Dragon Willys build

[RadioFlyer]

I think I bought this kit almost ten years ago, finally decided to do something with it.





I'm not aiming for a competition crawler of any sort, nor a period-correct scaler, just something like you might find out on the trails today. I imagined something like Mad Brit's jeep...



...with all the bits and pieces but with modern axles and decent sized tires.

Oh, and on leaf springs.

[RadioFlyer]

I decided to see if I can use the kit frame before making something so I filled it in with epoxy and mounted some Tamiya spring Bruiser hangers. Springs are Bruiser main leaf only for now.



Originally I was going to use SCX width axles but I didn't want to end up with limited steering so I robbed my Wraith of its axles and found these Chinese off-brand Bogger copies that seem to have the look I'm after. The leaf spring perches are printed from something I drew up in Fusion 360.



As for the body I decided to try something with the paint. I first concocted an orangey/brown color that I brushed on. I was then going to brush on some water-based acrylic over top in the hopes that as it scratches off the orange base would show through as rust. While this would actually work I felt the acrylic paint was coming off too easy (I could scratch it off with my nail with minimal pressure) so I instead sprayed it with Ford blue and then with Tamiya AS-8 Navy Blue. The orange base is Tremclad and from past experience I knew that a heavy spray over top with automotive paint makes it lift and krinkle if you don't give it a week to dry and harden. This gave me some bubbling underlying rust effect and looks the part for 70+ year old Jeep. The Tamiya AS-8 is specifically aircraft paint and has a nice satin-to-matte finish that I also think looks right for an old Trail Flattie.





And that's how it sits as of now while I paint the bits and pieces and figure out the drivetrain.
Here it is with my Bomber. It's about the same track and width.



I had a set of fat Boggers (35x16-15LT) on my 1:1 Toyota 4Runner and I think these copies have the same look.

[RadioFlyer]

So while the tire was perfect, the wheels were not.



But mounted to the AR60 axle they leave a lot of the axle thread exposed which allowed me to do this...



The outer wheel was actually something I found on Thingiverse (as part of an army trailer that you can see in the background of the first pic) and the hub I drew up in Fusion. I added some 2mm hardware and rust color to complete the look.



The hub threads onto the exposed axle threads and simply holds the "cap" in place.



It looks a bit strange with all the lips but it's certainly more "Jeepish" than the original wheel.

[ctmandu]

looking good.

[RadioFlyer]

Originally Posted by ctmandu

looking good.

Thanks.

[RadioFlyer]

Has anybody played with one of these yet?



It's just a two-stage planetary drive with a motor mount. The gears all look sintered but should hold up with a high-turn motor.



I have a 55 turn attached to it now and the advertised reduction is 5:1 so hopefully the motor doesn't get too hot. If it's no bueno I can probably run an 80 turn instead.

I printed up a 1/10 scale Chevy SB to slide over the 540 motor but it looks too small under the hood. I can try scaling it up and see what that gets me.

[ctmandu]

i have the same gear set just haven't installed it yet, haven't had the money to finish mine yet. let us know how it turns out. i like the motor cover...

[RadioFlyer]

Originally Posted by ctmandu

i have the same gear set just haven't installed it yet, haven't had the money to finish mine yet. let us know how it turns out. i like the motor cover...

For some reason I can't see your pic.

I didn't really want a Chevy V8 under the hood so if I can't find something better I might take a stab at designing my own. I'd prefer a stockish looking 4 banger so we'll see. Even a Ford Flathead V8 would't be too bad.

I ordered one of those RC4WD "Disruptor" style divorced t-cases and I think it has a 2:1 gear ratio. That would put me at around 29:1 overall gear ratio which isn't as low as I would like. I am also thinking about an HG402 gearbox is the gearing is lower. That would kind of make it almost impossible to have a realistic motor under the hood though.

[the_law_man01]

I'm interested in seeing how that planetary works out. I'm ordering one for a '56 International pickup I'm working on.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[ctmandu]

Originally Posted by RadioFlyer

For some reason I can't see your pic.

try this dont know why it didn't show up? https://photos.app.goo.gl/JkomHri2WJUyqJbK7 for my pictures and build...


also have you seen this? I think you will like it. https://youtu.be/G26udLGgdkg

[JatoTheRipper]

Nice build! Can't wait to see how this turns out.

[RadioFlyer]

Originally Posted by ctmandu

try this dont know why it didn't show up? https://photos.app.goo.gl/JkomHri2WJUyqJbK7 for my pictures and build...


also have you seen this? I think you will like it. https://youtu.be/G26udLGgdkg

Awesome build! Love the rust and weathering. That mini is pretty sweet too.

Thanks for the vid on that motor build. I subbed to the channel since it has all sorts of cool.

[Mike Flea]

Have you guys checked some of the other builds in this section using the same Dragon Willy's?

Here's a link for some useful parts for the 1/6 Jeeps: https://rcpcrawlers.com/home.php?cat=51

And for the dash decals/stickers go here: http://patchesofpride.com/

[ctmandu]

Originally Posted by Mike Flea

Have you guys checked some of the other builds in this section using the same Dragon Willy's?

Here's a link for some useful parts for the 1/6 Jeeps: https://rcpcrawlers.com/home.php?cat=51

saw those. I know the roll cage is for the hasbro and not sure if it will fit the Dragon as it is just a little bigger and he was not sure if it would.

[Mike Flea]

I know his cage won't fit my Hasbro. They fit the later year Hasbro's, mine is the earlier '60's/70's, which is even bigger than the Dragon, yet still 1/6.

[RadioFlyer]

Originally Posted by Mike Flea

Have you guys checked some of the other builds in this section using the same Dragon Willy's?

Here's a link for some useful parts for the 1/6 Jeeps: https://rcpcrawlers.com/home.php?cat=51

And for the dash decals/stickers go here: PATCHES OF PRIDE

I did check out all the builds, mostly looking for leaf-spring builds. Not too many of them so I'm learning as I go.

Good to know I can get more decals if I mess mine up. Thanks.

[RadioFlyer]

Originally Posted by ctmandu

saw those. I know the roll cage is for the hasbro and not sure if it will fit the Dragon as it is just a little bigger and he was not sure if it would.

Originally Posted by Mike Flea

I know his cage won't fit my Hasbro. They fit the later year Hasbro's, mine is the earlier '60's/70's, which is even bigger than the Dragon, yet still 1/6.

I'm planning to make my own metal cage. I thought about printing one but it wouldn't look right without a ton of finishing.
When I fastbacked my Wraith I designed and printed some tubes with less than desirable results. Looks good from far but...

[Mike Flea]

That's what I did with brakeline and silver solder, made my own, and the way it's fastened to the body, it can be carried by the cage

[RadioFlyer]

Originally Posted by Mike Flea

That's what I did with brakeline and silver solder, made my own, and the way it's fastened to the body, it can be carried by the cage

What size brake line? A 3" rollbar would be 12.7mm in 1/6th scale. That's kind of big. Even 2.5" pipe is big in scale at 10.6mm

[RadioFlyer]

Originally Posted by the_law_man01

I'm interested in seeing how that planetary works out. I'm ordering one for a '56 International pickup I'm working on.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

It's smooth running and very quiet. It has a good solid feeling to it. I packed mine with some good grease as they come dry.

I thought about buying another one and stacking them for 25:1 gear reduction but that might be a wee bit TOO low.