The ultimate micro scaler

[Phylodog]

I have my second Orlandoo F150 on the way, couldn't pass up the $20 off a $100 order from Amain. I'm really digging the small scale stuff now and it has me thinking about building the ultimate scaler. Based on availability of good bodies it appears 1/24 scale would be a good option. So let's discuss components and what would work for an ultimate build....

Jada has some really nice 1/24 scale die cast vehicles out there. I'm interested in a copy of my 1:1 2012 Ram and a copy of my 1:1 2005 Wrangler Rubicon.

RC4WD has a 1/24 cast transmission and their cast Toyota axles look like they'd be pretty nice. I don't think I want to go leaf springs but making small plates to bolt to the axles and accommodate coil overs (or internal spring) shocks wouldn't be too difficult.

Losi has an ESC/Rx (2.4g) combo and brushless motor but I'm not sure if it would bolt up to the RC4WD tranny. Not sure brushless is the way to go but having a bit of speed would be fun.

Making custom links shouldn't be too difficult but I'm not sure what size threaded rod & rod ends to use. I'd like to keep them on the smaller side for scale.

I know there are a few different chassis options out there but I don't know which I'd go with. Curious if anyone has any strong recommendations.

Best steering servo?

So let's discuss it. Money is no object, scale realism is the goal. What components would you select and why?

 

[Brake Weight]

How scale do you want it? As small as these are you could use a static model and mount the drivetrain to it. Much like the Orlandoo f150 and Jeep are set up. Then you'll have a full blown interior and details that a static model provides. It won't be as capable as just a body on a chassis. Fungi's shapeworks store has any wheels you'd need, too.

 

[Phylodog]

I'm interested in a balance between as scale as I can get it and still have it perform at least reasonably well. My 2012 Ram is bascially a 4wd car with a truck body so it doesn't really perform well as a true off road vehicle and having IFS I can't really replicate it anyway. My Rubi has a 3" short arm lift so I should be able to get it copied pretty well.

I've checked out Fungi's store and it's saved as a bookmark so I can go back to it easily when I start buying components. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[R.Billy Rob]

Stay away from die cast, its too heavy. The rc4wd transmission is crap. The axles they have are best suited for 1/18 bodies. They're even a little too wide for 1/20 scale bodies, so I don't think they'll work for 1/24-1/25 scale. And the Losi brushless is not the way to go for these unless all you want to do is go fast. There's no torque to them. I personally like the Losi trail trekker the best. Their tranny is by far the best, especially when you add a 130 or 180 motor, and the axles fit very well under 1:24/1:25 and 1:20 scale bodies. I personally prefer the 1/20 scale bodies best for building my scalers, although they are very limited. The Losi axles are the least scale looking, but perform extremely well. I've also seen some 1/24 scale builds using orlandoo axles for a more stock look. As for frames, I really like using the SMC 5.5 frame with leaf springs. I've done 3 builds with them now. I've also used a matsucars linked frame off EBay, a leafed frame from customcuts out of Germany, and the frame from the static model. There's also brass. Lots of people make their own frames from brass. Jim (user name Fungi) also makes some really nice linked as well as leafed chassis'. He also sells some amazing tube chassis' in his shapeways shop as well as a really nice assortment of wheels. The options are almost limitless, depending on what you are after. Hope some of this helps. Check out some of my builds, as well as others. There are a lot of great builders on here to get ideas from. MGCrawler has some of the most epic scale builds I've seen on here. If you're looking to be as scale as possible, check out some of his builds. "thumbsup"

 

[Phylodog]

Great info BRB, thanks for posting. Gives me several different options to explore.

I didn't mention shocks in my original post. I ordered a set of the Losi Mini DT shocks to try and use them on my Orlandoo F150. I had to drill the ends out to fit over the ball studs but they aren't going to fit without either grinding a bit on the chassis or spacing the shocks out a bit wider on the axles. After quite a bit of searching I found the double ball head studs used for the steering in stock so I ordered four of them. I'm going to see if they'll give me the additional width I need for the shocks to clear. The Mini DT shocks are definitely smoother than the Orlandoo but I think I'll have to add some weight to the chassis to get them to flex properly.

I also ordered a set of the metal Orlandoo axles. I'll probably save them for my next build, I'm curious to see how they fit under a 1/24 scale body. I found that New Bright makes a 1/24 Ram body which will work nicely as a replica of my 1:1.

 

[Brake Weight]

I pretty sure you mean the Micro DT shocks. The Minis are 1/18 would be huge for the Orlandoo.

The spring rates/lengths are different as well as the total lengths on those. Not saying it can't be done but the Orlandoo has equal length shocks. So the mounts would need to be varied to use the Micros.

 

[Phylodog]

You are correct, Micro DT shocks and thank you for mentioning the different lengths and spring rates. I failed to notice any difference between them and just spent the past hour or so getting them mounted up. I got rid of the ball ends on the frame and axles and opened up the holes to use M1.5 screws. I'm giving up a little bit as far as rotation at the ends of the shocks but I had to drill out the ends of the shocks for the ball ends and they weren't doing a good job of moving freely on the ball ends anyway.

The front end travel was limited and I noticed one of the upper links bottoming out on the chassis so I relieved both openings just a bit. Once I got the new shocks mounted up the front end was sitting 2mm higher than the rear and I assumed it was due to the increased travel. I just pulled the shocks off again and somehow managed to get both longer shocks in the front. I guess I'll order another set of the shocks and put the shorter/softer set on the F150 and save the longer/harder set for my next build. It'll probably be heavier than this one anyway.

 

[Phylodog]

Is there a simple way to adapt the Orlandoo axles to use 7mm hex based wheels?

 

[ElChupacabra]

Any reason you're avoiding starting with a Proline Ambush? Which is 1/24 and accepts model kit bodies very well. You'd just have to change the suspension to 4 link instead of leaf.

 

[Phylodog]

Not necessarily. The Orlandoo caught my attention first and my second one should arrive today with metal axles coming in from China at some point. It's what I have on hand at the moment.