Andyjk's MST CMX Defender D90 build

[RootBreaker]

wow very nice... I like how you mounted the body with hinges... mind sharing your thoughts on how to keep the front end down?

[Andyjk]

Thanks mate. Started making the front body mount this morning but realized I should probably have waited until the front bumper to arrive before fully finishing it. Anyway, here what I came up with. Not sure at this stage how I'll actually attach it to the body. I'd like something that operates fairly easily so I can access the chassis quickly for battery changes etc. Any and all suggestions welcome!

[Andyjk]

Decided to have a go at bending some brake line to make some sliders



Held together with some neodymium magnets ready for brazing

[H2Micr0]

You are going to braze aluminium?

If you make it work I will be arranging a lesson LOL

[Andyjk]

I read somewhere that it'd work. Obviously need to stop reading there lol

[H2Micr0]

I have seen a vid of it being done with a special alloy filler rod, but all I end up doing is melting the aluminium.

So, not saying it can't be done, but if you can do it I want to know how LOL.

[Andyjk]

Had a go at brazing today and am fairly happy with how it went



Not sure if I'm completely happy with the sliders. Might make up some more later, depending on how these perform


I then started making up the window roll cage

[H2Micr0]

Well Done!!!

Looks like you got the hang of that pretty quick.

The sliders look good to me.

[RootBreaker]

Originally Posted by H2Micr0

Well Done!!!

Looks like you got the hang of that pretty quick.

The sliders look good to me.

Agreed!!!!!

ive got many months till i try doing this stuff myself. got 2 double tube bumpers and a roll bar to mimic my 1:1

[Andyjk]

Originally Posted by RootBreaker

Agreed!!!!!

ive got many months till i try doing this stuff myself. got 2 double tube bumpers and a roll bar to mimic my 1:1

Thanks guys. I don't dislike them, just think they could be cleaner/neater. I wanted to do some more after this but my dremel randomly stopped working so I'm unable to cut more brake line

[H2Micr0]

To cut brakeline get a small pipe cutter from Bunnings.

[Andyjk]

Originally Posted by H2Micr0

To cut brakeline get a small pipe cutter from Bunnings.

Yep, already had one and used it. Was using the dremel more to smooth edges and quick cuts etc

[DubVDUBBIN]

That jig for making links and keeping the wheel base where you want it is an awesome idea. I'll have to steal the design for future builds!!

[Andyjk]

Haha thanks mate, although I can't take the credit for it, saw it somewhere else ��

[Andyjk]

Wheels and tyres finally arrived!

[Andyjk]

Got stuck into more brazing this afternoon. Pretty happy with how it's turned out and am really enjoying making my own cage.

[Andyjk]

Got stuck into more brazing this afternoon. Pretty happy with how it's turned out and am really enjoying making my own cage.

[Andyjk]

Couldn't resist a flex shot with the new wheels and tyres

[Andyjk]

Some more progress with the cage

[Andyjk]

Got more of the roof cage done today and am very pleased with it. Love this little jig, it is a massive help. Would recommend it to anyone trying brazing.






I then had a go at the mounts for the front bumper. I don't know if I like the bumper or not. Sometimes I look at it and think it looks great, but other times I think it looks too big. Like it seems to poke out from the front of the car quite far? Maybe once a winch is mounted in there it'll look a bit better but I'd appreciate your feedback in the mean time.





Anyway, with all these steel bits added, the truck is beginning to pack on the weight a bit and the soft springs weren't cutting it. Weighed the car in at just over 2.6kg (5.7lb) and that's without electronics, battery, the rest of the body bits/accessories and the rest of the cage.

I did notice that the car was sagging more on one side and then saw that one of the shocks was leaking. Not overly impressed, seeing as the truck has seen little to no use at all. Anyway, put stiffer springs on and refilled the shock. I'll give them another chance before I move on.