Home > Military, Truck Trial > RG-35 4×4

RG-35 4×4

August 22nd, 2011 Leave a comment Go to comments

Model of a South African MRAP vehicle. Features pendular suspension, 4×4 drive, 2-speed gearbox and lights. Β 

Datasheet:

Completion date: 18/08/2011
Power: electric (Power Functions)
Dimensions: length 41 studs / width 24 studs / height 22 studs
Weight: 2.074 kg
Suspension: pendular
Propulsion: 1 x PF XL geared 4.2:1 (low gear) / 2.5:1 (high gear)
Motors: 1 x PF XL, 3 x PF Medium

RG-35 4×4 is a modern small MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle developed by BAE Systems South Africa as a smaller variant of base RG-35 6×6. It belongs to the second generation of the MRAP vehicles, which means that it combines high level of crew protection with impressive off-road capabilities. It was introduced in the first half of 2011, which means that it’s just starting to enter service, with the Canadian Army considering a massive order.

The model was built primarily to test the wheels and gear blocks from the 8110 Unimog set. It consisted of a short, fully studless chassis enclosed in a studfull body. Both axles had pendular suspension with 4 short shock absorbers on the rear, and 4 long shock absorbers on the front axle. The front axle had a Medium motor for steering integrated into it. The 8110’s set ball joints were used to attach axles to the chassis, as I expected them to support at least part of model’s weight thus reducing the friction on the driveshaft. Both axles also included differentials, as I expected them to be necessary for a vehicle with that short wheelbase. However, the presence of the differentials had a bad impact on model’s off-road capabilities.

The chassis, despite being very short and housing tall suspension modules, housed a remotely controlled 2-speed linear gearbox, a straight six piston engine with a separate Medium motor to drive it, and it even housed a motorized front winch unit until I decided to remove it to lower the model’s centre of gravity – and all of this with the right side of the hull recessed to accommodate for a spare wheel. The model had to weight at least 2 kg to be allowed to an outdoor Truck Trial race, and I achieved this weight by adding approximately 0.25 kg using weighed bricks. They were located at the very bottom of the body, thus lowering model’s centre of gravity.

The model turned out to have very soft suspension and additionally I have somehow mistaken the set-up of the gears in the drivetrain, resulting in an unusually low gear reduction. The latter rendered the model practically unable to drive outdoors, and it was eventually destroyed in an accident while I was driving it downhill. The short chassis was a disadvantage when climbing or descending, and the model tumbled forward over its front wheel and crashed.

I believe the model had a great potential, excellent ground clearance and one of the most effective chassis I’ve ever built. This potential was wasted due to my simple error in drivetrain’s construction and due to disadvantages of its short wheelbase.

Work in progress photos:

1.jpg 2.jpg 3.jpg 4.jpg

Photos:

1.jpg 2.jpg 3.jpg 4.jpg dsc05168.jpg dsc05180.jpg dsc05184.jpg dsc05187.jpg dsc05195.jpg dsc05203.jpg dsc05204.jpg dsc05209.jpg dsc05213.jpg dsc05223.jpg dsc05227.jpg dsc05230.jpg original1.jpg original2.jpg original3.jpg originalversions.jpg

Video:

Categories: Military, Truck Trial Tags: , , ,
  1. gabry
    April 3rd, 2013 at 15:34 | #1

    @Sariel
    Well, he’s a very nice person πŸ™‚ I like his MOCs too, but in your opinion, what is the most interesting model in his gallery?

  2. Sariel
    April 2nd, 2013 at 22:26 | #2

    @gabry
    No, I only know his Lego models.

  3. gabry
    April 2nd, 2013 at 20:22 | #3

    In this website you have written the name of Andrea Grazi; do you know him? We live in two close towns, here in italy!

  4. Sariel
    February 13th, 2013 at 09:07 | #4

    @Zaxash
    It is a real thing.

    @Tony stone
    1. Let me quote the description for you: “it even housed a motorized front winch unit until I decided to remove it to lower the model’s center of gravity”.
    2. It was strong.
    3. Look at the WIP photos and at photos shot from below. It’s really not a secret.
    4. It’s in the description, right after “propulsion:”. You know, it helps to read.

  5. Tony stone
    February 13th, 2013 at 05:45 | #5

    1. Is the winch motorized?
    2. If it is how powerful was it?
    3. How do you convert from stud full to studless seamlessly?
    4. Finally, what are the gear ratios for the gear box?

