Tribute to my Dad's 79 F-150 RANGER LARIAT
 

Okay here goes... my first build thread.

Some of you may have seen the start of this in the body and paint section, looking for a body and chassis to match up for a good representation of a 79 f series. Its lexan but hey its a start. Ended up going with Jconcepts 79 f250 body on a vaterra acsender chassis.

Why?
Long story short, my dad owned one. He got me into rc. He passed in 2015 and this is going to help me cope by taking him with me on various rc adventures.

His was an F150 ranger Lariat, brown and tan 2 tone. Nothing crazy 302 automatic... RWD.:oops:
Its the first thing i ever drove when i was about 10, coming home from a camping trip in the high desert of socal. That is the configuration i want to build it in. Glasslite bed topper loaded up with camping gear. Gun racks. Coleman camping stove, tent with poles. I remember he made is own carpet kit too. He was quite the wood worker.
And yes i plan to scratch build a bed from styrene, and adjust a rc4wd mojave bed topper to fit.

Wheels and tires... it had some 12 hole steel wheels with 31" tires at most. Tht said im going with 1.55 for a modest realistic approach. I have contacted REC for a set of wheels. They are bang on accurate to what my dad had.
Tires will likely be some 1.55 rc4wd that look like older bfg t/a.

Im going to do this very slowly as i dont have much "play money" to just flat out buy an acsender. I will be following a formula very close to Harleys $50 deadbolt project.
That said, i dont have a whole lot to start off this thread. But, here goes...

On with the pics already!!!

What im starting with...
https://image.ibb.co/ecxvK5/P_20170806_195113.jpg

Decided on this body
https://image.ibb.co/d5ywRk/P_20170806_195133.jpg

3d printed flat belly trans mount
https://image.ibb.co/b5cee5/P_20170806_195151.jpg

And by request, because we acsender guys seem to love cats? My lovely assisant Banzai the american short hair!
http://i63.tinypic.com/169mc0n.jpg

Thats it for now. Currently chasing down frame rails, axles and might have wheels coming from REC depending on what he says back to me via emai.
Once i figure out measurements for the links, i will get the set for the bronco wheelbase as thats wht i discovered will fit the 11 inch wheelbase of the Jconcepts body.

Thanks for reading! I hope to have updates at least monthly. Trying to sell airsoft rifles to fund this and its harder to sell them than i thought.

"ACSENDERS, ASSEMBLE!""thumbsup"

*more banzai, mostly to test tinypic
http://i67.tinypic.com/1zv4sci.jpg

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

Sounds like a great build, sorry for the loss of your father. Kitties and Ascenders just go together it seems. What else are you looking for besides axles and frame rails? :)

"thumbsup"

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

wow I thought tinypic was acting weird last night but YIKES!!! half didn't load, and 1 that did is ENORMOUS. epic fail on this thread so far huh? lol will get it fixed when I get home tonight.

as far as what else I need... um... everything? sorry pics didn't load but I literally have the trans mount, drive shafts, battery tray, and another couple doodads im not sure where they go yet.
so yeah I pretty much need... everything. transmission, gears, links (for bronco or I think its WB2? needs to be 11" WB for the Jconcepts body)
might have axles and a shell topper soon...

anybody know if I can get cans of brown and tan spraypaint for lexan? hope I don't need an airbrush but its looking like I might.

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

These are the type of builds I truly enjoy watching. Not about performance, but about being a tribute and having meaning behind them. Priceless piece of tiny truck art! "thumbsup" I will definitely be watching this build!

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

OK, thanks. Thanks for testing pics, Banzai is super cute! I'd try Tamiya for the browns and tans, they have an amazing line of stock colors. You could mix your own and use an airbrush. :)

Tamiya lexan spray:
Tamiya Color Spray for Polycarbonate

https://www.tamiyausa.com/articles/ln/72/PS-chart.pdf

Yes. :)

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

thanks. yeah I have looked at Tamiya's website for all the colors, nothing in a ready-to-use can. I have always used Tamiya paint, RC, models, custom action figures... but yeah it looks like I might need to step my game up and get an airbrush kit. I just really don't have room for it right now.

as for the pics... tinypic is really acting screwy right now. if somebody can recommend an alternative free image hosting site?

