CamoColton's nothing special Optic

[CamoColton]

Bought this kit when it was released and finally assembled it last month. I didn't take photographic record of the build process, because it's really nothing special at all and most of the parts were things I had laying around for whatever build came around next; largely purchased during big sales at Amain. I got the green Huf livery that it seems every one else did too. I purchased the red Eibach panels, and applied Freqeskinz "Crazy Ivan" wraps. I went with the HWO grill just because I like the look of it better, and also to disappoint purists that see a Toyota livery with a slotted grill. The red panels were purchased so edges appearing around the vinyl wraps worked with the livery instead of against it.

Build list:

• Hobbywing Fusion Pro 2300kv (from my own stock)
• Futaba 304SB-E receiver (own stock)
• EcoPower WP832 servo (purchased for this kit)
• SSD 1.9" Contender wheels (from the milk crate of wheels and tires)
• Pro-Line BFG Krawler T/A KX G8's (to replace the Hyrax tires on the SSD wheels)
• MEUS Hyve lights (scamazon)
• S8E anodized shock caps and collars (didn't know about the rebuild kits being offered, these leaked before I even powered up the truck, and the plastic collars are lousy)

Basic white-girl posing:

Freqeskinz says these vinyls line up with the panels edge-to-edge. And they do. But I think starting from one edge and working across, especially the hood will be a fool's errand. Soapy water, and a hair dryer or heat gun on its lowest setting will be your friends. I spent more time working on the hood then I did all remaining panels. And I had to come back days later with heat again to get the wrap to stay adhered, and conforming around the raised center section of the hood.

These lights don't fit without a lot of dremel work. I installed the fronts, lenses, and the light's boards, and left the backs off. CA'd the fronts of the lights in place, and then used hot glue to hold the boards in place while I slammed everything back into place on the cage. I am not pleased with my install, as they didn't end up even. Even though I would have loved to have maybe have gotten some free shock parts from Vanquish, the red anodized parts work well with the Ivan livery.

VRD shifter found in my box of misfit parts from previous kits. Spray painted with Rustoleum Painters Touch Aluminum, as was the radiator. Driver helmet painted with Krylon Fusion white (both back of the garage finds).

I'm a real fan of these SSD Contenders. Very similar, if not direct copies to the TRD wheels that could be optioned on the FJ Cruiser (2009? 2010? Trail Teams?), and think the compliment the Ivan livery well. They have SSD's +3mm hubs with rotors to make them fit on an Element axle with the BTA steering where they had previously lived.

Thanks for looking at my nothing special build of an Optic.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

That's beautiful! Nothing cooler than the "Ironman" livery! Scale hardware is an awesome touch as well. The Vanquish shocks look so good with the anodized parts. It's a shame they're crazy expensive when you add it all up. You can still get free parts and keep them on hand as spares. Just email Vanquish with a copy of your receipt of the Optic kit.

What's this?

 

[CamoColton]

That's beautiful! Nothing cooler than the "Ironman" livery! Scale hardware is an awesome touch as well. The Vanquish shocks look so good with the anodized parts. It's a shame they're crazy expensive when you add it all up. You can still get free parts and keep them on hand as spares. Just email Vanquish with a copy of your receipt of the Optic kit.

What's this?
View attachment 512786

The SSD’s wheels came with those scale bolts in the beadlock rings already installed. I'll have to track down some metric scale hardware for the hubs. You're right about the vanquish shock parts' cost. It's nearly as bad as decking out a set of their wheels.

That’s the light controller that comes with the MEUS lights. They don't really have instructions on how it works or should be programmed, but I was able to get it working through a lot of menu navigation on my Futaba. It has on and off, and two flashing modes as well. It's not needed at all, the lights could plug right into the receiver but it's nice to have the option to turn them off from the radio.

The receiver is out of this truck now letting its conformal coating dry, otherwise that little controller wouldn't be seen. Most of my trucks have their receivers living in some kind of box, but this one doesn't, so we're giving MG chemicals silicone conformal coating a go.

 

[smog]

Looks pretty special to me, nice choices made here. Your rig looks banger man. You nailed the details, the scale TRD contender wheels looks great on there. There is just enough bronze and red to make them work together brilliantly.

 

[CamoColton]

Looks pretty special to me, nice choices made here. Your rig looks banger man. You nailed the details, the scale TRD contender wheels looks great on there. There is just enough bronze and red to make them work together brilliantly.

I have a bad habit of bronze wheeling all the things if I can. My black 2006 LJ has bronze Methods. My Mullet build is going to get the bronze Vanquish BBW Sierra's. Going to have to figure out a color for that to work with those wheels.

I like the bronze.

 

[smog]

I have a bad habit of bronze wheeling all the things if I can. My black 2006 LJ has bronze Methods. My Mullet build is going to get the bronze Vanquish BBW Sierra's. Going to have to figure out a color for that to work with those wheels.

I like the bronze.

I have a draw to bronze wheels as well. They hit the sweet spot between invisible black and the colors which are attention grabbing.