12 replies to this topic

[JimF]

I posted on the R-Geo chassis plate in stock car configuration some time back. That was the .040 version. This will show some details of a hardbody build using the .050 plate. I didn't do the step by step b/c I didn't think of it at the time but the build itself is pretty straightforward. The details involved will be the focus here rather than the mechanics of the build.

 

Here's the start point, the R-Geo stock car plate in .050. This pic shows the steel R-Geo guide tongue but in this case, I used a Warmack tongue with some offset built into it.

 

 

This shows the Tamiya TamTech (BMW GTP) body upside down so you can see a few of the idiosyncrasies.

• Dang white on white picture is cruddy.....sorry about that!!!
• This body is BIG and the chassis will have a 4 1/2" wheelbase.
• The body mount holes are already molded in place so I have to match those.
• The lower body panels have a scoop molded in that I'll have to build around.

 

Finished (almost) this is to show how the target build coalesced.

• Single .078 main rails
• Shaker style pan setup.
• Body mounts are .078 wire on top of standoffs to match the height of the stock holes.

 

 

OK....details.....front.

 

• Main rails notched into the plate.
• Plate is contoured to match the shape of the body.
• Spreader bar of .055 wire on standoffs to match the main rail height.
• Shaker controls of .047 wire in 3/32" tubing.
• These wires are on .015 brass standoffs to match thickness of front plate plus the box tube.
• Axle uprights are cut out so that the axle can be raised to accommodate .975" fronts.

 

 

Details......rear.

 

• Motor angle about 5* to match angle of pinion and allow more flexibility than full sidewinder.
• Half rails of .078 coming forward to just the front of the motor box area.
• Front rail of motor box is .078.
• Top plate tying motor box together is .032 X 1/8" brass.
• Small bit of .078 wire at front of motor box to give a solder point for motor (if desired)
• Top motor brace is .062 wire and is really a "tack point" for motor positioning.
• Rear shaker rod and brace are .047 wire on appropriate standoffs.

 

 

 

 

Finished (almost) with running gear in place.

 

 

Motor installation:

 

 

Body mounted and guide flag re-positioned after I discovered that I'd made the guide lead too long to fit under the dramatically sloped nose on the body.........

 

 

And.....ready to go off to the end user.

 

 

[Frankie Schaffier]

Very cool! I like that..

[Don Weaver]

Excellent!  Pinning a hardbody is tough !

 

Don

[James Wendel]

Where did you get the body?

[JimF]

Where did you get the body?

 

This is a customer car and the end user sourced the body. I know that he got it on e-pay b/c I had looked at the exact same one a few weeks prior. I ended up with something else but after he told that he'd gotten it, I looked and sure enough.....it was gone from e-pay. The seller was in the orient somewhere.

[JerseyJohn]

superb Jim

[cdtanner]

The body is a Tamiya Tamtech BMW GTP body. Great job on the chassis Jim.

[JimF]

Excellent!  Pinning a hardbody is tough !

 

Don

 

Thanks Don.

 

Sounds as if you maybe have done more of these than I and this is the first one that I've done with this mounting style. Given the PITA status of mounting these things, I was leery at first but now I kinda like it. May try to recreate this on the next one I do. Among other things, the internal boss around the holes provides a standoff such that the body doesn't ride against the edge of the pan.

[Tim Neja]

As always nice clean build Jim!! Will be interested in your handling reports!  I've built many single wire hard bodies--but mostly with .093 wire!  It seems these guys like to be stiff!!  But the GTP bodies are lighter and lower than our older Nascar stuff!!

[JimF]

I'm not going to be able to report on it b/c it's already in the hands of the end user. You will probably see it down there at some point though so you can axe him. Single .078 is fairly stiff and it works for a lot of things. Also, I really like the way that .050 chassis plate simplified the job and it may obviate the need for additional weight piled on top. FWIW.......I bought some .093 brass rod the other day thinking in terms of a single or even double rail out of that big stuff. Haven't done anything with it yet though.

[olescratch]

Awesome work!  The use of the brass plate solved a few issues that you run into while building a chassis for hard bodies.  I like the fact that you can't see the chassis beyond the lines of the body!  Good job!  I will have to add one of these to my list of things to do asap!

[JimF]

Thanks John. I have only done a few hardbody builds and so each is an adventure for me. I really like the plate and what it does to simplify the build. Now that I've done this one, the next similar one will go more quickly. I have a body waiting to finally do one for myself and I think that I may sort of clone this one.

[olescratch]

Can't wait til you get started.  Hope you will allow us to see your work!