Jeep Wrangler JK (SWB) ... 1st scaler

[4x4LOYR]

Jeep Wrangler JK (SWB) ... 1st attempt at a RC scaler

My boys ( 6 & 8 ) and I have started our first RC Scaler Project. Our goal is to create a "mini" version of our 1:1 Jeep Wrangler JK SWB Rock Crawler (this way the boys have a crawler to use while we're out driving the "real" thing out on the rocks/trails). We are pretty active in the local SoCal off-road scene, spending many weekends up in Big Bear and out in the Anza-Borrego Desert in the Jeep driving trails or riding motorcycles.

The 1:1 stats:
2007 Jeep Wrangler SWB "X"
Lift: 5" TeraFlex/Skyjacker "frankenlift"
Tires: 37" BFG KM2 Mud Terrians
Axles: Front & Rear Dana 44's
Axle Shafts: Front: RCV CV-joint / Rear: stock
Shocks: Fox 2.0 Reservoir Adjustable
Armor: Front Fenders: Poison Spyder / Rear Fenders & Crusher Corners: River Raider / Rock Rails: Poison Spyder
Bumpers: Front & Rear: Shrockworks
Winch: SuperWinch 9.0iEP
Gears: Superior 5.13's
Lockers: Front: Rubicon E-Locker / Rear: Eaton E-Locker
Off-road lights and Rock lights

So, that's what we are striving to build.

The 1:10 stats:
Chassis: Starting with a SCX10 4WD Kit w/ Honcho Body
Body: Pro-Line Jeep JK Rubicon Body (2 of them: one will be topless / the other with a top)
Winch: Bulldog 9300XT (wireless)
Rims: Python 1.9 Scale Beadlocks
Tires: Dick Cepek 1.9 Mud Country Scale Tires
Bumpers/Rock Rails/Roll Cage: custom

We haven't gotten too far yet, but I thought I would start a build-thread now and catalog the progress.

Starting point:

Front Bumper (first time brazing) Made out of 22 gauge sheet metal and 1/4" brake line.

We still need to cut out the top of the bumper for the winch, as well as a slot for the winch line in the front of the bumper.

Start building the RC vehicle:

We want to use a 4-link set-up, so we got the 4-link truss for the rear, but still looking into a front 4-link solution. Also, since the 1:1 coils are red, we've painted the SCX10's coils red as well.

We're pretty excited about this build, but we do plan on taking our time.

NEXT Project: (hopefully) the rear bumper with tire carrier.

Ty ...

 

[Paint Cracker]

Looks like your off to a good start! Nice bumper fab 8)

 

[smokediver]

Nice start. I like the bumber good job for first time brazing.

 

[4x4LOYR]

Looks like your off to a good start! Nice bumper fab 8)

Thanks. Still have a bit of work to go on it; I was surprised how well it is turning out, especially for the 1st try.

Nice start. I like the bumber good job for first time brazing.

Thanks. I was surprised at how easy brazing was to pick-up (well, when you have the right tools. I think it is all about the Harris Welco® Safety-Silv® 56 and having enough heat.)

 

[4x4LOYR]

Bumper with D-ring "tabs" installed.

Winch that will be installed inside the bumper:

 

[mar618]

great start,ill be watching "thumbsup"

 

[oscodawave]

looks good so far

have you checked out project jk?
they do alot of wheeling in your general area and also have the best youtube videos/jeeps on the planet

 

[Siccmade]

Looking good and where did you get those little stands holding up the axles?

 

[ser3100]

I could have sworn ive seen your rig in Big Bear out on the trails! Great start and im watching!

 

[4x4LOYR]

looks good so far

have you checked out project jk?
they do alot of wheeling in your general area and also have the best youtube videos/jeeps on the planet

I use to wheel with the Project-JK / JK-Forum people all the time (as a matter of fact, you can still see the "JK" of the JK-Forum sticker still on my Jeep in one of the above photos (I just peeled the "box" part away)). Actually, I was one of the most active "run-leaders" they had; but unfortunately (for them, I think) politics and very strict rules (theirs) got in the way and I have chosen not to partake in their events any longer. It has nothing to do with the people over at that forum, more with the folks that run/own it.

JKOwners.com has some pretty sick JK's as well.

 

[4x4LOYR]

Looking good and where did you get those little stands holding up the axles?

I saw those jack-stands in someone else's build thread, and did an internet search and only found one guy on eBay selling them. The interesting thing to me is that they are "Torin" brand (same brand you can find at Pep Boys), and that is close to my heart because my oldest son's name (the one who is helping me with this build) is "Torin."

Google "Torin mini jack stands"

 

[4x4LOYR]

I could have sworn ive seen your rig in Big Bear out on the trails! Great start and im watching!

My boys and I are up wheelin' in Big Bear all the time; we're pretty active up in that area (luck enough for us, we have a cabin up there) "thumbsup". So, yes, that was probably me.

 

[Siccmade]

I saw those jack-stands in someone else's build thread, and did an internet search and only found one guy on eBay selling them. The interesting thing to me is that they are "Torin" brand (same brand you can find at Pep Boys), and that is close to my heart because my oldest son's name (the one who is helping me with this build) is "Torin."

Google "Torin mini jack stands"

Cool thanks

 

[oscodawave]

any updates?

 

[CLODZ_72_2003]

Wow, that stubby is coming out awesome "thumbsup"

 

[david_387]

cool....."thumbsup"
I always like JK!!!
by the way,
I have a question for ur bumper.
is it steel or alum?...and how u brazing them?
I tried to use brass tube and sheet, but I don't know if it can be very strong or not:shock:

 

[4x4LOYR]

any updates?

Just purchased the Novak Rooster 55T motor and ESC combo yesterday (11/01/10). So, we'll start working on the RC project again.

What happened was, I started looking for a new 1:1 project (a 1971 Jeepster Commando) to rebuild; but it turned out to be a huge rust-bucket. So, we're back to this project now.

 

[4x4LOYR]

Wow, that stubby is coming out awesome "thumbsup"

Thanks. We've just started on the rear with the tire carrier. It's taking a bit more time/planning.

 

[4x4LOYR]

cool....."thumbsup"
I always like JK!!!
by the way,
I have a question for ur bumper.
is it steel or alum?...and how u brazing them?
I tried to use brass tube and sheet, but I don't know if it can be very strong or not:shock:

The bumper is steel, 22 gauge. The winch tube is brake-line. I'm using Harris Welco® Safety-Silv® 56 with a torch with MAPP & Oxygen gases. I was surprised at how easy it was to figure out how to braze.

 

[oscodawave]

Just purchased the Novak Rooster 55T motor and ESC combo yesterday (11/01/10). So, we'll start working on the RC project again.

What happened was, I started looking for a new 1:1 project (a 1971 Jeepster Commando) to rebuild; but it turned out to be a huge rust-bucket. So, we're back to this project now.

Oh gotcha nice choice with the rooster
I have both a novak 55t rooster combo and novak 45t rooster combo and love em