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

Hey Chris, I should have your axles ready to ship Monday. Because of your motive for wanting to do this build, I'm going to help you out as much as I can. So.........I'm going to be sending a little care package with the axles to help you get on with your build. I think it is really cool that you want to honor him and at the same time being able to spend time with your son as you do it!"thumbsup"
Ernie

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

Ernie... I am at a loss for words right now. I can't begin to describe how amazing it is that you would do this for me.
with all the emotions and gratefulness running through my heart right now, all I can say with my entire soul right now is

THANK YOU.

now with that said... no pressure on this build, right?? ;) seriously if this all comes together the way I intend, it wont let anybody down who comes across this thread and sticks around long enough for me to finish. I just wish somebody made a 1:10 hardbody 79 F series. lexan will have to do until then. then again, James at Knight customs just announced some crazy partnership with shapeways, so... who knows what we might get? or I could always try scratch building from styrene. anyway...

Ernie I really do appreciate your help and recognizing the significance of this build. I just hope I can finish this and cut onions at the same time. again... THANK YOU.

btw sorry about the pics still not working. took some time to focus on my twins turning 9. my son loves his barrage and I have already done some bobsuruncle and hillbilly mods, I need to post over there in the barrage threads how great that thing is with a few simple mods. (grind down pumpkin stubbs, flip battery tray brace and trim bump stops)
my son's barrage has also thrown gasoline on the fire for how passionate I am for this vaterra build to get finished. I drove his truck for 5 minutes and it was incredible.

so as soon as I can get some pics uploaded, and when that amazing codyboy care package arrives... well I think Doc Brown said it best, "You're gonna see some serious s#!t." ;)


like I said before: thank/hug your pop, and go crawl something! with your son! or daughter! or nephew! or whoever!

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

Ok, package is on its way, I couldn't quite take 6mm on each side, but did get 5mm. I think you'll like the few little extra parts I sent. Maybe once you can get some photos back up we can see what parts you will be needing to get you off and running. I may be able to call in some favors from a few of the guys on here to help out.:mrgreen: "thumbsup"
Ernie

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

okay now Pavlov has rung the bell and I'm DROOLING!!!

meanwhile I need to see if my airsoft guns have any bites yet, and maybe tinypic is ok now? will try re-uploading the first 3...

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

Well Chris, it looks like your axles and parts found the slow boat from China!
It now looks like you will get them Monday. I sent you a PM with the tracking #. Sorry :roll:
Ernie

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

imgbb to the rescue!!!
Did a search for image hosting with resizing, imgbb is great! So now that i have ability to post pics... i have some incredible images to post.

So, as you saw above, Ernie and i have been working out a deal. Quite possibly the greatest care package EVER has arrived.

They say pics are worth a thousand words. I think these might be worth millions...

https://image.ibb.co/cJkeCQ/P_20170827_113059.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/modhXQ/P_20170827_113335.jpg

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

I did advanced edit to update the title but... only shows up after you click it?

Anyway... update! See above lol

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

Awesome care package, can't wait to see your crawl pics when the body is painted and installed! 8)

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

the care package was so beautiful I wept. full disclosure.

yeah the wheelbase is 99% spot-on. might have to add spacers to shim the links a tad. its not enough to justify adjusting the frame.
now I need to figure out the body, like you said. either I find a method of renting/borrowing an airbrush setup, learn how to use it, or... I hate this idea but... pay somebody else to paint. I am quite the experienced lexan guy, with multiple drift car bodies under my belt. I have done a beautiful purple with rainbow flake S15 silvia for my wife's drifter, a smoked champagne AE86 Levin that has incredible depth... so I would really like to paint this truck myself.
I would post pics of those drifter shells but they are in a giant Rubbermaid tub in storage at the moment :( might get back to those when I finish this F100.

for the body I need to figure out paint, find some accurate mirrors, scratch build a styrene drop bed and interior... eventually try to scratch build a glasstite bed topper and carpet kit. I might even build it so the drop bed and topper are 1 piece that just drops in and uses pins hidden by the carpet kit and camping gear. we shall see. I have never build anything like this from styrene. biggest thing I have done was intercoolers for the drift cars lol so this will be a fun challenge!
also might see if my local shop has any traxxas bigfoot #1 on display, maybe that amazing molded chrome grill will fit the jconcepts body? worth a shot... would still need a stock looking front bumper though. speaking of bumpers, I have an idea for the license plates. so I need a source for those.

anyway, yeah. Ernie is one hell of a guy. all I need is a new tx/rx, motor, and batt. and it will drive. im thinking holmes trailmaster sport on 2S.

so yeah, that's where im at right now.

