Lentsnh2012 builds: 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser

[Lentsnh2012]

There isn't much to show, because everything is in the shipping process or is about to be shipped. This build will be budget friendly... hopefully. My 'Birth of a Cruiser' build is taking a lot of my monies.

Anyway, the specs will be:

Tamiya CC01 kit
New Bright FJ Cruiser body
SDI MTRs
Gear Head 2.0 CAC Soft 8 wheels (maybe the Gear Head Hammer wheels for now.)
Integy 85T motor

As I am pretty new to the Tamiya platform, feel free to post up advice if you see something that needs to change.

[kincer]

These things are pretty cool in their own way, I had two and kinda miss them. I'll be watching your build, lots of things you can do to these to make them pretty capable. I'm thinking of picking up another after Xmas.

[Lentsnh2012]

Originally Posted by kincer

These things are pretty cool in their own way, I had two and kinda miss them. I'll be watching your build, lots of things you can do to these to make them pretty capable. I'm thinking of picking up another after Xmas.

That's what I have been reading. Everyone that owns one, or used to, absolutely loves it. It'll also be a nice change from the normal solid axles rigs; just trying something new.

Please do! Like I said, make sure you let me know on things I can do to make it perform or look better. From what I've read, this platform is pretty solid and is pretty good conquering rough terrain. I plan to keep its performance the same as a stock FJC. I even though about unlocking the front and making it more of a challenge. We will see.

[kincer]

I have a few tips, I'm sure you've been reading up on these, if I see something as you go along I'll let you know. This is the one I really miss lol

[Lentsnh2012]

Originally Posted by kincer

I have a few tips, I'm sure you've been reading up on these, if I see something as you go along I'll let you know. This is the one I really miss lol

I would really appreciate it, David! Thanks man!


That LR3 is awesome! It's very clean. I thought about getting an LR3 body but I couldn't find any that were complete. So, I went with the FJC haha.

[kincer]

Number one thing is the steering, the Gpm aluminum steering kit is good provided you use blue loctite and good hex hardware, bearings are also big, and I don't think I'd leave the front unlocked, these are behind the 8 ball already lol, these are capable with some easy work and tricks, they are not out of the box capable like a scx10 however.

Sent from the RAZR's edge

[kincer]

Originally Posted by Lentsnh2012

I would really appreciate it, David! Thanks man!


That LR3 is awesome! It's very clean. I thought about getting an LR3 body but I couldn't find any that were complete. So, I went with the FJC haha.

Thanks for the compliments, I miss this one, traded it for a laptop for my daughter she needed for school.

Sent from the RAZR's edge

[Lentsnh2012]

Originally Posted by kincer

Number one thing is the steering, the Gpm aluminum steering kit is good provided you use blue loctite and good hex hardware, bearings are also big, and I don't think I'd leave the front unlocked, these are behind the 8 ball already lol, these are capable with some easy work and tricks, they are not out of the box capable like a scx10 however.

This platform will be more of a build it/replace it when needed. I'll definitely take a look at the steering kit as a future upgrade. Luckily, I actually traded for this built-and-never-wheeled CC01 and the previous already installed the bearing kit as well as a new 4 link kit for the rear.

I'll mess with it while the 'Birth of a Cruiser' is being built/waiting for parts.

Originally Posted by kincer

Thanks for the compliments, I miss this one, traded it for a laptop for my daughter she needed for school.

You're welcome! I can understand, a laptop is much more important! Of course, as I say a lot more as I get older: "There's always time for toys". Whether it is the scale stuff or the 1:1 stuff.

[eddievedder]

That body is slightly smaller scale than 1/10 so the 2.0 wheels may look too big. But try it out and see what you like but I would say try some 1.55 wheels on there!!

Good luck. Fun little rig!

[Lentsnh2012]

Originally Posted by eddievedder

That body is slightly smaller scale than 1/10 so the 2.0 wheels may look too big. But try it out and see what you like but I would say try some 1.55 wheels on there!!

Good luck. Fun little rig!

I'll definitely keep that in mind! It's hard to figure out what to do when you don't have the body or the kit to mockup with.

I would love to use SDI MTRs, though. If worst comes to worst, I could swap out the tire bead with a 1.55 tire. We will see what happens.

[boostnloose]

Where did u find the fj cruiser body? Been meaning to get one just didnt want to spend $100 on ebay for the body lol ps u will love the cc01, i have a hardbody crv on mine and definitly more of a challenge then a scx10, expecially when u keep the front diff open ill be watching your build

[Lentsnh2012]

Originally Posted by boostnloose

Where did u find the fj cruiser body? Been meaning to get one just didnt want to spend $100 on ebay for the body lol ps u will love the cc01, i have a hardbody crv on mine and definitly more of a challenge then a scx10, expecially when u keep the front diff open ill be watching your build

I was fortunate enough to be able to get the FJC body off of a member on here. After doing some research, New Bright and Nikko made the FJC body in the years 2008-2010. That's why they are so expensive and rare now.

I cannot wait to get the kit and tinker with it! I'm very excited to get something that is quite different than what I'm used to.

[Lentsnh2012]

Would anyone like to educate me on the stock Tamiya TEU-104BK ESC? When I get the kit, the only electronic component I'll swap out is the motor. Everything else is staying the same and will have a 2S powering everything.

[killswitch]

No lipo cutoff, no drag break. It's basically a super low budget brushed ESC.

[Lentsnh2012]

Originally Posted by killswitch

No lipo cutoff, no drag break. It's basically a super low budget brushed ESC.

I figured there wasn't much to it, but I just wanted to make sure. Being that I will be running a 85T motor, I don't think I should have a problem with not having a drag brake.

[kincer]

You'll be surprised at actually how fast it is even with an 85t turn motor lol, the way these things are geared mine with a 55t motor was as about as fast as my scx10 with a 35t motor maybe even faster. I put a RC4wd gru in mine 2:1 and it was about perfect.

[Lentsnh2012]

Originally Posted by kincer

You'll be surprised at actually how fast it is even with an 85t turn motor lol, the way these things are geared mine with a 55t motor was as about as fast as my scx10 with a 35t motor maybe even faster. I put a RC4wd gru in mine 2:1 and it was about perfect.

Really?? That's wild!

I've read about the GRU and I might do that down the line. I'll just see what happens when I drive it and get used to it. I don't plan on making this a hardcore crawler but more as a comfortable trail rider with some rocks thrown in. . Tuesday sure is taking a long time getting here.....

[kincer]

Yeah, I bought my first one used and it came with a 55t and I couldn't believe how fast it was, one advantage of gru is it acts like a dragbrake so if you don't wanna get another esc you kill two birds with one stone.

Sent from the RAZR's edge

[Koldham]

i dont care to much for a drag brake. it feels kinda like driving a manual.

[58_Willys]

Originally Posted by Lentsnh2012

I'll definitely keep that in mind! It's hard to figure out what to do when you don't have the body or the kit to mockup with.

I would love to use SDI MTRs, though. If worst comes to worst, I could swap out the tire bead with a 1.55 tire. We will see what happens.

The Nikko body is better suited for the Soft 8's...it's bigger. Those rims would scale in at about 21-22" rims. 1.55's look pretty good under the body you're getting. I have a set of 1.5" alum 6 spoke's that would look great as stock FJ rims.

SDI's would be nice but no need to swap side walls, just reduce them to fit 1.5".

I have been curious about the GRU's as well. Anyone have the x3 and 55T in their CC01?