FJ Cruiser Build

[JohnnyAnguish]

I've always wanted to build a CC-01. Like many people, my first kit was a Tamiya, so it's partially a nostalgia thing. I couldn't resist picking one up when Tower was selling the FJ Cruiser kits for ridiculously low prices. This should be a nice companion to my SCX-10 for some light trail work. I intend to keep it mostly stock at first, utilizing some of the more well-known tips and tricks once I get a feel for what the truck can do. Should be fun!

DSC05664 by johnny anguish, on Flickr

OK. On to the inspiration pics. I'm going for a matching roof color with blacked-out trim look like these:

[eddievedder]

Very nice! Im looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

[JohnnyAnguish]

OK. Like I said, this thing will be mostly stock at first, so there won't be a ton of build pics. I want to get a general feel for the truck before I go changing up too much. Here you can see a couple of the changes I did make out of the box:

• Locked front diff
• Axial 55T motor
• Fast Eddy bearings

Nothing earth-shattering here. Front diff is locked using the "extra gear" method. As for the motor, I knew I'd want to slow things down. After all, I'll be trailing this thing, not racing it. I figured I'd start with an inexpensive 55T and take it from there. Replacing all of the plastic bushings after-the-fact is a real pain, so I went with ball bearings from the start.


Tamiya CC-01 FJ Cruiser Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Tamiya CC-01 FJ Cruiser Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Tamiya CC-01 FJ Cruiser Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[JohnnyAnguish]

Got the electronics in.

I used a waterproof Savox servo that I originally planned on using for the Ford Courier build I did for my dad. It was slightly too tall. It just fits in the CC-01. It's powered by a Castle BEC. I ditched the Tamiya speed control in favor of a Castle Sidewinder 3. I want to be able to adjust the drag brake. Once I get the body finished and the lights installed I'll tidy up the wiring.


Tamiya CC-01 FJ Cruiser Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Tamiya CC-01 FJ Cruiser Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[JohnnyAnguish]

I de-chromed the stock wheels. Not really sure why, since I don't plan to run them. I guess I learned a new trick. My six year-old said he likes these wheels, though. I hope he's not disappointed when i swap them out.


Tamiya CC-01 FJ Cruiser Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[JohnnyAnguish]

Let's talk front bumper for a second. I knew I didn't want the stock CC-01 plastic bumper hanging out there, but I wasn't quite ready for a full-on brickectomy. I decided to give the JunFac front skid a try for now. It doesn't look totally out of place compared to the 1:1 skid plate.




Tamiya CC-01 FJ Cruiser Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Tamiya CC-01 FJ Cruiser Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[Habanero]

Nice build but your photography is exceptional

[JohnnyAnguish]

Originally Posted by Habanero

Nice build but your photography is exceptional

Haha. Thanks. The build photos are done quick just to document the process. I'm still working on getting better at photographing toy trucks in the wild. It's a lot different than shooting bands in poorly-lit rock clubs like I usually do.

Daykamp Music

[JohnnyAnguish]

Paint!


Tamiya CC-01 FJ Cruiser Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[R A N D A L L]

That color looks killer. Now you got me doubting the gunmetal i chose for mine! Cool build man.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

[JohnnyAnguish]

Originally Posted by R A N D A L L

That color looks killer. Now you got me doubting the gunmetal i chose for mine! Cool build man.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

I love gunmetal. Thought about going down that road myself. Toyota has had some weird blues and grays on the FJ. This isn't an exact match to any of those, but I feel like it *could* have been one of them.

[JohnnyAnguish]

It's not done yet, but you can see where it's headed now. I got all the decals on. The body bits are painted and installed. It's shaping up.

This is the body height from the instructions. I'll probably end up needing to raise it up one hole when I get the new wheels and tires on. Once I do that I'll be able to trim the body posts and take care of a few finishing touches.


Tamiya CC-01 FJ Cruiser Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Tamiya CC-01 FJ Cruiser Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Tamiya CC-01 FJ Cruiser Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[johnnyluv]

This looks great, man. If I didn't already have a Nikko FJ Cruiser body, I'd plan on getting this kit. As it stands, I think I'll plan on getting a Unimog 425 kit, next spring, maybe, if tax returns go well. I've got a small collection of short wheelbase, toy rc hard bodies that I considered working on, to make them fit a custom SCX10 chassis, but have decided it'll be easiest to go with a CC-01.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[JohnnyAnguish]

Originally Posted by johnnyluv

This looks great, man. If I didn't already have a Nikko FJ Cruiser body, I'd plan on getting this kit. As it stands, I think I'll plan on getting a Unimog 425 kit, next spring, maybe, if tax returns go well. I've got a small collection of short wheelbase, toy rc hard bodies that I considered working on, to make them fit a custom SCX10 chassis, but have decided it'll be easiest to go with a CC-01.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Thanks. The detail in the body is pretty darn good. The plastic bits help a lot (grill, mirrors, taillights, spare tire cover). The body is a little on the thin side. It probably needs to be to get all that detail. We'll see how it holds up. My SCX-10 takes a lot of abuse. This one will be more for trailing. Hopefully that spares it from the worst.

[johnnyluv]

Originally Posted by JohnnyAnguish

Thanks. The detail in the body is pretty darn good. The plastic bits help a lot (grill, mirrors, taillights, spare tire cover). The body is a little on the thin side. It probably needs to be to get all that detail. We'll see how it holds up. My SCX-10 takes a lot of abuse. This one will be more for trailing. Hopefully that spares it from the worst.

Yeah, I have a couple of SCX10's, but I've yet to do a CC-01. It's actually a more scale-accurate chassis for an FJ Cruiser, with the IFS. I also have a New Bright Hummer H3 body, which has a 10" wheelbase, and the CC-01 would be good for it, too, since the 1:1 H3 has IFS. I get bummed out when all I find at Thrift stores are toy rc's with short wheelbases, but that's mostly all the toy industry is putting out these days. I'm starting to think lexan bodies are best on an SCX10, anyways, considering the durability factor, and ease of painting.

[desertdude]

Very nice, This truck is on my list.

[JohnnyAnguish]

Time to get some better wheels and tires on there. I went with 1.9 Dirt Grabbers with Deuces Wild foams mounted on black G Made steelies. The tires should grip much better and the extra weight of the wheels should help performance. I think it looks pretty good. I may try another set of wheels at some point, but this should do for now.

Still a few details to take care of. The body posts are trimmed. I've got a roof rack to install. I'm gonna make up some license plates. Then it's trail time!


Tamiya CC-01 FJ Cruiser Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Tamiya CC-01 FJ Cruiser Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Tamiya CC-01 FJ Cruiser Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Tamiya CC-01 FJ Cruiser Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[eddievedder]

I love the black steelies. Looks great.

[JohnnyAnguish]

I finally got around to a couple of final details.


DSC06146 by johnny anguish, on Flickr


DSC06148 by johnny anguish, on Flickr


DSC06152 by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[Habanero]

Nice. I have been toying with the idea of illuminating the license plate should be easy to do