First Clod build thread! - Lots of pics

Manfjourde

Manfjourde

Contributor
Well I really wanted to do this, I know it isn't anything new or ground breaking as a Clod Pounder, but it was an accomplishment for me because it was my first all out build and the truck itself is a tribute to my late father.

First, I need specifically to thank:
william g - countless bits of advice and pictures on how to build a truck and what he did on the Support the Troops Clod Pounder
MiRatlhed - pictures of his Clod Pounder and measurements and plenty of advice
Brett at CPE - for having such quality awesome parts and good sales, countless emails and advice on the build
JKRacing37 - electronic advice and help
Kevin at Vinyl7 - made the awesome lettering for the rear window

So many more of you have given me so much help and advice and I can't make a list of all of you, so THANKS!

Clodbuster Tires
CPE-WHL1 Clodbuster White Wheels
CPE-4LCNC Machined Lower 4-Link Set
CPE-AXL1 Clodbuster Inner Axle Stiffeners
CPE-SER2 Clodbuster Multi-Purpose Servo Mount
CPE-SHK2 Machined Upper Shock Spacer Kit
CPE-GPV3CONV Ground Pounder v3 Conversion Kit
BS704-004b Ground Pounder Chassis Brace Set
BS704-002b Chassis Plate
BS704-013gm Collar
BS704-004b Main frame shaft
TAM84027 Super Clod Axle Kit
1/4" X .049" aluminum tube
6-32 all thread
PRO320500 Pro-line 1970 Ford F-100
4016M Venom Battery Mount Axial AX10 Scorpion
BBB8302 Big Ball Bearings Clod 24 set
HN31 HPI MT2 Rear Shock Pair
C22936SILVER Integy Alloy Upper Link Mount Super Clod
X-0026 RC4WD Aluminum Wheel Hub & Widener with Barrel Nuts
1942 Traxxas Rod Ends
3247-00 2008 F-250
3205-00 1970F-100
Junfac 17mm barrel nuts


I started buying parts and getting everything I needed together.


Building Axles!


Drilling and modifying the axles for braces


Chassis put together and painted - next time I am gonna paint and clear coat it and WAIT a week. I waited about 3 days and I don't think the clear coat had completely cured


This is when I though the axles were crooked - installing the upper links straightened them out

Straight!


I was gonna mount the plate in the stock location but it wouldn't work so I had to cut it and mount it lower in the chassis which gave it a lower COG so better in the end


I built my own links and it was so fun! I used 6-32 all thread with 1/4" .049 wall and Traxxas 1942 rod ends - it all fit perfectly! a 6-32 tap too.

6" uppers


Coming together



I was irritated working on the truck so...I started on the body

 
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Manfjourde

Manfjourde

Contributor
Sweet - ESCs and motores arrived! Time to solder all of the plugs, bullets, and y-harnesses



This is what had me so irritated, getting those wires into a Traxxas plug was ridiculous:bang! Some sweat and a little cussing later, it worked:tmb


Don't mask a body with ads (all I had) LOL, it was hard to tell what was masked and what wasn't:bang


I had to cut a little more out of the plate and battery cup to get it to mount how I wanted



These Tacon motor wires get in the way of the chassis compressing fully so I am missing out on about 1/4" of travel on the shocks:ack still trying to get this figured out


Testing motors, ESCs, and all the electronics!


Everything worked, I can't say how happy I was and how successful I felt when everything all started working!
 
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Manfjourde

Manfjourde

Contributor
I'm a major dork and forgot to mark the body mounts on the body before painting so I had to be a little creative, the flashlight worked great!:willy


All together and working smooth! This was my first body I painted and I did it all with cans, Krylon Fusion and Pactra - a little pinstriping too



I used some black pinstriping to do the windows


 
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Manfjourde

Manfjourde

Contributor
Topless:tmb







This is my Dad, best friend and guy I knew. He got me my first RC (Nitro Stampede) when I got my Eagle Scout a little over 11 years ago and he got one too - we had so much fun racing and driving together! He passed away in 2005 due to cancer and lived an awesome life!


This is his truck that he drove, it's a 1972 F250, all original paint. My bros and I and mom's new husband have worked on restoring/rebuilding the engine and what not. It's a fun truck! This pic is from a few years ago

More recently



A vid
[video=youtube;QxNkQxQ7z0Q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxNkQxQ7z0Q[/video]

Hope you like, I had so much fun building this! I can now see how it is an addiction, driving is only half the fun!:tmb
 
william g

william g

Retired
Moderator
Great build :tmb
Even better story :kudo

That came out very nice, it looks superb for a first custom scratch build so you should be very proud. :)
 
B

Brian34

Well-Known Member
Wow ! Top quality build there !
I'm sorry if I missed it, but what's the wheelbase on this truck ?
Was the chassis difficult to paint ?
Just a thought, you may want to add some GP chassis cross braces, at the lower link chassis mounting points, in between the chassis plates.
I've found those points in the chassis plates dog ear pretty easy after few hard landings.

Also, one other idea I would like to offer:
those holes on the chassis plates, that are inward on the plates from where the lower links mount up, is a great place(s) tp mount CPE predator sway bars that bolt into the lower links..
:tmb:tmb:tmb:tmb:bling
 
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william g

william g

Retired
Moderator
Brian,
He needs battery access so he can't put more than 1 crossbrace on the bottom. He could make a "doubler" or pair of reinforcing blocks to beef the area up.
 
Manfjourde

Manfjourde

Contributor
Thank you so much guys! I have learned a lot through the build and so much from you and this site!:tmb As for painting the chassis it wasn't hard, just sanded with some medium/rough paper, primed, a couple coats of black, and clear coat. Like I said though, I would let the clear coat cure for a good week before putting anything together. Also, like Bill pointed out, I couldn't fit a cross brace there, I tried to put a few extra where the shocks mount though for added stability. I have noticed on my GP that this chassis like to bend:bang either way I love it!
 
Supreme Reign

Supreme Reign

Well-Known Member
Fabulous build, great story, and might I say that truck is exquisite!! Your Dad would be proud. I'm proud just looking at it. I love how the tribute letters reflect in the pickup bed. Sweeeeet!!
 
J

j-bob95

RCMT Jason
That is an awesome build. The body looks like a classic ford with the white top. I love it. You said the motor wires hit at full compression. Have you tried turning the motors over so the wires come out at the top. I would say your dad would definatly be proud.

Jason
 
joe

joe

ɹoʇɐɹʇsıuıɯpɐ
Site Administrator
Super Moderator
Moderator
Great job, Spence!
That's an awesome looking clod.
:tmb
 
Manfjourde

Manfjourde

Contributor
Supreme Reign said:
I love how the tribute letters reflect in the pickup bed. Sweeeeet!!
Click to expand...
Totally agree! That happened by chance but I think it looks great, thanks!

Have you tried turning the motors over so the wires come out at the top.
Click to expand...
I have rotated them a few times and the current position seems best. I guess it's a lesson learned:)

Thank you all for your kind words! They are amazing trucks to build, it was an awesome experience.
 
JKRacing37

JKRacing37

Well-Known Member
First of all - great build thread - very detailed and lots of photos. Awesome!

Secondly the truck came out great! Great tribute and an awesome finished product! :tmb

Finally even though it's 11 years late congrats on the Eagle Scout!!! That is one heck of an achievement!
 
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