- Joined
- Jan 10, 2015
- Messages
- 237
Not so much a "conversion", more of a "put a Nylint Bronco body on a modified R/C chassis", but it was a fun little project.
I'm a bit of a collector, and enjoy R/C trucks, so when I found this original "Fire Chief" Nylint Bronco at a garage sale, I set about finding a way to convert it to R/C without losing it's cool patina. There are several cheap Chinese 4x4 R/C trucks on eBay, I got one that was $30 ready to run. Just basic controls (proportional speed, but only full left or full right steering), but a good size, 4 link suspension, and actual driveshafts.
The wheelbase was a little long for the Bronco, so I moved the rear axle forward a few millimeters, shortened the driveshafts, and converted the stock internal spring shocks to coilovers with higher rate springs to support the metal body. The interior floor and rear wheel tubs I fabricated from flat lexan, sprayed with black Rustoleum Texture paint to resemble bedliner. The shifter is actually an old worn out Dremel bit. I moved the tie rod to the top of the steering arms and used an adjustable servo link with a ball socket at the passenger knuckle to replicate my full size setup.
I kept the body as it was, except for removing the cross brace behind the seats.
It's not fast - the motor is small and low geared, and the metal body is much heavier than the plastic body that came with the chassis - but it's fun to chase the dog around the house. The stiffer springs reduce the articulation some, but it's OK.
I'm a bit of a collector, and enjoy R/C trucks, so when I found this original "Fire Chief" Nylint Bronco at a garage sale, I set about finding a way to convert it to R/C without losing it's cool patina. There are several cheap Chinese 4x4 R/C trucks on eBay, I got one that was $30 ready to run. Just basic controls (proportional speed, but only full left or full right steering), but a good size, 4 link suspension, and actual driveshafts.
The wheelbase was a little long for the Bronco, so I moved the rear axle forward a few millimeters, shortened the driveshafts, and converted the stock internal spring shocks to coilovers with higher rate springs to support the metal body. The interior floor and rear wheel tubs I fabricated from flat lexan, sprayed with black Rustoleum Texture paint to resemble bedliner. The shifter is actually an old worn out Dremel bit. I moved the tie rod to the top of the steering arms and used an adjustable servo link with a ball socket at the passenger knuckle to replicate my full size setup.
I kept the body as it was, except for removing the cross brace behind the seats.
It's not fast - the motor is small and low geared, and the metal body is much heavier than the plastic body that came with the chassis - but it's fun to chase the dog around the house. The stiffer springs reduce the articulation some, but it's OK.
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