  6. Zaxash
    February 13th, 2013 at 01:40 | #6

    I notice most of or all of you trial truck vehicles have pendular suspension. Is this type of suspension a real thing, or just a way to cheat making a live axle because it’s more complicated with legos? Just wondering because I’m making a trial truck of my own and I want to make it with Lugpol standards.

  7. Sariel
    February 4th, 2013 at 20:29 | #7

    @bob
    No.

  8. bob
    February 4th, 2013 at 20:27 | #8

    are you going to film it?

  9. Sariel
    February 4th, 2013 at 16:14 | #9

    @bob
    I don’t know.

  10. bob
    February 4th, 2013 at 14:37 | #10

    whens the next truck trial event?

  11. Sariel
    February 3rd, 2013 at 15:31 | #11

    @bob
    Because I put them in there.

  12. bob
    February 3rd, 2013 at 14:48 | #12

    why does it has diffs?

  13. Sariel
    January 30th, 2013 at 22:11 | #13

    @bob
    Because it protects the rest of the drivetrain from high torque.

  14. bob
    January 30th, 2013 at 17:25 | #14

    why has every trial truck gear reduction in the wheelhubs? was it just an idea? or is it a rule?

  15. Sariel
    January 11th, 2013 at 21:09 | #15

    @bob
    It’s hard to keep it narrow enough.

  16. bob
    January 11th, 2013 at 20:49 | #16

    another question: what about independent suspension on a 4×4 trial truck?

  17. Sariel
    January 11th, 2013 at 19:16 | #17

    @bob
    Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, I guess.

  18. bob
    January 11th, 2013 at 19:01 | #18

    whats the best truck trial truck you ever made?

  19. Sariel
    January 6th, 2013 at 10:22 | #19

    @Gray
    The chassis is to small for a live axle to fit in.

  20. Gray
    January 6th, 2013 at 06:57 | #20

    Why not use live axles on something like this? The ability to not only articulate each wheel but for the whole axle to move up and down would absorb a lot of shock should the vehicle take a tumble. Also you can change your shock absorber angle to be more horizontal to “push” on the rocks so you get more grip.

  21. Sariel
    November 30th, 2012 at 10:54 | #21

    @Aj
    Yes.

  22. November 30th, 2012 at 03:30 | #22

    Did you use rack and pinion for the steering?

  23. Matt
    November 30th, 2012 at 01:57 | #23

    GOLD!

    All hail the lego master. I love the suspension and drive systems. Respect!

  24. Jordan
    June 19th, 2012 at 23:59 | #24

    @Jordan
    I see it now sorry

  25. Sariel
    June 19th, 2012 at 06:33 | #25

    @Jordan
    I did, and you’re telling me it’s not enough.

  26. Jordan
    June 18th, 2012 at 23:35 | #26

    @Jordan thomas
    Ok but like next time you make a vehicle with the portal hubs on Facebook can you make like a close up picture of it.

  27. Sariel
    June 14th, 2012 at 17:55 | #27

    @jordan thomas
    No, I can’t, this model has been taken apart long ago.

  28. June 14th, 2012 at 17:49 | #28

    can you show the steering for the portal axles i cant really tell from the pictures

  29. Ben
    April 6th, 2012 at 09:30 | #29

    @Sariel
    ah, sorry i didnt see that bit πŸ™

  30. Sariel
    April 5th, 2012 at 22:48 | #30

    @Ben
    Let me quote the description above: “it even housed a motorized front winch unit until I decided to remove it to lower the model’s centre of gravity”.
    You know, that description is for people to read.

  31. Ben
    April 5th, 2012 at 22:46 | #31

    Thanks πŸ™‚
    is it mainly for looks or is it actually good in use?

  32. Sariel
    April 5th, 2012 at 15:29 | #32
  33. Ben
    April 5th, 2012 at 15:00 | #33

    Hi Sariel, Just wondering how you made the winch?

  34. Natasha Pheiffer
    March 26th, 2012 at 16:58 | #34

    Good day
    I am the communications director for the company that designed and manufactures the RG35 and would be very interested to talk to you about the great model you did. Please could you send me your contact details on my email address provided.
    Many thanks!

  35. Sariel
    March 13th, 2012 at 23:29 | #35

    @muscle_tech
    What simulator?

