RC4WD Cruiser converted to leafs

[@glennmatthiesen1749]

Thank you for this very informative video! I have just started a leaf spring conversion on my RC4WD Gelande 2 Cruiser and installing a complete set of Teraflex Revolver Shackles and Z-Boxes front and rear. I was able to find the original full size installation instructions from Teraflex for installation on a Jeep YJ. The correct way, according to the original manufacturer is to orient the frame mount hinge to the outside for the front and frame mount hinge on the inside for the rear. There are no corresponding mounting holes in the frame, so I'm using Permatex Steel Weld Metal Epoxy to attach the Z-Boxes to the frame. I used some of the mounting components from the RC4WD Leaf Spring Kit to mount the Revolver Shackles at the front and oriented the hinges toward the front bumper to avoid interference with the steering linkage. I also had to shift the steering servo inboard using only the two inner mounting holes. Still a solid mount. I am using the RC4WD VVV-S0120 Ultra Scale Hardened Steel Driveshaft "Ver 2" (80mm - 110mm / 3.15" - 4.33") with no drop-out issues. I also had to purchase the RC4WD Z-S2111 Trail Finder 3 Front and Rear Leaf Spring Mounts in order to mount the Revolver Shackles at the rear of the frame. Once I have both front and rear suspension mounted to the frame, I will then determine the length of shocks to use. Currently the 80mm Rancho ones are too short. I will most likely go with 90mm ones.

[@richardkautz2947]

Love the Leaf spring suspension and the fact that you are using the Hard Body! I don't know what you guys are using for suspension ideas but I can see the use of a "traction bar" for the rear. I had a car that I installed "Slide-a-link"traction bar on the single leaf spring with a 550 hp motor and the rear end of the car would "Lift" as you applied more power. Great Truck !

[@reddsshaker3477]

I really appreciate you posting this video, and trail footage. I’m about to begin my third Gelande Cruiser build, and this will be my first one with the leaf conversion. I’m using RC4WD’s leaf conversion kit. Can’t wait to trail it!

[@new2rocks753]

Glad you enjoyed the video. The leaf conversion works really well…I definitely prefer it leafed vs linked. Good luck with yours!

[@Fourwheeljive]

FJ looks awesome and performs excellent! Well done!

[@brianwood9849]

The paint work fits that rig perfect! 👍

[@mverduzco3391]

I love the color of your Cruiser! Could you tell me what color code and brand you used?

[@new2rocks753]

Thanks! Wish I could take credit for the color, but I can't, lol. I picked up this particular body already painted from RC-Recycler, and I don't know the exact color that the builder used.

[@wiccanfpv]

I keep looking for video how to do this leaf mod but cant find anything you must give up

[@new2rocks753]

I put together a step-by-step build thread on the RC Crawler forum a few years ago. It shows you everything you need to know. www.rccrawler.com/forum/1-9-scale-rigs/552268-how-convert-links-leafs-gelande-chassis.html

[@420rc8]

sweet rigs👍🤘

[@new2rocks753]

Thanks!

[@kokilimonke]

Nice body, but something seems off on this compared to other RC4WD bodies. I tried to do some math to figure it out, and it is moust likely the hight of it. Cus the body seems so huge. The math concluded that the Hilux is close to 10 scale, the K5 Blazer is about 9.5 scale, and the Defender about 8,5 scale. This one is 8th scale, but the hight is 7.4 scale. So it dwarfs other scale rigs in its class, and seems like it does not belong. Especially in the height. Is it possible to lower it? Should had come with a lower leaf chassis from the start.

[@new2rocks753]

Angelow Doom - you bring up an interesting point about scale. Based on wheelbase, the Cruiser body is about 1:8.3 scale, which is pretty well spot on to the scale of the D90 body (92" WB 1:1 vs 90" for the FJ40, both riding on the same 10.8" WB G2 chassis). The others you mention range from 1:9th scale (Hilux/Mojave based on short bed) to 1:9.4 (K-5 Blazer) based on wheelbase, but all of these bodies have slightly different height/width proportions to allow them to fit chassis/axle combinations. The other platform option for RC4WD would have been to size the Cruiser body for the TF2 SWB chassis, which would have put it right at about 1:9 scale. But I don't mind what they've done. The body is beautiful, and the scale is within range of what's already out there. As far as the height of the Cruiser, I suspect you're comparing the height of the kit to a stock FJ40, but that's probably not apples to apples. The kit sits like it's riding on a lifted suspension, not at stock ride height. If you adjusted for that, the height scale would be in line with the WB scale. As far as lowering, it's always possible, and several of the team driver builds did just that. With the linked suspension, it's just a matter of choosing shorter shocks. With the leaf conversion, it could be lowered by going to a leaf under axle setup. Or by putting the Cruiser body on the new GCM CMAX chassis, which will have a lower natural ride height. I like the slightly lifted look for this particular truck, because I was going for a modified but still very street-worthy look. But lowered looks great, too. And as for coming with a leafed chassis to start, no arguments here! :-)

[@86nepsites]

Thats what i think also.. i think the mohave bobies are copied from the tamiya hilux. maybe they made a mold copy to reproduce it..

[@AngelowDoom]

Well by my calculation the Mojave is closer to 1/10 scale like the other tamiya bodies. And the cruiser is closer to 1/7. This is calculated by overall dimensions, not wheelbase. And if you own many different rc4wd models, or drive against them, it's wierd with the scale difference. But not much to do about it now, except appreciate they bother to put out new toys for us at all. Just wished they could do there own bigger Hilux, and not just a tamiya copy. Or scale the other truck according to the rest of there lineup.

[@86nepsites]

yeah, i own two tf2, two gelande 2 D90 and 1 D110 and also rcmodelex LC80 kit. the rcmodelex lc80 kit is a nice partner for this cruiser and D90/110 i think, they are bigger.. ill get my LC70 next month from asiatees, i hope its not small....

[@merla118]

Hi! The forum link doesn't work.

[@new2rocks753]

Not sure why the link didn't work for you (I tried on a couple of devices), but I just added a second link to my thread on RC Crawler with the same how-to. See if that works better for you.

[@reddsshaker3477]

Works for me.

[@JoseGarcia-yk3dl]

What wheels are installed?

[@new2rocks753]

Hi, Jose. Those are RC4WD 1.9 Tarantula beadlocks. I have more details on the setup in the description under the video. :-)

[@JoseGarcia-yk3dl]

VEry thanks! ;)