Desmond [the 2.2] - part 3

Having finalised the overall proportions and layout of the build (including the engine bay/electronic box), it was time to get some paint on the bodywork, and add a few scale details.

By utilising a square shaped 6-cell NiMh battery rather than a traditional stick-pack, this allows the narrow body to lift on and off as required, while all the running gear and electronics remain in place (within the confines of the chassis rails) - other than the wire for the LED head and tail lights, which still needs to be disconnected from the receiver each time - but only if you want to complete remove the body-shell.

The back-story for this crawler is that is was built using an old Toyota HiLux which has already had the main cab/body-tub narrowed,(by 40mm - nearly 2.5 feet in 1:1 scale) and subsequently repaired and strengthened as necessary, before being painted in primer - while only the original doors remain (for the time being) in their original tatty state...

As mentioned in Part 2, the rear cage is the complete spare part set for a Vaterra K10 Ascender, again narrowed to match the narrow HiLux cab, and further secured to the rear of the chassis by shaping the tubes to locate positively between the chassis and rear cross-member, which is then locked-in with a M3 bolt.

Four ProLine spot lamps (and their corresponding cage mount) are used as headlamps, while at the rear a pair of 12mm diameter Axial spotlights are used (with the clear lenses painted with Tamiya translucent red XF-85) are retro/truck style tail-lights.

The bonnet was covered in Carbon-fibre effect vinyl, which is very realistic, to replicate a custom hood, and the internal roll cage (made from a Tamiya Brat roll-over hoop) was painted grey to replicate foam pipe-lagging that is typically used on 1:1 roll cages.

Currently Louis Willy has been a little sparing with the number of stickers he's applied, but you can see by the look on his face that more will inevitably find their way onto the alloy rear panels particularly.

I will also be adding a few scale accessories - sand landers and the two Jerry cans, plus a tool box and cooler at some point too I imagine; and Louis really likes his proper metal Winch anchor - although he's going to have to fit a winch first of course!

So now that the main build and paintwork is essentially finished, and I can confirm it has also been thoroughly tested on the rockery - I thought I would add it to my showroom while I finalise just who is going to be driving this beast long-term. The good news is the revised battery location means that a full-body Wild Willy figure will still fit in the cab - although he might have to lose a few toes, we'll see!

Hope you like it!

Jenny x