Willy's wheeler 4WD build.

[Jamesssb]

Hi Guys,

Since building the real deal vintage tamiya wheeler kit, I have had an inkling to build a real 4WD chassis for the body shell.

I have recently been restoring a TA-02W supra which I did a build page on last week.

Whilst doing it I took some measurements off the chassis and it was a perfect match with the wheels.

So I used another chassis I had laying about and ordered some spare parts in, with some upgrades too[emoji16]

I have designed and built a short carbon chassis for the TA-02W setup and I made a short drive shaft for it too.

It's very cramped with the steering servo but it worked well. I also designed it to use a square Li-Po battery.

Here are some working progress pictures off the finished chassis with the body.

I am going to be modding the body, filling some holes in and the front bumper will be cut and lifted to gain hight. I also may fill in the centre off the rear bumper as I have no wheeler bar.

[mongoose1983]

GREAT idea with that TA-02!

[Nitomor]

How cool is that? With some adjustable top arms and long shock bottom mounting eye you could raise the ride height, I did that with my TA02 to convert from Supra to rally cosworth.

[whahooo]

My wife said to me: "let's go! Build one, you don't have a car for onroading"

Either it is a trap, she did buy something expensive or chrismas is conning.....

[KalEl63]

That is awesome.

I so want to do a 4WD version and was thinking with a GF01 but couldn't get it to work.

[waterbok]

There are poles sticking through the bonnet and roof! Get rid of those while you are at it. ;-)

You can widen the rear if you use WR02 axles and 10mm hexes.

[JennyMo]

That is lovely!

What a great idea, and beautifully executed!

Need to see more...

Jx

[RushRebel]

Beautifully executed. I hope someone from Tamiya corporate sees this!

[Jamesssb]

Thanks guys!

It worked out very well, I made the prototype out off 80 plastacard and then transferred it to the 3mm plate. I have used fibreglass composite with a carbon top layer as it was £16 for an A4 size. A full carbon plate was £45 and would have been very hard to cut.

Then I used 1" m3 standoff spacers at different lengths.

Works very well, the front servo saver and linkage is tight but works well.

I will take some more close up pictures of it and also if needed I can post up drawings of the plates if others would like.

You have some interesting ideas there for ground clearance, I will look into it. [emoji16]

[Jamesssb]

There are poles sticking through the bonnet and roof! Get rid of those while you are at it. ;-)

You can widen the rear if you use WR02 axles and 10mm hexes.

Thanks for the info, the wheels are perfect for the body mate. I can't go any wider as they are just inside the body front and rear, suspension travel would hit the body.

Also I was thinking about using some magnetic body post mounts. Not used these before so no idea how strong they are. Any help with reviews?

James.

[Mad Ax]

Totally awesome idea - subscribed! I have a spare Wheeler shell and wasn't sure what to do with it, I also have a spare TA02 (or is it an 01?) doing nothing, maybe I'll "borrow" your design next year

[Jamesssb]

If there is enough interest I could maybe get some chassis plates made up. Dependant on demand

[Nitomor]

You have some interesting ideas there for ground clearance, I will look into it. [emoji16]

You can just about see the turnbuckles for the top wishbones. Either longer shocks or sometimes you get multiple shock ends with the eyes in, longer versions.

[Mad Ax]

If there is enough interest I could maybe get some chassis plates made up. Dependant on demand

What did you use to cut the composite? Hacksaw, jigsaw, scrollsaw? I haven't experimented with composites much yet but it looks like a great material for this type of build.

[Jamesssb]

What did you use to cut the composite? Hacksaw, jigsaw, scrollsaw? I haven't experimented with composites much yet but it looks like a great material for this type of build.

Rough cut with a jigsaw, then sanded and shaped them by hand. As I said It's not full carbon fibre as it was £40 an A4 sheet so it's carbon and fibreglass 3mm plate which was only £16!

Full carbon fibre is very hard to cut and shape. Even using perma-grit sanding tools it quickly blunts tools. To cut carbon well it has to be milled.

James.

[Mad Ax]

Thanks I'm snowed under with other projects right now but I'll see if I can get hold of some sheet for next year.

I have a scroll saw which will probably be perfect for this type of work, provided I stick with the carbon/fibreglass sheet and avoid the full carbon stuff

[Jamesssb]

I have been asked by a few people what is needed to make a TA-02W chassis up,

So any standard TA-02 kit can be used.

The items that need to be bought to make the wheeler chassis are:

Front wheels and tyres

Rear wheels and tyres

Front hubs

11x5 bearings for them.

Front Drive shafts

All the parts can be found in the instruction manual for the Nissan chassis:

https://www.tamiyausa.com/pdf/manuals/58165ml.pdf

All other parts are the same. [emoji106]

James.

[Jamesssb]

More pictures for you all off the plates and with the battery installed also.

Also a picture of the upgraded steering links I used for reference.

I will be drawing the plates up in cad at some point and will update when I have done so.

James.

[IBIFTKH]

Very nicely done, definitely one for the 'future projects' list!

Where did you source the stand-offs, or did you make them?

[Jamesssb]

Very nicely done, definitely one for the 'future projects' list!

Where did you source the stand-offs, or did you make them?

Hi guys,

I did the CAD today and I have sent them off for pricing.

If any one is interested in a set of carbon plates please contact me.

The stand offs were 1" and I got them from eBay mate.

Thanks

James.

[KalEl63]

I'm very keen on doing this so I'll be interested on the price of them.

Now to try and find a TA02 and the bits

[Mad Ax]

Excellent work, will be interested to know prices although I'll have to double-check exactly what chassis I have (although TA02s are not hard to source right now).

[RushRebel]

I keep finding myself coming back and drooling over this build.

[Jamesssb]

Thanks for the interest in this. [emoji16]

[Dojo Dave]

I have a TA02 t waiting