Trail Landcruiser Project

[arch2b]

this was my favorite overland build by far. it had extensive custom brass accessories and tested a multitude of aftermarket tires. unfortunately, with the birth of my first son, this project got shelved for years and eventually sold off to a happy home.

here is the project, re-posted.

i have a few ideas for some new custom overland projects! i've posted a few images of some of my sketches and i'd like to get some feedback...

some land cruiser project ideas (http://mini-zracer.com/gallery/album157)

i will be starting on this one in a few days;)

http://mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/offroad_land_cruiser03.sized.jpg

[arch2b]

ok, now that i have a body, i got to cutting tonight;)

this is a general idea of what i have in mind:
http://mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/IMG_0329.sized.jpg

more (http://mini-zracer.com/gallery/album157) of the cut job can be seen in the album

[arch2b]

ok, i finished the yellow paint scheme sketch and i like it!

i'll have to scan it tonight and upload the image to my gallery, it will be done tonight though.

well, didn't take as long as i thought;)

http://mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/land_cruiesr_yellow.sized.jpg

[arch2b]

i spent an hour or so tonight putting the cage together

http://mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/IMG_0352.sized.jpg

more can be seen here (http://mini-zracer.com/gallery/album157)

[arch2b]

Originally posted by davkin
Just curious Arch, are you a serious static model car builder as well?

David
actually i was never good with static models, go figure:rolleyes:

as usual you can see more pictures of todays work in my album, here (http://mini-zracer.com/gallery/album157)

today i made the spare tire stand off!
http://mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/IMG_0358.sized.jpg

i went a bit overboard today and made a new floating (over the rear canopy framing) roof rack with a more solid base for mounting the light bar. take a look at the rest of the pictures and let me know if it's a + or a -? i still have to figure out how to mount is and make the side ladders.
http://mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/IMG_0361.sized.jpg

http://mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/IMG_0372.sized.jpg

[arch2b]

more progress...

since i was lucky enough to be snowed in today;) i got the time to install my amb connector in my x5 chassis and do some work on land cruiser

i managed to get a decent looking light bar built and install a mounting bracket/screw for the roof rack portion.
http://mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/IMG_0493.sized.jpg

needless to say i have more pictures in my album (http://mini-zracer.com/gallery/album157)

[arch2b]

i was lucky enough to come across antoher set of supra wheels for $5 at the cup races so i got them. i'll be using them for the truck now. i was thinking i about painting them to match the body...

http://mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/IMG_0066.sized.jpg

http://mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/IMG_0068.sized.jpg

[arch2b]

This may have been discused before but I may have looked over it but Arch how did you do that body lift? Lexan and velcro or something?

i just rest it on the top of the chassis. it stays there well enough and it gives plenty of sus. travel. it will rub under full compression but that happens so infrequently it does nto concern me. you can see here (http://mini-zracer.com/gallery/album92/IMG_0004) that it doesn't really cause too much of a problem.

[arch2b]

i was supossed to make something else today but i got a great idea and just had to explore it before i moved on to the other thing.

i've been asked many times if i've made a brush guard or if i plan to, well i did today!
http://mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/IMG_0059.sized.jpg

i'm really happy with the way it turned out and i'm still contemplating installing tow hooks....what do you think?
see HERE (http://mini-zracer.com/gallery/album157/IMG_0079) there are more pictures added as well;)

[arch2b]

i wanted to try out some other rcm tires i have... they don't require lifting the body and are slightly larger than stock tires.
http://mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/IMG_0088.sized.jpg

http://mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/IMG_0081.sized.jpg

[arch2b]

http://mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/IMG_0085.sized.jpg
the trackers are the same soft urethane rcm uses for the military treads and the swampers. the tracktion is so good that if you do alot of sharp cornering you can throw a tire. these are nto for racing:p
http://mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/IMG_0084.sized.jpg

[arch2b]

i added a few extra coats of paint just for good measure to all the brass work and i finally got a picture...
http://mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/IMG_0033.sized.jpg

i also have good news! the body should be back from the painter in about 2 weeks :D then it's on to the mega light set and making the rear tarp and then this project should be just about done :cool:

i should have a couple other projects back from the painter at the same time so it will be an exciting week when they all come back to me.

this has been the longest break in any of my projects so i'm just as eager for some progress as you guys...

i've filled my weekend with some more tiny projects to keep myself busy, so keep an eye out for more custom work to be shown ;)

[arch2b]

i'm working in the spare bedroom of our townhouse which isn't easy either as everything has to be able to fit in the closet when company comes over...

i use rust-oleum Textured Enamel Sprays becasue it's made for meatl and made for high impact projects. it's also about $6 a tall rattle can which is cheap. i also have the flat black. i always apply a primer coat first juat to make sure the paint stays nice and tough.
rust-oleum site (http://www.rustoleum.com/Product.asp?frm_product_id=20&SBL=1&dds=16)

[arch2b]

sorry for the brief recap. unfortunately the project ended like this:

1. Name: Arch2b.
2. Location: ****
3. Contact: ****.
4. Description:
Custom rear bed canopy with spare shock mount
Custom front brush guard
Custom Rear spare tire mount
Custom roof rack
Custom light rack with 5mm 8000mcd leds
Custom scale toe rope
5. Price: $30 +/-.

http://www2.mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/IMG_0033.sized.jpg
http://www2.mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/IMG_0082.sized.jpg
http://www2.mini-zracer.com/albums/album157/IMG_0087.sized.jpg
these parts were hand crafted before i had kids so they are done with utmost care, skill and quality. each made from brass stock/tubing with 3 coats of textured paint. i dare say you will be hard pressed to find better quality scale hand made accessories : ) i have accepted the fact that i have a better chance at winning the lottery than completing this project : (

the light rack includes leds, completing hte wiring etc, will be left to you. you can use it or not. the setup looks just as good without it.

the brush guard is brass tube so it's durable to a point. it also attaches via 2 screw points so it should not fall off unless you break the screw posts out of the brass tube. if by some small chance this happens, you can reheat the tube and melt the screws back into the solder slug holding htem in.

the rear bed canopy was made to fit a custom cut land cruiser body. it should be easy to replicate the cut lines for the body using this peice. cut a bit short so you can grid it down for an perfect fit. cut some very thin lexan, fold, cut and glue to cover the back. this peice is attached to the new rear bed via 1 screw mount which doubles as a spare shock mount. i will include 4 gpm alloy shocks to mount on this.

the spare tire mount is attached via 2 screw points. i will provide the screws but you have to drill the holes in the desired location. i offset the mount to hold super swamper tire so there should be plenty of room for large custom tires.

the tow rope is small guage yellow rope with fish eye hooks cripmed to the ends.

you can see the build gallery here. (http://www2.mini-zracer.com/gallery/album157)

NO tires are included. i do not have any left to give.

[nazcom_101]

damm, you can sketch... those look great, I really like how the rear rack turned out and the front bull bar looks amazing!

makes a stock off the forecourt jeep into a mean looking off road 4x4...

Great Stuff!