Codyboy" TwinHammer rebuild V2

[CODYBOY]

Ok, I tried to move some post from my Herbie the Thug Bug thread but it didn't work out. So stay tuned, I'm finally going to finish my last Twin Hammer build.

This is the original start from that 2017 thread.


I wanna be Dave




Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Oakridge
Posts: 2,396

Re: Herbie the "THUG BUG" Baja style

Ok, I know this is a old build, but thought I would just tag this Hammer build to the end of it.

I just bought another Twin Hammer from Vitamin J this week so thought I would do a build for my son and Grandkids. It's not going to be anything as detailed as Herbie was, but we'll see where I go with it. Thought I would just tag it onto the end of this build.
A little back ground for the build. On our way back to Oregon from the RPP Jamboree Marcia and I stopped at our sons and family in Medford. We have two granddaughters 9 and 7 and a grandson 3 (going on 7). I wanted to introduce them to RC crawlers so I dug out my TRX-4 rusty dog and handed them the TX. They had so much fun learning to point it the way they were looking, which wasn't very often until the second battery pack! Dad use to race with me when he was their age so he had to try it too! So now grandpa thinks they are ready for one, but what should it be? I still have my first modified TW and I know how durable they are and so for a first learner truck it was a no brainer!
I have some Scorch Parts on the way, and the hammer should be here by the end of the week. Now I need to pick charger, radio and electronics so off to the parts bins. I will keep you posted when I get started!
Ernie

PS, I've inquired a couple times to try and get Herbie back but can't get the member who bought it to respond. Darn!!!

Originally Posted by Yeti.stealth

Great stuff Ernie!

Now another thread I have to read and catch up on, can't believe I missed this one? And it's the rig in your avatar, see it in every one of your posts and thought it was a yeti or something, silly me!

I'm predicting a bunch of likes coming your way as I read through this thread.

Thanks bud, I really regret selling that one. I may give the kids my custom Twin hammer and do another VW build.




Ernie

Ok, got a little start on my Herbie II build, Pics of the Hammer I'm starting with.



Jim can't wait to get started breaking it down!



First things I need to do was to make some changes to my to my Associated B5 front end mod. First few pics are R&D/mock up shots. I want to narrow the final width of my old mod, so here is the b5 rear arm I'm starting with.





And the width I want to get to.





The other thing I need to establish is wheel base and new roofline for the cage. Added 1.5" to the body.





Parts for the front upgrade.



Going to go with the JunFac cvds, their over all OD is about 2/3 that of the MIP cvd.



B5 rears.





Starting mock up to get my width right to avoid binding. One step forward and two steps back!!



After much head scratching and building and taking apart I think I have it.



To build this set-up on the axle end I attached TW axle ball end of the axle to the Junfac slider. On the outdrive end I attached the Junfac ball end to the out drive shaft. Hope the photos explain it better than I just did! LOL











Next I drilled out the B5 rear arm and installed 3mm brass inserts so I could use the stock 3mm threaded screw pins to attach the linkage upright.



Now I have great suspension travel with no worry of losing a drive shaft!





Tires and wheels I think I will use.




Ok, not using either of these bodies, but I thought I'd show why this build went on the shelf for a while.
Ok, I screwed up on the band saw last night and ruined my bug body. Yes I could probably fix it but not sure I want to take time right now. (Maybe later) on but for now I just don't have it in me. SOOOOOOOOOO I think I will start a new thread using a dune buggy body that has been sitting on my shelf for several years.





I will try to rat this out with a cage and metal work!






Just wanted to show the two Twin Hammers I have been working on for my son and grandkids for Christmas.















Ok, so this is where I left the build last year, so everything from here is new!

I've done a couple versions of the front travel mods and really like how this came out. Hope some of you handy guys try it!


Ernie

[CODYBOY]

A little update.

Installed my big bore shocks and widened the mount on the shock tower.



A pic of the shock mounted and how clean the slider shaft mod came out.



From the top, with Lunsford Titanium turn buckles.



Vanquish trail arms.



The rear big bore shock mounts and trail arms.



This shows the associated B5 rear arms in place.



Scorched parts servo mount and steering set up. (You can find them here). https://www.shapeways.com/shops/scorched_parts


These shots kind of show the look I'm going for. Not sure if it will be this body or something else I have on order. Once I decide I will build a front bumper and some front cage work. I may decide to go cage all the way to the back. Time will tell. I'd like to do a little rat rod look!!!







All for now!!

Ernie

[Itali83]

Awesome Ernie. Glad to see some fresh work from you. I like these trucks with bodies on them instead of the open cockpit they come wtith stock.

Ben

[soze]

Great work so far!

[smog]

Nice to have you back from your trip Ernie. Missed your build thread.

[CODYBOY]

Originally Posted by Itali83

Awesome Ernie. Glad to see some fresh work from you. I like these trucks with bodies on them instead of the open cockpit they come wtith stock.

