jebster's tonka truck rc conversion

[jebster]

After finishing the roller I went back and decided to work on my bulldozer. Something I wanted to add was a ripper. I 3d printed the ripper bar and upper/lower arms, made aluminum brackets to connect to the dozer frame and cut out some teeth from derlin.

I'll have to take it out to my hard packed sand pit soon to see if it works.

https://youtu.be/GmmaP2CCDsQ?si=_aQMNQqzHaXZQ00n

 

[jebster]

Finished another conversion. The mighty mixer. This one was pretty straightforward with the exception of the drivetrain. Given the very short wheelbase I couldn't fit a standard central transmission with outputs to the front and middle axles. So I attached a small transmission directly to the middle axle. It is working fine. And the suspension is a crazy setup that works OK but I wouldn't do this on anything that needs consistent flex.

Here is a video and some pics (now that I can post pics again!)

 

[OSRC]

That sir is very impressive!

 

[hnoroian]

Outstanding! Killer paint job.

 

[Gula]

That's awesome does the transfer case provide overdrive for the front axle?

 

[Speedy-Triple]

Such a good looking and working Rig. Love the clean and tight installation.

 

[jebster]

Thanks all. I find these conversions to be fun projects.

The paint is just good old rattle can but it is very durable paint. A little pricy but works great. Rust-Oleum 209715 V2100 System... Rust-Oleum 209715 V2100 System Farm Equipment Spray Paint, 15-Ounce, Caterpillar Yellow, 6-Pack - Amazon.com

I don't have the transmission set up with overdrive currently but that is a good idea. All I have to do is change the pinion gears.

 

[hnoroian]

change the pinion gears.

speaking of what gear sets were you using on the first motor on a the ar60, roughly? Or any of them really. I have a set of 60’s that have been sitting for something to pull my mower. I have a few old Tonka’s itching for some love.

What did you media blast the bodies with?

 

[jebster]

speaking of what gear sets were you using on the first motor on a the ar60, roughly? Or any of them really. I have a set of 60’s that have been sitting for something to pull my mower. I have a few old Tonka’s itching for some love.

What did you media blast the bodies with?

The axles I used are some cheap scx10 knockoffs I found on ebay. Width was about right. The transmission was also a cheap lcg one from ebay: LCG Chassis Transmission Gearbox W/ Steel Gear For 1/10 SCX10 Rc Crawler | eBay

To do the body I have a media cabinet from Harbor freight I use. Not sure about the media but it is a fine grain aluminum oxide.

 

[Gula]

Oh, ok, it looks like the two gears are not the same size frome the ange of the picture then. Outside the box building

 

[diezel666]

Haven't got them dirty yet. I have a fear of that first scratch!

I didn't do anything special for the paint. Just a primer and then the color. Here is what I used.

For future builds, you can find a "Rust Convertor" primer, so if there's a bit of rust lefts post clean up, it won't matter.

Absolutely loving these builds!!!!

 

[jebster]

For future builds, you can find a "Rust Convertor" primer, so if there's a bit of rust lefts post clean up, it won't matter.

Absolutely loving these builds!!!!

Good recommendation. Although I've gotten a little lazy on some of my recent conversions and even skip the primer! They are pretty much shelf queens so not too worried about rust to to use or conditions.

 

[diezel666]

Good recommendation. Although I've gotten a little lazy on some of my recent conversions and even skip the primer! They are pretty much shelf queens so not too worried about rust to to use or conditions.

I totally hear you there, and I'm guilty of the same. If it's a shelf queen or an indoor tinker around model, I don't go all out on the finish work unless I absolutely have to.

 

[jebster]

Had another conversion I was working in the background. A forklift. This one was a challenge because I needed to fit a lot of electronics in a pretty small space. Everything fit with some room to spare.

it came out fine with one regret. The forks at the lowest setting aren't quite flat to the ground. I may look at options to make that happen but for now I'm happy with the overall result.

 

[4wd4ws]

Awesome thread, man!
Super clean conversions, friggin' love every single one of them!

 

[Gula]

Yo! That's awesome! I'm not so fond of the forklift tires and wheel howeverz. Opinions, I know, like buttholes.

*Edit
I just watched the video of the forklift, and it's awesome that the tines can spread and come together!
I have a fleet I'd love to convert!

 

[jebster]

Thanks. I'm still looking for more tonka vehicles for future conversions.

As for the tire/wheel combo on the forklift I'm not really a fan so they will do for now.

Yo! That's awesome! I'm not so fond of the forklift tires and wheel howeverz. Opinions, I know, like buttholes.

*Edit
I just watched the video of the forklift, and it's awesome that the tines can spread and come together!
I have a fleet I'd love to convert!

 

[Szczerba]

Great display of rc engineering and form. Super cool layouts, designs and looks!

 

[diezel666]

The neat part about Tonka, is there was specialty lines that they made. Sadly they were lower production and harder to find but I recall:

• Military Jeeps and Trucks
• "Bell System" Telco trucks
• Chevron truck and tanker
• Fire Apparatus
• Tow trucks and vehicle transports w/ trailers.
  
  Personally, I'd love to see you take on a T-6 Dozer/Back hoe unit, and the Crawler Crane.

 

[jebster]

Awesome thread, man!
Super clean conversions, friggin' love every single one of them!

Thanks. This have been nice side projects to do between my other rigs.