Dawgbones first scale build - TF2

[DawgBones]

Hi guys (and girls). Well, I finally dove in and got myself a Trail Finder 2. Took a while to decide what I wanted to build, and this thing was the winner. I'll post everything I have to date as far as photos go, then it will be as they come. I am no master modeler, so the mods are coming slow and the Dinky RC interior even slower.....

I'll start with the driver.... not sure about the singlet, but he seems to fit the scale well

The box from CKRCCrawler.com

Super nice instruction book, however, page 19 step 27 is incorrect. It states to use a M3x10mm Set Screw. It won't go through the transfer case shaft, instead needed to use the M3 driveshaft pins which it doesn't even mention in the instruction booklet.

 

[geislerj3]

Congrats on the TF2!!! With some patience it's a great kit to build and over time do some mods and changes!... I can hardly go a few days with out having my hands into mine! I seem to have a package of parts coming every week or two also! Lol I will be following the build

 

[2003EDGE]

Good luck and have fun! I am really going to have to get me one of these! Every time I see a new build thread it pushes me closer to hitting the buy button lol

 

[DawgBones]

Some More updates

At this point, this will be kind of a catch-up thread, as I have been taking lots of photos, but not posting anything. So here we go... all these pics are at this point "by the book". I hope these help someone else who is as new to this as I am. :ror:

 

[DawgBones]

Began the body work

I think this part has been the funnest so far. Although I am having just as many mistakes as I am triumphs, I am taking it all as a learning experience and moving ahead. This all just means that my next TF2 will be even more awesome!

So, this paint job was done entirely with Rust-oleum 2X paint and primer and the berliner is Black Plastidip.

Scale rear hubs

Scale front locking hubs

8)

 

[DawgBones]

Congrats on the TF2!!! With some patience it's a great kit to build and over time do some mods and changes!

Thanks! Patience is definitely the key here....

 

[DAHSEHONDA]

Gasp! They sent it in an axial box?!?!? Blasphemy!!!! Lol

Seriously tho, Awesome build, love that paint job. It's a great truck and you'll love it for years to come!!!

 

[DawgBones]

Lot's of Dinky Interiors, not much info....

I've seen a lot of people putting in this Dinky RC interior, and I've seen a bunch of threads of peoples beginnings and completions, but am having issues with the whole fitment thing. I'm pretty sure the servo has to go somewhere else, and I would assume the battery needs to move as well, because if the whole interior needs to unscrewed and screwed in for a battery change, well, that would kind of bite.

I've also seen the wire mesh protector/management stuff in use. It really gives a clean look. Any ideas as to what is a good size to get? 3mm or 6mm...?

Also, not sure if others have found these, but saw them at Walmart. They are 12 volts though. Maybe they can be modded to work for an R/C light bar?

 

[DawgBones]

Quick Update - Shift Servo

Today, I moved the shift servo to try to accommodate the Dinky R/C interior. Still trying to figure it out, but I think I'm getting closer.

I used 6-32 all thread from Menards and made my linkage. Mounted the micro servo on one of the cross members where the fuel cell was at before.

 

[Joe$]

With the dinky interior I moved the servo to rear and put the battery in a rc4wd tuff box.
The 2 round cross bars in the rear are almost a perfect fit for the servo blocks that are on the battery tray. I used a 2mm spacer between servo and the servo blocks.
The pics should show what I'm talking about.

 

[Joe$]

Lol you did almost the same thing as me as I was posting this.

 

[DawgBones]

With the dinky interior I moved the servo to rear and put the battery in a rc4wd tuff box.
The 2 round cross bars in the rear are almost a perfect fit for the servo blocks that are on the battery tray. I used a 2mm spacer between servo and the servo blocks.
The pics should show what I'm talking about.

Nice! Have you by chance been able to take some pice of the interior kit going in? Like dis you cut the floor pan to fit over the transmission or did you lift the body? I'd love to see some detailed pics of the interior install and battery install. Looks good overall!

 

[DawgBones]

Dinky R/C Interior

Well, this is me trying to make this thing fit. So, as it seems, these interior kits are not as simple as one would think. If they are, I just did it completely wrong.

Basically, the shift linkage and transmission are in the way of the interior. The area removed allows the kit to sit flat in the truck and not interfere with the linkage. I’ll be doing a fit test tomorrow and see how it goes.

:sad:

 

[Joe$]

I'll try and find some pics for you. And I lifted the body. I tried to mod the interior but the lift was what it needed IMO.

 

[rovot]

I thought I'm the only one having a hard time fitting things around with the interior. The electronics pieces are a tetris puzzle to make it fit right with an acceptable height clearance of the body. I made cuts on the interior, remolded some parts and still stuck at the moment.

nice TF2 build! love the two tone body.

 

[DawgBones]

I thought I'm the only one having a hard time fitting things around with the interior. The electronics pieces are a tetris puzzle to make it fit right with an acceptable height clearance of the body. I made cuts on the interior, remolded some parts and still stuck at the moment.

Seriously though.... I'm pretty much stuck at this time. I'm playing the idea of the body lift, but want the truck to look stock still. One big issue, is that everything I need is "out of stock" on rc4wd and about every other site i go to. This is going to be a long build. I was really hoping to take it to KC this summer, but I don't know that it'll be done.

nice TF2 build! love the two tone body.

Thanks!

Here's some pics of current progress.

 

[Titus1]

Yeah, I had helluva a time fitting that interior in mine. I ended up opening it up around the tranny as well, although it wasn't much I needed to remove in the end.
My battery plate is sparse with only wires crossing it and is still a tight fit, mind you I raised it up some to clear the transfer case by bring it forward to fit cab back. I did not require a body lift

 

[Joe$]

I looked and I couldn't find any of the pics showing the interior in my tf2. But I can say that without the battery plate and the body lift it fit with no problems at all. I don't have the interior any more either or I would take more pics for you. Also I can't say for sure but it looks like the trans for the G2 would make the trans clearance not an issue. I'm working on building a custom interior right now. I'll show pics of it once I make some progress.

Keep the build going.

 

[DawgBones]

OK, so it looks like I'll be scrapping the Dinky R/C interior. That was a waste of money. The flex the front is non existent. It looks like the front shackles actually hit the body. Guess I'll have to hack the front end so the shackles don't hit unless I just want a street truck.....
On the bright side, it does seem to shift ok.

 

[Joe$]

I'm going to make something using the tamiya bench seat for the bruiser.