Ben

Thanks Ben, we'll see how you feel when I get done hacking on a full body! I've been wanting to do another RAT Rod and these little trucks lend to that very well. Hope you guys are doing well and you guys have a great Holiday season!

Originally Posted by soze

Great work so far!

Thanks soze.

Originally Posted by smog

Nice to have you back from your trip Ernie. Missed your build thread.

Thank you sir, we had a great trip, but as always it is good to be home. You guys up North have always been such great supporters of what I try!!!! Hope you'll like it when I'm done.
Ernie



Ok, time to show you guys what I have been doin.

As most of you know I really like to repurpose and since Marcia and I don't eat meat any more I don't have a need for these at the grill. Going to make a great SS front plate and start for the Rat Rod cage.





Got it cut, drilled and now fitting it before I start the front bumper. I drilled and installed brass inserts in the two forward holes in the chassis. Going give it a lot more strength!.



Of course it will be cut down when I decide how tall I want it.





Any thoughts or suggestion are always welcome!!!

Ernie


So let the "Carnage Begin". Ok, just a few snips here and there.



For now you have to visualize some kind of rusty cage!





Do we need a rear bumper????




All for now, thanks for checking us out!

Ernie

[smog]

love that bumper! You might need a hot dog logo for the door of that rig.


May I ask what springs you are running on those Traxxas shocks? I am looking for springs to run on my 2661's, perhaps those are the ones?

edit: I am guessing those are the mini T springs?

[CODYBOY]

Originally Posted by smog

love that bumper! You might need a hot dog logo for the door of that rig.


May I ask what springs you are running on those Traxxas shocks? I am looking for springs to run on my 2661's, perhaps those are the ones?

edit: I am guessing those are the mini T springs?

Ok, enlighten me, why a hot dog?


I think you'll find what you need here. If not, Losi Mini-T front shock springs will work. I think he caries them also.

https://dluxfab.ecwid.com/#!/Shocks-...0&sort=nameAsc

And Erik is a great guy to work with.

[smog]

Originally Posted by CODYBOY

Ok, enlighten me, why a hot dog?


I think you'll find what you need here. If not, Losi Mini-T front shock springs will work. I think he caries them also.

https://dluxfab.ecwid.com/#!/Shocks-...0&sort=nameAsc

And Erik is a great guy to work with.

ah yeah, that is indeed a perfect link.


Hotdog? It might have something to do with serving as an homage to your innovative BBQ-tong-mod.

[CODYBOY]

Originally Posted by smog

ah yeah, that is indeed a perfect link.


Hotdog? It might have something to do with serving as an homage to your innovative BBQ-tong-mod.

Gotcha, I'm so dense sometimes!!!! Have a Great Holidays Season!!!

Ernie

[AnimalHippie]

Build is looking great Ernie! You're always an inspiration! I think it does need a rear bumper maybe a rusty pipe bumper or rectangular with wedged ends would look good. Can't wait to see pics of their faces when they get them!

[CODYBOY]

Another update.

Working on building the cage and attaching to the chassis and front bumper.



I'm using another Hammer chassis as a jig to get everything straight.



Top rail for cage soldered to the posts.



Mounting bumper to cage for added strength,



The other body I ordered came in yesterday, so I cut it up and fitted. What do you guys think? Which one do you think looks best?







I bobbbed the bed, and will build a rear bumper to kind of fill in the area.





I think I'm leaning toward this one.



Ernie

[AnimalHippie]

I wanna see where your going with the one you started IMO The nose on the new body has a better look other then that I could go either way

[CODYBOY]

A fancy, expensive tool I use when soldering.







I can still use either body so far!

[smog]

I like the clear one. Which body is it? Looks like it has a whiskey barrel in the back

[CODYBOY]

Originally Posted by smog

I like the clear one. Which body is it? Looks like it has a whiskey barrel in the back

Body from the Associated Rat Rod truck.

https://www.rpphobby.com/product_p/asc70019.htm


Ernie

[CODYBOY]

Got a little more done this weekend.

Did some salting to get the body ready for rusting.



I'm not sure how some do it, but to get the salt to stick, I put on a little paint and then put it on the paint. I did this in several sections.





Next I sanded and then applied stage one of the rusting agent.



Same for the frame work.



I changed out the front shocks to get a little more travel.



Getting close.



Rear bumper.



I wanted to paint a little bit of graphics on the roof.





I'm thinking about changing to these tires and wheels. They are just a little shorter and narrower, which kind of fits the Rat Rod theme. Any thoughts are welcome?



Ernie

[smog]

Looks Killer! Love that patina!

[AnimalHippie]

Truck looks great Ernie! Bronze rims have my vote. Old rusty truck with shiney rims doesn't do it for me.

[CODYBOY]

Santa was very good to me!!! But I can't start it until I finish a ascender axle order and this build. I do have some thoughts on how to make it my own though!
Merry Christmas all!!!
Ernie