My Mountaineer mod

[AYA]

Hello.

Last year, TAMIYA re-released mountaineer. Then I bought it.



The fist concern point was, as well known, Rear Axle is longer than Front one.
Therefore I followed YSS's solution.

Drilled 2mm-size hole 10mm inside from original hole on Axle shaft (from RC4WD Hex Conversion kit).


Each side of Axle is cut 8mm.
Axle collars are cut 10mm.


Hex hub (from RC4WD Hex Conversion kit) was difficult point.
0mm cut was insufficient, it hits screw.


5mm was maximum available cut.


2mm seems to be the best.


Whole items



Increased wheel hole size from 4mm to 5mm because inside of shaft thickness is 5mm.


That seems Good!

[AYA]

Next item is Servo mount.
I know the Front servo location is better than original one. Then I found a product in SHAPEWAYS web site.
It is designed for HG P407, and the web page says " This has never been tested on the re-release bruiser and mountaineer and will not work on the vintage models due to the motor brace placement. ".
I decided to try it for my Mountaineer.

SHAPEWAYS provides both a plastic mounter and a steering arm.



Replaced stock metal plate to the mounter.



Also replaced stock arm to new one.



I used 55mm link.





That's Good!
Temporarily, I put motor mount, and found that the motor doesn't hit. It works.

[AYA]

For body mount, I considered a stealth mount scheme.


I prepared Neodymium magnet. One is flat type, another has 3mm hole.


I replaced stock mount pole with the magnet (3mm hole).


I put flat magnet on the backside of body.

[AYA]

Today I bought TAMIYA MFC-02

I know it is for Hilux, not directly fit Mountaineer, it is challenge.


ESC connector provided by MFC-02 couldn't fit 540 motor. Therefore I soldered.


Temporarily I put each MFC-02 units on chassis.


At least, I found the main unit dosn't hit the body interior. How to put the Speaker is my concern now.

[AYA]

I am continuing to mount MFC-02...

For Control box, Speaker and Vibration unit, I gave up sealed receiver box.


Drilled to make 3mm holes to install vibration unit.


Removed bulge of control box case.


Reusing unused parts for bracket


Cut aluminum speaker bracket


Put t=15mm anti-vibration Gel pad under Speaker.


OK, these units are stable.


For MFC-02 unit, I put a plastic plate on the transmission case.


For RX unit, I put a plastic plate on the motor.

[AYA]

For Body making, I cut doors and door windows.





I considered to use RC4WD 4-Runner Door units.




Transplanted hinge parts.

[crashlot2]

very nice work

[AYA]

Thank you for viewing my project.

[AYA]

Door panel making is continuing. I also proceed the cockpit part.

I bought Year Racing's Motion steering wheel.


I considered to hide main unit. Drilled RC4WD interior parts and inserted 3mm Aluminum pipe.






And, inserted 2mm shaft into the pipe.


Put main unit on Engine-Room side. The shaft is connected to the unit.

[JatoTheRipper]

Great thread!

I've always wanted to build a Bruiser.

Very nice job cutting out the doors. Very clean lines. What tools did you use for cutting the doors out?

[AYA]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

Great thread!

I've always wanted to build a Bruiser.

Very nice job cutting out the doors. Very clean lines. What tools did you use for cutting the doors out?

Thank you for seeing my work.
At first, I put masking tape for cutting line guide, and cutted door using PROXXON round metal blade. At complex point (For example, Corner...etc.), drilled multi holes using 0.8mm pin vise and connected these holes using nipper.

[themountain]

Awesome job , man ! Looking forward to the rest of the build .

[AYA]

I tried to make backlighting system for cockpit panels.

Made space for acrylic prism


Made 2mm hole and inserted acrylic rod for light guide.







3mm LEDs are connected to MFC-02 so that backlights can synchronize to MFC-02's light SW-ON/OFF.




Meters and Air-conditioner switches are Illuminated.

[AYA]

There are some progresses...

Made Door inner panels.





For assembly & maintenance Door mirror, panels can be disassembled.
Steel screws are also useful to close door (I put Magnet at the backside of cockpit seat).


I bought metal exhaust pipe. It is for TF2, but seems to be fit to Mountain Rider.



I also cut rear gate panel.



I am trying to attach miniature hinge (Originally, it is for doll house furniture).

[Nicadraus]

Fantastic build. Love those details, opening doors and articulations. Hope to see more soon.

[AYA]

I am continuing to build the tail-gate.

Removed mold patterns of lock catches, and replaced with KillerBody LC70 metal catch kit.



Made inner panel.

[AYA]

Door panel works well. I attached a magnet on backside of seat. Steel screw closes Door.




Cockpit part has good progress...

I tried to make wood panels:
Step 1. Painted with Gold color TS-21 (Tamiya)
Step 2. Drawn some image with Flat Black XF-1
Step 3. Coated with Mahogany color urethane varnish spray
Step 4. Coated with Clear urethane varnish spray





I also tried to make a floor mat.
1. Made Glue. Mixed Water and Wood glue (1:1), and added a dishwasher detergent (A drop: It includes Surfactant that helps Glue to Penetrate into fine powder.)


2. Painted the Glue to floor


3. Sprinkle Scenery powder that is for N-Gauge model train. I used Tea strainer to control the powder density.


4. Finish!



For lighting the panels, increased Surface roughness of one side of acrylic prism. It makes irregular reflection that increases Brightness.


As reflector, I attached Aluminum foil to other sides.


Made a Meter cover using clear plastic plate.


Not bad...but I found I had to increase prism area for meters.



I uploaded video to YouTube:
https://youtu.be/VAEOKQEzm9k

[AYA]

I'm painting body...

I bought TOYOTA emblem and Diamond-Pattern sheet.



TOYATO...?

[AYA]

Made original license plate using Printer and plastic sheet paper.
I found the Mountain Rider's plate holder is a little larger than 1/10 scale US license plate. Needed to modify the plate size.





Regarding Tail Lamp cover, I bought RC4WD's one for TF2/Bruiser. However I found the Right side cover is shorter than Left side. Therefore it doesn't fit screw hole, I cannot attach the body. Decided to use stock one.




And, I bought Metal Windscreen Wipers Blades.



It looks good. But spring parts are easily broken, I needed to use back-up spring.

[AYA]

Finally my vehicle is completed.

I sometimes mistake the button...because to lift-up the vehicle is hard.












Oh! The front guard prevents the License plate...



I also uploaded the movie to YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a5u...ature=youtu.be