1/16-ish FJ Cruiser build using WPL C24 chassis

[TheSubaruJunkie]

FJ Cruiser build using WPL C24 chassis

So I was surfing on eBay for some used WPL parts, and saw this body listed. The body is from some kids toy, and the previous owner had cut the motor and axles out so I sent an offer and ended up getting the thing for around $20 shipped. I am not very satisfied with the condition the body is in, but I know I will have to cut it up even more and with some fresh paint it wont look anything like this when im finished.

Here's a picture of the body next to my sons C24 for scale.


They aren't a perfect match, but they will still look good on the trails together. As you can see here, the wheel base matches perfectly to the WPL C24 chassis.


Here it is with the donor truck, ready for the chassis transplant.


It didn't take long to mark where to cut, and then take the dremel to it. I ended up removing quite a bit of plastic, afterwards it was just a matter of setting the right ride height, and then strategically applying large gobs of hot glue to hold the base of the body to the frame.


I am not concerned with the mess, because all of this will be covered by the body. And from underneath it doesn't look half bad at all (if you ask me)


The chassis sits perfectly level with the underbelly and I cut the springs so the suspension sits lower but offers more droop.


Here it is all mounted, next to my C14.


And I had to steal the wheels from my sons C24 so I could see how it looks.


Looks good but I might have to find something different so I can add a bit of variety. The next step is to paint the body but Im not real sure what color to go with. Kind of leaning towards yellow....

 

[TheSubaruJunkie]

Finally found the color I wanted, so I got to work and masked off the body:


Probably one of the most difficult masking jobs I have had to do, but I am pleased with the results....








Now I just need to find the right wheels and fill the roof rack with a bunch of scale accessories then I'll call her done.

 

[JerryIRacer]

Thank you for not making it yellow. Nice build btw. Only it looks like you are stuck with stock gearbox.

 

[TheSubaruJunkie]

Thank you for not making it yellow. Nice build btw. Only it looks like you are stuck with stock gearbox.

Hahaha funny thing is I was going to go with Yellow if I couldn't find this color. But luckily it didn't have to resort to that.

I am stuck with the stock gearbox, but that is okay. This isn't going to be built as a full on rock crawler, it will just fart around on the trails and look cool.

 

[12MPG]

This rig looks great!

 

[TheSubaruJunkie]

Thanks, its quickly becoming one of my favorite builds so far.

I had to do something about all the holes in the roof. So I made some scale camping gear to fill the roof rack:


There are two sleeping bags and a camp chair or a small tent in a bag. I also had some 3D printed accessories that I put in the rack. Now you can't tell there were any holes at all in the roof





I also took the wheels off my sons C24 to use on the FJ until my new wheels come in. Then I took it out back and did a quick maiden run through the rock garden.

Here is some video of the FJ's maiden run. Enjoy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEe3TeA0pqY

 

[TheSubaruJunkie]

I took the wheels from my C34 kit and put them on this cruiser.
I think its a perfect match

 

[TheSubaruJunkie]

So I let my niece drive the FJ Cruiser around last time we were on a camping trip, and of course after a little abuse she managed to strip out the plastic diff gears in the rear axle (saw it coming).

So the truck pretty much sat for the last few months. I stole the Receiver for another project and eventually stole the ESC as well, so it was just a pile of parts on the shelf.

I ended up installing a set of full metal axles with metal internals, along with a HobbyWing 1060 ESC. I also removed the stock WPL 180 motor and gearbox, and installed the 370 with 2 Speed.

In order to regain ground clearance from the 2 speed, I made these plastic plates to raise the gearbox 1.5cm


As you can see, the gearbox is tucked up nice and high:


My initial thoughts were to use a 3S lipo and get some real speed out of this truck, but my real worry is destroying the pinion input on the axles. So I will keep it on a 2S lipo for now.

Here's a short clip of it tearing through my kids toys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwloBpeJoOM

 

[bolo79]

I'm not in 1/16 scale but that rig making me reconsider my preferences hahaha.

 

[TheSubaruJunkie]

I'm not in 1/16 scale but that rig making me reconsider my preferences hahaha.

Its really so cheap, you can't say no

 

[TheSubaruJunkie]

Here is a new video of the FJ Cruiser going through my new rock garden for its first time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHq606D4sSQ

 

[TheSubaruJunkie]

Just wanted to post some updated pictures that I took while out on the trail:

 

[Brake Weight]

Looks good and I'm late for the party. For the smaller stuff I use the clear Scotch tape for picture albums. It's small and peels off easily without residue. You can cut it to fit with some small scissors also.