Fire Rescue Jeep RC [updated]

[sirironduke]

Heres my attempt at a project log.
I started with a standard fire rescue jeep. It had a bent rear axle so it warrented replacing.
I stripped it to its basics to look more realistic.
My goal was to have lights front and rear, roof, and RC.
I installed harbor freight 13" split rim wheels, shown here
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... IM0687.jpg

heres the side shot. I took the lift kit off and flipped the front spindles to lower the front. its too low right now but I will fix it next.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... IM0698.jpg

to use the stock GB's I whipped out my modifyed soldering gun ( modifyed tip to melt plastic ) I cut a few slots to use the stock PW tire hubs, and drilled out the centers to fit the larger shafts.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... IM0686.jpg

heres a under shot of the front end, axle flip and servo install. I added a cross piece to give support. the spring thing you see there is my attempt at a servo saver. made from coilover shocks off of a smaller scale rc truck.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... IM0685.jpg

I changed the tubular windshield to a MF? style. more realistic and has a transparent "glass" Ill end up replacing.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... IM0688.jpg

I melted/fused the mounts to the body after I removed the dash
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... IM0683.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... IM0682.jpg
one of my cats checking my work
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... IM0690.jpg

heres a closeer shot of the front grill, I installed LED racing lights from autozone, I also hid the power switch to the RC electonics in the grill slats ( cant be seen though)
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... IM0684.jpg

I build a role cage simmiler to the style jeeps use. I use pvc and added extra cross braces so it will acualy function.
An yes I have rolled it to test it.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... IM0695.jpg
here is the mount to the windshield , just so it doesnt move much.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... IM0696.jpg

here youl see my mounts to prevent the GB's from flopping around
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... IM0697.jpg

and the under the hood shot, here if you look close youl see the wires running to the grills hidden switch
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... IM0699.jpg

[sirironduke]

I ran it last night in the dark, cold but still fun with the lights

[hkayssi]

Great jeep! paint it military colors and you have a realistic looking RC Humvee. I take it that it won't be driven by a child as well? I don't see where a child would sit!

How did you assemble that roll cage? and what glue was used?

[sirironduke]

true it is no longer a childs toy. the role cage it made with 3/4" pvc water pipe. I used 1/2" fittings with 1/2" pipe glued inside the 3/4". I used standard pvc glue for the fittings joints and JB weld for the cross bars. Its no way water tight but very rigid. I scratched/scuffed the surface on the body with my soldering gun so the glue would hold for the X bars.
below the windshield I drilled a 1/2" hole and used a threaded end and cap.
for the fitting at windshield top, its a 90 degree fitting I took my heat gun to, softend it up and bent it a bit.

[hkayssi]

Good tricks :D I didn't know you could bend those 90 degree elbows with heat; good thing to know if I ever need to bend one :D

[sirironduke]

i didnt either till i tryed it. you can bend the fittings as well as the pipe. but only so far, the pipe like to collapse. the fittings can go a little further as they are thicker. btw I also had to heat the 1/2" pipe to fit inside the 3/4". it needed a small reduction but fits tight as if it was made to go that way.

[sirironduke]

well the doors i scored from i think taz, i got mounted. with a little adjustment that is. i had to cut off 2 ribs along the bottom. im guessing they where either there to make a gap or to keep the door inline. i also cut off the door limmit strap.
and now for the pictures.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... 0_0014.jpg

a little heat gun work is needed to straiten out a little warp. but nothing bad
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... 0_0015.jpg

here i had to notch one door to clear my rolecage
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... 0_0022.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... 0_0019.jpg

i even got the latch to work right. cut a notch in the the body and wahlah.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... 0_0017.jpg

[hkayssi]

Fantastic and now I know why the metal frame jeep has those notches :D

[sirironduke]

well after a few runs outside i noticed the the front end sagging. i know its the bane of the jeeps so i desided to see if i could do my own fix. and here what i came up with.
2 steel bushings, the lower brace bar from the front end, a little welding and grinding...
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... 0_0023.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... 0_0025.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... 0_0024.jpg

i plan to cut off the plastic spinnle mounts and use this in its place. will allow me to gease the spindles and up my stance back to normal.

[sirironduke]

and here are a few shots of the front end installed. i drilled a few holes and used some left over screws from taking other powerwheels stuff off. its smooth and the servo no longer struggles to center.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... 0_0033.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... 0_0030.jpg
http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... 0_0029.jpg

i also had a little incedent with my controler ( it jumped out of my hand and broke off the steering wheel) and heres my fix
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... 0_0031.jpg

[ms1120]

Woops..I hate it when that happens. How far are you from getting a video of that beast in action?

[sirironduke]

well the weather isnt all that great but i mayhaps can get one on my next day off, rain permitting. (mondayish)

[NceptioN]

that thing is nice.

[Jornum1]

Love the roll cage!
Nice job

[sirironduke]

ok heres a cuple of videos so you can see how things work. too bad i didnt keep filming i ended up flipping it over in the ditch in my neabors yard. but here it is.
http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... NP0002.mp4
http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s157 ... 0001-1.mp4