Micro Rubicon Build
 

I've had my Micro for almost a year now. I knew when I bought it that I would eventually make it in to a scale rig. The only problem was finding the right body. None of the bodies that I had seen had the right dimensions, and I didn't want to commit to a project if it wasn't going to look right in the end.
After I saw the FJ Cruiser build that T4RCrawler did, I knew that these were the bodies that I had been waiting for!

They have a few different versions of these cars.
I've always been a Jeep guy, so picked up the Rubicon.
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_1859.jpg

The Track width is just right on these things.
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_1865.jpg

I figured I better buy some extra Delrin. Hope there's enough here for a rookie builders mistakes! "thumbsup"
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_1871.jpg

The tire and rim size looks just about right. I hope the RC4WD rims and Rok Lox tires look even better!
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_1875.jpg
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_1873.jpg

This is the fifth version of the paper chassis. Unfortunately it wasn't the last. lol
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_1877.jpg

Well, I finally have a hard copy rough draft! With a few more cross members, this might even be strong enough. :idea:
The plan for now is to use the black delrin for the side plates. I wish it wasn't too thick to use the stock screws with. It's been nice to be able to reuse the original hardware. I might look into aluminum since it's thinner, but I haven't really decided yet.
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_1884.jpg

More to come...

Lookin good.
Keep in mind the rc4wd wheels are a little bit taller so they should fill up thos wheel wells and look great.

Thanks buddy.

Hmmm A little bigger huh? When the truck is mocked up with the right ride heighth these tires fit perfectly. I might have to rethink that one.

Got some progress made on the Rubi this morning. She's sitting on the chassis, and all the links are hooked up.
I just need to decide if I should go with the current ride height and get the rok lox, or lower it to look right with the stock wheels.

What do you guys think?

Ride height as it sits now:
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_1901.jpg
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_1904.jpg

Here it is lowered to match the stockers.
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_1913.jpg
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_1910.jpg

They arent that much bigger, if any a mm or 2.
Go with the Rok Lox, you wont be disappointed.

I would go w/the Rox Lox. It's looking real good now but w/the Rox Lox i think it will add that much more to it.

I would go for the rok lox I just got the rock crushes on my grand cherokee and there is very little difference. Nice build so far!

Good deal. Thanks man

I have the same body and an fj sittin in the kids toy box. Man I want a micro!!!!!!

AWESOME BUILD BTW!!

I had a chance to get tooled up this after noon. Man, a scroll saw makes life so much easier. Oh, don't forget the new parts too! Thanks Ryan. "thumbsup"
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_1916.jpg

Here's the final draft. I'm not going to make delrin plates for now. With the cross members inserted, this chassis is rigid enough. It's a bit cleaner this time around too! :ror:
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_1930.jpg

Can you say articulation? I knew you could.
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_1953.jpg

I'm keeping the super lift for now. It looks odd with these tires, but I don't want to adjust the ride height until I see how the Rok Lox fill up the fenders.
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_1957.jpg

Next up...
Mount motor and tranny
Lengthen drive lines

Thanks Bro. I'm just guessin' my way through it! I'm glad I started with a micro build. Its not as intimidating.

Any Updates?

Actually, Yes!

I finally found the gumption to get buildin' on this thing again. I never got my rc4wd rims, so I just stuck the Rox Lox on the ol' Losi rims.
I also figured out how I'll mount the body, and hope to have it done by the end of the week.

Man, These tires Rock!!! They made all the difference in the world!
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_4720.jpg
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_4721.jpg
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_4719.jpg
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_4700.jpg

Wow, long time man LOL! Looks good with the lox on there. you plan on painting the jeep?

Thanks bud. I lost interest in this build for a while. I'm getting ready to build a 1.9 scaler, and I figured this little build would give me a bit of experience for the big one.
Yeah, I'll be painting it and I think some lighting is in order too. Gotta mount the body up, and get it running on its own power first.

Just got a crazy idea. Rock sliders.....hmmmm

Looks good.

Thanks! Hope to have some updates later tonight.

Well, I got to drive this beast tonight. Works better than I thought it would. The ol' garage engineering worked out after all.

Anyways, since I lengthened the wheel base on this little turd, I had to make the drive shafts a bit longer. I just stuck 2 of the female shaft ends together with CA, then cut the joint off of one end. Worked great and I think it looks much better than using a Bic pen.
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_4752.jpg
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_4748.jpg
On the truck, along with the motor and trans! Very excited.
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_4753.jpg
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_4772.jpg

I plan for the top plate to carry all of the electronics and also double as the front body mount.
The front of the plate will just slide under a key way that will be glued to the bottom of the bodies hood.
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_4780.jpg
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/s...n/IMG_4778.jpg

Next on the to do list:
Fab rest of body mount (rear and body side)
make inner fender wells
lights
rock sliders
Make alum side plates as a final version

Lookin good man! can't wait to see it all painted up and mounted. I still kinda want on of those bodies to play with..

Thanks bud. I hope it turns out as good as your dodge quad cab, which btw is bad a$$. Love the new rims you got for it!
I'm re-thinking trying to use all the stock links now. If I went with the lundsford links like you have, It would open up more frame options for me.