  36. muscle_tech
    March 13th, 2012 at 23:01 | #36

    What is the name of the simulator you used in the video? I would like one, but can’t seem to find one.

  37. Sariel
    February 8th, 2012 at 07:54 | #37

    @SPARTA
    April 14th.

  38. SPARTA
    February 8th, 2012 at 04:17 | #38

    Whens the next truck trial event?

  39. Sariel
    January 14th, 2012 at 13:17 | #39

    @LinkDestroyer33
    That depends on which suspension and how heavy is the vehicle. There’s always some friction involved, of course.

  40. LinkDestroyer33
    January 14th, 2012 at 00:03 | #40

    When you build your pendular suspension on your cars and trucks, does it produce lots of friction on the drive axle? That’s what happened to my truck when I built it.

  41. Michael
    December 18th, 2011 at 21:19 | #41

    WOW… I just finished my first front wheel drived today, with the idea of developing it further to be an 4×4… but this one is awesome πŸ™‚ for sure I will get some new ideas here.
    Great stuff!

  42. December 14th, 2011 at 06:25 | #42

    I really liked this so I tried to make a land rover forward control loosely based on this idea

  43. December 2nd, 2011 at 09:52 | #43

    Pozdrawiam Wszystkich PolakΓ³w!

  44. Sewgway
    October 25th, 2011 at 14:17 | #44

    @Sariel
    Thanks a lot for the info,and your time.I admire your work and I had really good time talking with somenone of equal interests!Thank you again.

  45. Sariel
    October 24th, 2011 at 18:51 | #45

    @Nico71
    Yes Nico, we know it. But we like our truck to look well and to be complex, hence the minimum weight limit which prevents people from building very simple light truck. Please understand, we are already bored with building ultra-light high-powered trucks. We look beyond power, we want models that are realistic, complex and challenging for the builder.

  46. October 24th, 2011 at 18:40 | #46

    Hello paul, why does the truck need to weigh 2kg ? A lighter truck is a more powerfull truck.

  47. Sariel
    October 23rd, 2011 at 18:09 | #47

    @Sewgway
    Turntable can be removed completely. Check my Jeep Wrangler instruction to see an example.

  48. Sewgway
    October 23rd, 2011 at 16:10 | #48

    @Sariel
    Thanks,I ll have to replace the knobs because I don’t have such piece,but the turntable can be replaced by a structure similar to it ,right?

  49. Sariel
    October 23rd, 2011 at 14:18 | #49

    @Sewgway
    The turntables are there to support the suspension without putting the load on the driveshaft. Yes, knobs can be replaced – but that will degrade performance.

  50. Sewgway
    October 23rd, 2011 at 13:53 | #50

    @Sariel
    I scanned your instructions of the Landrover (by the way, I am grateful that you devoted your time in making those)and I have some questions ,the turntables are there for their ability to allow their sides to move freely?or is there some sort of gear meshing on them?And can the knobs be replaced with gears in the same array or a differential?

  51. Sariel
    October 23rd, 2011 at 12:56 | #51

    @Sewgway
    It’s usually somewhere between 5:1 and 9:1, depending on weight and number of XL motors.

  52. Sewgway
    October 23rd, 2011 at 12:14 | #52

    @Sariel
    That ‘s true.One last question ,what gear reduction is usually used in trial trucks?

  53. Sariel
    October 21st, 2011 at 16:55 | #53

    @Sewgway
    Jeep would be too light for our races. There’s a minimum 2 kg weight limit and there’s no way it could be heavy enough.

  54. Sewgway
    October 21st, 2011 at 16:09 | #54

    @Sariel
    I have downloaded the instructions although I am missing some parts I will try to make ends meet should i fail with the 8070 suspension set.I insist that you keep in mind however to make a quick video of any new or old module (exclusively on that) when you come across it in the building process.This in long term will evolve in a very good source of inspiration for every builder.P.S I was thinking of making the WW2 American 1/4 ton Jeep (Willys MB).See if you can make it too!I think the overall shape of it makes it an easy build,and potentially a rough trial truck opponent.

  55. Sariel
    October 21st, 2011 at 15:54 | #55

    @Sewgway
    Well, there are at least two full instructions for complete 4×4 chassis with full suspension here: http://sariel.pl/downloads/
    Yes, 8070 set’s suspension is a good one, but not as robust as pendular suspension.

