Not as little but still small Suzuki samurai 4x4

[T_Tank]

haven't tried that cause acetone just works perfectly and works with my model kits as well

 

[T_Tank]

Another update on the way!
I made a mock up mini E revo shock that you use acetone to deform the ball seats for whatever ball studs I had laying around think its mini T ball ends and some ecx temper ones. Uses a telfon lining at the front and some random screws.
Ended up working out pretty good for getting the front hanged up as they are the same length an almost the same shape

also... on my 4th revision on the axle housings front AND rear hunting down binding issues an making sure bearing seats are in enough to allow the ecx steering parts to work... they are... kinda odd compared to my mrc axle chub an knuckles I've made for older projects...

 

[T_Tank]

another update got it running though now the WONDERFUL process of figuring out where to put the ecs.
Now first thought is to put it under the hood an clean up the wiring add some bright orange motor an battery wiring to look like a EV conversion cause... lets be honest... I don't think I can make the 540 look like the 1.3L...

I will have to print out the new hood that's a bit better hallow of a shape to give enough clearance for everything but that's not all bad just will have to run the battery leads all the way back to this compartment

Doing it all this way will allow this nice an clean setup also the battery box sits a little higher then on the 1:1 samurai and its tapered some to keep from being hit around when attempting to crawl.

Overall I'm pretty happy with how its turning out I need to get some more white ABS so I can print more interior bits an pieces like seat sliders so I can pull the seats out now an then when I need to pull out an bind the receiver (which I plan on having tucked behind the dash)

Now lighting... I'm debating on wiring in the lights cause how much of a pita it will be to find a very small light controller. Or I could just wire all the lights in like their set for night driving and put a switch somewhere with no blinkers.

 

[T_Tank]

Know these photos aren't the best but working on the light buckets now. Front and rear ones press fit snuggly into their bumpers and head light glue into the grill. Don't have a picture of the rear ones but I hope to try and print some clear lenses leats for the front blinkers and rear tail lights.

Note to self.. Acetone smooth the buckets waaay more next time

 

[T_Tank]

Update with a couple of videos and some pictures.

First up is a video showing light system testing on the little zook though I don't plan on keeping the lights in as... the light controller has no where to hide lol.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q6VpMGxfGeA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Then here is a video of it running around at my favorite little place at the park where there water run off steps with rather rough concrete slopes an bumps an such.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ERA0qZtxIDQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

gearbox is a mish of losi 1/18 parts, ecx parts and the final drive gear an outdrives from the axial scx10 gearbox.

 

[meatmonkey]

This is awesome. Talk about built from scratch. That gearbox is certainly like no other! What does it provide for gear reduction?

 

[T_Tank]

Thanks man its been a hell of a mental workout eyeballing gear lashing for that matter @_@

just by going from input to output shaft I want to say a hair over 16 input rotations to 1 output. I don't really need to worry about drag brake with it cause the gearbox is rather resistant to rolling unless you take the motor flat out of it then its nice an smooth.

I need to make a second one of these to throw into the LJ81 then I can keep the 4:1 transmission for staged rallycross (one of the guys at my LHS said it be a hoot to watch) the sammy is actually pretty stable but I think its due to all the heavy parts being at or below the frame.

also digging through my stuff found a old spektrum 6channel rx I got god knows how long ago but fits perfectly hidden behind the dash besides the LED.. wonder if I can take some clear filament an route that light to a spot on the dash...

Funny thing is I started printing my own stuff out of not having enough money to dump on full crawler kits an then modifying them... well least I can easily print spare parts or improve as I go now!.

 

[T_Tank]

Printers back an working so now I'm working on a few things in tinkercad that may be a bit fun for folks as I been looking at various things for the 2nd gen jimny body can stumbled appon a couple of grills.

1st one is some random ricer style grill which is fine I mean I did make the jdm grill insert for this body

2nd is a "Bronco" style grill that made me chuckle but its groan on me some

And I've also started cadding up a different front bumper and fender flares... OH and the turbo jimny hood!

theres a little teaser to another project that will come if you look carefully enough in that picture.

Haven't done much to the physical model at this time besides printing out disk brakes for the front an rear (different size between front an back won't add calipers)
Really need to start printing the rear rally top or least the 1st prototype to see how that comes along as well.

 

[Zukiiholic]

Looking really good.

 

[T_Tank]

Thanks I figured since I have the master model I can least also try to make some aftermarket bolt in looking pieces as well if anyone else wanted to print out their own they have a nice mix of options. though.. most working rc wenches are HUGE on this thing...

 

[T_Tank]

Got the rally top printed an sanded down and painted now just need to figure a means to keep it from falling off the build while still being removable!

Also a pic of the bronco style grill printed out mocked up and the 660 turbo hood mocked up as well

 

[T_Tank]

Doing some more work on the little samurai printing out my drivers seat and seat "rail" has been glued to the floor (can be screwed into with 4 m1 screws)

And some tiny TINY little aisin locking hubs for the front that are to scale with the 1.55 wheels

Then the center wheel covers for the ion style 1.55 wheels

Also a fun size comparison

 

[Zukiiholic]

Hubs look great and I like the sportback.
Hard to find for the 1:1s these days.

 

[T_Tank]

Thanks! The hardtop is from rallytops, they aren't cheap and I think the one I have may be a early model with how it mounts to the body.
The locking hubs came out pretty well on my printer but I imagine a sla printer would make it look even better. It's also up on thingiverse as well

 

[T_Tank]

Got the spare tire printed out of M3D's tough ink with 0% infill and 3 layer top an bottom layer so has some ok flex still a little on the stiffer side but works perfect for a spare tire just need to get the right screws to mount into the body

 

[Postclanker]

Hey Tank...great build "thumbsup"

Would like to pick your brain a bit about the drive shafts for this shorty...
Can you picture that when you get the chance and/or tell me what you used?

I’m searching for some high quality short shafts....or i’m Going to cut some MIPS

I have a 10.6 wb i’m struggling with....TIA

 

[T_Tank]

I am actually working on a lwb samurai model while this one is printing that close to 9.4 inches in wb but the front shaft would be the same length as the swb.

But the center drive shafts I'm using are ecx barrage gen 1 shafts cut heavily down.

I might have to look at my tlt but maybe axial wb8 cvd shafts can have a custom tube printed out to be short enough since they are separate pieces

 

[T_Tank]

Progress on the new dash that has a 9gram micro servo tucked behind it just need to find the right screw or metal rod to run through the steering column to the steering wheel!

and both seats are printed out now an slid into their "rails"

 

[T_Tank]

Here is a video of the steering wheel added and servo hooked up to a extra channel for mixing
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WpswRVYOTWo" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[T_Tank]

More interior work done tonight got the transmission an transfer case shifters printed out and the emergency brake. Oh also got the grab handle printed out for the dash as well!

now here is where updates may start to slow down as I work to sand then mr surface fill an mr putty fill parts of the body CAREFULLY before priming for paint. That and now shaking the build down more to see what breaks and figure out what may need to be strengthened.