Johnny builds an MST CFX Mercedes G Cabrio

[JohnnyAnguish]

Back when A-Main was blowing out these CFX kits I picked up more than one hoping I would like the platform (I do). The price was right, after all. The first one I built was my li'l Bronco.

Some time passed. When I built my Brat, I always had the intention of trying out the G Cabrio body on the CFX platform. Let's see how this goes!


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

I love building the transmissions on these CFX kits. Planetary gears for the win! Forgot to take pictures of it before it got all buttoned up. I've kept the electronics budget friendly. These Holmes Hobbies motors work great.


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

Sticking with the plastic links on this build for know. They're a pretty nice material. I'm curious to see how well they hold up. I also added gsgrabber92's CMS mount. It's a simple design that works really well.


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

I had concerns about these plastic lockers when I built the Bronco, but they've held up well. I'm not going to mess with them. I added a small spacer to the steering link because I think the gap they call for looks weird. Did a little quick detailing on the axle housings, too.

Oh, and have I mentioned before that I hate E-clips? I really do. Didn't have any fly across the room this time, so I'll consider myself lucky.


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

Got the guts done...


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[OSRC]

I was concerned about the plastic links and lockers too, but so far, so good! I love the one piece rear axle design, there's no "locker slop" at all.

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

I was concerned about the plastic links and lockers too, but so far, so good! I love the one piece rear axle design, there's no "locker slop" at all.

Yeah, there are a lot of things that are a little different about these rigs that make them a fun build.

This was going to be my driver...


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

...but then I got to thinking. It's a Mercedes. Should I tint the windows? Yes, I should tint the windows. That figure is pretty cool. I don't want to waste it on a rig with tinted windows. Maybe I can find someone cheaper to look vaguely human behind the window tint.

Oh hey, this dude should work. Sorry legs.

As for the interior, it's a chopped up ProLine 4Runner piece. All of the steering wheels I had on hand looked like they belonged in old pickups or dune buggies, so I spent a few minutes designing up something I thought looked vaguely late-90s - early 2000s. Should work out OK.


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

Time for some finishing touches. I've got wheels and tires, some $1 inner fenders and a quickie license plate.

The wheels are some RC4WD ones I picked up on sale that I thought would be fancy enough for a Mercedes but not so flashy that I'd be repulsed by them. I originally had some 94mm tall RC4WD Falken tires picked out for this, but they turned out to be a smidge to tall and way too wide. I decided to give the kit tires a go. I tried them on my little Bronco and they seemed fine for your run-of-the-mill trail duty. I can always swap them out later if I find something else I'd like to try. I am addicted to buying tires, after all...


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[OSRC]

I've found the kit tires are pretty good! Foams are a little soft, but they grip pretty well for a scale tread design.

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

I've found the kit tires are pretty good! Foams are a little soft, but they grip pretty well for a scale tread design.

Yeah, they seemed fine on the Bronco. I didn't like the look of 1.9 wheels with that body. I think they'll be better with the Mercedes.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

These are fun little trucks. I'm debating selling mine, but it's my "CC-01" rig.

What are those RC4WD wheels called? They are very cool.

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

These are fun little trucks. I'm debating selling mine, but it's my "CC-01" rig.

What are those RC4WD wheels called? They are very cool.

They were called Deceptive. I think they're discontinued (this build was in the "planning stage" for a long time) but it looks like RPP still has them. Like a lot of the older RC4WD designs they're not very portal friendly unless you use crazy offsets. They went together nice, though, and they have the great hub cover as long as you don't have too much thread sticking out.

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

Oh, hello...


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


MST CFX Mercedes G320 Cabrio Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[JatoTheRipper]

Wow that finished truck is so awesome! Another great build by you! "thumbsup"

Thank you for the heads up on the name of the wheels.

 

[OSRC]

Looks great! Love the color

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

Wow that finished truck is so awesome! Another great build by you! "thumbsup"

Thank you for the heads up on the name of the wheels.

Thank you!

Looks great! Love the color

Thanks!