Daydream B'Leafer (2019)
Now that I consider the majority of my existing models finished, in an effort to provide some sort of consistency in my showroom, I thought I would re-photograph them and consolidate each entry with essentially a specification sheet together with a brief summary of the modified and custom-built elements.
In most cases there are further details in the Extra Info entries section of my showroom as each model has typically evolved over the years, together with dedicated build threads in the respective section/s of the TamiyaClub Forum.
model name: ebaYJeep (aka. Daydream B'leafer)
driver: Ozzy (customised Ozzy Osbourne figure, modified to fit in seat)
body: Tamiya Jeep Wrangler YJ (stretched to fit longer wheelbase, and roof removed)
chassis: RC4WD leaf-sprung Trailfinder 2 ladder chassis (copy)
wheels: RC4WD white 8-spoke steel wheels (1.9 size)
tyres: no-name Maxxis style tread 115mm diameter (1.9 size)
motor & transmission: RC4WD 25T motor, 5:1 ratio planetary gearbox and 2:1 transfer case
suspension: RC4WD 80mm scale OME (Old Man Emu) internal spring shocks (springs removed) and leaf springs
wheelbase: 270mm
track width: f: 180mm / r: 180mm
overall width: 225mm
overall length: 475mm (inc. nudge-bar and spare wheel)
overall height: 237mm
custom features: Rather than shorten the [aluminium ladder] chassis to fit the short wheel-base Tamiya Wrangler body, I elected to stretch the rear body tub behind the doors, and at the same time remove the roof section completely to create an open-top LWB version of the traditional leaf-sprung YJ Jeep - to fit what was the natural location of the axles using the RC4WD leaf springs front and rear - in this instance, a 270mm wheelbase.
Wanting to remain as authentic and true to scale as possible with this build, the chassis was built up with scale 'Yota' axles on RC4WD leaf springs, and their Old Man Emu branded scale shocks, with the internal springs removed to help maximise articulation and response from the leaf springs.
Although built very much as a crawler (or at least extreme trail runner), since this would be a leaf-spring vehicle it would not have the ultimate articulation of a four-link coil-spring vehicle anyway, so I elected to mount the body as low as possible to the chassis, and modify the wheel-arches as required so the intended size tyres would clear. In turn this would help to keep the centre of gravity as low as possible too of course - something further enhanced by the soft-top configuation.
The transmission uses a 25T RC4WD crawler specific motor (slightly faster than the directional 27T Tamiya motor I had fitted initially, which was running in reverse in this application), coupled to a 5:1 planetary gearbox, then a short metal prop shaft to a central 2:1 ratio transfer case to splint the drive fore and aft, again using scale metal prop-shafts.
The wheel and tyre combination are typical for this sort of trail-orientated rig - classic [1.9 size] Weller white 8-spoke steel wheels with a 5 stud bolt pattern as befitting Jeep axles, that feature internal bead-lock rings and are finished with scale acorn wheel-nuts - and shod with Maxxis style tread tyres in 115mm diameter.
Because this would be a fully open top vehicle, with a complete [depth] scale interior, the available space for the electronics and particularly battery packaging would potentially be at a premium. Ultimately however, I have actually managed to fit two full-size 6-cell NiMh batteries under the body - one horizontally behind the dash/below the scuttle panel for the main motive power, and a second battery longitudinally between the rear chassis rails (above the rear axle) for dedicated power for the front-mounted scale Warm 8274 winch. note. either battery can also be connected to the ESC to extend running time if the winch is not required.
All the other electronics are mounted under the vehicle bonnet, on a custom fabricated engine bay/inner wing assembly, together with the forward mounted motor and chassis mounted steering servo alongside. It's cozy under there, but it all works - and helps to keep the non-waterproof electrics out of harm's way.
The Tamiya YJ Jeep Wrangler body was extensively modified, initially by removing the roof and stretching the rear wings so that the wheel-arches lined up with the longer wheelbase, which also then allowed a fuel filler recess to be incorporated behind the driver's door. A full interior was fabricated using styrene sheets of various thicknesses, including full-depth footwells and a transmission tunnel, and rear wheel-arch boxes.
