TC27 Aussie Overlander/Tradie vehicle

[CrazyKreations]

Hey everyone, CrazyKreations Here is my entry into the Tc27 Moc Competition, an Aussie pickup truck with a camper trailer! We have always wanted to create a small-scale truck with 4WD, Control Plus and a special rear tray that replaces the traditional ute bed, giving this truck a more Australian style. In WA there are sooooooo many of these beautiful vehicles that go offroad every single day! (they are just pavement princesses) I wanted to add my spin on the classic pickup truck and show how this purpose-built vehicle is useful and cool, so please follow the thread below everyone, I would really appreciate it!

I want to have at least the basic features below:

• Opening Doors, 
• Partially opening hood
• Springless Front Torsion Bar suspension with inbuilt motor for steering
• Springless Rear reinforced axle using Torsion Bars
• 4-wheel drivetrain with locked differentials
• Multiple front bumper attachments, (3+ different bumpers to choose from)
• Snorkel
• Running Boards
• Fog Lights
• Detailed Interior
• Tradie tray with 5+ opening compartments including a;
• slide-out drawer
• 4 opening compartments
• Large canopy with separated sections for storage
• Slide out coffee machine and table that folds out of the tray. (Yes, it's a must)

I have a few photo examples of the sort of design that I am going for and one of them looks like this:

 

Anyway, I have this week off and next off, so I will use this time to build as much as possible and update you guys. So, my first update is the axles I am using... I wanted to incorporate springless suspension because it is more compact and also is better for the weight of the vehicle as all the attachments will make the vehicle a bit too heavy at the back. 

The front and rear axles are here below, I'll probably update the chassis later today or maybe tomorrow actually but please stay tuned. (I have time on my hands so I decided to put this image through Canva and mesh it into 1)

 

Both axles are around 13 studs wide and fit the wheels that the competition allows.

[Paul B Technic]

As somebody who see's these all the time on the road, I am keen to see how this comes along for you.

[2GodBDGlory]

This should be cool to see! I'm a huge fan of those Land Cruiser 70s like you have in the picture (It's my next planned MOC, actually), and even though you're not strictly copying one, I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

[CrazyKreations]

29 minutes ago, Paul B Technic said:

As somebody who see's these all the time on the road, I am keen to see how this comes along for you.

I’ll try to make you proud

2 minutes ago, 2GodBDGlory said:

This should be cool to see! I'm a huge fan of those Land Cruiser 70s like you have in the picture (It's my next planned MOC, actually), and even though you're not strictly copying one, I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Thanks, I’m trying to make it as versatile as the actual 79 series so I’ll try and make this good. Ps. I’m trying to make a camper trailer as well

[CrazyKreations]

Update 2...

I have watched so many different videos on torsion bar suspension and I may even make a torsion bar suspension vs independent and lifted axle suspension because this suspension design does have a lot of advantages and some obvious disadvantages. I decided to go with torsion bar suspension and choose one Lego axle to torture (for the greater good). 

Below I have a photo of the chassis, it's still being tweaked a little but the wheelbase and width will not change. Size-wise It will stay the same going forward. Please ignore the mismatched colour of the wheels, It is still in the testing phase!!!!

 

Here is a short GIF of the chassis:

 

 

 

The suspension itself is bouncy and it also can take weight very well so I'm happy. I hope that once the body and the cosmetic pieces are all on it will be able to flex well.

Edited August 13, 2024 by CrazyKreations
Can't spell

[2GodBDGlory]

Looks nice! I haven't seen suspension like that too often, but it might be worth trying!
Do you have any concerns about that 3x3 L half-beam in the middle of the torsion arm? I find my half-beams break at the axle holes a lot, but maybe if your parts are new it'll be fine

[MangaNOID]

That suspension is like magic as I had never seen torsion suspension before 👍 then I worked out how it is operating of course 😅

Nice to see the progress it’s looking like a great start. Hope you can fit all those features in!!

[CrazyKreations]

7 hours ago, 2GodBDGlory said:

Looks nice! I haven't seen suspension like that too often, but it might be worth trying!
Do you have any concerns about that 3x3 L half-beam in the middle of the torsion arm? I find my half-beams break at the axle holes a lot, but maybe if your parts are new it'll be fine

Yea, I initially have had some concerns about it but the piece itself isn't under much stress 24/7 and I'd rather have 10 of those breaks than 2 soft suspension springs break. But I know there is a price to pay for this sort of suspension, and the only issue I would say if you want to have a go is to try and use old pieces or pieces that you hardly use as there always is a chance that it might break!

