Another Hilux. A Bobbed Comp Truck.

[neilus]

Since developing a thing for Hiluxes i once again embark on a Hilux build. I've put the four door build on hold so i can get this one done. This will be a TF2 based build, but with the GCM Scale Transmission. I want to bob the bed as much as possible and also try a couple of other ideas i have floating around. Otherwise it'll just be another comp worthy Hilux. The plan originally was to get this ready for the Scale Nationals in October, but i don't think it'll be done by then...


So, i have had a spare TF2 chassis for a while, so began constructing that.








And with the GCM Transmission installed. I still need to fabricate the mount for the transfer case.




Chino'd the springs.



And last night began making this little device.





More coming soon...

[neilus]

All day today I've been thinking about how to finish the anti wrap bar. So, this evening I got a little time in the garage and set about sawing and filing.

This is the beginning.


Getting the flux ready.


And here's the axle mount.



And the completed bar.



And installed.




I've tried to keep the bar as high as possible so that it doesn't get in the way of any rocks.


More coming soon...

[neilus]

The last couple of nights I've been working on the transfer case mount. And, here it is. It looks simple but it took more than a little head scratching to get it perfect.








That's all the metal work done for now. Next up will probably be bobbing the bed.

[rockhugger]

beautiful work

[Levi]

It's looking good. Jealous of the gcm trans. Makes me want to get another tf for a project, lol

[coffeeaddict17]

I've been following this on Instagram. So cool to see the step by step stages! Beautifully done!

[mk3jetta]

Beautiful work

[neilus]

Originally Posted by rockhugger

beautiful work

Thank you very much

Originally Posted by Levi

It's looking good. Jealous of the gcm trans. Makes me want to get another tf for a project, lol

Thanks. The GCM transmission is definitely a great piece, especially with the overdrive.

Originally Posted by coffeeaddict17

I've been following this on Instagram. So cool to see the step by step stages! Beautifully done!

Thank you. Instagram is so quick to use, but I still think forums have their place

Originally Posted by mk3jetta

Beautiful work

Thanks

[neilus]

While I was deciding exactly what to do with the bed, I thought I'd make a start assembling the wheels. I like adding a little weight to the wheels as I've found it helps bed in the leaf springs, and make them work better. So, I bent up some of the wheel weights I have to fit the profile of the inner rings.





For tires, I've decided to go with Rock Stompers. But, I wanted to try to make them work a little better, so I took to giving them a cut or two.





And, this evening I finally made a start on bobbing the bed. I decided to cut as much out as I can without having to remove the rear chassis cross member. I'll need to trim a little of the chassis rails, but the cross member can stay in.



Some patience, and careful measuring and here we are.




To rejoin the bed I use some pieces of the strip I cut out. With Mek it bonds amazing well, and is as strong as the original bed.




That's where I'm up to so far.

[neilus]

Next instalment.

I filled in the gap that runs the length of the rear light lenses, and added the supports for the tail gate and the long bed joint.





This one will require next to no filling. Really pleased.





Next job was to shorten the chassis rails so that they fitted underneath the bobbed bed.



Then, painted the anti wrap bar and fitted it to the rear axle.



Next up was the shocks. I opted for the rc4wd Bilstein shock. These are by far the best rc4wd shocks I've ever built. They are super smooth, and the shock shafts seem way more solid that the Old Man Emu shocks I built a while back. I filled them up with 7000wt diff oil.







The 2 fixing bolts in the GCM transmission that I used for my mount were m2.5. One of them stripped pretty easily so I drilled and tapped them to m3. Perfect now.






And I added some front leaf mounts from A & M Garages.



Underside view of the anti wrap bar.



And lastly, a test fit of the wheels and tires.



Next up will be fitting the body, working out the battery location and starting to think about the bumpers and roll bar I guess. Thanks for looking.

[1beatjeep]

And I added some front leaf mounts from A & M Garages.





after putting this on did it move your axle back toward the cab?

[neilus]

Originally Posted by 1beatjeep

after putting this on did it move your axle back toward the cab?

1 or 2mm but nothing that makes a difference i'd say.

[2003EDGE]

Very nice work! That transmission crossmember is very clean!

[mudbeast2]

Originally Posted by neilus

The last couple of nights I've been working on the transfer case mount. And, here it is. It looks simple but it took more than a little head scratching to get it perfect.








That's all the metal work done for now. Next up will probably be bobbing the bed.

Just one antiwrap bar is needed?

[JatoTheRipper]

I always enjoy your build threads.

The transfer case mount is simple yet beautiful!

How do those shocks differ from the stock TF2 shocks? And did you remove the springs when you added the diff fluid?

I wish RC4WD would give us Rock Stompers in a new compound! They are awesome looking tires.

[neilus]

Originally Posted by mudbeast2

Just one antiwrap bar is needed?

Yes. You can fit one to the front, but it would only really be as effective if you were reversing up a climb.

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

I always enjoy your build threads.

The transfer case mount is simple yet beautiful!

How do those shocks differ from the stock TF2 shocks? And did you remove the springs when you added the diff fluid?

I wish RC4WD would give us Rock Stompers in a new compound! They are awesome looking tires.

Thank you. Yes, i removed the springs. I've never used any stock TF2 shocks, but these feel really solid. Even more solid than the Old Man Emu shocks i have on my other TF2.
And, yes, Rock Stompers look ace. Although, these ones feel way softer than the set i used to have a year or so ago. I would even go as far to say that they are a softer compound. Even if they are still called the same compound as before...

[Thloftus]

Originally Posted by neilus

And installed.

Beautiful work, I really like the anti-wrap bar!


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[neilus]

Originally Posted by Thloftus

Beautiful work, I really like the anti-wrap bar!

Thank you


So, I've had a little change of direction on this one. I've decided to ditch the bed floor and tailgate, go with a caged rear with just the 2 bed sides attached. I have an idea of how I want it to look in my head, so I hope it turns out ok.

As there won't be a bed floor I decided to stand the rear shocks up.




Chopped the read bed up.



For the more complex bends I start by drawing out the shape I want. Mark the centre line and work outwards from there. I tried to show in a few photos my process for doing it.







And lastly for now, I started on the mounting points for the main hoop. I did make up 2 different mounts but wasn't too happy with them. I then decided to bolt the 2 plates together so that they were exactly the right distance apart, perfectly square, and more importantly, stayed in place while I brazed them.



The larger hole is for the 5mm base at the base of the cage, and the smaller hole are to bolt them together. The smaller holes will be removed later on.






And mounted to the chassis. Everything lines up spot on!



That's my lot for now.

[diggerj]

Nice work very clean and detailed. You are going to love the anti wrap bar once you start running your truck made a night and day difference in my TF2.

[Bananaclip]

Wonderful build thus far! Your metal work is very nice.


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