New guy's first build, Bronco body on SCX10 chassis

[Lobonyc]

Bronco looks great! I wasn't sure about the proline body but now I like it. Good job man"thumbsup"

Finally get to see this bronco in action, great job!!!"thumbsup"

Seems like it handles sweet.

 

[dan188]

thanks guys. Overall I'm happy with it, but I'd like the front shocks/springs to flex more easily and more quickly when the wheels initially hit obstacles. Right now my rear flexes well but the front seems too rigid at first and then it finally flexes. Can you guys recommend how I can set up the shocks/springs to be stiff enough to keep my current ride height (and avoid sagging when sitting still) but also make the shocks/springs soft enough so that the front wheels flex more easily? I was thinking of buying a few different springs and messing around with various combinations, or possibly just going for a set of Proline's power stroke shocks. It seems like people have good things to say about them, but honestly I'm not sure if power strokes will give me what I want.

 

[93 FORD BRONCO]

thanks guys. Overall I'm happy with it, but I'd like the front shocks/springs to flex more easily and more quickly when the wheels initially hit obstacles. Right now my rear flexes well but the front seems too rigid at first and then it finally flexes. Can you guys recommend how I can set up the shocks/springs to be stiff enough to keep my current ride height (and avoid sagging when sitting still) but also make the shocks/springs soft enough so that the front wheels flex more easily? I was thinking of buying a few different springs and messing around with various combinations, or possibly just going for a set of Proline's power stroke shocks. It seems like people have good things to say about them, but honestly I'm not sure if power strokes will give me what I want.

I'm thinking maybe your front shocks just aren't fully broken in yet. Do you have your battery and all your electronics mounted up front? Or did you spread the weight out over the whole truck for a 50-50 balance. If you can, put all your electronics and battery up front. This might chance your stance by making the rear lighter and so making it taller and also making the front lower by making it heavier. That can all be adjusted though. The more weight you have up front the faster your front suspension will operate. You will also get a lot better hill climbing and crawling capabilities. I might add one more thing if you didn't do it already. Drill a small hole in each of your rims to allow the air to escape so your tires will form around any obstacle you might climb and give you more grip.

 

[dan188]

93, That's a good point about the shocks possibly not being broken in yet, and I am definitely going to do the little hole in the rims trick. Right now I have the battery and electronics mounted over/behind the front axle since everything is in the stock location from Axial. Right now the shocks sag to about half travel when the truck is sitting still (since the weight is up front), and it seems like the shocks are pretty soft in terms of traveling from full extension to their "mid point", but the travel from the mid point to fully compressed is a little stiff.

 

[93 FORD BRONCO]

93, That's a good point about the shocks possibly not being broken in yet, and I am definitely going to do the little hole in the rims trick. Right now I have the battery and electronics mounted over/behind the front axle since everything is in the stock location from Axial. Right now the shocks sag to about half travel when the truck is sitting still (since the weight is up front), and it seems like the shocks are pretty soft in terms of traveling from full extension to their "mid point", but the travel from the mid point to fully compressed is a little stiff.

Hmmm. Well as you compress the springs more obviously they will become more stuff because of the spring trying to extend back to its original position. Have you messed with the tuning screws on the shocks at all? If the screws are at the very top of the shock then they will be at its softest point.

 

[dan188]

I have played around with the screws a little bit, but right now I just have all of the shocks set on the softest setting. I was reading last night that a few people recommended to take some oil out of the shocks or put in thinner oil as well as put in softer springs. I ended up deciding to replace the long springs with a set of Axial super soft springs, since my Honcho came with medium long springs. While I was buying the springs I also finally decided to buy an RC4WD Bulldog remote winch, so I am pretty excited to install that! I will post pictures once I have the winch installed and the new springs in, and I will let you guys know how the springs perform.

 

[93 FORD BRONCO]

I have played around with the screws a little bit, but right now I just have all of the shocks set on the softest setting. I was reading last night that a few people recommended to take some oil out of the shocks or put in thinner oil as well as put in softer springs. I ended up deciding to replace the long springs with a set of Axial super soft springs, since my Honcho came with medium long springs. While I was buying the springs I also finally decided to buy an RC4WD Bulldog remote winch, so I am pretty excited to install that! I will post pictures once I have the winch installed and the new springs in, and I will let you guys know how the springs perform.

Ohhh ya. Change to a lighter oil. That totally skipped my mind. That would definatly work. I never really tried doing this myself. I did have a similar problem with my suspension being a little stuff at first. But after driving it for a while they seemed to get softer and actually they leveled out the body as well.

 

[Lobonyc]

When running no oil in the shocks (only few drops to keep piston lubed) the truck will have spring shock absorption with no damping, so it will tend to bounce. This is cool when crawling slowly; your suspension will articulate and react easily while looking ultra realistic. This is not so cool when you get up to speed on bumpy terrain. Handling becomes hairy because your rig is bouncing all over the place(think pogo stick).

When running oil in the shocks the truck will have damping which will eliminate the bounciness. The oil causes suspension to react a little slower. When crawling it will keep truck a bit more stable and smooth but less realistic. The suspension wont move as much and as easily. On the other hand, it will increase handling in the faster and bumpy stuff. you'll have more control.

I've tried both. My orange bronco has a set of RC4WD shocks with only a couple drops of oil for lubrication of the piston but basically empty. The rig bounces like crazy which is why i called it bucking bronco on my video. The suspension getting a workout is much fun to watch.

On the flip side i had same setup with scx10 shocks on my yellow bronco. Just springs. I have short medium springs and long medium springs. It supports the rigs weight and supports ride height. I ran with no oil and it was again much fun but very hairy at speeds.

I added axial 30w oil. I filled but not to the top. I added enough so that piston can fully compress with oil inside shock. This allows the truck to absorb bumps and articulate quickly enough yet does not allow it to bounce. Keeps the springiness in check.

I enjoy both hence both truck setups.

by the way 93 FORD BRONCO has a point with shocks being broken in.

I spent a good amount of time cycling my RC4WD shocks before mounting them on my truck.

 

[dan188]

thanks for the tips guys. Lobo, your description of the suspension moving faster/slower depending on the oil level when crawling is exactly what I am working on. I'd like to achieve the more realistic flex. I haven't been able to post any update pics since I just moved over the weekend, but I installed the RC4WD winch and super soft springs on the front. I also adjusted the droop kit and spring tensioners quite a few times in an attempt to make the front wheels flex better when hitting obstacles head on. I also decided to pick up an "odds and ends" bag of Styrene and give scratch building a shot. This is my first time working with Styrene, but I am really enjoying it. I will post a few pictures this weekend of my roof rack project, haha.

 

[Lobonyc]

thanks for the tips guys. Lobo, your description of the suspension moving faster/slower depending on the oil level when crawling is exactly what I am working on. I'd like to achieve the more realistic flex. I haven't been able to post any update pics since I just moved over the weekend, but I installed the RC4WD winch and super soft springs on the front. I also adjusted the droop kit and spring tensioners quite a few times in an attempt to make the front wheels flex better when hitting obstacles head on. I also decided to pick up an "odds and ends" bag of Styrene and give scratch building a shot. This is my first time working with Styrene, but I am really enjoying it. I will post a few pictures this weekend of my roof rack project, haha.

The spring and oil shock adjustments can drive you insane at times. I'm still trying to find a happy medium between realism and good handling. Just make one change at a time and test to see how close you get to that realistic flex. How do you like the winch and what power source are you using? Styrene is cool to work with, you will have a lot of fun and your mind will be busy thinking of stuff to make. I've seen some amazing stuff done.

Enjoy and good luck. Will be looking forward to pics"thumbsup""thumbsup"

 

[ranger4xlt]

Hello all, I just purchased a honcho last week and it should be arriving in the mail within the next few days. I am new to this forum but i've been digging through a lot of threads and this one is going to be very helpful to me. I've seen your progress and your truck looks amazing. I am planing on doing a bronco build myself to model one I once had. I look forward to seeing your progress.

