TSS based FJ40 Build

[51JeepWillys]

nice tube work, i like how you are makeing it to were you can unbolt it from the frame. nice"thumbsup"

 

[RexRacer19]

A little more progress over the last few days...

First, I painted the rock sliders/tube fenders and the roof rack. They were painted with self etching primer first and then some low gloss black engine enamel. I like the texture that the low gloss gave. Looks like scale powder coat. I hope that the self etching primer will make the paint a little more durable and chip off in big flakes like it has on my WK tuber.

Next I got the driveshafts installed. Nothing too exciting here, but this part is done at least...

Finally, I came up with some D-rings and mounts for the front bumper. For the mounts, I found some old small servo mounts (bolink, maybe) and modified them. In order to have enough meat in them for the screw from behind and not have them stick way out, I counterbored a hole in the bumper. I then shaped the back half of the delrin mount to fit in the hole. The unit then screws in from behind. The D-rings are just some music wire that I bent up. I may redo them at some point...but they will do for now until I come up with a better idea or find some scale ones.

 

[STANG KILLA SS]

wow jeff looks great. awesome engineuitiy on the d-rings.
im still anxious to see how the sliders hold up to the rocks. (mounts bending)
have you thought about painting the roof rack windsheild screws black?
what are the front of the tube fenders secured to?

 

[RexRacer19]

Thanks, Cory.

I think the sliders should hold up to normal "scale" running. I have picked the whole truck up by them and they don't flex any. I think they are a little stronger now that they are integrated with the tube fenders. Now, taking a big fall and landing right on them might not go so well, but I don't intend on putting this rig in that tough of a place...

The tube fenders are secured up front by a solid piece of 1/8" music wire. It is brazed to the metal piece that the body will mount to and there is about 1" per side that the tubes slide over. It is a solid mount.

Oh yes...the mounting screws for the rack will be black when all is said and done. "thumbsup"

 

[G-crawler]

Wow! im really impressed by your tubework, looks killer! and those tires look good as hell, im glad i have a set for my next build!

 

[RexRacer19]

Absolutely!!! There are several folks in our area that are interested in a G2G. I have received several PMs from folks wanting to know where Lil' Moab is. There is some great 1.9 terrain out there.

 

[trailjunkie]

WOW! looks awesome. Thats all brazed? or is some of it welded?

 

[mickrcarver]

sweet ride your time in it definitly paid off

 

[RexRacer19]

WOW! looks awesome. Thats all brazed? or is some of it welded?

It is all brazed. I welded some on the tuber that I build a while back and the joints did not come out purdy enough for me. With the right stuff, brazing is pretty fun and painless.

A little more progress to report...

I turned down the shocks to get them more scale. I turned down the cap up front since they would not use any springs. In the rear, I left the cap full width to capture the springs. I lucked up and had some old springs that were pretty stiff and just the right length.

Next I made the spare tire carrier. I found out that RPP sells the Rock Crushers in singles and ordered one for a spare. I am trying to convince Cory that he needs to offer his rock rings in sets of 5. ;-)

The carrier is nothing special. It swings away for access to the rear and can be locked in place. This may be it for tube work on this truck. I need to fab a battery tray and radio tray before breaking it all down for painting. I am getting excited about how the finished truck is going to look.

 

[STANG KILLA SS]

seriously
<---- first dibs when this thing is for sale.

cant wait to see that chassis in black

 

[Unimoger]

Can this '40 get any more bad azz?:shock: the rack, the tube work, the sliders, the fender guards, the swing away.:shock: simply awesome scale work."thumbsup"

 

[RexRacer19]

Again, thanks for the kind words. I have admired the work of, and been inspired by many of you guys. So to hear it from you means a lot. This place is a great resource for learning how to do this stuff.

Next on the list was a battery tray and radio mounting plate. I am using a 4000 NiMh 6-cell battery. I want to run for a couple hours at a time... I made a tray that went in between one of the front crossmembers and I dropped it just low enough so that the servo does not hit it when the suspension bottoms. Just because it is a scaler, does not mean I should ignore the CG. I also wanted to get more weight up front...since I have added plenty in the rear.

I also made a big knock-off nut for the spare tire. Nothing fancy...just a V shaped piece of music wire brazed to a flange nut.

I bought a cooler too...so now I can keep some beer in the shop. :lol:

 

[STANG KILLA SS]

cross brace cut in two to mount the battery tray? nice!
are those sub Cs?

 

[RexRacer19]

Yes, they are sub Cs...and they are large...LOL. I was surprised at how big the pack was when it got here. But it is exacly what I wanted. Long run time and a large mass up front to get those leafs working good. I am trying to keep an eye on good performance on this thing.

 

[pantablo]

This is really an impressive build, especially given its your first run at it.

Those "sub C's", are they referring to the battery pack? when you mentioned it I thought it would be the standard 6pack laid end to end. I like that. Are those the one's you bought from Chris-the-battery-guy? Can I ask how much? You can PM or post it.

Bravo!"thumbsup"

 

[IronOx]

verry sexy bro. loving it. and hope you dont get rid of it. what you using to bend it and is it 3/16 tube or what?

Big John

 

[cagedmax]

Hey Jeff your FJ is looking sweet. You got some skills. I was telling jeff Hughes about it yesterday and he was not surprised to see what a great job you did on it. I know Barry and Chuck are digging it as well. I hope you dont mind me stealing some of your neat ideas when I get off my lazy but and build a scaler? Anyhow I know I'll be seeing this beauty in person soon. :mrgreen:

Shimmy

 

[4u2nv]

Where did you get the cooler from? I ordered one from ebay but when I got it in it looks like crap. Your looks nice.

 

[XSRCdesign]

that is just to much badass going on in once post......

"thumbsup"

 

[RexRacer19]

Hey Jeff your FJ is looking sweet. You got some skills. I was telling jeff Hughes about it yesterday and he was not surprised to see what a great job you did on it. I know Barry and Chuck are digging it as well. I hope you dont mind me stealing some of your neat ideas when I get off my lazy but and build a scaler? Anyhow I know I'll be seeing this beauty in person soon. :mrgreen:

Shimmy

Thanks dude. Hughes needs to get him a crawler and come have fun with us. Talk him into an axial or something. "thumbsup"

Steal whatever you like. I don't claim much originality on my stuff. I get inspired by what others have done and put my own twist on it. We still need to work on our indoor course at Crossroads Hobbies...

Where did you get the cooler from? I ordered one from ebay but when I got it in it looks like crap. Your looks nice.

It came from RPP hobby. Hard to beat for $7

Those "sub C's", are they referring to the battery pack? when you mentioned it I thought it would be the standard 6pack laid end to end. I like that. Are those the one's you bought from Chris-the-battery-guy? Can I ask how much? You can PM or post it.

They came from cheapbatterypacks.com. The pack was less than $40 assembled. You can configure custom packs on their site and get an exact quote instantly on what you build.

HTH