The Bayou Bogger

[Cajun]

As some of you know I'm doing another truck from scratch. I'm shooting for something that's a scaler, but runable too, so it's not exactly scale. Most notably, the tires and rims and the ride height of the body. Other than that, I want it to look as scale as possible. I want to sort of go for a work truck theme with a overcab pipe rack and a dropped bed, tool box in the back, full fender wells, etc. We'll see how successful I am and if this theme even stays as the main goal. Here's the beginning of the build, I'm to an almost rolling chassis state, I still need to make the driveshafts. Anyway, I'll document the whole build in pics here. Any feedback is welcome. 8)

Of course every self respecting cajun will have one of these, so my first scale purchase was some rear window decoration.... ;D
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4493.jpg

Black Reign K2-3L chassis is the base for my truck:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4494.jpg

Assembled K2-3L:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4495.jpg

I'm using a Stampede VXL transmission with a locked diff, it needed some shaving, this is the first test fit:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4497.jpg

First round of chop to the tranny:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4498.jpg

Counter sunk transmission screws in chassis plate:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4499.jpg

Tranny mounted with spur cover in place:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4502.jpg

Cameron's TLT that has donated axles, probably the esc, as well as several other parts:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4503.jpg

Parts stripped out of stock TLT:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4505.jpg

First top link location, first look at the Reign 4link axle plates:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4506.jpg

Second top link location, technically a 3 link set up, the fianl setup that I want to use for the initial shake down wasn't settled on until a little later:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4508.jpg

Axle goodies, straight rear adapters, aluminum front knuckles, and a rear axle truss. I had to do a lot of finish work on the truss, it's was waterjet cut, but that was all. It will eventually get a black hammer tone finish. The knuckles and straights were really nice, fit and finish were great. I ordered all of it from RCP Crawlers:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4510.jpg

Shaved rear axle, ready for the straight adapters, truss, etc.:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4515.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4514.jpg

Rear axle truss, straight adapters and Axial aluminum 12mm hexes in place:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4516.jpg

Inboard view of the rear axle:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4517.jpg

I fabbed up some shock bushings from 1/4" aluminum tube and fuel tubing. I have the stock TLT shocks on it at the moment, and I tried Big Bores, I'm not happy with either setup as of now, I'm thinking I may go to somthing that's a little more scale looking as well. Basically these are here for mock up, stay tuned for more shocks work to come:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4524.jpg

Front axle with all the goodies in place:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4525.jpg

Front knuckle close up:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4526.jpg

Getting close to a roller:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4528.jpg

Axial 2.2 wheels and Losi Rock Claws:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4529.jpg

About 3" of belly clearance:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4533.jpg

Random shots:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4530.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4532.jpg

With Tom's help, I have secured this body for it, should ship today:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/f350_high-lift01.jpg


Stay tuned, much more to come.

[Silas]

Very Nice!!! :thumb:

[WickedWaggy]

Excellent! I want to see the pipe rack. Great idea. This group keeps impressing me with thier skills...

[Cajun]

Thanks for the compliments guys! The inspiration for the work truck theme came from a build I found on scale4x4rc.com. He did a work truck from his childhood, and I'm trying the same thing. My grandfather had an old long wheel base Ford work truck that I'm going to try and model. When we were kids we would meet my grandfather out by the main road when he came home from work and would ride the back bumper home, holding on to that pipe rack. It was a truck for working on water well pumps, so it'll have some specific tools to that, bumper pipe vice, water tank, wooden flip top tool box, and of course the pipe rack. I'll keep you guys up to speed with the build and I appreciate your input.

This is the thread that my "work truck" inspiration came from. Amazing scale work on that one.
http://www.scale4x4rc.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16876

[WickedWaggy]

That truck is nuts!! Never really checked out too many scalers - that one was really cool. Wish I had the time to do a build like that, I can barely keep up with the ax. I haven't even raced the last 2 concrete oval race. My poor GT.....

[brokeass4runner]

Looking good.:beer:

[KvilleKrawler]

Very nice... I am wanting to start a scale trail rig soon, but may have to wait a while...

I haven't worked on the brake light relay yet on my drifter (been busy). But I should start it this weekend and will let you know how it turns out.

[Cajun]

Thanks for the compliments guys. I'm looking forward to hearing about that rely Kville, but no hurry. I know how that "busy" thing works. :thumb:

[WickedWaggy]

What's going on with your build?? I have been looking for updates...:confused:

[Cajun]

What's going on with your build?? I have been looking for updates...:confused:

I have been stuck in a shock quagmire for the last two weeks trying to come up with a solution I liked. After 4 different sets of shocks and probably 30 different configurations I think I've found a setup I like. I also have most of the mounting brackets ready for the cab, but couldn't finialize it till the shocks settled. I'll post more pics later today. I'm hoping that I get more done over the weekend and can post a really good update.

Thanks for looking though, stay tuned, I promise an update soon.

[upnover]

I have been stuck in a shock quagmire for the last two weeks trying to come up with a solution I liked. After 4 different sets of shocks and probably 30 different configurations I think I've found a setup I like. I also have most of the mounting brackets ready for the cab, but couldn't finialize it till the shocks settled. I'll post more pics later today. I'm hoping that I get more done over the weekend and can post a really good update.

Thanks for looking though, stay tuned, I promise an update soon.

Did you end up using the Hilift stock shocks ?

[Cajun]

Yep, those are the shocks I'm going with.

Ok fellas, got a little bit of an update for you. I've been swamped at work lately, so progress has been slow. I've got my shock package where I want it finally and started working on deck plate layout and mounting the body. I also got a good start on my electronics box. Here are a few pics:

I picked up a set of Hilift shocks from Tombo that finally did the trick for me:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4564.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4565.jpg

Deciced I didn't like the truss on the rear axle after all:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4566.jpg

I'm using flattened 3/16" steel brake line to make the brackets to mount the body to the chassis, still more work to do here, but I have a good start:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4567.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4568.jpg

Mocked up cab location, I may try to lower it a bit more, but I have enough articulation that I can't go down much more with it:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4569.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4570.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4571.jpg

I'm using heavy card stock to mock up the top plate, I have the steering servo mocked in so far. The electronics box will go right behind it. I'm also leaving space for a winch servo. I'm going to get everything cut and bolted in, then use the card stock as a pattern to cut the top plate out of 3/32" aluminum.
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4578.jpg

Started working on the electronics box and lid. I'm using styrene to build it and I'll bolt it down to the front top plate:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4572.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4574.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/Cajun_NC/TLT%20Scaler-Trailer/PICT4576.jpg

Hopefully I'll get some time over the weekend to work on it more.

[upnover]

Looking good there Spanky :thumb: