Maxxmasher's 6x6 MAN Camper Build!

[MAXXMASHER]

I worked early today, so I got in a longer than normal session in the basement workshop tonight. Got a lot done. Once all the body panels were dried the other day, I applied copious amounts of putty around all the seams.

It had two days to dry, so I knew it would be ready for sanding today. It took awhile but I got everything sanded up to 400 grit. After that, I still had some time left, so I blasted the parts with some air and a tack cloth and proceeded to let the paint fly.

I found some Krylon plastic paint at a craft store that said it was good for plastics of all kind. Twice the paint at half the price & then had a 50% coupon. I even skipped the normal primer application, and gave it a go. Came out really nice. Not perfect, but good enough. Quick drying paint, coupled with a hair dryer, allowed me to get down five coats in a short amount of time. I will add some final touches around the windows using flat black and a brush tomorrow.
Looks different than the first body, for sure!

Had to get some pre-paint pics on the course.

I told ya it looked different!

The windows will be blacked out when I get to doing those up. Maybe tomorrow; we shall see.

It'll look better once I get some decals on there, too.

How's this for a look?!

I could see doing another body with a military theme, too. The possibilities are endless. Some Plastruct sheets, putty, and a little time are all I need....





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[MAXXMASHER]

Up late again, as usual. Got home earlier than most nights, so I got a lot done. Decided to add some scaleness to the new body. Mostly, I used a bit of brushing with some flat black.

I got the windows cut out, painted up, and installed. I added a panel to the cab, too. I still had some leftover "bolt heads" that I cut for the previous body, so I glued those on there, hit them with paint, and glued them on. I added a bumper to complete the cab. This removable front section fits so flush, it looks like it is glued into place. Quite pleased.

One (very important) thing I am not pleased with is how the truck actually performs. Just can't figure a way to keep the rear axles linked within fighting each other. Time for something new. I think the answer is to leaf the axles. Never have done this. I at least got everything stripped of the rear in preparation for this move. Not quite sure how I will proceed....

Windshield installed.

Side windows cut and paint drying. Very exciting!

Side panels ready for paint.

Windows all in place.

Front shot.

Paint applied. This stuff is nice paint.

Side panel on. Seamless fit with the removable front. Always mind the gap!

Front bumper looks better on this cab than the other.

Kind of the setup I am thinking about.

About the ride height I'm after. I'm glad I made this all so easy to take apart. Just two screws holding on the electronics tray.

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[MAXXMASHER]

Well, today was a really long session at the rc workbench. I actually got very little accomplished. I spent a great deal of time making leaf springs that will just not work out. I found a sheet of really thin aluminum, and figured it would eventually work out. This is not going to be the case. I really should have scrapped the idea and chose what I knew would work. Live and learn.

I was actually looking for something else and came upon a sheet of brass from a previous project that I forgot about. I think this will work perfect. It's thin enough to cut with my shears, but stiff enough to provide some support. I can also add leafs to stiffen things up if need be. I can keep those in place with some 19 gauge piano wire I have a spool of.

I got everything measured out, figuring for ride height, but also keeping the axles in about the same position. I hit the old link mounts with a torch, and they dropped away. I did manage to make two brass leafs, but that is about it. The bottom of the leafs will have a brass piece soldered on to capture a screw that will go through the hole where the old brass stud resided on the mount at the top of the axle. The upper part of the leafs will connect to screws going through the frame.

I think this will work out, but if it doesn't, I can fab up some brass mounts on the frame if need be. At least I got a whole bunch of pretty looking scrap leafs made! I should have made sure my idea would work before completing a whole set. I suppose it would be much easier to just buy a set, but I have no deadline on this. It WILL work.....eventually....

Future junk leafs....

A start of a waste of time....

They do LOOK good though, right?

All stripped down.

Shoulda done this hours ago!!

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[cleanandserenesteve]

Looking good! Looks like larger tires ended up being a must if u want it to perform well.

 

[MAXXMASHER]

Maybe tonight I'll have a runner once again. I got most of the components of the leaf setup completed yesterday. I was gonna just mount them through the frame rails, but I need a little more clearance. It was a bunch of tedious work, so hope it all works. I just have to solder the mounts I made to the frame and bolt it all up. Fingers crossed.....

