Project 1/18 Toyota Baja

[TLT Boy]

Well, all this posting and stuff and I finally might get a project going! The reason i say project is becasue I'm not sure yet and I need some of your guys "expertise" :rolling: For Christmas a couple years ago my dad got me this 1/18 Toyota Tundra Baja. It is made by AutoArt or GMP, not sure. But I had it always kept it on my shelf for displaying and yesterday I thought about turning that into an RC. I mean after seeying these Mini Scale Trucks, i was inspired soo, i do plan to make this a Baja. Now i need your help, mainly in where to put everything!! :banana:

Pics!!
Wheel and Tire
http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/3192/img95170ij.th.jpg (http://img352.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img95170ij.jpg)

Chassis, see those areas on the side, I'm thinking about puting some electronics in there and I have Touring car shocks positioned
http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/9913/img95399om.th.jpg (http://img390.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img95399om.jpg)

The Chassis bottom
http://img461.imageshack.us/img461/2215/img95287li.th.jpg (http://img461.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img95287li.jpg)

The Truck
http://img461.imageshack.us/img461/610/img95206nm.th.jpg (http://img461.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img95206nm.jpg)

If you want more pics than ask me!! :banana:

[TLT Boy]

I just need help in what axles would be the best and where to put the electronics and could I use Mini-T type electronics or is that to big? :chug: :banana:

[ripper7777777]

How heavy is this thing? Is the body plastic?

Are you wanting to keep all the interior? Or is this a body donor?


and more pics would be great especially detail shots and close ups.

[TLT Boy]

Ok, well, the truck weighs next to nothing, the whole truck is basically plastic but the body is metal so that would be something to keep but that is the only heavy thing!

Well, i did want to keep some stuff to keep the scale look and just for the coolness but if i have to take it out i will! :banana:


What pics do you want a close up on?

[TLT Boy]

Well, I did have pics but I wasn't sure about the other ones. Here is the pic where it shoes where I want to put my ESC and Receiver. :nice:
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/1485/img95510my.th.jpg (http://img356.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img95510my.jpg)

The shock
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/1086/img95412sr.th.jpg (http://img356.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img95412sr.jpg)

Rear Suspension
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/825/img95303jk.th.jpg (http://img356.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img95303jk.jpg)

Front Suspension
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/2904/img95294fn.th.jpg (http://img356.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img95294fn.jpg)

Interior
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/2263/img95279du.th.jpg (http://img356.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img95279du.jpg)

Rear/Engine
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/5547/img95236xy.th.jpg (http://img356.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img95236xy.jpg)

Tire Tread
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/6579/img95193ei.th.jpg (http://img356.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img95193ei.jpg)

PICS!! :banana:

[Jugg2Driver]

Whoa Whoa Whoa! Before you hack up that AutoArt or GMP model make sure you really want to do that! Those are very expensive 1/18 scale models, highly detailed. If you want to that's your choice, I just want to make sure you realize you may be throwing $80-$100 out the window!

[Pro-4x4]

That is a Autoart diecast... Matt's right! plus it won't handle the knocks if you tend running with it's suspension components or some of. At the end of the day all you will have is middle section with a seat and some roll cage if you want a truck to blast around in that won't fall apart if you hit something.
But it is your's to do as you please!

[ripper7777777]

I agree, Auto Arts are a very nice collectible and that one is simply awesome. And the body being diecast makes it not the best donor, I would try and find a plastic donor.

[Curious George]

I wish I just had one of those models, it's been on my list to get.

[Spoon37]

yeah I cant see the suspension parts taking much RC abuse... you woul suprised how much damage running outdoors does to components - which is why RC truck parts are always alot more chunky than their 1:1 counterparts....

It would be a cool project to do, but if you use mainly stock parts, you may have to be content with a model that can move under its own power but isnt really up to bashing...

alternatively it my be best to use the lid over a mini T or similar and fabricate/copy the detail parts to disguise the fact its not based on the model.

:banana:

[TLT Boy]

Well, the bottom says Gateway, so it isn't an AutoArt! :banana:

Well, i want to do something different and this is it I mean, I'll basically take the whole rear end out and put in a mini one and try to MAKE it look scale and how it did before I hack it up! :banana: I mean, it's worth a try and I'm not going to go rock crawling with it. I'll go to the beach with it or a flat dirt trail. :banana:

[Pro-4x4]

Hmmmm Baja (http://www.idcow.com/aa2002.html)

Autoart made two Toyota baja trucks. Gateway is now Autoart one in the same TLT :chug: .

[TLT Boy]

Ok, thanks, I knew that it was one of them but I wasn't sure!!! :banana: I am sure about doing this!! Like i said I will be using this like the real thing!! :banana:

[Pro-4x4]

So what RC parts are you going to use... diff's, gearbox etc? (or have I missed you saying)

[TLT Boy]

i was thinking everythin from a 1/18 mini or HELP ME OUT!! :banana:

[Curious George]

Why not get one of the Toyota Baja Truck bodies (the Tundra or Toyota Trophy Truck) instead of using a perfectly good model?

[TLT Boy]

Ok well where can I find one? :nice: What platform do I need to start from? What should I use? :nice:

[Jugg2Driver]

I would imagine a mini stadium truck would be a good start. I can't think of who makes the 1/18 scale ST's tho. But I'm sure someone will tell ya!

[BoneyskinX5]

Seems like a neat project. I've always wanted a baja truck. Good luck though.

[TrikeKid]

Originally posted by Jugg2Driver@Jan 26 2006, 08:45 AM
I would imagine a mini stadium truck would be a good start. I can't think of who makes the 1/18 scale ST's tho. But I'm sure someone will tell ya!
Losi, Associated, Thunder Tiger, the list of mini's kinda goes on for ever. I just started my self into that sickness with a mini mauler, cant wait for it to get here.

[ripper7777777]

A VMG would make an OK candidate but a cross between a VMG and RC18t would be great, independent front and solid rear would be awesome in 1/18th, it would be like a 1/18th XC.

I think my next purchase will be a touareg to convert to a baja truggy, I know wrong scale...... :excited:

[Dyer13]

Losi Mini-T, the mini Spyder, or the mini Kyosho 777 would be good..you could make the 777 into a nice little truggy, which would be great... Did you check Tower for the body?
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXTL60&P=7

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LX2704&P=7

Try Ebay...

[TLT Boy]

Ya, Parma's Tundra make me wanna :puke: but if that associated one is cool. It is 1/10 though. Whta i could use is the body from the model and just keep the model in good shape but hey, even without the body it would still look like a baja!! :banana: I want to thank you guys for gettig me out of try to hack this beautiful scale model truck up!! I don't want my dad to get mad! Well, the reason I started this is to get ideas and to make it soo I don;t have to spend to much so, I would really appreciate it if you could help me out throughout the build on the new project thank you!! :banana: I am going with the RC18T, I might buy 2 becasue after seeing that one in RC Driver where they made it go over 80 MPH, I'll do one a racer and one a Scale 4X4!! :banana:



Well, I need your help into deciding a price average for a RC18T VMG Baja Truck and I need some help with doing some things when I get it!! :banana:

[Rctrucktrialer]

Why not go for one VMG and one rc18t ??
That way you can analyse them both and see what you want to make of each , Ive seen a vid of a brushless VMG and well , It looks fun :lol: ;)

[evoraptor]

Originally posted by Rctrucktrialer@Jan 26 2006, 06:28 PM
Why not go for one VMG and one rc18t ??
That way you can analyse them both and see what you want to make of each , Ive seen a vid of a brushless VMG and well , It looks fun :lol: ;)
Holy hell, Torque roll city here I come!

[TLT Boy]

Originally posted by evoraptor+Jan 26 2006, 08:46 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (evoraptor @ Jan 26 2006, 08:46 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Rctrucktrialer@Jan 26 2006, 06:28 PM
Why not go for one VMG and one rc18t ??
That way you can analyse them both and see what you want to make of each , Ive seen a vid of a brushless VMG and well , It looks fun :lol: ;)
Holy hell, Torque roll city here I come! [/b][/quote]
Ya, I will do that to!! :banana:

[Rctrucktrialer]

doesnt have a chance to tourqe roll , front wheels allready in the air :lol:

[Curious George]

Originally posted by TLT Boy@Jan 26 2006, 06:11 PM
Ya, Parma's Tundra make me wanna :puke: but if that associated one is cool. It is 1/10 though. Whta i could use is the body from the model and just keep the model in good shape but hey, even without the body it would still look like a baja!! :banana: I want to thank you guys for gettig me out of try to hack this beautiful scale model truck up!! I don't want my dad to get mad! Well, the reason I started this is to get ideas and to make it soo I don;t have to spend to much so, I would really appreciate it if you could help me out throughout the build on the new project thank you!! :banana: I am going with the RC18T, I might buy 2 becasue after seeing that one in RC Driver where they made it go over 80 MPH, I'll do one a racer and one a Scale 4X4!! :banana:



Well, I need your help into deciding a price average for a RC18T VMG Baja Truck and I need some help with doing some things when I get it!! :banana:
There are a few Baja style 1/18th bodies you can use (toyota is pretty similar if you can't tell already with truck bodies).

[TLT Boy]

Well, Ok, I need help and suggestions on turning an RC18T into a VMG!! :lol:

[Bryce]

Trade/sell.
That could be neat though....
KEEP The IFS+IRS.. but also make it a 4 link to a main chassis, dual motors... geolander 2.2's?

[CustomCrawler]

Do what your dad says ^^ j/k

[TLT Boy]

Well, ok, I want to ask you guys a couple questions and your answers would be appreciated!! :nice:

What kind of RC vehicle do I need to get to make a scale Baja or VMG crawler?
What parts would I need?
How much would all of this cost?


I was looking towards keeping my T-Maxx for a fun Nitro. Maybe getting that new Sprint 2, maybe not, but i was also thinking about getting an E-Maxx and make it brushless or i can do this option! :banana:

[jasonw]

$80-$100? I will have to check the make but my local walmart sells very detailed die cast 1/18 trusck just like that one for $14-19.99 I see a "Buy all you can and put them on ebay opportunity LOL:) I will have to see if they are made by the same company

[Bryce]

Originally posted by TLT Boy@Feb 5 2006, 10:23 AM
What kind of RC vehicle do I need to get to make a scale Baja or VMG crawler?

Well i would guess a VMG perhaps... :dance: :banghead: :nono:

I would go brushless in a REVO. Their becoming popular, and very neat.

[TLT Boy]

Well ya, but I don't have a VMG. I was also looking at this. Alot of people don't like it and say that the TLT is better but hey, what the heck and is it worth the money? :nice: What is the difference between the TLT Rockbuster and the Max-Climber?
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHCS3&P=0

[yoda12131]

the max climber is a different color and uses standard flat packs...oh and a diff body...

[TLT Boy]

well, i knew a different color and body but is that it? :blink:

[Slyp Dawg]

if you want something to do with a RC18T, get some Styrene and make a MG Metro Rally car body (as seen in the B1 car group in Rallysport Challenge 2) or some other short, wide car