Interior detailing includes scale checker-plate panels for the floor, seat-box and door linings, AMPro Eng. scale door handles, window winders and gear/transfer shift levers, and a Wild-Willy steering wheel on a custom column. In the rear load-bed, I created a wooden deck using alternating 1/4' [real] cherry wood strips and aluminium rod as runners, and finished with linseed oil. The dash is [currently] covered with self-adhesive aluminium foil that has been lightly sanded, and the passenger grab-handle fabricated from a length of bent wire coat-hanger. My favourite feature has been to incorporate actual working side windows that can be slid up and down on both sides as desired.
Ozzy himself has been modified to sit comfortably in the Axial Corbeau bucket seat, complete with Yeah Racing harness seat-belts. His original sweatpants have been repainted as denim jeans, and his [blank] watch face modified with a fuel-gauge decal - looks like he's running on empty!
The centre console is an RC4WD accessory ARB fridge, containing scale ice cubes and a selection of Ozzy's favourite tipples: Jack Daniels, Absolut vodka, and beer! Together with a ProLine fire extinguisher, there is also a packet of crisps and a carton of Marlboro cigarettes on the transmission tunnel, and a RC4WD flashlight on the passenger seat (all accessories secured with glue/servo tape to prevent them being lost in the event of a roll-over).
The LED lights are a mix of original Tamiya front light buckets and lenses, CCHand replacement [working] front indicators/running lights, and 3mm size Axial housings for the side wing markers and quartet of tail lamps. The loom itself was from RC4WD for their Chevy Blazer body (which had the correct size LEDs I needed), modified/extended where necessary to fit this application.
Other exterior detailing includes more checker-plate for the sills and rear wing corners, Axial wing-mirrors (with reflective lenses), metal grab-rails along each rear wing, and customised front 'flat' fenders, using aluminium rod and infilled with more scale checker-plate. The bodywork itself has been lightly weathered and rusted to represent typical trail-damage.
The front Warn 8274 working winch and Hi-Lift jack are both from RC4WD, and the Hi-Lift is mounted using quick-release R-clips typically as would the real thing. The metal winch bumper is a 'stinger' style, and modified to fit closely around the front of the chassis rails to maximise the approach angle.
At the rear, I elected to remove the tailgate (originally left in place) and mount the full-size spare wheel (on a custom bracket, complete with spinner) at an angle between the rear quarter panels. The finish touch was a personal licence plate: DDMBLFR (DayDreaM, B'LeaFeR).
After initial test driving the vehicle, it was clear that some kind of roll-over protection would be required to protect the rather flimsy door frames, so I invested in an off-the-self solution from RC4WD/CCHand, that provides a windscreen and cabin cage, and that rather fortuitously also lined up with forward mounting holes I'd already made to mount the side grab-rails along each rear wing. However, I felt the tubing (while very strong) was not quite as chunky as I'd have hoped (being a scale 30mm diameter rather than 45-50mm as a typical 1:1 roll cage), so the roof bars were clad with foam and duct-tape (again, as you might see on a full-size vehicle), and most recently I've also covered the roof area with a rubber [window] netting - which still allows the interior to be viewed, while adding to the overall theme of this vehicle being a hard-working trail-runner.
note. after a number of off-road runs in both damp and salty conditions, the high metal content of this build has now started to rust naturally and authentically underneath, adding to the overall scale appearance. JM
If you liked those pictures, you should see these...
ebaYJeep - aka. Daydream B^leafer - part 1
Comments
simensays
Awesome work, looks great!
MAD-BEE
Jenny have you been approached by any companies yet to work for them? Awesome details again!
Toykid
Awesome Jenny!
SHY69
Stunning work of art!!!
Wyoming
Quite a beauty, well thought out and careful attention to details like weathering, just a stunning rig
Winniez
Just stunning
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