Intashu's WPL B-1

[Intashu]

For starters, I almost feel like this truck is a grey area, it's not a MICRO scale rig, but it absolutely is NOT a 1.55 or similar truck. In fact I have a 1/12ish scale 3d printed jeep on 1/14 Tamiya truck tires that is HUGE compared to this truck! But this is the closest forum location for it, and it's my home for talking small scale RC projects (my last major posting here was over my 1/24 jeep losi MRC that made readers ride a few years ago). I've also made some printable parts for the 1/18 RC4WD D90, before I decided to do a overhaul mod on it instead!

TIME FOR A NEW PROJECT!


Seeing the WPL B-1 I instantly knew I wanted this scale of truck. it's smaller than the big rigs but bigger than the micro rigs, making it this odd size I don't see that many RC trucks in makes it all the more fun to explore new territory.

I have access to, and will be making several 3d printed parts for this. All the files I will release for FREE on my Thingiverse page (https://www.thingiverse.com/Intashu/about)
I may setup a ShapeWays account as well and post a lot of my stuff up there for people to be able to easily order from. I do not have the capacity to take orders personally and print/ship parts to people.


IT ARRIVED! and OH NO it was a soccer ball in shipping!


It arrived in a smashed box, the truck was simply wrapped twice in thin bubble wrap, and apart from tires being knocked loose and one leaf spring being destroyed (2 spares were included!) it survived the trip.

I didn't include too many photo's of the breakdown, as there are already a few online that go to depth.

The tires are a little firm, and I'll be looking at alternatives over the next few weeks as I work on this guy. The RC4WD tires (the largest ones you can get) are SLIGHTLY shorter, but MUCH narrower. and I feel it isn't QUITE right. I may make rims to use a dually with this still however it wont be a beadlock

The first thing I noticed is the front axle, the wheels have a lot of play, and looking at why, they use a weak and terrible cup design. I will have to think on how to best make or buy a cheap easy alternative. it also appears it just uses a little grease, no bearings or bushings.


The "servo" is the worst design I've ever seen on any low grade RC. it uses a normal small motor, on a plastic friction clutch, which can't even use the full turning radius as it slips when pushing against the return spring.


Fortunately this thing looks almost MADE for taking a micro servo, (picture pending) and slapping the RC4WD D90 1/18 stock electronics into it off 2s lipo it immediately felt like it was worth double the price (which it was, because the electronics new cost as much as the truck!)

I have my doubts about how durable the drive train will be with 2s power, even with the stock motor, and I can see 3s and above destroying it. the plastic in the gearbox and axles just isn't that good. however I want to see what alternatives I can come up with for these for down the road upgrades. for now it's mostly getting it running GOOD, and cosmetics.

axles look okay, cheap plastic, but scale-wise alright. I may design a new cover however.


Pretty clean underneath too


Excuse the messy desk space, this is my project area, and I got so excited I didn't clear off the last two projects before jumping into this one. I immediately removed the blue body and gave it that flat green color I feel it
It's a good base to work with. for absurdly cheap.


It's likely worth it just for the body, with a set of RC4WD axles under it it would be amazing. But my 1/18 truck is currently awaiting parts for it's 1/16ish jeep conversion (you can see it hiding behind the WPL)


Planned things for this guy include:
- making a modified axle mount for the leafs to tilt the axles, making the driveshafts have a better angle. this may screw up the steering a little however
- replace the steering linkage with quality replacements instead of the loose sloppy plastic.
- a cab side-step with replacement "gas tanks".
- A soft canvas cover for the rear
- Tire upgrades, replacements along with rims (likely custom)
- new exhaust, as the truck comes with twin stacks that are behind the cab, I want it more like the M35A2 has, mounted off the passenger-side fender
- some interior detailing and driver of course!
- Working tail-lights (always on with headlights at least)
- Possibly a matching trailer, to tow my jeep!

I'll take more photo's of mods and things I do along the way!

[Brake Weight]

In the questions section on Banggood they claim to have some upgrades coming. Shocks and such which to me would need a 4 link setup. I'll give them a few months to do something before I try to do it myself. But I'm thinking the Losi Micro balls and sockets would be strong enough. Like what has been done to countless micro crawlers. Or maybe the links for the Losi 1/14 which is still in production. Or just but a Redcat e16 and do it all.

[MGCrawler]

This will be fun to watch this build! Looking forward to see your progress and Idea's.

Can't wait to get mine in hand!

[Intashu]

Originally Posted by MGCrawler

This will be fun to watch this build! Looking forward to see your progress and Idea's.

Can't wait to get mine in hand!

Progress won't be super fast, Got a lot of things going on at once and I'm working on like 4 projects at once in my free time (my poor desk is a disaster right now)

I definetly have several idea's to bring to the table to make this at least LOOK like a proper M35A2. And I am trying to think of a way to better these axles. they're sadly cheap feeling, but it's far cheaper than picking up a pair of 1/18 axles from RC4WD (and they're larger overall)

Originally Posted by Brake Weight

In the questions section on Banggood they claim to have some upgrades coming. Shocks and such which to me would need a 4 link setup. I'll give them a few months to do something before I try to do it myself. But I'm thinking the Losi Micro balls and sockets would be strong enough. Like what has been done to countless micro crawlers. Or maybe the links for the Losi 1/14 which is still in production. Or just but a Redcat e16 and do it all.

I have a batch of micro link ends and threaded m.2 rod from another company (will have to look at the name when I get home, but they're still making them at least)

a 4 link setup would be interesting as currently there's no included way to mount it, it would require several parts not included. I'll be keeping the leaf springs for simplicity reasons, although I want to replace them with softer versions. and fix the axle angles as well.

[Intashu]

For anyone's interest and reference this is what the Tamiya 1/14 tire size would look like under this truck. (3d printed jeep underneath it is about true 1/10ish scale)


Possible replacement wheels found.
original:


replacements?


working on 3d printed leaf springs to fix the axle angle and to loosen it up for some flexing!

[BlackVenom]

Awesome truck Intashu! Still working on it?

Are the wheels from Taobao?

[Intashu]

Originally Posted by BlackVenom

Awesome truck Intashu! Still working on it?

Are the wheels from Taobao?

I got caught up in 4 projects at the same time.. this one is sitting on a back burner for the second axle to arrive.

the tires I liked but decided against, they're from some generic holiday sale rock crawler I saw at Fleet Farm. Gave it to my son instead. With the second axle coming I may opt for a 6x6 based on RC4WD scramblers. (with the rear axles being dually's)