Trailwalker Bronco - New Bright Body Build

[OverlandRC]

So after surfing a few very good threads I got on the New Bright Bronco train. I'll be throwing it on an Element Trailwalker with the IFS kit installed.
Picked this up for $30, it doesn't suspect a thing....
https://flic.kr/p/2nu7kKu
I made a few parts for a friend's build so mounting the body should be fairly easy, though the parts were for an SCX10 and not an Enduro.

https://flic.kr/p/2nu4Wq3
I didn't notice the mirror was snapped off, I may try and source a replacement one or design a new one in cad, good opportunity for a fold-away function.

 

[XWAZ]

For the Mirror, You could see if the folding ones and hard plastic cowl will fit the body?

 

[OverlandRC]

For the Mirror, You could see if the folding ones and hard plastic cowl will fit the body?

Assuming you're talking about the TRX4 one, I don't believe I could fit it mainly due to the cowl on the New Bright one being molded into the body itself.

 

[OverlandRC]

I mounted the body using a combined front dual clip style mount and a rear slot made to capture a tab at the rear of the chassis https://flic.kr/p/2nuaycU https://flic.kr/p/2nuaA3V Not super content with the bumper gap but that can be changed with different clip inserts. Overall I'm very pleased with how sturdy the combined mounting systems hold the body on. Next step is to work out some rock sliders.

 

[XWAZ]

Assuming you're talking about the TRX4 one, I don't believe I could fit it mainly due to the cowl on the New Bright one being molded into the body itself.

Yes sorry, on the TRX the mirror appears to pivot in a similar location so maybe just the mirror would be a possible swap.

 

[OverlandRC]

Yes sorry, on the TRX the mirror appears to pivot in a similar location so maybe just the mirror would be a possible swap.

Hmm, maybe I could purchase the mirror and design and print the "bracket" part that it swivels on.

 

[OverlandRC]

So I got some front inner fenders made on the 2nd attempt, and also printed some roof rails modified to fit the New Bright body.
https://flic.kr/p/2nuKaTA https://flic.kr/p/2nuLq2Q Admiration of my lack of shocks is very welcome

 

[XWAZ]

Hmm, maybe I could purchase the mirror and design and print the "bracket" part that it swivels on.

Traxxas 9217 looks to be the cowl, mirrors, and wipers. Looks like they are somewhere between $8-12 so might be worth a try to see what can be reused.

 

[VisionaryRC]

The best shocks in the biz!

 

[OverlandRC]

After cutting up the body and installing the TRX4 light buckets and bumpers, I needed to remake my body mounts to make room for everything to fit together right.
https://flic.kr/p/2nysK4V https://flic.kr/p/2nyqgWP https://flic.kr/p/2nysK5G I still need to make rear inner fenders, but I'm already really happy with the fit and finish it has so far. Next steps will be moving toward paint, but I'd like to take it out for a good test drive beforehand.

 

[SurlyBurly]

Is that a skid in the front or are the front links really that big slab looking thing?

 

[OverlandRC]

Is that a skid in the front or are the front links really that big slab looking thing?

It's IFS so there are no links. It bolts to the chassis and those are skids in front and behind it.

 

[OverlandRC]

The first drive went great, it was surprisingly capable and felt very planted.

https://flic.kr/p/2nz8aBC https://flic.kr/p/2nzaCLT https://flic.kr/p/2nz9y7d
I'm glad to have learned the vehicle's capabilities before it gets painted and I won't want to drive it hard

 

[SurlyBurly]

It's IFS so there are no links. It bolts to the chassis and those are skids in front and behind it.

Of course. Don't mind me.

 

[Kear]

It's IFS so there are no links. It bolts to the chassis and those are skids in front and behind it.

IFS doesn't mean no links!....well it does on RCs usually, because single and dual 'A-Arm' setups are much easier to engineer on something like an RC.

Buut, this Bronco has a fantastic stance! Very comparable to the real ones I've seen!

 

[OverlandRC]

IFS doesn't mean no links!....well it does on RCs usually, because single and dual 'A-Arm' setups are much easier to engineer on something like an RC.

Buut, this Bronco has a fantastic stance! Very comparable to the real ones I've seen!

Very true. Thanks for the compliment!

 

[OverlandRC]

So after arguing with paint for a few days I decided to try out vinyl wrap.
https://flic.kr/p/2nCf1zb Still some panels left to wrap but I'm very satisfied with the finish it produced.

 

[VisionaryRC]

Looks good! Will you be adding clear windows? How difficult was it to put on without bubbles?

 

[OverlandRC]

Looks good! Will you be adding clear windows? How difficult was it to put on without bubbles?

There weren't a whole lot of bubbles, but it was easy to reposition the wrap and remove any. I'll hopefully be making some clear windows for it as well as an interior later on in the build.

 

[OverlandRC]

The wrap is complete and while I was waiting for the glue to dry on the mounts, I installed the Knight Customs IFS lift instead of the free Thingiverse IFS high-clearance mod.
https://flic.kr/p/2nCAYmq I also installed the roof rack and DinkyRC rooftop tent.
https://flic.kr/p/2nCuECV https://flic.kr/p/2nCuEMs https://flic.kr/p/2nCzGNC And just ordered a bootleg light kit that doesn't require me to use Traxxas electronics.