Trekker Rebirth...

[Big Mike]

I've gotten bored with the stock Trekker. It's more crawler than scale truck, and I decided I wanted something a little more real and more challenging to drive.

So after weighing options I pulled the trigger on a 1:20th scale GMC pickup model kit and a Blade SMC 5.5 leaf-sprung chassis. The mission is something simple that doesn't break the bank and hopefully will be fun to drive in the backyard course. The build is nothing revolutionary, keep it simple was the rule of thumb, so on to images...



Mirrors and whatnot will just get broken off, just leave them off in the first place. Keep it simple...



Trying to achieve a realistic looking stance and track width. The 1:20th scale body fits the bill much better than 1:24th/1:25th...





Body off - I wasn't tryin' for an interior in something this small (keep it simple) a combination of some stock parts and some simple plastic platforms make room for electronics and batteries. The rear driveshaft got an extension job with a piece of brass tubing...



Two screws hold the body to the chassis. A magnet holds the hood in place. Keep it simple...



Undercarriage shot.



A few images from it's first test drive in the backyard course...

















Overall, a pretty successful project. Cheap, quick to build, and the leaf-sprung chassis makes for a fun and challenging driver. I think this will do for quite a few afternoons to come...

[Dr.Newb]

looks awesome man

[MGCrawler]

Good lookin rig and a nice crawl spot bud

[C*H*U*D]

I've never thought much of these small things, but this rig is making me change my mind. Nice job!

[poopsmcgoops]

awesome looks like you did a great scale job im jealous

[kayakdoug]

Looks great! How does the leaf sprung chassis compare to the original in handling?

[Big Mike]

Originally Posted by kayakdoug

Looks great! How does the leaf sprung chassis compare to the original in handling?

They are two radically different chassis. It's almost impossible to compare them actually.

The stock setup is 4-linked with HUGE travel shocks, it's almost TOO capable. The leaf-sprung chassis has roughly a 3rd of the articulation, and it's bouncier. Tips over much easier. Way more challenging to drive and keep the rubber side down.

It behaves much more "scale" set up like this, whereas the stock Trekker chassis can almost hold it own as a "comp" rig...

[shannwah]

Nice clean tidy build. I like it. Must be a bit of a change from your 1/6 jeep. It could probably drive straight under the jeep without touching!

[Big Mike]

Originally Posted by shannwah

Nice clean tidy build. I like it. Must be a bit of a change from your 1/6 jeep. It could probably drive straight under the jeep without touching!

Thanks. Yea the big Jeeps are fun to drive, but they require the right spot to be really fun. And right now I live smack in the middle of an urban wasteland with not much natural terrain remaining. I have to load up Ol' Blue and haul her somewhere to have a real drive, and that's more than 30 minutes at least.

This little guy I can run right in the backyard and relax in my lawn chair with a beer...

[MICHIGAN CRAWLER]

I shouldn't of looked at this thread.....Makes me want to pull out my micro crawler and rebuild it!! Your truck is awesome!! One of my favorite builds!! Great Job!

[northernerbill]

I've got 2 of those chassis coming fr my boys Trekkers, shells are ready to fit, smaller tyres coming too.

Great to see the same thing well built and in action, can't wait now!