  56. Sewgway
    October 21st, 2011 at 15:51 | #56

    @Sariel
    And something quite irrelevant , is the suspension of the 8070 set good (with modifications)for off-road 4×4 vehicles?

  57. Sewgway
    October 21st, 2011 at 15:46 | #57

    @Sariel
    As a matter of fact I did before submitting the comment.There is only one ”idea” showing a suspension module but it is too old.Let me explain you I would like to see guide explaining the way you work with vehicles,and a dedicated sector for suspension and transimission models easily applicable to any vehicle(and if possible with popular parts)Thanks in advance ,I hope I ‘ve clarified my request enough. Have a good …(what time is it there? )here it is 4:47.

  58. Sariel
    October 21st, 2011 at 15:38 | #58

    @Sewgway
    Did you try browsing these: http://sariel.pl/category/ideas/ ?

  59. Sewgway
    October 21st, 2011 at 15:34 | #59

    @will
    I thought you would refer to this.This guide focuses on SCALING not bulding a vehicle.I mean that I would like to see a guide on things like : Suspension and transmission modules including the reliable 2-speed gearbox, or how to build a reliable chassis to store all these things.I don’t think there is a guide for that…Am I wrong?

  60. will
  61. Sewgway
    October 21st, 2011 at 15:09 | #61

    Greetings, I was wondering if you could make a guide on how to make a real vehicle on scale,I mean starting with the chassis or not,how to connect the structures together etc.I for one ,would find it very helpfull.

  62. Sariel
    October 19th, 2011 at 23:46 | #62

    @TheTechnicKiwi
    It would be best to do neither.

  63. October 19th, 2011 at 22:31 | #63

    For a trial truck do you think it would be better to make knob wheels slip or u-joints to break?

  64. Sariel
    October 10th, 2011 at 20:33 | #64

    @Michael304
    Only for small obstacles and light vehicles.

  65. Michael304
    October 10th, 2011 at 20:32 | #65

    Is independent suspension for an trial truck better than pendular?

  66. Sariel
    October 10th, 2011 at 18:49 | #66
  67. michael304
    October 10th, 2011 at 18:47 | #67

    Wich motors are the best for trial truck PF or RC?

  68. Sariel
    September 24th, 2011 at 22:18 | #68

    @88high
    I couldn’t even if I wanted to – this model is long taken apart.

  69. 88high
    September 24th, 2011 at 22:07 | #69

    Hey Sariel! I really like how you utilized the new unimog parts in your latest creation. I also how you incorporated the tranny in such a small vehicle. will you make some instructions for the frame? If you could, that would be awesome!

  70. SGT Jensen
    August 26th, 2011 at 21:50 | #70

    excellent! I will try that then.
    and thanks for publishing all your great inventions such as gearboxes etc.. -really works good

  71. Sariel
    August 26th, 2011 at 20:34 | #71

    @SGT Jensen
    Yes, I have. No, it can be prevented with older differentials, as you can push axles deeper inside them.

  72. SGT Jensen
    August 26th, 2011 at 16:56 | #72

    too bad to see so much hard work take a nosedive and crash…
    I really hoped for a better ending for that 8110 suspension.
    Now I have rebuilt the 8110 totally remote controlled, with PF, and used your heavy linear geabox w/2XL motors, and with great success!
    However, the Diff’s have a tendecy to “shoot” the axles under pressure, making the bevels “jump” in the diff. (this is 35 degrees climp in dry sand)
    I superglued the axles onto the gear bevels, and that helped.. Have you had similar problem? will the same occur if i rebuild the suspension with the old(wide) differentials? thx

  73. Sariel
    August 26th, 2011 at 12:07 | #73

    @Mecho12345
    That depends on the characteristics of your vehicle, so you’ll have to see for yourself.

  74. Mecho12345
    August 26th, 2011 at 12:03 | #74

    How likely is it for the gears or axle to get damaged? Also how much will the gears to slip?

  75. Sariel
    August 26th, 2011 at 11:43 | #75

    @Mecho12345
    I think that’s unlikely even for a heavy vehicle. Lego structural parts rarely break. If a damage occurs, it’s occurs usually to gear wheels or axles.

