders, finalize the body, maybe run some LED's, make a electronics tray and battery tray etc. You know the list is long with these builds. Stay tuned.


Mandatory Poser Flex Shot

[cmbscx10]

Messing around with a Axial LED controller form my old Wraith. It's weird but the top main light bucket was only drilled for a 2mm LED. I hogged it out to 5mm. They are not Cree's but pretty bright for what they are. I think i will look for Yellow strings for the markers. I would like to figure out how to light up the Amber lights on the roof from underneath. I will have to think about that one.

[Mike Flea]

Those lights look real nice. I wonder if you could use "grain-of-wheat" lights for the clearance lights. If you're unfamiliar with them, they are little lights that model railroaders use. I used 2 of them for the taillights on my Jeep build. They run about $1.50 for a pack of 5 anywhere they sell model railroad supplies.

[cmbscx10]

Thanks for that tip Mike. Next time i am at the LHS i will pick some up.

I put two small lights on the cowl from a SCX CRC but hooked them up wrong and blew them up. Oh well i will put something there later.