 

[dan188]

Hi guys, sorry I haven't been able to post any pictures of my styrene progress. I moved about two weeks ago and Comcast hasn't been able to install my internet and TV yet :roll: They are scheduled for this Tuesday, so I am on the forum at work right now, haha.... Anyway, I love the RC4WD winch in terms of how it looks and operates, but my only complaint is that the screws that hold it together are VERY easy to strip. I am powering the winch with a 1500 NiMH 6 cell battery mounted to the chassis right behind the motor. I will post some pictures of how it is all set up along with pictures of my styrene roof rack and rocker guards as soon as I can.

 

[93 FORD BRONCO]

Hi guys, sorry I haven't been able to post any pictures of my styrene progress. I moved about two weeks ago and Comcast hasn't been able to install my internet and TV yet :roll: They are scheduled for this Tuesday, so I am on the forum at work right now, haha.... Anyway, I love the RC4WD winch in terms of how it looks and operates, but my only complaint is that the screws that hold it together are VERY easy to strip. I am powering the winch with a 1500 NiMH 6 cell battery mounted to the chassis right behind the motor. I will post some pictures of how it is all set up along with pictures of my styrene roof rack and rocker guards as soon as I can.

Your powering your winch with a 6 cell battery????!:shock: r u using that same battery to power your truck?

 

[Lobonyc]

Your powering your winch with a 6 cell battery????!:shock: r u using that same battery to power your truck?

Yes i have same question...are your powering from the main battery or did you mean a receiver pack?

I thought about using a receiver pack battery but then went the 9v route...costs a few bucks compared to a pack. works just fine and its compact.

Winch in front, receiver to the left and 9 volt to the right. A toggle on/off switch in the middle.

heres from different angle.

 

[dan188]

Lobo that is a clean set up!! Yes, I am using a 1500 6 cell (different from my main power battery) that I had laying around to power my winch. It isn't ideal since it takes up a lot of space. I am going to use something much smaller once I have some time to change it. Now that I am settled into my new apartment, I have been working on a few styrene things.

First, I tried to make some rocker guards to mimic the ones I have on my 1:1 Jeep. My plan is to mount the rocker guards to the outside of the body by bolting them thru the body with mounts on the back side that will tie into the frame (so they have some strength).

I have also been working on a roof rack. The pipes will be painted black and the planks will be painted wood color. I am going to make some "feet" for the rack where it meets the body that will sit flush with the body curve. I hope this will allow me to mount the rack by drilling a hole in each foot and thru the body and then bolt it all together with small 2.5mm nuts/bolts. The rack is somewhat sturdy but I'm sure it will break if the truck rolls over, so I'd like to be able to remove the rack easily if i want to.

 

[dan188]

 

[picktwo]

what did you make your rack out of? Looks good!

 

[dan188]

Thanks. Everything is made out of plastic strips/rods called styrene, which is sold at most hobby shops or on-line. This is my first time working with styrene and I am liking it so far. I used my dremel for cutting and my heat gun to allow me to bend the rods into the curved pieces you see. And everything is glued together with testers plastic cement. Any beginner should give styrene a try because it is nice to work with and pretty forgiving if you mess up. To be honest, I made the roof rack by just messing around. I didn't even measure anything haha (I hate to admit that). I will post some pictures tonight once I have the last parts of the rack made up and painted.

 

[dan188]

ok guys, quick update. As I as working on the roof rack tonight I decided to scrap the project. I was trying to figure out a way to mount the roof rack and I just couldn't bring myself to drill any holes in my body since I wasn't 100% sure that it would look right. I also realized that the rack would definitely fall apart the first time the truck rolls over, and I couldn't really make it much stronger. I've been reading a bunch of build threads of guys that do some amazing styrene work, and I'd like to do something too but my creativity is really lacking haha.

 

[93 FORD BRONCO]

ok guys, quick update. As I as working on the roof rack tonight I decided to scrap the project. I was trying to figure out a way to mount the roof rack and I just couldn't bring myself to drill any holes in my body since I wasn't 100% sure that it would look right. I also realized that the rack would definitely fall apart the first time the truck rolls over, and I couldn't really make it much stronger. I've been reading a bunch of build threads of guys that do some amazing styrene work, and I'd like to do something too but my creativity is really lacking haha.

I was kinda liking the way that roof rack was looking. Maybe just do it over in brass or brake line?... I would give it a try.

I know how you feel about cutting holes in the body. That's the only reason I haven't installed my snorkel in my bronco.