  76. Mecho12345
    August 26th, 2011 at 11:32 | #76

    1 more question: if you or one of your TrTr friends used a linear actuator bracket (common type) to drive the wheels would they break? I am building an Argo which steers with skid-steer (dispite the 6-8 wheels) and it would simplifly the suspension + drive system heaps

  77. Mecho12345
    August 26th, 2011 at 11:21 | #77

    Your welcome πŸ™‚

  78. Sariel
    August 26th, 2011 at 10:35 | #78

    @Mecho12345
    Ah, yes. Thank you.

  79. Mecho12345
    August 26th, 2011 at 10:22 | #79

    you seem to of forgotten to put this in the “truck trial” category

  80. mindstorm addict
    August 26th, 2011 at 01:45 | #80

    @Sariel Thanks

  81. Sariel
    August 25th, 2011 at 23:22 | #81

    @mindstorm addict
    No, because it’s a different kind of suspension here.

  82. mindstorm addict
    August 25th, 2011 at 17:31 | #82

    Did you used a panar road whit the pieces from the unimog?

  83. Mike
    August 24th, 2011 at 20:23 | #83

    too bad… for its accident. I think it looks very very cool, mean, really nice job!

  84. Jake
    August 23rd, 2011 at 22:54 | #84

    thanks a lot!

  85. Sariel
    August 23rd, 2011 at 22:45 | #85

    @Jake
    I print stickers on regular paper and put transparent duct tape over them.

  86. Jake
    August 23rd, 2011 at 22:39 | #86

    Hey Sariel! Its me again… I have another question πŸ™‚ Well, you make your stickers yourself, right?? I want to make stickers for my nissan patrol 1980 and I dont know how to make them. Are you using glue?

  87. shawn
    August 23rd, 2011 at 19:47 | #87

    Hey, I’m Canadian too!

  88. Sariel
    August 23rd, 2011 at 18:03 | #88

    @mindstorm addict
    Including soldiers?

  89. mindstorm addict
    August 23rd, 2011 at 17:53 | #89

    I hoped you would build a Canadian military model beacus I’m Canadian

  90. max
    August 23rd, 2011 at 15:55 | #90

    it is very nicely built

  91. Ed
    August 23rd, 2011 at 15:28 | #91

    yay! great to know my army is going to have some of these.
    if your wondering, im Canadian =D

  92. simontomi
    August 23rd, 2011 at 08:59 | #92

    Poor truck at the end πŸ˜€

  93. Sariel
    August 23rd, 2011 at 08:46 | #93

    @Nico71
    It’s not a matter of the gearbox, it’s a matter of error in gear reduction, as explained in description. The differentials weren’t a good idea too πŸ™‚
    As for Polish trucks, well, you see: we have been building light and small trucks years ago, and we got bored with it. Now we enjoy building large, complex models that are challenging to build. Also, we focus on their ability to negotiate any obstacles, not speed. You are not the first person to think our trucks are slow, but somehow people who build fast trucks are unable to drive them through our races.

  94. August 23rd, 2011 at 08:17 | #94

    climbing abilities are quite poor. You should try remove the gearbox, have a maximun weight of 1.5kg and some reduction like this : 12/20 8/24 with portal axle of course. Polish truck are so slow I think. why building big and ineficient truck when we can create light and efficient truck ? I d’ont understand why. Maybe a culture issue ?

  95. Sariel
    August 23rd, 2011 at 08:08 | #95

    @shawn
    There would be, but now that it crashed I will not be rebuilding it again πŸ™‚

  96. will
    August 23rd, 2011 at 05:46 | #96

    @shawn this was the final version

  97. August 23rd, 2011 at 04:49 | #97

    Nice. So when are you going to test it’s mine resistance πŸ˜‰

  98. shawn
    August 23rd, 2011 at 02:59 | #98

    In the final version, would there still have been room for the winch?

  99. Sariel
    August 22nd, 2011 at 23:13 | #99

    @Jake
    Nope, no damage.

  100. Jake
    August 22nd, 2011 at 23:02 | #100

    Wow its a masterpiece again! It looks very similar to the real RG-35 4×4!!! But its a pity that its offroad performance is so bad :/ As I have seen in the video the race ended very fast for you :/ Well, keep up doing your trial trucks are awesome!!! A question, have any of your pieces got damaged?? The crash was reaaalllly bad!!!

Comment pages
1 2 2050
  1. No trackbacks yet.