Ramination's FJ40 Buggy Build

[Ramination]

Build thread to track the progress/mistakes of my first ever attempt at an all-scratch built rig.

I am going to try to make this look like an FJ40 front clip on a buggy chassis. This will be my FJ Cruiser's big brother. "thumbsup"

Specs:
Chassis
- Custom made from 3/16" rod mostly
- Weight: 2.77 lbs
- Dimensions - 5.6" wide x 16.25" long

Body and Interior
- Custom made styrene hood/bib
- Thin gauge metal body panels
- Team3Six Racing Seats
- Pro-line Accessories

Drivetrain and Axles
- SCXR front axle
- Hardened differential gears (OD front, regular cut rear)
- Beeftubes
- Savox 1230 servo (500oz at 6v!)
- MMP w/Redline
- Axial transmission w/hardened gears
- MIP driveshafts

Suspension
- 110mm KING shocks
- Custom all-thread 4 link front and rear
- Gear head 4 link truss on rear

Tires and Wheels
- 1.9 Pitbulls on Axial beadlocks w/MTHead Delrin rings
- 1.9 Irocs on Axial beadlocks

General
- Total Weight RTR - 9.1lbs
- Wheelbase - 12.5"
- Dimensions - 9.5" wide x 17.5" long

Current Look (updated 1/27/14)

 

[Ramination]

Starting with nothing has its advantages and disadvantages, I can build everything to my spec, however it leaves me with no reference or starting point. I really had no choice but to break into CAD for the design phase.

This is what I am going for, although I am sure I will change things once I actually get going

And this is the styrene hood and bib I will be TRYING to make

 

[Ramination]

On day one of the build, I decided to start with the styrene work just to see how feasible this whole build really is (I have a horrible track record with styrene).

So I took $7, cut it up and glued it together as a big block. My intent is to sand the curves and shape into it. :lmao:

This is all the further I have gotten on this.

 

[SirKarnage]

Can't wait.. subscribed

 

[Ramination]

While the hood was scaring the shit out of me, I decided to move onto something that I know I have the right tools (and hopefully skill) to do.

I am doing the chassis rails in flat stock, as opposed to C-channel for the simple reason that I think it is easier to work with.

Here is the progress so far.

This time around when I bent the chassis rails I decided to introduce a relief cut into the mix and then weld it up. I like this, and it allowed me to bend easier and keep the rails perfectly symmetrical. We are going to try to keep that theme throughout. :ror:

Sliders

Fairly productive first day of fab. So far everything is within a degree of being symmetric. "thumbsup"

 

[Ramination]

Made a little progress on the hood. Hood started off at 0.40lbs, down to 0.36lbs as it sits there. I plan to take some more fat out of the underside once I figure out how it is going to mount.

I am a little worried how some of the layers are visible on this one side.

Please tell me if I am doing this wrong.

 

[MIKO]

What a sexy ass build. Is it turning out 10th scale dead on?

 

[Ramination]

I think so. Should be pretty damn close.

 

[rocksteadily]

Looks like the evo chassis on pirate! Very nice!

 

[Ramination]

Looks like the evo chassis on pirate! Very nice!

I was wondering if anyone would notice. I love that chassis (and hope to buy one in the next year or so) and wanted to replicate it. This would be the EVO2 EX.

I did make a few on the fly changes during fab though, and added about 3/4" to the length of the cab area. This is going to help all the goodies fit in there a lil better.

Pics soon.

 

[SirKarnage]

I am a little worried how some of the layers are visible on this one side.

Please tell me if I am doing this wrong.

I have not worked with styrene before, but just off of what I've seen with the many build threads here...

I imagine, with sanding and body filler.. it will come out clean and smooth

 

[Ramination]

I hope you are right. I did a little more sanding and did an initial layer of filler earlier this afternoon. Hopefully I can sand it tomorrow and see where we are at.

Chassis is coming together, ~18 feet of material burned in so far. I will skip the words and just put up a few pics for now.

These pictures show it at roughly full bump (when the 110mm KINGs are installed). I do not have the KINGS on it yet obviously. I intend to initially run the shocks at about 50/50 sprung/droop, so I expect the ride height to be about 3/4" higher than as it sits right now.

I suppose it is the angle of the pictures that make some of the cage look unsymmetric, but it is still REALLY close. It is such a pain making two identical pieces of EVERYTHING! lol! Have only wasted about a foot of material due to mistakes though!

This week sometime we still need to bend the front hoop and tie that in, as well as take care of a lot of little details. Also need to do A LOT of styrene work still. :x

 

[MIKO]

I'm fired up. Grabbing beers and dissapearing immediately to work on the Landy. What color will the cage be?

 

[Ramination]

Good, get that thing done!!!

As for the cage, I am torn between black or silver...

 

[boosted4lyf]

:shock: WOW!! That chassis is killing it man. Definitely following this one.
Only a foot of scrap I'd pretty damn good, I'm pretty good at getting about 20' into a chassis and about 40' in the trash:ror:

 

[Ramination]

Thanks! I think some of the reason there has been so little scrap is that I made my scale CAD model and am sticking pretty close to it. The only thing I really changed was adding 3/4" in the cab area (which I regret seeing it now). I strayed away from the model on the front shock hoops, but that was an easy change.

When it comes to styrene though, I know for a fact I have already thrown away more than I've used...and there is a lot of styrene in that hood!!! :ror:

I will bring some non-phone pics to the table tomorrow and show some of my favorite details.

 

[boosted4lyf]

I need a friend that's cad- capable.

I'm still running on the "eyeball it-vise bend-eyeball it again" method.

 

[Ramination]

S'more pictures of the chassis.

Here is the trunk :lmao: I am thinking about laying down some fine mesh (to simulate expanded metal) on only the bottom. The plan is to stick a fuel cell in there and maybe some other scale gear.

I threw the little loop thing in there last minute...not really sure what I plan to do with it but it seemed right at the time!

I added the halo ring on the top of the cage, it needed something to fill the space there.

Here is a little more of a close up on the rear shock mounts. I have to clean this up still, because I had a different setup burned in (and completely solid) before I decided to do a cosmetic weld...worst choice ever! I had to cut the original stuff off completely and redo it. Overall it is ok, I like this design better anyways but it did waste an hour.

I did a flat belly skid like this on a previous home-built truck and really liked it, so I kept that idea alive in this one.

 

[hartnsol]

Looks good man.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

 

[n8welch]

Subscribed. Looking good Bo. I look forward to seeing this rig in person in the near future.

Popcorn for President!!!