|
Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure Trail Finder 2: as in the 2nd Trail Finder. This makes it the next installment in the Trail Finder franchise; a sequel if you will. If there is one thing people love in this world, it is sequels. Jaws 2 was twice as good as Jaws (as the number would indicate), Coke II was a huge success at increasing the number of available Cokes, and Speed II had 1000X more boats that the original. Can the Trail Finder 2 (or TF2 as I call it because we are close like that) live up to those lofty standards? We already know the answer is yes because it has been out for like 30 years but I'm going to build one anyway. Come follow me on this journey as I build a fresh truck for the GCM Adventure Series that is only 2 weeks away. Will I make it? With no time to waste, here is a long, drawn out backstory (as with any great sequel). The GCM Adventure Series is a G6-esque weekend long event with an emphasis on scale trucks. I have ran the previous 2 events with this: https://i.imgur.com/hIFlihal.jpg My GCM Skeleton. It is an awesome truck that drives great and looks very yellow. This truck is so solid that I could probably drive the next 10 events with it and have no problems. This is clearly not possible because showing up with the same truck 3 times in a row is some kind of scale nerd violation. Thus brings me to the need for a new truck. Why a TF2 you ask? That is a very good question. You see, I actually have 3 trucks being build that would be appropriate for this event and this it the one I decided could actually be running in time. So, in summary, I'm building a TF2 because of poor time management. Doesn't sound at all like me, right? Arnold, how do you feel about being replaced for the next event? https://i.imgur.com/rmmKpI9l.jpg He's sad or thrilled or having a stroke, I'm never actually sure. Let's build some junk. |
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure I am completely committed to producing a high quality build thread, so much so that I cleaned off my workbench. https://i.imgur.com/NpWZEy4l.jpg In actuality, I shoved everything about 2 feet to the left. https://i.imgur.com/doQqnSCl.jpg You don't want to see the floor. Anyway, we begin with a box. It is very box-like but not too boxy. The design is a little outside the box for a box but I'm glad the designer wasn't boxed in by typical box architecture. Enough box related buzzwords, this isn't a MBA course. https://i.imgur.com/9bdgLv8l.jpg Since I pride myself on high production value, I used a prop box. Hollywood stuff. One of the first things I did was crack open the axles, shim the gears, grease everything up, and install XVDs. Then I promptly threw them in the parts bin. Why would I do such a thing? That is a very good question that deserves an answer. https://i.imgur.com/CLXZaCBl.jpg Through the magic of the internet: I present most of a truck. https://i.imgur.com/HHSJUlgl.jpg Standard TF2 stuff was done like Gelande shock hoops with 90mm Superlift shocks. https://i.imgur.com/I1plf4vl.jpg 90mm Superlifts in the rear also. Red leaf springs with full length black helper springs underneath support the whole thing. An aluminum bumper mount with a RC4WD Tough Armor bumper make better noises when I hit things. https://i.imgur.com/XqF94OEl.jpg The same steel bumper and aluminum mount treatment up front for improved crashing performance. A #2 bumper mount in the front raises everything up an approach angle slightly better than a snow plow. A winch was added for winching. https://i.imgur.com/bt8TkAgl.jpg A Traxxas mini servo handles the shifting duties. An Axial servo saver was added to help keep the cheap yet expensive Traxxas servo alive. Everything is kept low as possible for reasons yet to be revealed. Notice the ESC sitting not on the electronics plate? I made a fiberglass plate that bolts to the electronics plate for additional space. Much room will be needed. https://i.imgur.com/9EhylOMl.jpg Being the big shot poster with 10s of readers that I am, you would assume I have connections. You would be right. I know a guy that tells a guy to make stuff. One of those thing the one guy told the other to make is this awesome Bowhouse skid. Mucho clearance-o. Junfac driveshafts were also added. https://i.imgur.com/LNeNuTpl.jpg So remember how I threw the stock axles into my parts bin? That guy that I know that has a guy that makes things also make these ridiculously awesome Bowhouse NCYota axles. Imagine all the performance of durability of Ascender axles in a scale housing that bolts on to your TF2. Now stop imagining because they are right there. https://i.imgur.com/9K5mKy2l.jpg The matching front axle. No more weak diff gears, easy to strip knuckle screws, sloppy knuckle bushings, or lame steering. https://i.imgur.com/1KeScdcl.jpg I made an absurdly overbuilt 3/16" stainless tierod for steering duties and to handle all the anticipated crashing. https://i.imgur.com/rmTFBrEl.jpg Now you know were things are in my race to the Adventure Series. Stay tuned as I tackle things like electronics and the body, I can promise it will be as fun as watching paint dry (ha! body work humor, pure gold). Feel free to cheer on my progress or root for the likely failure to meet my goal, its fun for someone either way. |
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure So the Bowhouse Yota axles use Ascender internals? |
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure Quote:
|
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure Gather round good sirs and (possibly but unlikely) ladies as I regale you with tales of TF2 building. Who's ready? Great. I have spent much time over the past 2 nights painting. My hands have been turned a variety of colors and I have probably shortened my life by 3 years by inhaling fumes but progress has been made. First, I modified some RC4WD inner fenders to fit around the Gelande shock hoops. Can a scale build be complete without inner fenders? Seriously, can it? I don't really know what I'm doing. https://i.imgur.com/9bnLylml.jpg https://i.imgur.com/W9IRNGMl.jpg I painted them on the inside and outside so when the outside inevitably gets scratched up, they are still black. That's called forethought (I had to look that one up since I don't use it much). Moving on to more important painting: the body of this truck had some personal inspiration. My cousin had a junky 1986 Toyota pickup kinda like this but with much, much more rust. https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...57c53d71d4.jpg "Who cares about a lame 2wd pile of junk" you may wonder. Well, my cousin is 4 years older than me and that was his first car. When an older sibling or friend gets that first car, a whole new world of freedom is opened. You can now go places and do things that were previously inaccessible under the tyranny of parental transport. Sure, that truck had more holes than sheet metal in the bed, ripped seats, a cracked dash, an occasionally functional radio, and required about a can of starting fluid any time the temp dropped below 50* but none of that mattered in the good, old days. That truck will forever hold a place in the section of my heart dedicated to the great vehicles of my lifetime. With my color inspiration set, paint was slung. https://i.imgur.com/dbAwOzAl.jpg Not bad. My shop minions (aka me) are clumsy and this thing is getting beat up way more than a freshly painted body should. https://i.imgur.com/LIvAA03l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/IfcrSivl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/FVK2nvsl.jpg Oh well, it's still pretty good for a 30+ year old truck. Whatever, my fault for using cheap labor. The lower valance has been hacked off the grill and paint has been added. https://i.imgur.com/foPAxpIl.jpg Interior time! My inspiration truck had the incredibly 80's blue on blue on blue look going on, much like this: http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...0014_large.jpg After much hacking, sanding, gluing, filling, more sanding, priming, more sanding, more filling, more sanding, more priming, painting, and more painting, I ended up with this: https://i.imgur.com/TWHNEIil.jpg It is a Bruiser interior mated to the stock TF2 dash combined with some poorly made door panels. I even made an attempt at arm rests, I know they are not proper Toyota ones but I get credit for effort, right? https://i.imgur.com/XTAzoURl.jpg Much work was done to make it look as cruddy and worn as the beloved truck I remember. It looks pretty good or bad, whatever one makes it sound like it turned out the way it should. The logical companion to a Bruiser interior is a Bruiser driver. https://i.imgur.com/cTkyQb0l.jpg That's right, I assembled and painted my own driver. How awesome am I? Wait. Everyone does that around here? I'm not special? Well, Facebook will think I'm some kind of scale god. https://i.imgur.com/NKlK9DQl.jpg The more I look at him, the more I think he looks like a colossal jerk. Like one of those guys who thinks they are so important they speak in acronyms because they don't have time to use real words but still makes everyone call him Jonathan instead of Jon. If I just described anyone in RCC land, people will have to refer to you as Jon 812 times today in order to make up the super important time you lost reading this junk. Officially, his name is Ronald and don't call him Ron. I don't know why he looks like he has a giant stick up his... https://i.imgur.com/5HtjECYl.jpg Oh. I have been informed Ronald lost his rear end in an unfortunate running of the bulls accident after sitting on a ketchup packet. We will all try to be more sensitive. All for now, stay tuned for further TF2 updates as the GCM Adventure Series at Uwharrie rapidly approaches. Tickets are still available, get yours by going to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gcm-adv...99190?aff=eac2 (New2Rocks now owes me $5). |
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure Good work, sir. What brand paint and what colors did you use for the driver? I have two that I need painted, but are in ghost form (white - no paint) at the moment. |
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure Quote:
The skin is Tamiya flat flesh paint. Tamiya Acrylic Mini XF-15 Flat Flesh 1/3 oz | TowerHobbies.com The hair is a mix of Parma Faskolor brown (the stuff for lexan bodies) with an acrylic black wash over the top. The jacket is also Parma paint that I mixed up until I was happy with the color. The pants are a Tamiya blue, don't remember what color exactly but it is close to denim. Possibly this one: Tamiya Acrylic Mini XF-18 Medium Blue 1/3 oz | TowerHobbies.com |
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure Thank you, sir. |
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure Nice build so far sir! I enjoy reading your build threads, always good for a laugh! "thumbsup". Not sure how I missed the boat on the bowhouse axles, but I have been wanting some better axles for my tf2, for all the same reasons you listed, mainly the horrible steering angle. I didn't realize they used vaterra gears and knuckles. Now I just need gcm to get the axle kits, back in stock! |
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure So its a lovely Wednesday morning here in Raleigh; the weather is getting cooler (by cooler, I mean it will only be 83* today), the skies are clear, and the sun is shining. The weekend will be upon us before we know it. What?!? The weekend is almost here? I better get building a truck. Picking up from where we left off, the body has been bolted together. I even plopped it on the chassis to see how things fit. https://i.imgur.com/TPht9dpl.jpg Not bad, not bad at all. Looks kinda like some kind of truck. https://i.imgur.com/ZhyHblNl.jpg The front bumper could stand to be raised up even higher and those leaf springs are pathetically flat. What's a couple more things on the to-do list when you're already behind? About a 1000 feet of 250 lb line has been added to the Warn winch because its orange and orange things are automatically 608% safer than any other color. https://i.imgur.com/dhznEhYl.jpg The interior is looking wonderfully 80's which means it is visually offensive. So blue, so very unapologetically blue. https://i.imgur.com/CdnKh9zl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/pwiuAUWl.jpg Stupid, smug Ronald basking in the glory of driving a truck he didn't so much as pick up a wrench to build. Lousy, spoiled, entitled middle agers. Back in my day! Right, sorry. https://i.imgur.com/xOmTMMzl.jpg Yeah, seriously, I hammered this panel back in place like 8 times. I know, you can't even tell. Better than stock. https://i.imgur.com/zNjna3Ml.jpg So I wanted a roll bar for this truck but realized that was stupid. This is a total comp truck, why would I want a bar that helps me roll? So I went with an anti roll bar for the obvious performance advantage. https://i.imgur.com/yfp55zYl.jpg The fit was terrible, Vanquish really missed the mark on this one. So I took it off and replaced it with a RC4WD jungle gym. Now my truck is like a rolling playground. https://i.imgur.com/rVKX6tLl.jpg Looks appropriate trucky. https://i.imgur.com/ss2gFTal.jpg As a build that is already on a highly sketchy timeline for completion, I decided I should further delay things. The mirror that come with the TF2 are pretty sweet. It is decidedly not sweet that they are solid black, it is terrible for actually seeing things. So I cut some styrene, painted it chrome, and glued it on so the mirrors actually resemble mirrors. https://i.imgur.com/eKWQ2uSl.jpg I hope this reflects positively on my build. With that pun, I must bid everyone farewell until next time where I will undoubtedly be further behind. |
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure Quote:
|
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure That looks awesome! That's the same color I wanted to paint a Mojave body, because my dad had an earlier model with the round lights in that color, albeit rusted to shit. |
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure Nice update, thanks for the laughs :) |
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure Who wants to see me shoot myself in the foot again? That was metaphorical you bloodthirsty savages. I was trying to segway into talking about tires because some people refer to tires as shoes. You know, shoes and feet. Whatever, you ruined it so I'm moving on. My original plan for tires were these Pitbull Growlers on Incision 1.9 wheels. https://i.imgur.com/lEgCyqcl.jpg The plan was to use these because I had them mounted up already, the Growlers are solid tires, and, more importantly, I had them mounted already. The more I look at them, the less I like them. The stretched tire look isn't a favorite of mine but I had tires with no wheels and wheels with no tires so they were forcibly married like the children of nobles in the 1500s. These won't do, way too nice for this turk. I turned to my collection of tires for some options. Baja MTZ on Gmade wheels https://i.imgur.com/fm5pfHvl.jpg Tires aren't bad but not feeling the white wheels. KLR ATs on Vanquish KMC wheels https://i.imgur.com/WpWpbAIl.jpg Way, way too nice. Hmm, 1.55 Rock Beasts? https://i.imgur.com/jUA0d3sl.jpg No, those are for another build. Stop getting distracted. Fine, is this better? https://i.imgur.com/BECeS6hl.jpg Yes, much. The Growlers on 1.55 SSD steel wheels are the winner. Steel wheels are appropriately cheap for a Toyota of this ilk. Where does the foot