5 hours ago, MangaNOID said:

That suspension is like magic as I had never seen torsion suspension before 👍 then I worked out how it is operating of course 😅

Nice to see the progress it’s looking like a great start. Hope you can fit all those features in!!

Yeah, thanks mate, I hope so too 

[CrazyKreations]

Update 3...

So I was kinda stumped at this point as I had no idea how I was going to make the bodywork so I looked at soooo many photos of older style pickup trucks to gain inspiration. I love the boxy design of the old 1983 Ford Ranger and the 79 series Landcruiser (all the generations look pretty much the same) so I am trying to make a good base for the bodywork and I have come up with something like this below:

 

I was thinking that I should make the pickup orange so it stands out, and also because that's the parts I have left over from other current builds :)

I also have made 2 gifs (the second will play after the first one below) of how the suspension is acting with the little bodywork that I have placed on the chassis:

 

[dantheman12]

Love the idea bro and nice to see another person from aus, see these everywhere as well my mate does a lot of work on 79 series specifically for mining companies, would be really cool to see this in a 1:8 scale with all the different features but I like what your doing at this scale and for the competition.

[CrazyKreations]

10 minutes ago, dantheman12 said:

Love the idea bro and nice to see another person from aus, see these everywhere as well my mate does a lot of work on 79 series specifically for mining companies, would be really cool to see this in a 1:8 scale with all the different features but I like what your doing at this scale and for the competition.

Thanks mate, yea these are very iconic and strong cars. I also am planning on making a 1/8 scale version which would hopefully be exactly like the one I’m currently making.

[2GodBDGlory]

1 hour ago, dantheman12 said:

Love the idea bro and nice to see another person from aus, see these everywhere as well my mate does a lot of work on 79 series specifically for mining companies, would be really cool to see this in a 1:8 scale with all the different features but I like what your doing at this scale and for the competition.

I've done a few different LC70s in 1:8, and while I'm sure I could improve them if I rebuilt them today, I liked them! (No real Aussie-style accessories, though)

Spoiler

2-door SUV, 4-door truck, and 2-door troop carrier, respectively (These never got full Eurobricks posts)

This is a smaller-scale LC79 I did more recently, as well:

 

 

 

1 hour ago, CrazyKreations said:

Thanks mate, yea these are very iconic and strong cars. I also am planning on making a 1/8 scale version which would hopefully be exactly like the one I’m currently making.

I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

[CrazyKreations]

8 hours ago, 2GodBDGlory said:

I've done a few different LC70s in 1:8, and while I'm sure I could improve them if I rebuilt them today, I liked them! (No real Aussie-style accessories, though)

  Reveal hidden contents

2-door SUV, 4-door truck, and 2-door troop carrier, respectively (These never got full Eurobricks posts)

This is a smaller-scale LC79 I did more recently, as well:

 

 

 

I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Yea, thanks me too. I guess this competition works for me because I have to build a fully original model that isn't like any licensed set or real-life car. So it will end up having all of the features of the best and most popular Aussie offroaders rather than just look like one of them.

[CrazyKreations]

Update 4...

 

I'm trying to make this model original and envision making some changes in the future but here is what I came up with... I also have decided to make different visual configuration options for this model, for instance, I am currently making a stock bumper for the pickup but I will also try to make 2 different types of front bull bar's for the truck so I tick off the multiple 4x4 equipment off the checklist. 

 

I also took out the interior design that I had made onto the chassis early for some tweaking and adjustment to see if the bodywork fits nicely on the chassis.

 

 

I initially tried to take some inspiration from this Ford Ranger Pickup truck, but this inspiration is only for the front grill and more or less the lights. The final model will barely resemble the image below but it was nice to see that my front design isn't too different. I mean, it has to be generic anyway 

 

[Paul B Technic]

That is coming along well.

 

[CrazyKreations]

Update 5...

 

So I did quite a bit of work on the model, the major modifications I have made are the following:

• Flatbed rear tray
• Openable side compartments for the flatbed
• adjusted placement of the battery box
• Snorkel added
• New front bull bar design. It's similar to the tubed front bull bar that most land cruisers in Australia have.

