Ryan’s FJ40: My BigBaller Buildoff Entry

[Brandon]

EDIT: FINISHED PICS ON PAGE 14: http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showt...12828r&page=14

I was one of the lucky 4 that Ryan picked to build a scaler in his BigBaller Buildoff. Being supplied a whole box of scale goodies and top of the line parts to build a rig is pretty freakin cool

Its going to be a real challenge for me to build a rig that’s comparable to the other 3 builders: Microgoat, Colquit, and 1BadJeepBruiser But I am more than up to the challenge and thought it was a big compliment from Ryan to pick me to build against those guys!

Here is what showed up at my door:
TCS X Trail
Complete TLT kit
All the MSD goodies for the axles
RCP CVD’s up front
Dinky Link out back
R2D2
Pair of 645mg servos
Novak Rooster Crawler and 55t
Proline Bushwacker body
Pair of recaro seats
Wild willy parts tree
5 RC4WD 1.9 Rock Crushers
MSD 1.9 Aluminum beadlocks
MSD Juggster winch
Stainless Steel 3/16 tubing for the cage
Misc 3mm hardware.
Traxxas D Shafts with steel yokes
Traxxas rod ends


I ran across my inspiration for this build when I was searching for a tube bumper for an FJ40 bumper for someone. I found this: http://www.off-roadweb.com/features/..._v8/index.html

That rig immediately reminded me of my original FJ40 Tuber I built over almost 2 years ago http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26095

I had to build another like it! This build for Ryan is the perfect opportunity.

On to the pics!

The inspiration:


Always start off with a clean work space, maybe a redbull or two as well.

[Brandon]

Time to start on the axles:


First thing to take care of was the cases, took them to the belt sander to finish them.


Locked with the spider gears flipped, also use some threadlock to make sure the diff case never splits.


Got the MSD products ready for installation

[Brandon]

Shimmed the diffs. Traxxas part # TRA1985 works great for this purpose. The ring and pinion will last much longer now, and there is still plenty of room for the e-clip.





Got this little tip from Chino63. The tamiya grease is much more effective when using some WD40 to break it down.



Installed the MSD rear straight axle adapters. Then installed the Dinky Link and TLT link mounts. Always kept the 1:1 example on hand.

[Brandon]

Started on the front axle. MSD C’s, RCP CVD’s and knuckles



Installed the Novak 55t on the R2D2. I have never ran a scaler with dig yet. Actually my comp rig still doesn’t have dig on it This is going to be sweet!




Axles done and I have the TCS X Trail Ready. I love these chassis; this will be my fourth build using one. Bolted up the R2 to determine the skid plate width and servo clearances, as well as a possible bell crank steering setup.

Notice how the holes in the chassis lined up to the R2 perfectly

[Jaynen]

Looking good. Nice job at planning it out

That r2d looks good in there never thought of using those holes for that.

[Brandon]

Originally Posted by Jaynen

Looking good. Nice job at planning it out

That r2d looks good in there never thought of using those holes for that.

Thanks. The R2 there might cause issues with the front driveshaft being really short. I figured it will be fine since the front axle will be pushed forward quite a bit anyways.

[exesivefire]

Sweet!

[AeroSynch]

Very nice! I want to see how you mount the TLT axles on that chassis.

[Brandon]

Originally Posted by exesivefire

Sweet!

Thanks

Originally Posted by AeroSynch

Very nice! I want to see how you mount the TLT axles on that chassis.

It will be very similar to the 1:1. Trying to get everything as close as possible. This build requires a lot of fab'd parts

[MoParmonster]

Good start, it will look awesome when finished

[4RunnerKid]

looking sick so far brandon. can't wait to see the finished product.

[mir4dor]

Got this little tip from Chino63. The tamiya grease is much more effective when using some WD40 to break it down.

That's a good find ! Do you add just a drop of it or do you spray much of it ?

[Brandon]

Originally Posted by mir4dor

That's a good find ! Do you add just a drop of it or do you spray much of it ?

I just spray the gears with wd40 and add plenty of the white tamiya grease. Works great.

[zrider]

this is goinbg to be a wicked build.

the 1:1 is absolutely sick

[RcFanatic92]

I like the insparation, I hope it turns out like that, cause thats a awsome build, looks good so far keep it up.

[NSR_CIVIC]

as if your blazer wasnt inspiration enough... lolz im building an fj40 too,,, cept it wont be near as good as this.. looks great!

[Brandon]

Thanks guys. Here are a few more updates:

Started designing the skid in CAD, this allows me to make the right cuts the first time and not waste any steel. Made the prototype out of paper (Yes I was at work) Then continued to make the final version from steel.

[pantablo]

its all looking amazing, but that steering setup is awesome. whats that part used to mate the linkage from the servo to the knuckle, the part mounted to the front of the chassis rail?

[iwantoffroad]

looks good


pantablo
thats is the steering linkage from a highlift.

[guamcrawler]

looks good