I had an idea of making a small baja-truck for some while and with the Artic vehicle contest it was a perfect match.

Here is the concept, made in a Studio file.

So, the ”functions” are those of a normal RC car - detachable body, steering and forward/ reverse.

For this, the model has 1x servo-motor and 2x buggy motors; with 1x battery hub, it should weight around 800 g or about 28.21 oz. I still didnt found a secure way to attach the battery hubs in the back but I am already thinking of making frames only for BuWizz 2.0 and the MouldKing 4.0 hub, because BuWizz 3.0 has a greater chance of hitting the motors and takes more space too.

Also, the suspension travel is pretty big in the front and in the back too, although I have reduced the travel for the front arms because of the over-steer. Here is the almost finished front of the original variant of the model, which had a big over-steer issue.

I had to modify the motor frame too. The first 2 images are the concept version and the 3rd image is the last variant, with longer liftarms that allow the suspension to work (you can see the swapped 5L liftarms and the soft springs, which were too soft, obviously).

I dont like the current body-work, so the amin thing on the ”to do list” for the Ice baja is to modify the body-work as much as it is possible. 

Anyway.............in 2 days I kind of managed to finish the chassis. As I only have one buggy motor ”functional” (is partially burned too), I cant test it properly, but I will see what I can do; until then, I am pretty pleased with result of the chassis.

More photos will follow with the progress of the new body-work at least, but if I find something to improve on the chassis, then it will be with the chassis too.

(The tires in the last 2 photos will be replaced with official Lego ones in the next photos; also, those tires are messy, so sorry for all of that :/ )

Edited November 23, 20231 yr by Lixander

New body-work on the way.......by the end of the week I will post some real-life photos with it.

Also, here is a more refined version of the new body-work with a hub frame for a BuWizz 3.0 (I managed to put it because of the bigger space at the back).

Edited November 23, 20231 yr by Lixander

Nice looking baja truck! looks like it will be fun to drive and play around with.

Outside of colour scheme, have you considered what makes this specifically an Arctic vehicle? What I can think of could be: Less need for air intakes for cooling, reinforced front and underside to cope better when hitting a snow bank, maybe a snow plough to clear our a path in rougher terrain?

Looking forward to seeing this in action!

...chains on tires perhaps?

13 hours ago, Heppu said:

Nice looking baja truck! looks like it will be fun to drive and play around with.

Outside of colour scheme, have you considered what makes this specifically an Arctic vehicle? What I can think of could be: Less need for air intakes for cooling, reinforced front and underside to cope better when hitting a snow bank, maybe a snow plough to clear our a path in rougher terrain?

Looking forward to seeing this in action!

12 hours ago, 1gor said:

...chains on tires perhaps?

Thanks for the ideas, I really appreciate it.

Now, I feel encouraged to replicate the system , or at least the principle, of a Toyota project that came out this month.......I am talking about the Toyota "FJ Bruiser" and it's system for getting over the tall obstacles.

Basically, it has a track underneath that can get the truck out if it is stuck.

Edited November 7, 20231 yr by Lixander

The result is pretty discreet, having no space for a proper system with tracks/ conveyor belts and another motor, but still, the small wheels protect the under-side and limit the damage done to the pieces.

I thought how to find a more convincing purpose to this build........so I turned the baja-truck into a ”baja-responder” - I think it sounds better ”baja-responder” than ”baja-first-responder”.

Even if I just added a ”storage space” at the back, which adds to the weight too, this gives more purpose of the build in the Arctic theme (my opinion).

I tinkered at the chassis too; as late as tomorrow I will post the real progress.

Edited November 12, 20231 yr by Lixander

I improved a few things, especially visually.

For example, I made the motor frame narrower. I still need to recreate the last version in real life, because the real version differs from the last, which is often digital; even if they are the same theoretically, the last (digital) version has small improvements.

Well, making new projects is pretty fun but not when you realize you have at least 4 to finish and you cant even continue the majority of them because of the pieces and mainly time.

In other words, I added another ”W.I.P.” to the stash - a retro styled buggy that uses a modified front frame of the Flat baja II with bigger wheel hubs..

As motors, it uses 1x upgeared buggy motor that will probably wont work because of the upgearing and its 740 grams ( 26.10 ounces ) and also 1x PF servo-motor.

It also has independent suspension and wishbones on all arms and detachable body with a huge wing that will probably make the model tip at the back.

As inspiration, I had the Tamiya Avante RC buggy, mainly the old Mk. 1 of the model.

 

Edited January 3, 20241 yr by Lixander

This has nothing with the other Flat baja`s in common, just the name because it is pretty flat.

New W.I.P.. in the stash..........here is the Flat baja-truck MAXX.

The chassis is based on the looks and ideas of the HPI Jumpshot SC RC baja.

It has 4x4 drive from using 2x buggy motors and 1x servo for steering. As main features, it boasts a (pretty big) positive caster-angle, independent suspension on all arms, consolidated steering rack, space for lights in the front and in the back, plenty of space for the battery hubs, detachable body and, the cherry on the cake, the distance between the suspension arms is 0 studs, enhancing the suspension behavior and travel.

I will come back with more specs in a new topic with all my W.I.P.s posted in there.

Edited January 9, 20241 yr by Lixander

Those are some very long suspension arms! Looks like it would have some very nice suspension travel that way

Let's hope it will be that way. And also I hope it won't have steering problems :/

 

Edited January 9, 20241 yr by Lixander