Mini monster truck rebuild

[Hellion]

Absolutely astounding work, PP. This is going to be a masterpiece when you finish. What’s the plan for the truck body‘s finish?

Looking at the photos from post 89 I was thinking about the “old and dilapidated but is a hero” trope could be put to use, you know Tow Mater from Cars for example. Please don’t.

 

[Possom Point]

Absolutely astounding work, PP. This is going to be a masterpiece when you finish. What’s the plan for the truck body‘s finish?

I was thinking about the “old and dilapidated but is a hero” trope could be put to use, you know Tow Mater from Cars for example. Please don’t.

View attachment 164202

Much appreciated!! I want to do this right from the start best I can so it can be “serviceable” down the road for me the kids.

so I’m up in the air for the body, I’d love to do a cool paint job, however I don’t have time to paint and don’t really have a design in mind yet. BUT!!!!! The current “patina” look has been mentioned to me from several ppl I’ve shown my progress to, I think I’m leaning more towards that route. However I am seriously contemplating casting another body off of this one because they are sooooooo hard to find. I plan to finish the truck and then think long and hard on this and how I want to approach it.

I’ve watched many many videos from members here on mold making and casting body fenders and such with fiberglass work, the main issue is the mold has to be very very clean for the 1st gel coat layer and then from there laying down the fiberglass matting or sheeting. The body being kinda rough, I’m not 100% sure on how to approach that part.

 

[Grizzlymi]

The roll bar looks great! This will be so cool when it's done. You have to chrome plate the roll bar!!!!!!

 

[Denny]

Much appreciated!! I want to do this right from the start best I can so it can be “serviceable” down the road for me the kids.

so I’m up in the air for the body, I’d love to do a cool paint job, however I don’t have time to paint and don’t really have a design in mind yet. BUT!!!!! The current “patina” look has been mentioned to me from several ppl I’ve shown my progress to, I think I’m leaning more towards that route. However I am seriously contemplating casting another body off of this one because they are sooooooo hard to find. I plan to finish the truck and then think long and hard on this and how I want to approach it.

I’ve watched many many videos from members here on mold making and casting body fenders and such with fiberglass work, the main issue is the mold has to be very very clean for the 1st gel coat layer and then from there laying down the fiberglass matting or sheeting. The body being kinda rough, I’m not 100% sure on how to approach that part.

Sand prime and paint to get the body nice and smooth. Then wax the hell out of it.

 

[Hellion]

Oh man, using the current body to make clone bodies is a game changer concept. You could do it as a “service to mankind”.

What is the wheelbase on the body, like center of fender well to center of fender well -- or the wheelbase on a frame that fits the body? Just to know if it could be adapted to other kart frames...

 

[Possom Point]

This is what I have thought about, unfortunately everything was a total loss for Carter Brothers in that warehouse fire, and blueprints and or molds for the FW & Associates has since long gone, the only practical way would be to mold one from a current body.

ill have to get some measurements later and post them, that Subaru Brat body wasn’t big enough for the wheel base of this chassis and therefore didn’t work out.

 

[Hellion]

I’ll add that the body lifted over giant tires sort of makes the fender-well-fit sort of a moot point if going that route (monster truck), but I bet the body would look nice on a “stock“ truck kart with the base model style wheels tucked under.

 

[Possom Point]

Oh man, using the current body to make clone bodies is a game changer concept. You could do it as a “service to mankind”.

What is the wheelbase on the body, like center of fender well to center of fender well -- or the wheelbase on a frame that fits the body? Just to know if it could be adapted to other kart frames...

Rough measurements are 45.5” center to center on the fenders front to back.

 

[Possom Point]

I had the Roll bar powder coating for me today, it was sticking out to much in my oven for me to do it (time for a bigger one ), getting closer to the finish line. The rectangle lights are just sitting on top for pictures, hence why there crooked.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

What's your line of sight when you sit in it?
Are you low enough to look through the windshield hole or are you peering over the top.

 

[Possom Point]

I havent been able to get in it with the body on, this is a bit smaller than the Carter Monster truck, my line of sight is right at the visor/top of cab unfortunately.

 

[Hellion]

I havent been able to get in it with the body on…

I definitely think this should be incorporated into your monster truck, either hinged at the back or the front:



The thought of trying to climb over a fixed body, accidentally step on it on the wrong spot and somehow shoehorn yourself into the driver seat gives me the willies and makes me fear for that precious truck body …even if it’s clone body #54 in a sea of new bodies.