Aeromax Daycab Dump 6x6 (Update: 4/23)

[hauler_10-4]

Looking good Rod. Cant wait to see how you build the dump bed.

[B-Train Hauler]

Yes, very nice build so far!
I want to start a dumper build soon, i'll follow next steps for sure!

[cummingsman29]

Looking good Rod is the front drive shaft from rc4wd?

[Stepside]

Tks Fellahs

Front driveshaft is custom made, traxxas stampede/rustler shafts. Travi hooked me up w/ the part #'s

I think I may get that short shaft from RC4wd for between the rears tho...

[fhhhstix]

Rod you may want to drop your trans some to reduce the angle on the front drive shaft. I also noticed you have both ends of the front springs mounted solid which will take away a lot of the articulation of the suspension making the front axle more rigid. Just some things to consider and I want you to be happy with the performance when your done.


Travis

[Stepside]

tks for the input. As for the shaft angle, i'm good there, but barely. I had to notch out the joints so that it the front shaft would turn both when engaged and disengaged. Its close, but works smooth. I drove the chassis around using only the front axle for drive! FWD straight truck!

as for the suspension, I originally kept the shackle in, at the rear of the spring, but found the axle was too high under the chassis. I wanted to maintain the factory ride height. I figured unless I do a 4 link on the front axle, its probably not going to have much articulation anyway

can you post a pic of a front axle setup in one of your 6x6's ?

[Dreamweaver]

Rod what about just moving the frame side of the shackle up a bit so that the spring side is just below the frame. Space it out a little if you have to for clearance. I agree with Travis on the need for the shackle.

One thing to remember with adding the shackle, when adding that travel and the extreme angle of the drive line it could cause problems when the front end is allowed to function properly.

I think being right on the very edge of functioning or not could be problematic, when you test drove it did you take it off road?

Like Travis, just want you to be happy with it when done. A little extra breathing room would give ya more piece of mind I think.

Anyway it's looking good.

[Lil Giants]

Gotta have them shackles in the springs Rod!



And your tie rod is on the wrong side of the axle too!

[Stepside]

Some more progress! Got the body mounted. I knew after I had the trans mounted that I was about 1/8" to 3/16" out of the rear of the cab, so I had to build a small dog box to get everything enclosed. Also used the factory cab mount to add some real estate inside for mounting electronics.

I ordered a full set of topcad off road tires, once they come in & I get them mounted, I am going to check out the front axle & suspension to see if I need more clearance for the offroad tires...

[Stepside]

Topcad's came in today!

[RAIDERS]

Looking good.. how do those tires compare to the cross force tires.....

[GlobelinerBrad]

those look nice on there!

[Espeefan]

Those tires look great!

[Stepside]

Thanks for the comments guys. I appreciate it.

Originally Posted by RAIDERS

Looking good.. how do those tires compare to the cross force tires.....

as for a comparison to cross force, I can't help out in that regard much as I dont have any on hand. I believe the cross force are softer. These tires are very close in height and width to the stock tamiya tires. They are slightly stiffer also, I think because the walls seem thicker. it seems that they are wedged into the channels on the rims where the bead seats; the tamiya tires fit completely in the bead, whereas these seem to wedge into the bead and not completely fit down in it...

if that makes sense! If you look at the shot of the rear drives, you can almost see that the tire's sidewall doesn't touch the outer edge of the rim.

[RAIDERS]

Thanks stepside...going to have to get a set for F.G.D.dump i have.thanks .. ...

[Stepside]

Originally Posted by RAIDERS

Thanks stepside...going to have to get a set for F.G.D.dump i have.thanks .. ...

No problem! I think you'll be happy w/ them.


Update from this weekend: Got the dump box started. Tub is in and sides are bent... ordering some stock to get the posts going... got to design/cut/shape a front bulk head also... I'm excited thus far:

[fhhhstix]

Looks good Rod. I would not get to excited about fastening the bed together before you get the screw drive built or the bed may sit to high on the truck.

Travis

[Bsorenson79]

Awsome build!! I'm always looking forward to your build up dates. I was wondering what gauge aluminum are you using for the dump body?

[Espeefan]

Nice start on the box, Rod. At first I thought it was one piece, and I was going to ask how you got the bends so close together, at the floor. I never saw a box and pan brake, or a brake press that could do something so tight, but then I saw the sides are separate pieces and you'll make the floor separate too? That's cool.

[Stepside]

Originally Posted by fhhhstix

Looks good Rod. I would not get to excited about fastening the bed together before you get the screw drive built or the bed may sit to high on the truck.

Tks Travis! I actually have the box sitting on that 5/8" channel that we talked about the other day, so I'm sitting at the proper height. Once I get the box built and hinged, I'll work on the screw drive... under your close supervision!

Originally Posted by Bsorenson79

Awsome build!! I'm always looking forward to your build up dates. I was wondering what gauge aluminum are you using for the dump body?

tks bill! the aluminum is .025" thick, great to work with. When I built my dump trailer (4 years ago!!! wow!) I used all 1/16" material for the sides and 1/8" thick piece for the floor!!! It weighs in at 17 pounds empty! I'm going to build a new dump trailer after this dump truck project is wrapped up.

Originally Posted by Espeefan

Nice start on the box, Rod. At first I thought it was one piece, and I was going to ask how you got the bends so close together, at the floor. I never saw a box and pan brake, or a brake press that could do something so tight, but then I saw the sides are separate pieces and you'll make the floor separate too? That's cool.

Thanks Nathan. Right now I have 3 aluminum pieces on the bed: 2 sides and a central tub, a U piece to tie it all together. I'm excited to get more done and make it look like more than a pile of sheetmetal!