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

Hey Chris, if you want I can paint your body! I have been painting since the early 80s, even won a couple concourse at off road Nats in Denver and Spokane. Painting is only something I do for friends and my self, I don't to go their for my business. "thumbsup" Up to you! Because of shipping, if I know what body you want to use I could order it, paint and ship to you. That way you would have a extra body you could beat up when playing. ;-)
Ernie

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

Ernie I think you are my RC guardian angel.
let me check around, but I will most likely take you up on that (very generous) offer.

somewhat related, i think i might have a pic or two of my dad's actual truck on a CD photo album. when i get home tonight i will look and see, and host them on imgbb if my hunch is correct.
i mean, its your typical 79 ford two-tone brown with cream in the center/roof, but i would love to have the actual truck as a reference for this build. going off memory gets sketchy at this age considering i haven't seen it in 10 years, even though im sure i have every nook and craney memorized.

thanks again Ernie. i hope you don't get tired of hearing that!

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 *UPDATE 27 AUG*
 

Ernie is the man! No I haven't forgotten about you Ernie, I head to the post office in the morning hopefully!

Can't wait to see how this truck turns out. With your personal attachment and the support of guys and like Ernie and Nate to lean on makes the build that much better. They both helped me immensely on my last build.



Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

I'm really enjoying this build, and can't wait till it really starts coming together! It just might be fate that you chose the Ascender as the foundation of your build because you wont find the help that Ernie, Nate and many others in this section are willing to give anywhere else. Reading Nate's thread and Ernie's goodies have really made my little Bronco and long wheels base Bronco pretty impressive and bullet proof. I know for a fact I couldn't have built what I have without them.
Good luck with your build and jump on that Lexan and make it your bitch! You'll find that it's pretty easy to build with and actually pretty dang fun. One thing I do when building an interior is to Google images of what I'm wanting to do and print a pile of pictures to look at while I'm building my interior. Different angles to look at sure seem to help.

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 *UPDATE 27 AUG*
 

I wasn't concerned one bit."thumbsup"
Besides I know where you live.:mrgreen::lmao:
Ernie

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 *UPDATE 27 AUG*
 

Correction: You know where I work. [emoji38]

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 *UPDATE 27 AUG*
 

You got me!:lmao::lmao:
Ernie

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

okay I have been doing some window shopping, adding stuff to my amazon wishlist and throwing stuff in my cart at RPP just to get an idea of what else this thing needs (not much to run but im a ways out from finished).

question for CODYBOY or anyone else that might have ideas... battery location??? I was considering a couple of 2000mah 2c, one on each slider for balance and total of 4000mah run time. trying to avoid rear mounting the battery, if possible.
(Ernie I read 90% of the bulldog thread and realize you had your pack in the back but im not sure that will work with a drop bed F series)

I also build custom lightsaber props with electronics the make them light up and sound real. in the saber community we call fitting a crazy amount of electronics in a small metallic cylinder the art of "kram-fu".
with this chassis, fwd motor, 2 speed trans, CMS, (possibly a hidden servo winch?) and what will eventually be a full interior and drop bed... its taking an odd amount of kram-fu!

thanks in advance for any advice. you all have been awesome.

Ascenders, ASSEMBLE!

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 *UPDATE 27 AUG*
 

I love that Ascenders, ASSEMBLE line!

I think you might be on the right track doing it saddle style with a battery on each slider. With the front motor mount, it eliminates the full-size aftermarket battery tray option. I mounted a small 3s battery on the passenger side floorboard of my interior for my lights. Not really a scale item but it offsets the weight of Stone Cold driving.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

Hey Chris, saddle packs for sure, but I really like staying in the 2200 3C, that speed control I sent will like them a lot better.
Turnigy Nano Tech from HobbyKing.com are a good battery at a great price.
Less weight, with the saddle mounts easy to change on the trail. I can send you another ascender battery mount if you like. I will see what I can do about getting you a servo winch!"thumbsup"
Check with me before you order parts on your wish lists, I may have it in my parts bin. The servo I was going to use for a shift servo is a traxxas 2080, should slip right into the spot on the tranny. "thumbsup"
Ernie

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

thanks Ernie.
I was getting smart on the 2 speed thing, watched some youtube vids and your old build thread was a huge help seeing what goes where.
so you are saying 2200mah total or 2200x2 for a total of 4400mah? nice. im just worried something that big wont fit under the interior floorboard. that's why I was going conservative with 2000mah 2s. 3 cell might be a bit tall? I have a 4300 3 cell soft pack for my yeti, I could just toss it on one side to see what it looks like.

