Marlin Crawler Formula Toyota Buildup

[BigMike]

Sorry off topic, but yes my 2 has been retired indefinitely. Its sitting in my back yard right now. Last time I drove it on the streets was back in Oct..

[Willy Mammoth]

Mike came through and got it fired up last night. It lives. Andy is putting the steering hoses on now. Later today it will go up on the trailer under it's own power for the first time.

       This thread is worthless without video  

[Marketing]

The new computer and coil assembly came in and Mike spent a few hours plugging it in. The used starter we found in the back yard did not work. After replacing the starter with starter that Marlin rebuit the motor fired up at 10 PM tuesday night.



Today custom power steering hoses were connected between the box and pump.

[Marketing]

We were planning to use a samurai radiator but some at the shop believed this was just going to be too small to get the job done. A new custom sized radiator is currently being made.

CJ gets the honor of being the first to drive the buggy.



Just a quick check of the tcase, trans brakes to make sure all is well.


Now the truck is on it's way to have the aluminum body panels cut and installed.

[FATB0Y]

       This thread is worthless without video  

What he said

[Skinny_Pedal]

i think u guys should reconsider the body panels. it looks so sick right now just bare

[TEXXX]

i want one!!!

[BigMike]

i think u guys should reconsider the body panels. it looks so sick right now just bare

F-Toy regulations require certain areas of the buggy to be covered up.

CJ gets the honor of being the first to drive the buggy.

HA! Jokes on CJ, I already moved it a couple of times last night!   4 Pluck Clutch felt really nice

[88runner]

    This thread is worthless without video   

I don't think you want to hear BigMike scream like a little girl     

[scheid6996]

lookes sweet

[Marketing]

For sheet metal work we went to a long time industry pro Ed Datin. Ed, the owner of Datin Fabrication in Hemet CA, has put aluminum skins on literally hundreds of race trucks over the years and has all the tools to make them fast and easy. It took Ed and I two full days to make and mount 24 panels.



Starting with construction paper, Ed cuts out patterns for each panel.

[Marketing]

Each paper pattern is layed out on large 8' X 12' sheets of .050" thick aluminum. The patterns are traced and cut from the sheets.

[Marketing]

The panels are test fit in place and adjustments made as needed.

[Marketing]

For holes, special punches are used to pop holes into the aluminum with out the problems coused by hole saws.





Cutting wheels and auger bits are used to open up slots for seat belts mounts.

[Marketing]

Dzus fasteners are used in the corners of most of the panels to allow for easy removal and installation. Dzus fasteners allow for fast/easy removal of panels when needed.

On the floor and firewall pop rivets and sheet metal screws will be used when we are ready for the final assembly.

[KYOTA]

the MC F-Toy is definately the sickest one thats been built, looking awesome fellas cant wait to look it over at the roundup.

[RUGER]

thats awesome

happy trails
rich *ruger*  

[scheid6996]

shwint! wuts the work gone cost ya?

[TrackVino]

When are you expecting to get it back to the shop?

Looks really good by the way 

[88runner]

For holes, special punches are used to pop holes into the aluminum with out the problems coused by hole saws.

I have a punch just like that but smaller dia. I can't even remember the last time I used it
it works like a paper punch

[gonzo]

Greenlee punch? Looks great.

[Willy Mammoth]

  How's it comming? We need the skinny on the progress don't ya know.  to see that fancy sheet metal work.

[gonzo]

How's it comming? We need the skinny on the progress don't ya know. to see that fancy sheet metal work.

We need a progress report.  Been waiting too long

[scheid6996]

still waiting

[gonzo]

still waiting

Still waiting some more.     

[Marketing]

Andy built the exhaust system and has mounted it up as high as possible. Heat wrap is used under the floor near the drivers feet to keep the heat under control. The muffler is mounted above the rear diff to try to protect it. The muffler is free flowing as few bends as possible. The muffler keeps the rig as quite as a stock truck.

[Marketing]

Rocky and Andy created a winch mount by welding a plate in-between the radiator mount rails.



The winch we are using is the new light weight 9.0R Warn winch. This light weight winch is just 58 lbs with the controller. It's spool holds 50' of 3/8 line. Winch line is on order from Rockstomper and should arrive soon.


The red color will make a good match with the side panels!

[Marketing]

Rocky drives up and down behind the shop. During the test we found that the Samurai radiator is not going to be big enough. It just can't keep the motor cool enough. Most of the panel work still has not been installed but it's coming together.









This weekend Marlin is planning to take the buggy to "Cruise Moab". In order to allow the truck to run cooler Angelo and I ripped out the undersized radiator and replaced it with a larger one we had at the shop. This will larger radiator will serve temporary duty until a custom aluminum radiator is built.

Marlin wants to hammer on the latest version of his Front/All/Rear transfer case so the prototype tcase and rear turning brakes were installed for some weekend testing.

[bmxanddie]

wow, that black tube with red panel looks really good.

[Marketing]

Yes, we all like it here at the shop.