cbp27's Defender 90 Build

[cbp27]

Well, I finally have my hands on a Defender project! Ever since starting crawling (only about a year ago) I've been wanting to build one. It's going to be a huge difference performance-wise from my JK project, but I'll still have fun with it.

I got it as an abandoned project, but I don't think it's ever been driven outside.

Current state: (Updated: 11/15/12)
SCX-10 Chassis
Axial Aluminum Chubs and Knuckles
Aluminum rear lockouts
Axial Universals
Axial Under/over drive gears
Hand Bros. CMS
MIP Spline Drives
Pro-Line PowerStroke Shocks in front
HPI Mini Cup Racer shocks in rear
Gear Head 4-Link Truss
Aluminum links
RC4WD 1.9 Tango Downs
RC4WD 1.9 MTZs
HiTec 7950TH servo
Holmes Hobbies BRXL WP
Tekin 55T
Tamiya D90 Body
Custom styrene truck bed and cab back
Custom cage and roof rack

Special Thanks to:
Chaotic Crawler (LEDs)
ScaleOffroad (shackles, emblems, rope)
MadDogRC (winch hook and 5" LED lightbar)
MG200 Design (ARB front bumper, rear bumper, and sliders)
Crawler Innovations (Foams)
HeyOK (LED controller)
RCMEX (Safari Snorkel)
SDI 4X4 (Fender flares)

Future plans:

Finish truck bed and cab back...


Here are some pictures of how it currently sits. It came with Axial shocks in the back and RC4WD's in the front. I don't like the RC4WD shocks, and the Axial's will eventually fail, so hopefully the Pro-Lines will work out.

I really like the look of the Tango Downs and Trail Busters, but at 4.09" tall, they're too tall for this truck.

Flex shots...

I really love the metal cage work!

The interior sits a little high, but I'll fix that soon.

More to come soon so keep an eye out! "thumbsup"

 

[rod-211]

Wow that looks really good already but I agree the tires look a little tall

 

[cbp27]

Wow that looks really good already but I agree the tires look a little tall

Thanks! I got it from nmanuel01 like this. He sanded and polished the black wheels, which turned out great, but they really are too big. Not sure if he painted it, but that turned out well too.

 

[Gimp]

Looks good Clay, I'll be watching. Is the body held on by 2 screws on the rocker panels?

 

[brazwewn]

Great rig to start with Clay. The only problem I see is the steering wheel is on the wrong side. Are you going to make it out this Saturday?

Wes

 

[cbp27]

Looks good Clay, I'll be watching. Is the body held on by 2 screws on the rocker panels?

Thanks Chris! Yeah 2 screws on each side. It's actually easier to mount upside down lol

Great rig to start with Clay. The only problem I see is the steering wheel is on the wrong side. Are you going to make it out this Saturday?

Wes

Haha Thanks Wes! I won't be able to comp this weekend. I might be around the area the following weekend. Maybe we can have a gtg? "thumbsup"

 

[brazwewn]

Just post up when you want to get together. If I am available I will show up.

Wes

 

[cbp27]

Just post up when you want to get together. If I am available I will show up.

Wes

Alright, sounds good!

 

[nmanuel01]

Man kinda sad to let this one go! Can't wait to see what you do to it!

 

[cbp27]

Man kinda sad to let this one go! Can't wait to see what you do to it!

Don't worry, it's in good hands. "thumbsup"

 

[Gimp]

Any updates? How are the new shocks?

 

[cbp27]

Any updates? How are the new shocks?

New shocks are installed, Axial tranny is ready, and I need a new ESC haha I have an HPI 15T motor laying around. Do you think that is too fast?

 

[Gimp]

we want pictures :lmao:

 

[chicostaxxs007]

nice rig"thumbsup" are those alum. axels?

 

[rcscaler]

lol...that is a really sweet D90.
want to see some action pics:mrgreen:

 

[cbp27]

we want pictures :lmao:

Getting closer "thumbsup"

nice rig"thumbsup" are those alum. axels?

Thanks! No, they're the stock plastic axles.

lol...that is a really sweet D90.
want to see some action pics:mrgreen:

Thanks man! They're coming soon. :mrgreen:


Well I just finished up the drivetrain and electronics. Gimp fabbed up a steel mounting plate for my Axial transmission and I used a modded Axial driveshaft (Traxxas shafts) for the tranny-to-transfer case link. It's so much quieter and smoother than the RC4WD Disruptor.
The electronics aren't in their final spots in the pic, so don't mind the big rat's nest.

These are from my HPI Mini Trophy just to see how the smaller wheel/tires might look. I think it'll work.

Hopefully soon I can get some smaller wheels and tires, fix up the interior, and get some LEDs on this thing. "thumbsup"

 

[cbp27]

Finally had a chance this evening to do some real offroading with the D90 and I am very pleased! :mrgreen: Performs much better than I thought it would. I will post some pictures up later tonight. "thumbsup"

 

[bayareaaxial]

glad to hear it is being ran outdoors cant wait for the pics.

 

[Die-Laughing]

Finally had a chance this evening to do some real offroading with the D90 and I am very pleased! :mrgreen: Performs much better than I thought it would. I will post some pictures up later tonight. "thumbsup"

Wooo! Pics!

 

[cbp27]

Thanks guys!

I had an interesting time testing it out today. The interior and headlight covers were out because they're not finished unfortuneatly. And I had to trim some of the body for the spur to clear. It's almost too close...

I did some light driving for about 3 minutes and the driver's side steering knucking arm broke. The screws holding the tie rod and drag link to the knuckles did not extend through the knuckle arms, making them weak. Luckily I have some spares, replaced it, and got some longer screws with lock-nuts on the other end.

Got it back outside and again, after a few minutes of driving something else broke; the rear driveshaft. I was driving in an asphalt drainage channel....smooth asphalt...and it broke a driveshaft. Good thing I have another spare modded Axial driveshaft.

After that was fixed I went out again and finally everything went smoothly. So I took some action shots. This area becomes a torrent when we have rain (because of bad drainage from the road above it) but it's become a neat little scale gully.

Slapped on a Tamiya Jeep Wrangler spare tire cover on for fun.

These HPI wheels and tires actually worked better than I had expected. But, they're still not great and will soon be replaced with RC4WD 1.55 steelies and Mud Thrashers. The HPI tires are actually the same dimensions as the 1.55 Mud Thrashers.
I'm not sure about the position of the HPI mud flaps. Any thoughts? Do they need tucked inward?