CC01 Hilux Surf

[Mad Ax]

Had a final push on this one today, as I was keen to get it off the workbench so I can pick something else up.  I can't really paint anything until I've done some serious tidying, so mostly I just wanted to get the technical stuff signed off so I can parcel it away somewhere.

First thing was a brace for the sump guard.  This truck won't get run hard or often (maybe even never) but even so, one screw to hold on the entire sump guard is asking for trouble.  There's a perfect space to add a brace in here.

I got these new Sharpies for Christmas, so now I can see my lines again!  Yes, my hands always look like that in winter.

This bit of L-section with the corners filed off is perfect.

[Mad Ax]

Normally I like to line things up and drill through from the other side, but the holes in the chassis are blind, so I had to do it the old-fashioned way and actually measure it.  Measuring holes is something I don't enjoy much, it always seems too vague.

Still, it came out mostly OK - I had to enlarge one of the holes to get it to fit.  The back of the bracket is tight against the front of the chassis, so the front of the bracket should in theory be perfectly square to the chassis.

A few more holes and it looks like this.  The sump guard is very slightly out of true (I bent it by hand) but also the top of the brace isn't cut perfectly square, so it isn't as far out as it looks in this photo.

Enough clearance behind the bumper.  I'll have to line the back of the body with tape to stop all these parts rubbing the paint away.

[Mad Ax]

The last thing I wanted to do today is tidy up the floor, and make a battery tray.  I started by countersinking some of the holes.  Not all of them, as some are screwed up from underneath for better clearance under the chassis.

Some of the holes aren't fully countersunk - the reason will become apparent later.  Also I don't have any countersunk M2x10 screws for the bearing carrier, I'll have to order some next week.

The rearmost securing screws for the floor were broken off inside, so I need a nut on the end.  However a nut would interfere with the lower links, so I countersunk them from beneath.

[Mad Ax]

Now for the battery tray.  The forward section will be more flatterer, so that seemed the best place to put a battery.  I'll use a 2S shorty.  Some more ubiquitous L-section comes into play and uses the existing holes.

Both holes drilled and countersunk.  The plate isn't thick enough for a full countersink, hence why I allowed some countersink in the FR4 floor panel.

Done

More spare L-section for the end bracket.  This was made from a piece of scrap.  I deliberately used a taller closing bracket in case I wanted to fabricate a battery strap of some sort.

And, finally, another closing bracket.

[Mad Ax]

Battery fits in loosely.

Added some adhesive foam left over from a kit, now the battery is snug and doesn't move at all - won't need a battery strap unless I roll it over hard.

I wanged in some spare electrics to test it out.  Silvercan motor is a bit too fast, and the turning circle is atrocious, but, well, it is what it is.  Not much I can do about the steering unless I buy yet another CC01 steering hop-up that will break after 6 months.

And there it is.  I'm going to shelf this until the weather is better, as really all it needs now is some paint, and the electrics tidying up.  And then I need to start worrying about the tow hitch and trailer.   Wait, did I just say trailer..?  Oh, yes, didn't I mention, this is going to be a support truck for a vintage Toyota racing car...

[Badcrumble]

Progressing nicely! Have you tried the Hot Racing steering hop-up? I know the others like GPM get bad press. I got one a while back but have never installed it (in the hard body Pajero that I got as my second ever RC nearly 10 years ago that I have never run meaning I will go to a certain circle of Tamiya badword).

Hot Racing Steering set from RC Mart

[Mad Ax]

10 hours ago, Badcrumble said:

Have you tried the Hot Racing steering hop-up?

I've heard good things about the Hot Racing setup but never managed to find one in stock when I'm in the mood to buy one.  Thanks for the link, I see stock is a bit low but so are my funds after Christmas, I'll see how things are in Jan.  I need to replace the one on my runner CC01, I haven't been able to drive it in years as it all got too sloppy.  I can't remember if it's GPM or Yeah Racing, but it can barely have had 3 hours running over several years - in my mind that makes it worse than the Tamiya solution.

[OldSchoolRC1]

Looking good! Always love a CC01 build. 

x2 on the HR setup for steering, far, far better than the GPM. I've tried everything I can think of to tighten up my GPM units, but they always round out - the HR unit is indexed far more deeply and so far the 2 I have are rock solid.  

[Parkypig]

Thats awesome,... enjoyed reading this thread.  looking forward to updates...