My next TF2 project

[northernerbill]

Am in no rush with this one. Its going to be an F350 blinged up shelf queen tow truck.
I picked up a TF2 chassis on ebay so just waiting for that to land from the states.
I've got 1.9 tires from china.
I picked up the shell 2 weeks ago and started work on the other day. Its a used one, painted- well it was painted in a fugly purple bleeding into black. Its going to have my company logo on it too once I get them made.

Heres how the shell arrived



A few evenings work and some new chrome from ebay and here it is now




I'll be back once the chassis arrives

[BKcrawler]

Nice cleanup and new paint! looks great.

[Postclanker]

Shelf queen huh....
Sure looks nice.... I bet you run it at least once
Often wondered, do shelf queens have electronics ????
I'll still follow this Bill

[northernerbill]

Electrics will go in at some point, and yeh am sure it'll get an airing, probably towing the other

[northernerbill]

Actually theres been a big change in direction, also going to have to change the thread name now too.
My TF2 chassis arrived yesterday, basic chassis with leafs and bumpers etc basically everything minus, transmission shocks axles and shell.
Then mentioning this on another forum was offered in a straight swap a brand new tamiya hi lift chassis complete. So I took the offer. I've got a TF2 already, this new F350 is only for show and towing now and again so it seemed like a belting idea.
The shell cost £40, the new chrome £28, the trail finder chassis with import tax and postage about £140. So for a total of £208 I've got a brand new tamiya F350 RESULTA!
Its due tomorrow so will post progress when I've got it.

So in answer stock F350 wheels and tires for now.

[northernerbill]

The chassis trade took place and I received my complete Tamiya hilux chassis yesterday afternoon, and I began work immediately.

First job was to remove the gash red shock sox, remove the nice battery tray as its visible. Then confirming what I already knew the leaf springs are as unyielding as I thought so fortunately already having RC4WD derlin leafs I swapped them out, also removed the lower plastic leaf mounts and replaced with the slimmer RC4WD ones.

All the unwanted bits


The derlin leafs


So now it articulates, its sitting slightly lower but not low enough for my more day to day look I wanted to achieve. Rather than strap the cab to the normal body mounts I made new ones which allowed me to drop the shell as far as it would go, just under 20mm I think. Any lower and the motor would touch the windscreen


Leafs just clear the bumper


The new design cab bracket, just needs priming and painting


Obviously had to lower the side steps too


So it articulates, the body is at the height I want it, the cabs bolted on. Next job is the hinged rear bed. As I said its a hilux chassis so the hinges weren't included but wouldn't have worked now anyway being lower.



And the articulation shot. Its got more travel but thats shown at the point before a rear wheel lifts

[northernerbill]

Could a moderator please move this to the 1.9 section or wherever you feel it should be?

Thankyou and sorry.

I've copied and pasted into the 1.9 section so maybe just remove.