shooting come in? I now have to unmount and remount 3 more tires. Doh. While I'm here, want to hear about how I mounted the body? The New2Rocks method of captured screws was modified into my completely unique method so really he gets no credit. The body mount screws were glued into the body so they don't move or turn then filled in for the smooth look on the outside. https://i.imgur.com/9J8RWyUl.jpg The posts on the chassis were drilled out with a 3mm bit so the screws just slip in and out. The body gets slightly stretched over the posts so the screws can fit in and that is all. Very solid once done. I promised that I would be even further behind and I deliver on my promises. Except when those promises are to build a truck by a specific date, then the results are a lot more spotty. |
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure Totally forgot to post this, now its out of date. Too bad. You will read it and like it dammit! Anyway, on with the story. In much more surprising news, I have a truck that moves under it's own power. https://i.imgur.com/65E7QIMl.jpg It only took me until the day before I leave for an event that has been scheduled for months to finish a truck I bought over a year ago. I know, you're impressed by my hustle and go-getter attitude. No matter how far behind you are, there is always time for some things. Like toasting marshmallows or covering egregious gaps between the body and chassis. I made up these quick inner fenders but didn't toast any marshmallows. https://i.imgur.com/crkYMaSl.jpg I also got around to putting some arch back in the leaf springs. Look the shackles actually point down now. Much more betterer. In addition to an incredibly efficient user of time, I'm also incredibly organized. Take a look at this wiring job: https://i.imgur.com/qs60BBKl.jpg Pristine. In there somewhere is a Axial ESC, Castle BEC, Heyok winch controller, and a Flysky 6 channel receiver. I also took the time to maximize my "crap thrown on to the truck" points by adding a gas can in a milk crate to rattle around in the bed. You may be confused how I intend to run a scale truck without a shovel, axe, cooler, sleeping bag, jack, spare tire, grill, water jug, sand ladders, refrigerator, canoe, bicycle, skateboard, rocket launcher, wooden crate, fire extinguisher, AK-47, and dog zip tied to the roof. I'm confused too. https://i.imgur.com/8QQdjvcl.jpg Last but not least, some SSD hubs were thrown on because I enjoy the extra challenge of not being able to remove my wheels when the installation tool inevitably gets lost. It's called commitment. https://i.imgur.com/FL5cGNsl.jpg Well, it would appear that I am ready to shove off to Uwharrie. I wonder how badly I can screw this up in the next 12 hours or so. In my next installment, I will amaze you with pretty pictures of my driving prowess and tell you which of my electronics failed. |
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure Quote:
I went to college twice so I can write about RCs in my spare time. |
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure Wonderful and delightful pictures were promised (or something like that, I don't really pay attention to what I write) and thus will be delivered. At this point, my TF2 was running so all that was left to do was pack up and shove off. https://i.imgur.com/IenrfaSl.jpg Shameless Jeep picture. #jeeplife Here we are: GCM Adventure Series - Fall 2017 It was a beautiful fall weekend in North Carolina. The sky was clear and no hurricanes were causing trees to fall on unsuspecting tents of scale royalty. The temperatures were in the mid 80s during the day; Canadians were melting. The woods were serene and quiet except for the sounds of birds, the whirring of electric motors, and the occasional thumping techno music during the night. All was right for a weekend of tiny trucking. A few others showed up as well. https://i.imgur.com/gU9m61vl.jpg Hard bodies, so many hard bodies. My faith in humanity has been slightly restored. A few trucks you may recognize were there. https://i.imgur.com/ccG3jAQl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ytfvmZNl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/yQQ5ZbHl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2v9cQGxl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/cWwDUMwl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/K03JIg1l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/BP3Uk9Al.jpg https://i.imgur.com/74lnpLLl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ykYUCuql.jpg There were other, less famous (but still awesome) trucks as well. https://i.imgur.com/avqcNLUl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/nbU6YZSl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/UUId3aJl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2qrQaeUl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/q1gIKXKl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/OIT7yaTl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/99vI6eql.jpg https://i.imgur.com/R1G23aFl.jpg And, by far and away most importantly, I was there. https://i.imgur.com/OApgGetl.jpg That is a mighty fine Toyota. I know, "sweet table shots, bro!" There is