Newbie crawler wanting to build a TLT based truck!
 

i'm new to this. i've been building and running wedico semis for awhile now but i've decided to take on a new winter project. i want to build a full frame, scale looking chevy pickup. i want to four link it and have a scale 6 to 12 inch lift. i want to run a pede tranny, tlt front diff and a semi truck rear diff (i happen to have one on hand). i'm going with a clod body just to get that cleared up. whats the best material to build a frame from? i see alot of aluminum frames but has anyone tryed styrene? i kinda need a full frame for the way i'm doing it. its kinda going to be a cross between a desert racer and a crawler. i want plenty of flex too. speed isnt a key thing because i'm use to going slow with the semis. any help or ideas will be apprishiated!"thumbsup"

Well for a frame dont use styrene. You need to use a more stirdy material for sure. Like aluminum or 1/4 inch square stock or just buy a frame off one of the vendors on this site. On my truck that im building i 4 linked the front and have leaf springs in the rear. And i have 1/4 inch square stock. Theres a link in my signature.

wont you have some issues with the ring and pinion gears being different ratios in the front and rear???

according to my trucker buddies the diffs are the same ratio. as for suspention, i'm also thinking about leaf springs in the back. i thought about leaf springs front and rear. i dont want a hard core crawler just something that'll do the job. i want something i can mud with, crawl with and of course just run. no sloppy body roll or extreme suspention travel. just enough to get over a few bigger rocks but still be able to handle turns at higher speeds if i decide to put.....say a 20 turn motor in it.

saw a nice chasis made from heated and bent steel box tubing and then split on a band saw, i think it was leafs front and rear. that would give you a scale look, b/c chevys have the "C" channel frames.

i'm thinking about going with this chassis: http://www.tcscrawlers.com/product.p...cat=103&page=1
it looks like i can set the links and shocks just about any way i please with it.