Johnny builds an MST CFX Ford Bronco

[JohnnyAnguish]

It's been a while since I've posted much, so I figured it was about time to start documenting my latest tiny truck tinkering!

Like many of you, I couldn't resist picking up an MST CFX* when AMain was blowing them out. I had already been planning on picking up the chassis-only version for another project, but the opportunity to pick one up with the adorable baby Bronco body for half the price was too good to be true. I had always liked the Tamiya body. Then I found a few amazing inspiration pictures and came to the realization that I was going to have to build the little bucker.

Let's get to it...


MST CFX Ford Bronco Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

* or three... but that's a story for another time.

[JohnnyAnguish]

Here are a few pics from the transmission build to get things going.

You know, you get so used to all the kits being pretty much the same. Then MST puts planetary gears in a transmission and I couldn't stop grinning. It's a lot of fun to build something completely different!

Oh, and some FastEddy bearings, of course.


MST CFX Ford Bronco Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


MST CFX Ford Bronco Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


MST CFX Ford Bronco Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[OSRC]

It's a fantastic transmission. Smooth, strong and quiet.

[JohnnyAnguish]

Originally Posted by OSRC

It's a fantastic transmission. Smooth, strong and quiet.

I'm impressed so far. The overall quality of the kit seems pretty nice.

[Old n ratty]

Mine is noticeably quiet compared with pretty much any other rig my friends run with. Really like the transmission, great reduction and a very good brake in itself.

[JohnnyAnguish]

Originally Posted by Old n ratty

Mine is noticeably quiet compared with pretty much any other rig my friends run with. Really like the transmission, great reduction and a very good brake in itself.

This makes me even more excited to drive the li'l bugger.

[JohnnyAnguish]

Since I hadn't really intended to build a mini Bronco, I'm trying to keep the cost down on this build. To that end, I picked up a 35T Holmes Hobbies TrailMaster Sport for a motor. I also picked up a DS3218 servo. I normally don't go super cheap on servos, but I broke down and decided to give one of these a try. It should toss around this tiny truck just fine.

I also installed the CMS mount designed by gsgraber92 (Grabers3DRC on Shapeways). It's a nice piece. The geometry looks really good.



MST CFX Ford Bronco Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


MST CFX Ford Bronco Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[JohnnyAnguish]

At one point I ended up needing to order parts for another project and managed to pick up some metal links on the cheap. On they go.


MST CFX Ford Bronco Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


MST CFX Ford Bronco Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

The plastic lockers don't make me giggly happy like the planetary gear transmission. I plan on giving them a try and running them until they fail. Hopefully I won't regret that decision and end up carrying my toy truck home. Now that the thought is in my head, I'm pretty sure that feeling is already setting in.



MST CFX Ford Bronco Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


MST CFX Ford Bronco Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[soze]

Nice, I wish I would've jumped on the Bronco version when they were clearing them out. Instead I had to settle for the Unimog CMX.

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by soze

Nice, I wish I would've jumped on the Bronco version when they were clearing them out. Instead I had to settle for the Unimog CMX.

Same here!

Sweet build so far. How do you like those links so far? If I was going to upgrade anything on my CMX it would be the links. I don't think there's an issued with the stock, plastic ones though because they are durable and the truck is really light. Oh and where did you get them cheap? $60 shipped is about as low as I've seen.

[JohnnyAnguish]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

Same here!

Sweet build so far. How do you like those links so far? If I was going to upgrade anything on my CMX it would be the links. I don't think there's an issued with the stock, plastic ones though because they are durable and the truck is really light. Oh and where did you get them cheap? $60 shipped is about as low as I've seen.

The links seem sturdy enough. I'll know more when I get the truck out in the wild. Around the same time AMain was blowing out the turks they also had some of the parts on sale. I think the links were around $35 at the time. It was random sizes and colors, not all of them. I got these and a set of the brown ones for the 252mm wheelbase for a future build (hopefully).

[JohnnyAnguish]

At some point it got to this stage. The kit is essentially built. I still need to throw in the radio gear and ESC, but it's close. Well, at least to the point where the 80/20 rule kicks in. Now the "fun" begins.

The tires aren't glued onto those rims. I just can't bring myself to break out the tire glue for these trucks. I tinker too much to make such a commitment. It's too bad the kit wheels aren't beadlocks, because they've got a great look. I kinda like the tires, too. I'll throw them on some cheap beadlocks and run them at some point. I've got a few ideas for wheel/tire combos. Stay tuned.


MST CFX Ford Bronco Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


MST CFX Ford Bronco Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[Old n ratty]

I've run the standard kit tyres, didn't think much of them TBH. Do look nice tho! Shapeways thingy for the servo I have, but I shaved a bit out in front of the servo horn to get it on/ off easier. Ally links look good, made brass ones for mine, rod ends ain't too bad.

[JohnnyAnguish]

Originally Posted by Old n ratty

I've run the standard kit tyres, didn't think much of them TBH. Do look nice tho! Shapeways thingy for the servo I have, but I shaved a bit out in front of the servo horn to get it on/ off easier. Ally links look good, made brass ones for mine, rod ends ain't too bad.

I’m not expecting greatness from the tires. Just something fun to run now and again. I’ve got a great wheel/tire combo planned.

[Nzmaximus]

Good news for you, the plastic lockers are bulletproof. Unless maybe if you had brushless steel driveshafts and 2.2s then they might go haha. The only must do upgrade on the cfx is driveshafts (traxxas slash plastic sliders fit on the stock yokes btw)


Mst cfx
Axial wraith
Axial yeti
8x venom creeper

[OSRC]

Agreed, the tiny tires don't put much stress on those lockers. Mine are nice and tight after a few trail runs.

[JohnnyAnguish]

Originally Posted by Nzmaximus

Good news for you, the plastic lockers are bulletproof. Unless maybe if you had brushless steel driveshafts and 2.2s then they might go haha. The only must do upgrade on the cfx is driveshafts (traxxas slash plastic sliders fit on the stock yokes btw)


Mst cfx
Axial wraith
Axial yeti
8x venom creeper

Well, there goes my wheel/tire plan!

Originally Posted by OSRC

Agreed, the tiny tires don't put much stress on those lockers. Mine are nice and tight after a few trail runs.

That's encouraging!

[JohnnyAnguish]

I threw the kit tires onto some Gmade plastic beadlocks for fun. Not a bad look.


MST CFX Ford Bronco Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[JohnnyAnguish]

I'm pretty happy with the way this body is coming out. Here's a sneak peek...


MST CFX Ford Bronco Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[JohnnyAnguish]

Well, this certainly won't win me any points with the fine folks of the SBG, but I've decided to use this hacked up ProLine XJ interior (that I was originally going to cram into my CC-01 FJ Cruiser) in the Bronco. Certainly not accurate, but it's easy to get to fit. Yay, easy!


MST CFX Ford Bronco Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


MST CFX Ford Bronco Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr