[MOD] FJ40 Crawler with SBrick

[Madoca 1977]

Hello everyone! This time I built a modification of rm8's Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40.

FJ40 Crawler

Weight: 1145g

Propulsion: XL motor for 4 wheel drive

Steering: Servo motor

2 speed gearbox: M motor

Winch: M motor

Headlights: PF light

Powered by: SBrick and 8878 rechargeable battery box

This is my third SBrick model. One SBrick and a rechargeable battery box fit well in the rear space.

Unfortunately tumbler tires from 42050 cannot use for front axle. They touch the connectors when steered. So I used normal balloon tires.

One XL motor has enough power to climb the slope of over 35 degrees even in high gear (4.2:1). It can climb much steeper slope in low gear (12.6:1) but less-grippy balloon tires would start slipping. You can see that situation in the second half of the video.

Building process was not straightforward.

First, I decided to adopt bigger wheels, working headlights, motorized two speed gearbox and winch. Also I was planning to keep the whole original bodywork as possible.

Like rm8’s chassis, it has front and rear live axles with 3 links. In offroad driving, 81.6mm wheels require gear reduction after differentials. My first attempt was using central torque vectoring diff and rear portal axle like my Off Road Pickup. Front axle was not changed. Although it kept the same wheelbase as original, this version was failed. Every time I started driving, 20t bevel gear and diff disengaged.

Second plan was using front and rear portal axle. I tried to make the wheelbase as short as possible. It became five studs longer than the original. So I needed slightly longer body.

Building whole chassis was the most difficult. The problem was how to minimize the mechanism of motorized gearbox. I used new driving ring and red clutch gears. I felt that they were stronger elements than old version and they could handle more torque. Although 2 speed gearbox was simple, I had to hide the whole mechanism under the seats. I eventually squeezed a mini linear actuator into the left of gearbox. Changing gears is not fast, but it's easy to adjust lever in neutral position in case of using winch.

The winch mechanism is the same as the original. It is powerful enough to help climbing steep hills.

I have to say that rm8 had achieved perfect weight distribution. I recognized it when I was attempting to build various versions of chassis which had different motor locations. So in my final version, all PF elements are in nearly the same position as original.

The bodywork needed some minor changes due to the new chassis and my parts assortment. In original “face”, it was impossible to put LEDs into behind the headlights and shine trans-clear parts. Moreover, Round tile 2x2 trans-clear seems not to be the official parts. My alternative was built out of available parts. I know the original looks far better and hard to change. But it was worth for me to find another solution.

Original FJ40 is modular building. It has various options like doors, roof and snorkel. Since my MOD became bigger and heavier, I didn't add the roof. (Still, four soft shock absorbers are slightly compressed when it stands stationary.) Instead, I built detachable doors in two versions.

Building instructions: http://rebrickable.com/mocs/Madoca1977/fj40-crawler

I hope you like it!

Edited May 11, 2016 by Madoca 1977

[SilenWin]

Great mod! Looks really impressive.

Good work, as always ;)

[agrof]

Fantastic MOD (or better called MOC) again, now there is no way back...

I could resist to build rm8's original till now, but with this upgrade / rebuild, it is a must have on my shelf.

Thank You in advance for the instructions!

Edited April 24, 2016 by agrof

[Lucio Switch]

Wow, Great performances!

This will be the 3rd of yours MOCs that I built!

[filsawgood]

worthy mod! Very interesting to look at the design of the front axle

[Lox Lego]

I like the motorized gear shift. I hope no ants were hurt in the making of this video

[JJ2]

Awesome MOD, you made a great Moc better.

[rm8]

Well, this deserves to be a standalone moc, not mod. As I said, even width, front axle with high torque and gearbox - unusual decisions. And of course bonnet idea that you helped me 2 year ago - finally it goes back to designer:)

[Boulderer]

Another awesome build.

Blurring the lines between MOD and MOC.

[Madoca 1977]

worthy mod! Very interesting to look at the design of the front axle

It was hard to put 24T gears into that space. I use pairs of black pins and 63965 from 42050. Since they are thinner than usual connectors, they never touch gears.

[Imanol BB]

Very nice creation Madoca, i really like your axle designs, the gearing down and how compact and strong they are is very impressive, i cant wait to see the instructions, and also, i am wondering, how would they look with 3rd party tires.

[M5Technic]

would you consider making instructions including the doors for both and the spare tire carrier?? Amazing model by the way, and interesting front axle. surprised how strong it is

[Leonardo da Bricki]

I was already reverse engineering rm8's crawler, but now I'll stop and build yours. Impressive performance. Well done.

[2LegoOrNot2Lego...]

Very nice MOD indeed, like it a lot...!!!

[mandylion7]

Freakin' brilliant. I also like the fact that it looks pretty compact and components are neatly set there. Bravo!

[brickless_kiwi]

I'm currently building RM8's land cruiser as to me its one of those functional must have moc's

But once again the lego genius that is madona has upped the game..

[AFOLegofan66]

really nice looking MOD. Looking forward to your fabulous instructions !!!

[Madoca 1977]

Thank you for all your kind words!

I hope no ants were hurt in the making of this video

No ants were stamped in the making of this film!

would you consider making instructions including the doors for both and the spare tire carrier??

Yes, it will include those options.

I came up with better solution for front grill after sharing pictures and video. So upcoming instructions will look like this.

Edited April 27, 2016 by Madoca 1977

[M5Technic]

very excited now

[Imanol BB]

After some time i made the most similar version i could of the transmission in LDD, i hope you like it: http://bricksafe.com/files/imanol/fj40/FJ40%20transmission.lxf

Also, the new grill looks very good Madoca.

[Trawler Man]

How awesome. Thank baby Jesus you do want to put the time and effort in to make instructions. I can't wait.

[Madoca 1977]

I have finished instructions. https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMYFnh0FV07dyYhpXwt-u9GlFty2AMQ7lxWr1-kSJiPKunD7ldlw9E3KfBfPRIXeg?key=SDlIZXdHeVVxbG9aNHBGay1HeExoTjZsXzZSUUFn

Soon it will be available at Rebrickable.

Edited May 9, 2016 by Madoca 1977

[M5Technic]

I have finished instructions. https://photos.googl...ExoTjZsXzZSUUFn

Soon it will be available at Rebrickable.

They look amazing as always! Thank you!

[agrof]

Thank You Madoca for the effort and for sharing! We have a lot things to analyse...

[2LegoOrNot2Lego...]

Studied the building instructions and it confirm this is an amazing build "Madoca 1977"!!! We already has established that, I know, but nonetheless...

The way you use the parts and the way to manage to squeeze it all in there is phenomenal! :thumbup: :wub: