[MOC] Ford Bronco (42126 alternate)

[gyenesvi]

Hi All,

I'd like to share my latest alternate build, a manual version of my previous RC Ford Bronco, this time purely built from the Ford Raptor set (42126).

This model was born out of its motorized version, which was designed first, but I wanted to make a manual Bronco as a pure Ford Raptor alternate as well, people have been asking for it, and it makes it much more affordable because this way the expensive Zetros set is not required. However, the Raptor set does not have enough black parts to make a complete roof as in case of the motorized version, so I decided to make a roofless version of the Bronco. On the real Bronco it's possible to take off the roof (and the doors), so I was going for a look like this one:

 

Features
- independent front suspension
- live axle rear suspension
- working V6 engine under the hood, rear wheel drive
- hand of God steering
- openable doors and hood

The build itself is not much complicated, as this set does not have too many interesting parts from which technically very different things could be built (in case of cars). Also, the Bronco has similar suspension to the Raptor, so it's the same system, but I tried to make some improvements here and there.

Chassis

One thing I never quite liked about the Raptor build itself is the chassis construction. I thought it was overcomplicated, so I decided to try and simplify / improve it a bit. In the front, the Raptor's suspension has low ground clearance in the middle, I was wondering if that could be improved, so I redesigned it (though in the end I sticked a skid plate in front of it that screws the clearance, but it is easily removable). In the rear, the Raptor's live axle is built with a complicated half stud offsetting to get the wheel positioned in the middle of the wheel arch, despite the steep angle of the rear axle. I simplified that by building the axle longer and hence at a lower angle, eliminating the need for the half stud offset, while keeping the wheel centered. The drivetrain and the HoG steering are also routed in a more straightforward way.

Body and interior

As the motorized version was like a 4-door version (maybe slightly shorter), the manual one follows that as well, even though only the two front doors are openable. In the interior, I kept the 4 seats along with the dashboard, and the trunk is now clean. The exterior is quite similar to the motorized version, luckily I could keep the iconic features of the hood-line, with some necessary small alternations due to part limitations. The custom stickers of the RC version can be directly reused on this one, as it has the same front grille. More importantly, it is built without the roof, but I tried to replicate the underlying railing structure instead, as it is in case of the real car.

Here are more images of the complete model. Overall I am satisfied with how it looks given it's an alternate model.

More images are on Bricksafe, and building instructions are on Rebickable.

Let me know how you like it!

Cheers,

Viktor

[1gor]

Great model, this alternative looks for me better than official Ford

[2GodBDGlory]

Very nice work! The roofless look works well

[Krxlion]

Indeed, great B-model. I don't dislike original set, but your instruction may help anyone searching additional building experience, using bricks they have.

[Paul B Technic]

Well done, this is awesome. A great design and looks excellent.

[Zerobricks]

Really well done. It could easily pass as an official alternative. I think we only had an official B licensed model with the 42030?

[gyenesvi]

Thanks guys, glad you like it!

10 hours ago, Zerobricks said:

It could easily pass as an official alternative. I think we only had an official B licensed model with the 42030?

Not sure about that, but I guess developing two licensed models is really beyond what TLG is willing to do out of a set nowadays. However, an alternate model with the same license could be a nice topic for an official public contest by TLG, and the winner could become an official B model, if the licensing partner would approve it.. Would be nice to have such in the future :)