Recently after many years on the shelf my 8421 was looking a bit too tired (stickers all peeling, dust everywhere I couldn't reach with the duster, etc.)

so I decided to take her apart and put the pieces in a laundry bag and put it through the dishwasher cold soapy rinse... (using regular hand soap ph neutral)

then I cleaned all the dirty parts individually with a soft lint free cloth etc....

Anyway the plan is to rebuild 8421 and print my own new stickers (I have a sticker printer which should work well on lego)

Before doing that I had always wanted to try ZBLJ's excellent Tatra Kolos Chassis... having most of the parts a quick cheap brickling order away and I used the remaining parts to make the body

which ended up very volvo/kamaz looking instead of tatra but hey... The steering although correct as close as possible to the original tatra - has a lot of free play, not for precise truck trials -

I had to reinforce the worm drive a bit to reduce the backlash there using the old technic worm gear cage and it handles a bit better now.

The rear suspension layout is superb. perfect in every way in motion in looks and in fuinction. As it runs over small bumps all the wheels move but the body stays self levelling.

Enough of the chit chat lets see some pictures, Using M-Motor for steering and RC motor for drive:

Very short video:

Edited October 8, 201410 yr by Rockbrick

have made the photos smaller as per guidelines (800px wide) apologies....

Interesting...but looks good.

Nice to see the chassis working for you! These kinds of models always make me happy and show that all the work including digital model wasnt in vein

Nice to see the chassis working for you! These kinds of models always make me happy and show that all the work including digital model wasnt in vein

indeed it wasn't as i'd planned to make a similar chassis myself - you saved me loads of time! -

my truck is something quick I made to try the chassis out -

Now last night I was watching a soyuz capsule recovery in the snow in Khazakhstan - and then seeing the Yemelya Arctic Vehicles that went to Canada... made my mind wander ...

Edited October 8, 201410 yr by Rockbrick

Oh, that's fast (it isn't trial-, it is racing-truck :D )... Made me think about climbing skills of this truck. Does it perform good when going over obstacles? And what abou climbing in sand? (there is speed needed)

indeed it wasn't as i'd planned to make a similar chassis myself - you saved me loads of time! -

my truck is something quick I made to try the chassis out -

Now last night I was watching a soyuz capsule recovery in the snow in Khazakhstan - and then seeing the Yemelya Arctic Vehicles that went to Canada... made my mind wander ...

I watched that too last night and was also thinking about how cool the vehicles they used are

Hah, going by the title I thought I was going to see the 8421 upperstructure mounted on Zblj's tatra chassis or something crazy like that

Hah, going by the title I thought I was going to see the 8421 upperstructure mounted on Zblj's tatra chassis or something crazy like that

Now there's an idea! to be honest I was going to use the 8421 Cab but I just went all free-form - then I thought to change the title but I can't

Oh, that's fast (it isn't trial-, it is racing-truck :D )... Made me think about climbing skills of this truck. Does it perform good when going over obstacles? And what abou climbing in sand? (there is speed needed)

Current gearing (Fast output off the RC motor 8z->24z) is for speed - climbing ability one flat shoe only.

I will change the gearing down a bit and take her outdoors soon - too heavy too I need to shed some weight

Edited October 20, 201410 yr by Rockbrick

Keep us updated You think the rear suspension system could be applied to the front?

Weather here has been too nice so haven't had time for any changes yet but planned changes are:

reduce weight

lower gearing (currently nice and fast but can only climb over shoes, very flat shoes)

increase wheel clearance

Would be nice to try and get the rear suspension system applied tot the front but at the moment I cannot see how, unless from underneath somewhow but this would compromise ground clearance

I think a centre diff would be good too but it hits the bodywork at the moment

Edited October 20, 201410 yr by Rockbrick