How would you convert to 6X6 flatbed?

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by JSterrett

There's some pretty interesting bodies here Ernie.

https://www.scale3drc.com/

If you find something you like, I can print it out for you...

I printed this body for my TRX-4 (different seller though)...



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Now I know where Tesla got the inspiration for the design of their truck. You did it much better though.

[JSterrett]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

Now I know where Tesla got the inspiration for the design of their truck. You did it much better though.

I wish I could take credit, but I purchased the files and printed it on my machine. It still needs some assembly.

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[CODYBOY]

Been working on this as I have time.

Rebuilt the front axle with new bearings, overdrive gears and high clearance C-hubs.

Here is the intermediate axle with the output cover for the second pinion and underdrive gears for the two rear axles.





Going with SSD 90mm shocks and limited the four rear with 5mm spaces under the pistons.



And this is what I have so far.



So I'm trying to make all these changes to convert this to a 6X6 with available Traxxas parts so if you're
tired of running your TRX4 stock, you could easily do this your self.

[CODYBOY]

Did a little more in the shop this evening. A sheet of stainless steel I had in my fab bin. Not sure if I'm still going to do a flatbed, or maybe set it up with a fifth wheel.







Have the axles set and spaced for 4.75 1.9 tires.
Ernie

[CODYBOY]

Huh, I thought there would be more interest in how to make this conversion?
Guess I'll just post progress photos once in a while.









One of the things I found is the stock housing cover doesn't fit the rear axle. I have one on order from Traxxas.



I don't think I will use the bed in the photos, it would be way to heavy. It works nice as a reference though. JSterrett offered to help out with one out of alum.
Thanks for looking.
Ernie

[JSterrett]

Originally Posted by CODYBOY

I don't think I will use the bed in the photos, it would be way to heavy. It works nice as a reference though. JSterrett offered to help out with one out of alum.
Thanks for looking.
Ernie

Yes sir. Shoot me a message so I can get some details from you.

And I've been watching along, just been super busy designing a bunch of new stuff myself, lol.

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[CODYBOY]

Originally Posted by JSterrett

Yes sir. Shoot me a message so I can get some details from you.

And I've been watching along, just been super busy designing a bunch of new stuff myself, lol.

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Thanks Jeff, I still have some ideas running around in my head. I will get back to you once I put something down on paper!
Ernie

[Summitonslingrs]

Originally Posted by CODYBOY

Huh, I thought there would be more interest in how to make this conversion?
Guess I'll just post progress photos once in a while.
Thanks for looking.
Ernie

I'm watchin too Ernie!! Lookin good.
Keep em' photos comin!!

[durok]

I'm definitely in your audience, CODYBOY!

I went to San Antonio for an all-day crawling session Sunday, and am posting from work right now... Lolz.

I saw a hardbody Defender 6x6 at the crawl, I think it was SCX10.2-based, he was running what looked to be 4.19" tires and drove it so hard that he broke a front axle... Wish I had snapped a pic. It wasn't a flatbed, I think it was a quad cab with a pickup bed. Very nicely done.

Looking forward to seeing more of your usual fine work, my friend!

[Inspector86]

I suspect the reason the stock cover does not fit the 3rd rear axle is due to the fact that the rear driveshaft and pinion rotate in the opposite direction from the input shaft and as such the ring and pinion have to be on the opposite side in order to drive the wheels the correct direction. If I were to build a 6x6 I have a wrecker or winch body in mind.

[AnimalHippie]

I'm still watching too brother! Life has been crazy lately. I don't have much interest in the 6x6 thing. The flatbeds have always caught my eye , but Always enjoy a Codyboy build i still vote flatbed this thing is looking good brother. That cab would make a sweet old-school flatbed car hauler. LoL!

[CODYBOY]

Originally Posted by Summitonslingrs

I'm watchin too Ernie!! Lookin good.
Keep em' photos comin!!

Thanks for the encouragement, I'll keep chugging along.

Originally Posted by durok

I'm definitely in your audience, CODYBOY!

I went to San Antonio for an all-day crawling session Sunday, and am posting from work right now... Lolz.

I saw a hardbody Defender 6x6 at the crawl, I think it was SCX10.2-based, he was running what looked to be 4.19" tires and drove it so hard that he broke a front axle... Wish I had snapped a pic. It wasn't a flatbed, I think it was a quad cab with a pickup bed. Very nicely done.

Looking forward to seeing more of your usual fine work, my friend!

Sounds like fun Durok, glad you're still tuned in. I promise it will get better! I had to rethink shock towers, and may need to remove them. The bed is just resting to high above the chassis. It looked way out of scale! Still thinking how I might do a sliding carrier bed.

Originally Posted by Inspector86

I suspect the reason the stock cover does not fit the 3rd rear axle is due to the fact that the rear driveshaft and pinion rotate in the opposite direction from the input shaft and as such the ring and pinion have to be on the opposite side in order to drive the wheels the correct direction. If I were to build a 6x6 I have a wrecker or winch body in mind.

