Johnny builds a Toyota Hilux.

[JohnnyAnguish]

I'm probably one of the last people to build an RC4WD TF2. In fact, I've never even built a Hilux/Mojave body for another chassis. How I've gone this long without that experience I don't know, but it ends now!

This will be a pretty basic build. Nothing fancy. I'll do a few little things along the way to make it my own.

It all started with a box (which was inside a shipping box). It was a fine box, if a bit plain. Wait, there was a box inside the box. This box was much fancier with a shiny sticker on it to seal in freshness! There was even another box inside the fancy box. A brown box. It was plastic wrapped but I guess they were out of freshness stickers for that one. I hope it hasn't gone stale.


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

So, before I ventured into this build I did some readin' up. Research if you will. A common piece of advice is that, even though they come assembled, the axles should be disassembled (disassemble... dead!) and grease should be applied. Sounds good to me. I like playing with screwdrivers.

Here are a couple of pictures to prove I did it. The first shows the axle apart. The second, the axle back together. Now, I could have tried to play a trick on you and use a "before" picture as the "after" picture. I could have. I really could have. But I didn't. Because tiny trucks don't drive well with the axles all taken apart. I won't make that mistake again.


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[Natedog]

Good to see you in here, nice start! And den?

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

Good to see you in here, nice start! And den?

Thanks! I feel it was inevitable and overdue. I may be popping up in a couple of other sub-forums soon, too.

That research I mentioned before also brought the rear leaf shackle mount issue to my attention. Being the attentive fellow that I am, I picked up (and installed!) the BowHouse RC rear leaf shackle mounts. While I was in a shackle state of mind, I also picked up (and installed!) the RC4WD reverse mount spring hanger for the front leafs. Why? Because it's my tiny truck and I get to pick which scale details drive me crazy.


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[Cuttincircles]

Looking like a great build


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[JohnnyAnguish]

Looking like a great build


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Thanks!

The next thing to address (based on research!) was the land anchor... err skidplate. I know there are a bunch of alternatives out there. In this case I went with the RC4WD Low Profile Delrin Skid Plate, and boy am I glad I did. Just look how happy it is!


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[toka100]

Thanks!



Just look how happy it is!





RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

Lol. That’s a strange happy face. Lol. [emoji46]






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[B-MOW71]

Sub'd and following along! That is a nice little happy face!:lmao: Looking forward to watching the build.

Hey, your not alone on being one of the last to build a TF2! I too jumped on the TF2 train recently. Not sure why I waited so long either, these are fun little trucks.

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

Lol. That’s a strange happy face. Lol. [emoji46]

Aren't all happy faces strange when you really think about it? Humans are so weird.

Sub'd and following along! That is a nice little happy face!:lmao: Looking forward to watching the build.

Hey, your not alone on being one of the last to build a TF2! I too jumped on the TF2 train recently. Not sure why I waited so long either, these are fun little trucks.

That's good to hear! I'm really looking forward to driving this thing.

Here's a picture of Happy Skidface all nestled into the frame rails. Nice and snug. So cozy. Wait, how does the transfer case mount? Two screws through where? I'll spare you the picture from below...



RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[toka100]

How does this one compare to the stock one as far as clearance



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[JohnnyAnguish]

How does this one compare to the stock one as far as clearance

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Not a perfectly lined up, but in the ballpark...


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[Levi]

Ah, opening that factory sealed box, it's so sweet. Your on the right track, make this your own. Cant wait to see the end result. Such a fun build.

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

OK. Let's get this thing electronicified. Savox servo. HobbyWing 1080 ESC. Spektrum receiver. Bam! Done. OK. Not quite done. But just about ready to test, anyway.


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

You're motoring. What's your price for flight?


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

With the basics of the build out of the way, it was time to get into the Hiluxy bits. Picked up the complete interior for people with very thin, short legs that stick straight out in front of them while they drive. Complete.

Also, why are the RC4WD inserts for where to get the step by step guides printed on a sticker? So odd. My guess is that maybe they sometimes stick it on things. Yup. Probably that. Second only to the happy skid for my favorite part of the build so far.


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[Natedog]

Also, why are the RC4WD inserts for where to get the step by step guides printed on a sticker? So odd. My guess is that maybe they sometimes stick it on things. Yup. Probably that. Second only to the happy skid for my favorite part of the build so far.


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

That's hilarious! :ror:

The new happy face high clearance skidplate would be a lot nicer and stronger if the tcase mounting holes were countersunk instead of counter bored, wth?

I need to do one of those interiors too.

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

I need to do one of those interiors too.

It seems pretty good if you don't have the space/desire for a full depth interior. I'm not sure my intended driver is going to be thrilled with his fate, though. Time to do a little minor surgery.

Here's me test fitting some stuff. Also, my first ever set of Mud Thrashers. Also, also, I probably won't be using them. I mean, I won't. But I will. At some point. Just for fun. Probably. But probably not. Mostly.


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

Doing a little body work. Working on my rear end.


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

I got the base colors down for the interior. There's three shades of tan here (fabric, carpet, vinyl/plastic), and I've still got some brown to add in.


RC4WD Trail Finder 2 Hilux Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[mthomson]

This is great!!! I'm going to love following this build.