It all started with my first Element RC. Choosed the Utron because it was IFS ... no special plans for it, just to have a better IFS than my old CC01. Took some time but its body started to grow on me, slowly ...
Then Hobbytech released a Peugeot 504 pickup/Dangel, available as a kit with their CRX2 chassis or alone. Body can be assembled as a 504 pickup or a 504 pickup Dangel (adds front fender flares and bumper bar). It's not the most accurate body, it lacks overhangs at both ends, windshield pilars are way too wide, pickup bed is not the right style for a Dangel, but it's still a cute body anyway, and still looks like the most iconic french civilian 4x4.
It was a holiday project, at least for the painting and first assembly.
First thing to do is change the wheelbase. Utron is 324mm, 504 is announced for 313mm. So ordered #42189 (lower links), #EL42187 (upper links), #EL42040 (rod ends) and EL42041 (ball ends) ... the later not needed as they can be removed from the original links.
The body is designed to swivel on the front. Of course it's designed for Hobbytech's own chassis so it wasn't compatible with Element's frame rails ... but with some persuasion, you can make it fit. Rear shock mounts are moved forward so not to cut in the pickup bed as pictured above
First assembly ... it fits, but sits way too high.
Back home ... where the 3d printer is ...
First a better front mount. Not that I don't trust the one I butchered but ...
Then the rear. It wasn't the easiest thing to do ... I wanted the body to sit as low as possible, using the slits on the rock sliders to protect and guide the body. Not an issue on the front, there are 4 holes to adjust height, but the rear required to remove the cover of the fuel cell and shorten the shock hoops but a good centimeter, while still allowing to mount the shocks so the rear isn't lifted.
The rear uses magnets (provided with the body), they are strong, but I won't rely on them to keep the body shut in a tumble or if I ever catch it by the rear bumper, so I designed a frame-rail extension, that catches the upper part of the rear bumper and provides provision for a pair of those so-80s mandatoty mudflaps.
As mentioned previously, wheelbase of the body is announced to be 313mm ... but it doesn't fit.
Rear wheel well is too short, and the body can't be moved further back more than a millimeter, not enough to make a difference and loosing room for the swivel at the front. So enters again Dr X-ato ... and after some bloody mess, it looks more apropriate.
Except this wheelbase issue (and the lack of room for leaf-springs), with those GMade steel wheels and the narrow Pinseekers, the body and the chassis fits pretty well together ... and among the various Jeep and Toyota, it will sure looks different.
All printed parts are available on Thingiverse :
www.thingiverse.com
Then Hobbytech released a Peugeot 504 pickup/Dangel, available as a kit with their CRX2 chassis or alone. Body can be assembled as a 504 pickup or a 504 pickup Dangel (adds front fender flares and bumper bar). It's not the most accurate body, it lacks overhangs at both ends, windshield pilars are way too wide, pickup bed is not the right style for a Dangel, but it's still a cute body anyway, and still looks like the most iconic french civilian 4x4.
It was a holiday project, at least for the painting and first assembly.
First thing to do is change the wheelbase. Utron is 324mm, 504 is announced for 313mm. So ordered #42189 (lower links), #EL42187 (upper links), #EL42040 (rod ends) and EL42041 (ball ends) ... the later not needed as they can be removed from the original links.
The body is designed to swivel on the front. Of course it's designed for Hobbytech's own chassis so it wasn't compatible with Element's frame rails ... but with some persuasion, you can make it fit. Rear shock mounts are moved forward so not to cut in the pickup bed as pictured above
First assembly ... it fits, but sits way too high.
Back home ... where the 3d printer is ...
First a better front mount. Not that I don't trust the one I butchered but ...
Then the rear. It wasn't the easiest thing to do ... I wanted the body to sit as low as possible, using the slits on the rock sliders to protect and guide the body. Not an issue on the front, there are 4 holes to adjust height, but the rear required to remove the cover of the fuel cell and shorten the shock hoops but a good centimeter, while still allowing to mount the shocks so the rear isn't lifted.
The rear uses magnets (provided with the body), they are strong, but I won't rely on them to keep the body shut in a tumble or if I ever catch it by the rear bumper, so I designed a frame-rail extension, that catches the upper part of the rear bumper and provides provision for a pair of those so-80s mandatoty mudflaps.
As mentioned previously, wheelbase of the body is announced to be 313mm ... but it doesn't fit.
Rear wheel well is too short, and the body can't be moved further back more than a millimeter, not enough to make a difference and loosing room for the swivel at the front. So enters again Dr X-ato ... and after some bloody mess, it looks more apropriate.
Except this wheelbase issue (and the lack of room for leaf-springs), with those GMade steel wheels and the narrow Pinseekers, the body and the chassis fits pretty well together ... and among the various Jeep and Toyota, it will sure looks different.
All printed parts are available on Thingiverse :
Element Utron/Hobbytech 504 by tuxstang
Parts to adapt the Hobbytech 504 pickup/Dangel body to an Element RC Utron chassis.Wheelbase has to be reduced from 324 to 313, though you'll still need to enlarge the rear opening (sorry, no template)Front is mounted on the 3rd hole from the bottom. Remixed from...
www.thingiverse.com