You got it right! But it took me a few minutes to figure out why the stock one didn't fit. I like the idea of a flat bed, but that could change if I can't get the look right for me!

Originally Posted by AnimalHippie

I'm still watching too brother! Life has been crazy lately. I don't have much interest in the 6x6 thing. The flatbeds have always caught my eye , but Always enjoy a Codyboy build i still vote flatbed this thing is looking good brother. That cab would make a sweet old-school flatbed car hauler. LoL!

Thanks for the input Justin, I want to maybe build a sliding bed, but need to find some photos of a 1:1 to see how it is put together.

Thanks for sticking with me guys
Ernie

[Summitonslingrs]

Originally Posted by CODYBOY

"I want to maybe build a sliding bed, but need to find some photos of a 1:1 to see how it is put together."

This👆🏼 I 100% approve...

You had asked about my stock TRX6 wheelbase measurements over on my thread, I figured the answer would be better suited in your thread.
Traxxas lists:
324mm Front to Intermediate axle
454mm Front to Rear axle
I will double check mine tonight and reply if they are any different however I have made no changes there.
At stock wheelbase with 4.7 RC4WD Milestar Patagonia's there is barely a 1/4 inch between the rear sets of tires.

[CODYBOY]

Originally Posted by Summitonslingrs

This👆🏼 I 100% approve...

You had asked about my stock TRX6 wheelbase measurements over on my thread, I figured the answer would be better suited in your thread.
Traxxas lists:
324mm Front to Intermediate axle
454mm Front to Rear axle
I will double check mine tonight and reply if they are any different however I have made no changes there.
At stock wheelbase with 4.7 RC4WD Milestar Patagonia's there is barely a 1/4 inch between the rear sets of tires.

Thank you young man!!! I had already made some adjustments to the links on the rear axle as with all four of the rear tires on they where touching. Now it is at the same measurement as stock.

Now, a little update. As some of you know I'm having a few health issues and it is hard for me to get motivated to work on my "toy trucks" but here is a few picks of the flatbed mockup I have been playing with.

At 9.75 X 14 inches, the mockup is Plexiglas and mat board.







Next thought is to maybe build a fifth wheel setup and when I crawl I would use it that way! Maybe build a trailer later.





It was too wide for my liking, so narrowed it to 8.25.



Much better as far as scale look.



This is what I would haul on it. "Ken let me have this years ago"



When I mount the cab it will be lower on the chassis than it is now.
Thanks for looking, sorry it took so long to get back to this.

Ernie

[Summitonslingrs]

Ernie first and foremost take care of yourself!!
WOW that is looking great!!
I like the idea of having two different bed options.
A gooseneck trailer would be cool with that.

[Topher Builds]

Solid draft for the bed, looks good narrowed up.

It’s cool seeing this one take shape and makes me want to start a 6x6 build myself one day, honestly never thought of piecing it together till you started this one. Great work as usual!

Hope you feel better Ernie.

[JSterrett]

Here's my first attempt at a trailer bed, should be fairly easy to resize and modify to suit your needs. Could even do the longer sides like you have...

Was hoping to show it to you in person, but maybe we can meet up later.



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[CODYBOY]

Originally Posted by Summitonslingrs

Ernie first and foremost take care of yourself!!
WOW that is looking great!!
I like the idea of having two different bed options.
A gooseneck trailer would be cool with that.

Thanks for the kind words! The goose neck trailer would look cool! When I can get together with Jeff we will put together some ideas.

Originally Posted by Topher Builds

Solid draft for the bed, looks good narrowed up.

It’s cool seeing this one take shape and makes me want to start a 6x6 build myself one day, honestly never thought of piecing it together till you started this one. Great work as usual!

Hope you feel better Ernie.

Thanks bud, I decided that for it to look scale I'm not going to be able to build it wide enough to haul a crawler.
Ya, for me it is the not knowing yet what is going on that is bothering me.
I go in for testing on the 17th and get the results on the 23rd.

Originally Posted by JSterrett

Here's my first attempt at a trailer bed, should be fairly easy to resize and modify to suit your needs. Could even do the longer sides like you have...

Was hoping to show it to you in person, but maybe we can meet up later.



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Looks good Jeff, did you do the perforation and all bends? I would like to do the perforation on the bed about two inches wide along each edge where your tires are.
Is that alum Jeff? Ya, sorry we couldn't make it down, but I didn't want to chance getting sick just before the testing.
You guys have a good evening!
Ernie

[HumboldtEF]

Looking good Ernie! I've been following the progress silently. Its definitely a good idea for those who dont want the stock 6x6 bodies which includes me.

Regarding being potentially too heavy I'll just say I dont have a 6x6 but I do have a 20lb 8x8 and it has pretty good traction even with all the weight. So maybe the extra long wheelbase will negate some of the downsides of being heavy?

[high plains drifter]

This is why we need the like feature... no joke. Been following along, Ernie but didn't want to muddy up the water. You're in my thoughts and I hope that you'll soon be back in good health. Hoping that we'll see you this year... maybe even do a little crawling or trailing. Awesome build btw! Take care, brother.