A lot of Dremel work here...

I decided to make two different places to mount the leafs just in case. The didn't all come out perfect, but it'll do. I'm doing all this stuff freehand. Maybe shoulda used some clamps and my Dremel drill press.

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[MAXXMASHER]

Still have some stuff to work out. Still making progress, though. I still need to work out some clearance issues, and put in a limiting rod for the rear-most axle. I may have to make yet another set of leafs too. These certainly look the part, but are not very flexible. I need to do some more research to see what really will work. For now it looks the part, but more fine tuning is definitely needed.

Mounting tabs in place. I might need to detach these and mount them with screws instead to allow a little movement.

Leafs ready for mounting.

In place. I think I got my lines messed up though. I shifted them around a few times, and the rear axle is to far forward.

Put the tires on to check the ride height. Still a lot of fiddling around to do....

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[MAXXMASHER]

Well, I can't believe it! I finally got to run the rig around the basement playground!! I am very pleased. Not a moment too soon, either. This will be the last you hear from me concerning the rig until Sunday. Gotta pack after work tomorrow and get up bright and early to leave for a mini vacation to Niagara Falls.

Anyways, I got home later than normal today, and I didn't think I'd get everything done enough to run the MAN rig. First, I had to move the rear axle back about 1/2 an inch or so, and then put the frame braces in different spots to accommodate the relocation. After that, I move the former shock mount. Instead of using the holes in the mount for shocks, I put some brass ball studs in the them. This was so I could make links to run from there to the axle to prevent wrap. Now the drive lines will stay put. I think I do need some softer leafs, though as there is very little flex at the rear. At least the axles are staying put, and as a result of them not fighting each other constantly, the power and torque of the little beast is much improved. This also eliminated the problem of the tires rubbing on the body so that loss of power has been eliminated.

Once I got everything all together chassis-wise, I quickly reattached the electronics tray. The cab simply clicked into place, thanks to the strong magnets. I wired everything back up, threw on the new rear box section, and had a little crawling fun. This thing will climb up stuff I didn't even try before!

Now that everything is working well, I can add a few details to this body. That, my friends, will begin after some relaxation!

You can sorta see the completed chassis mods. I was in such a hurry to try and have a runner, I didn't take many pics of the chassis.

Now for some action shots!

Whoops!

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[500swmag]

if you make/add some spring shackles you should see a lot more flex in your rear axle setup."thumbsup"

although you might find brass is too soft to keep it's shape.

 

[MAXXMASHER]

I've been having a bit of fun with the rig, now that it is operational. It may not be perfect just yet, but I will do some more tinkering in the future. One thing I did accomplish tonight was to finally get the MAN decals and others applied. After that, I simply did some crawling around on the basement course...

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[MAXXMASHER]

I even added some more decals to the original box section and had a go with that for awhile.

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[cleanandserenesteve]

Looks nice, but I think there is too much articulation up front, which is leading to it being unbalanced. Just my .02
This makes me want to build a 6x6!

 

[MAXXMASHER]

Yeah, there's still a good bit to work out on the rig. You are right about the front, though. At least now it's just fine tuning and running it. I can see this getting a military body in the future, too. I love building with the Plastruct.

Already contemplating my next project, though. I have a full on micro scale garage I want to do. I have pretty much all the materials and accessories at the ready for that. I also have an Orlandoo that I want to do a new body and setup for. I have a VW camper model that almost fits perfectly. The other option is another Losi micro build. I have another project truck that needs to be reconfigured, and I think it will become a 1980 Ramcharger. Heck, I even have all the stuff to do a WWII diorama. Tanks, trucks, bikes, men, you name it. Have had the stuff for years. This job thing is really getting in the way of my fun! I need to retire....

Found this at a Hobby Shop going out of business for a steal...

Should look like this when complete.

Going to expand the middle section of my shelving to hold the micro garage. Led lighting and the whole works are planned.

This will make for a tasty micro build.

I also need to completely finish up my micro trailer. All brass construction with wood inlay.

I'm always thinking two or three projects into the future....


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