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

[Stepside]

Wow! Its been a LONG time since I hit the "New Thread" button on the trucks & trailers section!!!! Glad to be back! :D

New project is an Aeromax Daycab with 6x6 driveline and dump box :D Looking to do a screw-drive mechanism for the dump; installing an R2 DIG trans to engage/disengage the front axle.

A couple of pics at the present: Sleeper cut off, TLT axle installed:

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/DSCF0015.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/DSCF0016.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/DSCF0017.jpg

[Brian in PA]

Looks like a good start Rod. It looks a lot different then the day you had it at my garage:D

[fhhhstix]

Looks like a good start Rod. What are you going to do for a dump box?

Travis

[cummingsman29]

Maybe a pull of coming up at the next show! Looks good!

[Stepside]

Looks like a good start Rod. What are you going to do for a dump box?

Travis

going to take a stab at building one... I got a brake this summer and some sheet aluminum in preparation to build a new dump trailer.... then i got the bug to build a straight truck... so I'll do the box on the straight truck first...

[Diesel Demond]

looks like shes gonna have some snort!

[heavy_duty]

I'll be watching.Its gonna be great.Which style of box are you shooting for?

Ed

[Tamiya Cowboy]

Great to see you building a new project Rod keep the up dates coming..

[Stepside]

I'll be watching.Its gonna be great.Which style of box are you shooting for?

I'll be going with an East style dump box... can't wait!

Great to see you building a new project Rod keep the up dates coming..

Tks! I think its funny that my 3 photos "qualify" this a build thread haha! I'll keep 'em coming tho... got the R2D trans in yesterday and its going to be a bugger to get in there, but I think I have plan... its like "plan E" at this point... A-D didn't work... ;)

[tc1cat]

Looks like a great start on a new build. Great color choice. Always partial to blue- even on a Ford!!

[Snochaser]

Rod, I'm sure you'll do another fine job. Will you be installing lights, MFU, smoke generator, mudflap lifts, working wipers, heated bed, and air ride cab? I wouldn't expect anything less. :D:D

Ben

[gun]

looking good Rod ! I have a question did u put the tlt in up side down on your truck or did i put mine in wrong ?:eek::eek::eek:

[fhhhstix]

looking good Rod ! I have a question did u put the tlt in up side down on your truck or did i put mine in wrong ?:eek::eek::eek:

All 5 of mine are in the same way as Rods. The way the holes are in the axles it is the easiest way to install them. However if you want to use the servo mount and have the servo on the axle the mounts should go up.:cool: But then again you are backwards GUN.:p:D

Travis

[Stepside]

I may flip the axle, we'll see where i mount the steering servo. Depends on where I put my transfer case shifting servo... hopefully I'll get the driveline in this weekend...

Travis has been a huge help on this project thus far... with the axle, installation of, driveshafts, etc... tks sir! :cool:

[fhhhstix]

Your welcome I am glad I could help.

Travis

[gun]

All 5 of mine are in the same way as Rods. The way the holes are in the axles it is the easiest way to install them. However if you want to use the servo mount and have the servo on the axle the mounts should go up.:cool: But then again you are backwards GUN.:p:D

Travis
If you flip the axle over will it spin the wrong direction or am I missing something ? :confused:

[ihbuilder]

If you flip the axle over will it spin the wrong direction or am I missing something ? :confused:

yep , a few bricks :p Shane you just adjust your rear axles accordingly :rolleyes:

looks good Rod good to see you building again

[gun]

yep , a few bricks :p Shane you just adjust your rear axles accordingly :rolleyes:

looks good Rod good to see you building again

:p THAT IS EASY ENOUGH ! SORRY TO POST JACK YOU ROD BUT MY SIMPLE WAY OF THINKING HAD ME ON THE WRONG PATH :eek::eek::eek::D

[CorbettTrailers]

Looks great so far Rod. I'm thinking CummingsMan is right, we need a pull off in march. Heck every meet we need a scale drag strip complete with the pulling sled. Wow, Brilliance. I just might start a build of a drag strip.
Oh almost forgot. Rod, what are you planning for transmission and reduction. That's what I need to see. My last try didn't turn out so well. Can't wait to see the updates!

[Stepside]

Finally, an update! :eek: I have been working on this, trust me! One of the most difficult tasks that I had to overcome was re-mounting the engine from the rear of the trans to the front. I had to do this so that the engine would not stick out of the back of the cab!!!

The main argument then becomes, get the trans far enough back from the front axle and yet far enough ahead to that it doesn't stick out of the back of the cab... and of course low to enough so that the front driveshaft doesn't bind.. and yet high enough so there's clearance... and on and on...

Here's where I sit now: 3 servos installed: steering, 4x4 shift, and 2 spd shift, ESC, and Receiver:
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0834.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0836.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0838.jpg


RC4WD Dig Trans:
http://tracgear.com/product/rc4wd/custom/transmission/Dig/g3/DSC_7911.jpg

http://tracgear.com/product/rc4wd/custom/transmission/Dig/g3/DSC_7912.jpg

Here's with my mods to mount the motor on the front of the trans:
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0840.jpg


I'll post a video of the front axle engaging/dis-engaging, but for now, here are a couple of pics. The 4wd servo barely travels at all:

Engaged in 4x4:
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0841.jpg

Dis-engaged:
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0842.jpg



Next up, mount the body, enclose the rear and do some bodywork!

[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 :cool:

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! :eek:

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! :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/protrker/oct%2026%2007/Dec%2015%2008/IMG_2270.jpg

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...

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0883.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0884.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0885.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0886.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0888.jpg

[Stepside]

Topcad's came in today! :D

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0891.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0892.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0893.jpg

[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.

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]

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:

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0894.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0895.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0896.jpg

:D:D:D

[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]

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! ;)

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.

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! :cool:

[apfubar]

So how do you plan to join the box together? Glue/Weld/JB Weld?

Looking forward to seeing this!

Cheers,
AP

[Stepside]

AP

tks for the comment! I will assemble a majority of the box using 3mm screws from the inside out. The exterior vertical posts will accept those screws and hold most of it together... looking forward to getting more progress done soon!

[Dairyland Trucker]

You don't see to many of the AeroMax dumps on the road here anymore I saw one here the other day.

[CorbettTrailers]

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.

Hey Rod, Just a quick question. Are you gonna look closer at making the tires fit more properly or are you gonna just leave them the way they are? I did notice in the picture. Curious though if you wouldn't have mentioned it if it was really noticable. But Since we knew what to look for it stuck right out to me.
Nice build so far. I will be watching this to the end. Great job!

[Stepside]

thanks for the comments guys. As for the tires, I think I will keep them as is. The thicker sidewall within the rim bead seems to make a tight seat and I believe I won't need to glue the tires, but we'll see.

I did some work this weekend on the dumpbox, looking to post some pics soon

[Stepside]

small update... got the front bulkhead made. turned out great, very happy with the results. Working on the cab protector & waiting on hardware to start assembling the box. still have the protective film on the aluminum!

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0935.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w28/hotrod075/Aeromax%206x6/IMG_0934.jpg

[myhobbie]

I really like the tires too. Quick question, how are you bonding the aluminum? Welding? It looks great.

[Brian in PA]

looking good driver. the bed is coming along nicely.