more. Action time! https://i.imgur.com/wSSXS9rl.jpg As with any junky old truck, I had a tail light burn out by the time I hit the first gate. https://i.imgur.com/4Ta7Tujl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/kQJx0eZl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/d5fBC8Dl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2wA3VGtl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/cKz60qcl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/lf0JNqDl.jpg I was just slaying gates all day long. Marvel at my driving skill that is clearly demonstrated through still photography. https://i.imgur.com/3KBJDjbl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/hI4Djq8l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/lPvOXi1l.jpg Like a tiny truck postcard. Wish you were here. https://i.imgur.com/rDy7ntEl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/3Aqam9Ll.jpg The Bowhouse NCYota axles and TF2 skid are awesome, go buy them. I mean like right now, go buy them. I'll wait. . . . . . . Done? Good, we can continue. https://i.imgur.com/iS2R231l.jpg The steering was awesome all weekend, they don't grab on rocks, and they were bound up quite a few times in situations that I'm sure would have toasted the RC4WD ring and pinion. The extra clearance from the skidplate made a huge difference as well. Obviously, not dragging on every rock or tree root helps with performance. There is a distinct possibility that I know nothing however. Use this information as you see fit. Some of the courses had large sections where you were constantly sidehilling. The TF2 handled these quite well. Yay for low, stiff leaf spring suspension. https://i.imgur.com/wGTJ9fHl.jpg My weekend was not without it's mechanical follies though. The biggest problem I had was a slipper that loosened up on the first course. You can imagine how enjoyable driving is when your truck can't actually drive over anything bigger than a stick without all power being wasted at the slipper. I limped through the first course and tightened the slipped down back at camp. Things were good on that front for the rest of the weekend. Yesterday I took bets on what electronics failed this past weekend (not here, get over it). Now it's time for the answer to yesterday's trivia question regarding electronic failures. Some guy submitted servo. This answer gets partial credit because it was a partial failure of the shift servo. I could shift into low gear just fine but trying to go to high gear produced awful, grating noises of clicking gears. The internals of the Traxxas servo aren't long for this world. The full credit answer was winch controller. My HeyOK relay controller met an untimely death before the first gate. I went to pull in some winch line so the hook wouldn't get caught when driving and when I let go of the winch button on the radio, the winch wasn't stopping. I unplugged the battery in order to save my winch motor but when the battery was plugged back in, the winch no longer worked, the relay was no longer clicking, and I was making use of a tow strap for the rest of the weekend. I'll get a new winch controller to solve that issue but the other problems were directly related to the 2 speed transmission. If only there was some way to both eliminate the slipper and the 2 speed in one part. Do you see where I'm going with this? If you do, can you tell me? Thus concludes chapter 1 of this TF2 adventure. Chapter 2 will include some new parts, more driving, and many pointless words. Stay tuned for either the next chapter or maybe just a whole new build. I'm full of surprises. |
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure Great build and thanks for the pics at gtg, love the Bowhouse Yota axles with Ascender internals, solves the main problem with this truck very nicely! I had an 85 Yota that same blue, blue, blue and the door handles iirc were almost exactly what you crafted! :) |
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure Good morning RCC (or whatever the appropriate greeting is for the time in your part of the world, its not my job to keep up with these things). Anyone remember this from way back on page 1? https://i.imgur.com/HHSJUlgl.jpg Yeah, that was fun while it lasted but progress waits for no man. https://i.imgur.com/BrqN1Rzl.jpg As Abraham Lincoln famously never said, "great things may come to those who wait but better things come to those who impulsively pull their trucks apart." Maybe I got that wrong but he totally could have slipped that into the Gettysburg Address. This update would have been a lot better if it wasn't for stupid Columbus Day. Any holiday where I don't get mail but still have to go to work is completely worthless. Can anyone else relate to the inner rage that results when the parts you ordered sit for more than 24 hours in a building 15 minutes from your house? Everyone, right? I'll assume everyone is raising their hands. More better updates to come soon. |
Re: Trail Finder 2: An even trail finderier adventure There are some amazing trucks here!!! |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:27 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.
Copyright 2004-2014 RCCrawler.com