as for the servo winch, that's way down the road. I do have a slick idea for how it will feed out the stock F100 bumper, if I ever find or make one. fairlead behind the license plate ;-) either spring-hinged or just hold it on with magnets. servo might need to be a micro to fit next to the steering servo.
i want it hidden since my pop didn't have a winch on the 1:1 version (but i can think of at least twice i wish it had one!) but i do eventually want the ability to get itself out of a jam! considering this thing is looking like it will be like 20 lbs when im done lol

trying to figure out plans for a 1:1 style under-bed spare tire also. even if it means cutting a wheel and tire in half like a bagel :shock:

i will let you know when i need parts, but first i need to work on my current debts... ;-)

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

I was thinking 2200s, singles. One thing to think about is mounting a battery on one side and electronics on the other for balance. The threes I have are about 1 1/8" thick if that would give you a gage to go by. "thumbsup"
Ernie

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

I think i can get away with the double pack setup and esc on the platform, receiver on the.... uhhhhhhhh lol depends how small it is. Like i said earlier... kram-fu! ;)

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

alright gang, need some advice/opinions.
while im waiting to scour the universe for exact parts and figure out paint (most likely shipping the ford to Ernie)... I need something to throw on the chassis for the meantime... and whenever i don't want to bang up this project.

what do?

I don't want to mess with wheelbase, so it would have to be as close to 11 inches as possible.
just a little bit of searching today I have seen 2 options. there might be more so please chime in if you think of anything.

1. Vaterra Bronco.
I mean, that's what this chassis is already setup as, seems like a no brainer and I had a cool idea to maybe build it with a "LOGAN" theme, like the one he drove in the movie.

2. Tamiya Clodbuster!
this one has me more excited. I don't have a theme or any ideas for where to go with it, but I think it would be fun! best of all, its the exact same dimensions as the jconcepts ford I have.
and there are TONS of things available for this hardbody! one question I have though, if anybody knows... would rc3wd blazer stuff fit?

another thing I could do is just get another 79 ford and go with maybe just a "primer" paint job? like a "WIP" version?

another thing I just realized when browsing GCM's site... they did a 76 ford and that is 99% the same as a 79, only difference is the grill. I wonder if I could get one of those bodies and modify the grill to look like a 79 so I would possibly have the only 79 ford hardbody... in the universe?! lol just another wacky idea...

so the choices are:
1. Vaterra Early Bronco
2. Clodbuster
3. "primer" ford
4. other?

other than that... no real updates. I still need to see if I can find any pics of Pop's 1:1 truck, for reference and inspiration. also I think I will name this truck ZIGGY. it was my dad's nickname in the army. unfortunately i never asked him why.

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

Hey Chris, if your talking about the rig I sent you, check the wheel base, I think it was close to 12.2". It has been a while since I built that, and with my older gentlemen menory:roll: I can't remember for sure? I know it wasn't set up for ascender bronco! ;-) Measure from axle to axle and see.
Ernie

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

You could get a cab only and run without a bed... fits on many wheelbases ;)

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

Ernie I stuck the body on the top of that chassis. its nearly spot-on. the body is a Jconcepts 79 F250 and its 11" wheelbase.
I should measure the WB on the chassis to be sure, but its maybe at 11.2" at most. good thing... i'd hate to replace those links!

as for a cab only truck... the name for that escapes me at the moment... like the vaterra C10. it solves the wheelbase issue but I just don't like the look and I think its too common right now. its cool, just not for me. great suggestion though! maybe combined with proline's utilty bed? that would be kinda neat! (and it would hide the shock towers hahaha)

*** i'll be damned!!!
https://thumb.ibb.co/jSGvya/untitled.png

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

That is good, I remember shortening it a little but I couldn't remember how much. Yah, I spent a little while with the Lunsford titanium links to get them bent right for good clearance. I'm laying out a 66 chevy truck body to paint for my ascender K 10. Starting to get things ready for the RPP Jamboree in October."thumbsup"
Ernie

Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

Just chiming in to throw cold water on the REC wheel option. Chris stopped making wheels a while back and I think I bought his last set a few years ago. He's got a new venture he's working on, but won't be doing wheels again. I do have a set of 4 untouched 1.55 10 hole 5 lug wheels - is that the wheel you're looking for?

