1/8th Rat Rod Build

[JBailey]

Hi there folks, this is my first build thread on RCC and just happens to not be a crawler lol. This started life as a Monogram 1/8 Big "T", and will hopefully turn into a super scale tire roasting, wheelie popping machine.

This is where I'm at so far, the chassis is all soldered brass rectangular tubing.


image by ratrodfanbobcat, on Flickr


image by ratrodfanbobcat, on Flickr


image by ratrodfanbobcat, on Flickr

I need to cut about 2 inches off the front of the chassis and move the front axle back. It's got Traxxas funny car tires and wheels on it, TF2 rear axle, Tamiya semi front axle and a mini Revo transmission that will get covered by a scratch built by me styrene engine.

It will be running a 5400kv brushless setup on 3s. Comments very welcome as well as suggestions. Thanks for looking, Jesse.

[noobiescaler35]

Jealousy has set in.....lol can't wait to see the finished product looks good

[noobiescaler35]

Rc4wd has V8 engine that your 540 motor fits into it will save you a lot of time and look as or more scale than your current plan keep it up...

[JBailey]

Originally Posted by noobiescaler35

Rc4wd has V8 engine that your 540 motor fits into it will save you a lot of time and look as or more scale than your current plan keep it up...

If only I could afford the fracture v8 lol. Since I can't my plan should work, I think

[JBailey]

Well I got some progress made today. I cut 2 inches off the front of the chassis then mounted the springs back up, then I drilled holes and mounted the link lower link mounts to the chassis.

image by ratrodfanbobcat, on Flickr

I plan on getting some of the RC4WD steely heim joints just for the scale look, so these are just for mock-up.

image by ratrodfanbobcat, on Flickr

And here's some overall shots of it and the lighter is to give you an idea of the size.

image by ratrodfanbobcat, on Flickr


image by ratrodfanbobcat, on Flickr
(my land yacht in the background lol)


image by ratrodfanbobcat, on Flickr


image by ratrodfanbobcat, on Flickr

The Yota rear axle looks close enough to a Ford 9 inch to me.

image by ratrodfanbobcat, on Flickr


image by ratrodfanbobcat, on Flickr

Thanks for looking, any and all comments and suggestions welcome!

[FATBOYrs10]

looks good Jesse. I have 2 similar bodies that ive thought of doin sorta the same thing with. I also have a pro street style Camaro in the works, but it'll be lexan

[FATBOYrs10]

also, to help in side to side movement of the front axle, and add to the scaleness, you could run a diagonal style panhard bar. just make a link that would run from one side of the lower link axle mounts to the opposite lower link frame mount

[JBailey]

Thanks bud, I have thought about a panhard on the front axle but I'm still undecided on it. The way I used the leaf springs as the upper links makes the front axle have no side to side movement, but after things start to wear from driving that'll probably change lol. Hopefully I'll get some time tonight to get the rear links made as well as the shock mounts.

The main thing I'm having trouble with right now is the driveshaft. Its going to be long, so I've thought about a carrier bearing to cut down the lengths and also so I wont have to chop the interior to badly.

[FATBOYrs10]

well what about a solid shaft from the motor/trans to right at the back of the body, then just a short driveshaft?

just my $0.02

[JBailey]

Whelp I just cut the floor out of the interior and made a one piece drive shaft. I would've had to cut almost the same amount out of it doing it with a solid shaft or carrier bearing. I'll post pics in the daylight, hopefully it'll hold up lol.

[JBailey]

Ok I got a little bit done today after getting the driveshaft done last night. I got some cross members in but still have need to make and install the driveshaft loops just incase lol.

image by ratrodfanbobcat, on Flickr


image by ratrodfanbobcat, on Flickr

I don't think my self healing cutting mat will heal from this...

image by ratrodfanbobcat, on Flickr

I also got the rear track bars built and installed, I was going to 4 link it but that seemed boring and overrated. So this is what I came up with and think they look kinda cool lol.

image by ratrodfanbobcat, on Flickr


image by ratrodfanbobcat, on Flickr


image by ratrodfanbobcat, on Flickr


image by ratrodfanbobcat, on Flickr

Well that's all I got today. Tomorrow the new esc and motor should be here as well as the 3s battery for this beast. Hopefully I'll have another update tomorrow evening. Thanks for checking this out and comments and suggestions good or bad are welcome.

[Calderwood]

That tf2 axle hates you!

[JBailey]

Originally Posted by nigels_world

That tf2 axle hates you!

Not yet it doesn't but I'm sure it will

[noobiescaler35]

any progress??

[JBailey]

Nothing yet, just got some parts today and waiting on a few more. Should be something this weekend, I hope lol.

[noobiescaler35]

awesome

[jeepscx10]

Looks bada$$ can't wait to see it finished. Subscribed.

[S_C_I_P_I_O79]

Awesome custom! Nice use and integration of a wide variety of parts in this build.

[vonclod]

very cool, its gonna be badass..i would be carefull about stressing that tf2 axle..lol, i love it though, i have a plan based around the traxxas funnycar wheelset

[Hoosierdady]

Looks great man. I love the stretched out rat rod look! Keep up the great work.