CJ5 scratch build

[RAMJETT]

managed to make the spring loaded hood latches , took a little head scratching but they work like they should and hold the hood tightly down . also drilled some holes in the steering wheel , think it looks better..

 

[RAMJETT]

My hg 407a showed up today , wow this is a nice kit ,almost a shame to bash it for my build, well I can always buy another they are so cheap . As I was hoping the frame is perfect , exactly the correct width on the front and with the rear frame extensions removed it's the perfect length . I reversed the shackles on the front axles and shortened the front lief springs to be more like the jeep . The frame had the correct cross brace in the front but it had a strange downward bend . thankfully it was fairly easy to bent the frames straight to level the front cross member . Now the center front body mount that the jeep uses can attach in the correct place . I just need to make 2 crosser's to mount the body in the factory locations and the body is mounted . The only thing I don't like is the transmission hangs way to low .I may end up using a 2 speed transfer case as it would be much more authentic . the axles look good and have the offset pumpkins . I will cut down the rear axle and use the rc4wd 12mm axle conversion so I can use some nice bead locks . it sits a little low compared to my full sized jeep but I can work on the ride height .I ordered some proline super swampers as I like the size of the 2.2's better

 

[RAMJETT]

used grommet's for the body mount rubbers , has 2 mounts on the rear 2 under the floor pans and one in the front center of the rad cradle ,still have to add the crosser that mounts the roll bar to the frame . I also replaced the mickey mouse driveshafts and used some nice splined slip yoke type. The hg407's that iv'e seen have the shafts wobbling all over , these replacements are nice and true and spin straight . the shafts come a bit bulky so I machine them down on the lathe to look a bit more the part .Next on to the bumpers &winch. I want to make a soft top and soft doors for it once I am done the mechanics .. . Once I have the machine complete and just the way I like it I strip it down sand and paint , I like to do paint last so I don't have to worry about damage .

 

[watertrucker]

Beautiful!

 

[RAMJETT]

Thanks friend . I have 39.5x14 swampers on my full sized jeep , that works out to 5.71" in 1/7 scale . the proline super swamper XL is 5.8 so it should be perfect . the sotck 407 tires you see on the jeep now work out to be 33" . way too small for any respectable mud slinger . I don't know what to do about rims at the moment any input welcome , give it to me straight guys ,I want it to look right . I'm thinking painted white steel?? have to loose those chrome things LOL

 

[RAMJETT]

converted the oddly mounted U bolts on the axles , I don't like the idea of the bolts hanging down like that so I made all new U bolts with a little jig I made ,machined up some new top plates . So much cleaner having them bolted in this way . Looks just like my full size now after I did my spring over conversion . with the big proline tires I may just have to do a body lift . I needed to do a 6" body lift and a spring over conversion to get the 39.5x14 under my full sized jeep .. when I get this little guy done I will take a picture of it on the hood of my full sized bush crawler.

 

[skurtzicus]

Just read the whole thread and this build is amazing, I love all the small things that add to the detail of the vehicle and make it pop. this looks really good. looking forward to seeing more and others like it.

 

[RAMJETT]

thanks for the words my friend . here are a couple of pictures of the jeep sitting on it's new proline swampers . I am still waiting on the 12mm axle conversion so I can mount the tires on some 2.2 steel rims , at that point I will shorten the rear axle . Just could not wait to see the jeep sitting on the big swampers so I mounted them on the stock rims to get an idea of the fit . .Will need a 1/2" body lift but looks pretty good . I took some pictures of the jeep beside the trailfinder 2 ,even though the length is close you can see the obvious scale difference .

 

[skurtzicus]

This is why I love and need a hard body shell this is just amazing. This car looks too nice and clean.

 

[RAMJETT]

Yeah a good mud bath should get it looking a bit better LOL.,

 

[RAMJETT]

managed to get the bumpers made and mounted today . I found a pintal hook just like the one my real jeep has so I fabricated a receiver , even has the quick release with hair pin and the loops for the safety chains LOL. just starting to mount the winch on the front bumper.. I need to get some tow hooks that mount to the top of the front bumper , anyone see them for sale I can find the cable mounted one but not the frame mounted ones . thanks

 

[RAMJETT]

just made some

front tow hooks , here is what I cam up with

 

[RAMJETT]

Was able to get a few thing done today . Added the 1/2 " body lift / raised the transmission by making new mounts . also made the upper and lower shock mounts and replaces the shocks . The mounts are made so you can rotate the ends of the shock so they do not bind when articulated . I am more then impressed with the articulation ,even with the hard foam inserts and the vehicle not being at it's full weight it's getting a full 4" of articulation with a bit more weight and some soft foam it's likely going to hit 5" ,it's way exceeding my expectations for a leaf spring rig .. but then again my full sized jeep is getting near 4 feet .

 

[RAMJETT]

few shots showing the articulation and the raised transfer case

 

[hamz9561]

I did some articulation pics of my jeep as well:

 

[RAMJETT]

very nice Jeep my friend , the newer jeeps went to coil springs and you can really see why they did it . This is a few shots of my second TFL Bronco that went on the back burner ,this one sporting a gas engine. it easily has an inch of articulation over the CJ without even trying because of the 4 link . I may have to do a custom YJ body next to replace the Bronco on my gasser .with 4 link suspension it's far more scale as a YJ .

 

[RAMJETT]

I am using a 6000mah 7.2 , it's mounted in the dash . When you remove the 2 windshield fold down release screws the dash panel lifts out of the way and the battery is installed inside . I am trying to make it as scale under as on top . This can be very hard to do with a open top Jeep. The sound/light module , receiver and the shift servo will be mounted in the fuel tank . I had a friend print me a fuel tank ,I've mounted it with the proper tank straps . hopefully when done the only thing that you will be able to see thats out of place will be the steering servo but I am going to try to make a rad the covers most of it . I am also looking for a dummy engine to get thing real under the hood .any ideas , it can't be too tall because I've raised the motor . I have about 45mm in height before I'm into hood scoops LOL

 

[hamz9561]

Here's a printable 540 motor cover: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1479890

 

[RAMJETT]

thanks my friend I will get that printed up . looks nice and low ..

 

[hamz9561]

There are also under hood goodies as well as the accessory drives.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3896150
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3369944
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2753308

The front drive accessories from this file on the cover I gave previously:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2866808

you can search for more on Thingiverse.