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

:shock::shock::shock::shock::shock:

YES!
that's what im looking for! Chris actually answered here in my wheels thread "looking for 1.55 version of this" after I emailed him to ask about them.
he told me about his new project and there is current info he posted yesterday on the "other" scaler forum ;-) he just sent off a die-cast for master casting "thumbsup" not sure what it is, but it should be cool.

anyway back to those wheels... how many of my limbs do I need to sell? :ror:
I was about to pull the trigger on some CROSS wheels I found on ebay but they would need to be chromed. the REC wheels are SPOT ON exactly what my dad had on his 1:1. here is a pic from the wheels thread to give you an idea of how bad I need those REC's...
not a pic of his wheels but its the exact combo he had, size and all.
http://i63.tinypic.com/257olzo.jpg

so yeah... you got PM!
*DOH!
bigchimp, you don't have PM! clear out your inbox sir!

oh also while speaking of wheels, Ernie I threw those gearhead 1.55's on my sons barrage... looks AWESOME! i'll post a little pic after I get the shell plasti-dipped green. my son was amazed how good it looks with more aggressive tread. He cant wait to get out on the trails to try them out!

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

Did some tinkering and test fitting yesterday. Ran into a couple issues. Not big ones but i need some tips from the masters here.

Trying to mount the cms for correct geometry without bump steer. I see where it was previously mounted but horn position has me baffled.
I know pics would help, will try to snap some in a bit.

Next is the mip front driveshaft bangs into the 2 speed selector shaft pretty good on compression. Its enough that im scared it will ruin the rc3wd t case or the shafts or the transmission... its like i need smaller diameter shaft? I could flip it around but that would look silly. Problem is, the selector shaft sticks out right where the shaft telescopes. Errr... not sure what the solution is maybe build mip shafts from certain lengths to move the telescope area higher?

I know pics will help heaps to show what i mean. Will post them later. Thanks all!
*****
Ok here is what i see. Blue nut at the end of the gear shift shaft hits front driveshaft. You can see where its rubbing the black paint off.
http://i65.tinypic.com/2jb70k9.jpg

Bonus pic?
Meanwhile, here is banzai with my sons freshly plasti dipped barrage on 1.55 gearhead wheels with pitbull growlers. That cat loves sitting with me while i tinker!
http://i68.tinypic.com/pwvx1.jpg

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

okay it says 1/8 scale truck but the body looks pretty close to 1/10 to me...
https://www.bigsquidrc.com/kyosho-ma...onster-trucks/

body is disappointing (compared to the recent muscle cars they are doing) BUT!
look at those mirrors and bumpers!
hopefully I can just get those parts without buying a whole bodyset (like Tamiya does)
wipers would be nice too.
https://www.bigsquidrc.com/wp-conten...er-GP-VE-1.jpg
if you look at the body pins it really looks like it could be a 1/10 body on a 1/8 basher. that's pretty typical, as far as I can tell.

also... that teaser kyosho just released of this 2RSA "scale off-road project"? hmmmm... interesting...

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

Hey Chris, can you change angle of your axle by clocking it forward a little? Looks like you could do it by replacing the revo link ends with Jatos to get what you need.
JUNFAC Hardened Carbon Steel Universal Shafts (2) Tamiya Tundra High-Lift These have a smaller OD than the MIP shafts.

Also I sent you a message in letter today (snail mail, seems like something out of the dark ages:lmao:) anyway a pic of a 79 F100 4x4 with the colors I think you are asking for. Also I sent a piece of clear with 3 different mixes of the dark metalic brown I think you are looking for. The cream should be pretty easy to mix. I know you said quit sending you things, but now I need info from you.:lmao:
Ernie

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

Ernie, thanks for the "mini care package". I really need to start turning wrenches on this thing and get it moving! but like a Lannister (the only thing I have in common with that house), I always repay my debts.

as for the color swatches and pic of the 1:1... thank you! haven't received yet but that's a great idea to help decide color. I almost took the easy way when I painted my sons barrage it dawned on me... why don't I just spray the inside with camo brown and camo tan???
but like I said that's the easy way. and that's not always the right way. I would probably have to back it with bedliner and, well who knows how that would turn out. maybe for the trail beater, and whenever I get around to sending another your way for "shelf queen" and concourse duty.
in the movie prop world (ie: lightsabers) this is a technique known as "Hero" used in close ups and "Stunt" used for... you guessed it: stunt work.

oh and I still have a disc to go through that might have a pic of his actual 1:1. i will post findings here.

Re: Tribute to my Dad's 79 F100 featuring Banzai
 

I called in a favor on that one!!! So got it at cost! "thumbsup" And don't worry about cost, you are not the first that I have sponsored on here with parts. As I told you before, Marcia and I feel blessed so it is all part of passing it on!
Ernie