I am still planning on making another front bull bar design that can be used interchangeably and some stickers for the truck. A canopy for the flatbed also called a tradie tray, is also needed. PS. I am adding an extra light for the spotties on top of the roof, I only left it at 3 because I couldn't find another one for now!

 

 

The image above was some inspiration. There is a lot of work to still be done but I am happy with this progress so far. Tomorrow I am playing to get a lot of things done and hopefully, finish up most of the pickup truck. I can't wait to also commence the making of my 2 wheeled camper trailer that will complete this competition entry!

 

[2GodBDGlory]

Nice progress, and I look forward to seeing more!

But (gasp!), why does your Australian truck have a Michigan license plate? ;)

[CrazyKreations]

2 hours ago, 2GodBDGlory said:

Nice progress, and I look forward to seeing more!

But (gasp!), why does your Australian truck have a Michigan license plate? ;)

Thanks. 

I will try to make an Australian licence plate , that is a good idea. (Ford Raptor donor set is showing itself a bit too much ;) )

[CrazyKreations]

Big Update 6...

 

I have looked at more photos of the generic Aussie pickup and Overlander setup/build and I have now done another big modification to the orange rig. Now here is a little rundown of everything I have done today:

• Made little stickers for the doors and tradie tray canopy
• Designed 2 canopies for the flatbed. I initially thought of using the double door setup which would give 4 openable doors to access the tools and other equipment but the openings weren't that useable as they were a bit small and it was a bit of a tight squeeze for the fingers. So with that in mind, I redesigned the canopy to only have 1 opening door on each side. I will include photos of both canopy door configurations.
• Changed the spotties on the top from 3 to 4 spotties. There is a law in WA about it being unlawful to have 3 spotties at the top, but you can have 2 or 4+ spotties which is weird. I had no idea and I still don't fully understand that law but I guess I don't need to for a Lego pickup :)
• Canopy now has a slide-out benchtop
• Added a stronger tow hitch
• Tradie tray has a trundle drawer at the back
• Spare wheel mounts on the flatbed and canopy have been added
• I have tried to make a small rooftop tent that looks cool when it's been set up fully (It was only for fun as I am planning on making a camper trailer to complete this contest submission)
• New front Bull Bar design
• The rear suspension has been made stiffer to accommodate the extra weight of the tradie tray.
• The drivetrain has been geared down

Now here are some photos of the changes I have made and how the truck looks now...

Above is the design I chose to keep. It has 2 side doors in total whereas the design below has 4 doors that can be opened. I like the 2 door one above as it is cleaner and feels more polished than the sharp edges of the 4 door one below.

I hope for the design to resemble this photo of a tradie tray below:

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Let me also add the photos of the different mods that I have designed in total for this aussie rig!

 

I hope you guys are liking how it is turning out so far!!!!

[NV Lego technic]

I absolutely love it! Will there be instructions?

[CrazyKreations]

37 minutes ago, NV Lego technic said:

I absolutely love it! Will there be instructions?

Oooo, that's a tough one... I'll think about it. It depends if there are a few people interested in building it I guess

 

Edited August 17, 2024 by CrazyKreations
mods

[gyenesvi]

This turned out really nice! I also thought about building an AWD car with live axle suspension at this scale, but hadn't gotten the time for it yet. I like your implementation, the torsion bar is a good idea here and it's nicely done, I like how the upper link acts as the spring mechanism as well, and the way the torsion bar is fixed at an angle. The bodywork also came out cool!

[CrazyKreations]

46 minutes ago, gyenesvi said:

This turned out really nice! I also thought about building an AWD car with live axle suspension at this scale, but hadn't gotten the time for it yet. I like your implementation, the torsion bar is a good idea here and it's nicely done, I like how the upper link acts as the spring mechanism as well, and the way the torsion bar is fixed at an angle. The bodywork also came out cool!

Thanks mate, there’s still a few extra mods I’m doing but I’m glad that you like it. I hope your build goes well when u start it!

[Paul B Technic]

This has really turned out well, the level of detail is amazing.

[CrazyKreations]

4 hours ago, Paul B Technic said:

This has really turned out well, the level of detail is amazing.

Thanks, it isn't over yet :)