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Trophy Truck

December 12th, 2013 Leave a comment Go to comments

Simple high-performance model built for off-road speeding. Features RWD propulsion system and long-travel suspension. Building instruction for its chassis is available in the Downloads section.

Datasheet:

Completion date: 23/11/2013
Power: electric (RC unit)
Dimensions: length 45 studs / width 29 studs / height 24 studs (not including antennae)
Weight: 1.127 kg
Suspension: front – independent / read – dragged axle
Propulsion: 2 x RC motor geared 1:1
Motors: 2 x RC motor
Top speed: 12.6 kmph

The building instruction for the model’s chassis is available here.

This model was put together in a total of 6 hours, simply because I wanted to put the new suspension arms from the 42021 Snowmobile set to test, and because I was interested in how much speed I can get from two RC motors rather than four. It was ugly and it looked nothing like a proper trophy truck, but its performance has far surpassed all my expectations.

Typical trophy trucks are by definition the fastest off-road vehicles in existence. Their relatively low weight coupled with powerful engines (reaching well over 700 HP of power) makes them spend a lot of time in air, thus requiring robust and long-travel suspension systems. Their front suspensions are particularly characteristic as they employ extra-long suspension arms.

I have built a chassis that had all the characteristics of a regular trophy truck while being extremely robust, then put some crude body on top of it, basically trying to keep the weight low. Interestingly, the weight could not be too low, because when it was less than 1 kg, the traction on rear wheels was so poor that the chassis tended to spin uncontrollably due to the lack of a differential.

The performance of the model is best seen on the video below. The suspension turned out to work phenomenally, with the 9-studs long suspension arms and vertical shock absorbers, in front and the single axle built around the RC motors in the back, capable of going up and down, but also having enough backlash to tilt left and right slightly. It was robust enough to withstand jumps from any height and onto any surface, driving around in mud and water (luckily the wheels were set too far apart to splash the RC unit in the middle) and it was easily fixed after numerous collisions. The combination of weight, power, traction, suspension softness and steering lock was splendid – while the model’s acceleration wasn’t too high, its stability, its speed and the way its steering system reacted provided the best driving experience I’ve ever had with a Lego model up to this date. And the final weight was exactly right to make the model spin only intentionally and never by chance.

I feel the model has achieved all the important goals, despite its evident ugliness. It was extremely fun to drive, it sustained literally zero damage after all I put it through, and I’ve had tons of fun working on the video.

Work in progress photos:

dsc07269.jpg dsc07283.jpg

Photos:

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Video:

Categories: Cars Tags: ,
  1. Aiden
    December 27th, 2014 at 00:34 | #1

    It kind of worked…

  2. Aiden
    December 27th, 2014 at 00:33 | #2

    “It was ugly and it looked nothing like a proper trophy truck, but its performance has far surpassed all my expectations.”
    I completley dis-agree, it looks awesome.
    I tried to make something that drives as close to that as possible, but without the rc motors and that stuff. as such, it is not very impressive in comparison…
    Or not very impressive at all…

  3. Sariel
    October 16th, 2014 at 14:24 | #3

    @Alexander Epple
    Thank you. These are common wheels, found e.g. in the 8651 set.

  4. Alexander Epple
    October 16th, 2014 at 13:41 | #4

    Hi Sariel, this is one of my favorite videos you made. I can really feel the fun you had with that trophy truck! I decided to build a buggy that shall have similar characteristics as your truck and i have one questions: What wheels are those, from wich set?
    By the way: I can’t wait to see what you build with the new rare shock absorbers !

  5. Sariel
    July 25th, 2014 at 09:23 | #5

    @Davide
    I don’t have any instructions other than what you can find here: http://sariel.pl/downloads/

  6. Davide
    July 24th, 2014 at 21:06 | #6

    Hello, I’m Davide and I’m 13 and I write you from Italy.
    I like your protect and I’d like to ask you the instruction of the trophy truck to build it.

    Many tanks in advance.

    Ciao Davide.

  7. Reinhard
    May 26th, 2014 at 12:11 | #7

    Wow!!!!!! I like the suspension! Funny sponsor, HAMSTER, it fits!

  8. Sariel
    April 8th, 2014 at 12:50 | #8

    @Witherley
    They’re both good.

  9. Witherley
    April 8th, 2014 at 12:40 | #9

    @Sariel

    Also another question: Seeing you use the old style steering hubs with the 42021 suspension arms put a question in my head; Which is better, the old or new suspension arms?

  10. Sariel
    April 6th, 2014 at 09:44 | #10

    @Witherley
    Yes, it does.

  11. Witherley
    April 6th, 2014 at 00:22 | #11

    Does the RC unit have return to centre steering? Because I want to make Tumbler-like vehicle and I want to find out if it’s worth my while to buy the RC system and motors or to simply use PF.

  12. Sariel
    March 30th, 2014 at 12:52 | #12

    @Michael
    Well, I guess you can modify it if you’re into electronics.

  13. Michael
    March 29th, 2014 at 22:34 | #13

    As far as the RC… can you use another controller or will the receiver only pair with a Lego controller? -Your stuff is awesome BTW. I love the gear ratio calculator, I used it to calculate the final out put of a series of gears I built for SNG.

  14. Sariel
    March 18th, 2014 at 09:47 | #14

    @langero
    RWD.

  15. langero
    March 18th, 2014 at 09:26 | #15

    is this 4wd or rwd

  16. Sariel
    March 15th, 2014 at 14:39 | #16

    @ethan24
    It’s radio-controlled, so of course the range is much better.

  17. ethan24
    March 15th, 2014 at 12:53 | #17

    thanks for telling me where i could get it
    is it worth it or is the range the same as the ir receiver

  18. Sariel
    March 9th, 2014 at 09:33 | #18

    @ethan24
    I don’t know if you should change the motors, and the RC unit is here: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=6272c01

  19. ethan24
    March 9th, 2014 at 08:40 | #19

    i am making an rc car it works like a tank (no steering) it is 4wd it uses 2xPF medium 2xPF xl
    should i change motors? also where can i find the rc unit you used in this

  20. Alexander
    February 14th, 2014 at 21:45 | #20

    Ok I now see what you mean.

  21. Sariel
    February 12th, 2014 at 21:53 | #21

    @Alexander
    Because I already did that and it sucked?
    http://sariel.pl/2013/10/dakar-truck/

  22. Alexander
    February 12th, 2014 at 21:26 | #22

    why not make it a bit longer or higher and give it 4 rc motors and two units? wouldn’t it give it more speed?

  23. Sariel
    January 17th, 2014 at 21:51 | #23

    @Lamboguy59
    What’s the difference?

  24. Lamboguy59
    January 17th, 2014 at 18:57 | #24

    Your shocks are upside down. Its coil over shock.

  25. Sariel
    January 4th, 2014 at 00:27 | #25
  26. Zach
    January 4th, 2014 at 00:25 | #26

    What is the weird piece in the beginning of the chassis instructions? And we’re did you get it? Thanks

  27. Zach
    January 4th, 2014 at 00:13 | #27

    Thanks so much!!!

  28. Sariel
    January 3rd, 2014 at 20:50 | #28
  29. Zach
    January 3rd, 2014 at 20:04 | #29

    Is there any way to get full instructions for all your sets or just some, I’m a big fan. Thanks

  30. December 27th, 2013 at 21:27 | #30

    I love these trophy trucks! It isn’t ugly one bit, and I really like the suspension system.

  31. Sariel
    December 20th, 2013 at 15:57 | #31

    @Dubesta11
    Is there anything wrong with the gallery above the video? These thumbnails are clickable.

  32. December 20th, 2013 at 13:57 | #32

    Hello, I was wondering if you had a gallery of those full sized photos, they would be good for my background 🙂

  33. December 15th, 2013 at 21:28 | #33

    lol, great video and great job!! Congrats from Catalonia.

  34. andy
    December 13th, 2013 at 02:37 | #34

    so awesome!!

  35. lapa
    December 12th, 2013 at 17:56 | #35

    great work. i would really try to dump the suspension with small pneu cylinders. i know it’s too late.

  36. Sariel
    December 12th, 2013 at 17:19 | #36

    @Antony
    It’s the standard antenna of the RC unit. It’s radio controlled, you know.

  37. Antony
    December 12th, 2013 at 17:10 | #37

    Ey sariel i have a question! what is that antenna you got? is it to broaden the signal? if yes, is it custom or pre-made? good work as always btw 😀

  38. MonoNick
    December 12th, 2013 at 14:39 | #38

    Thanks for the model and thanks for the instructions ! I wanted to make such a model since 3 years… (but I do not have your skills…)

  39. Sariel
    December 12th, 2013 at 10:00 | #39

    @Zippopotamus
    Not really, live axle should tilt sideways to a large degree.

  40. David
    December 12th, 2013 at 01:37 | #40

    Excellent work as always. And there is always a trade off to get what we want. I say a little ugly to get the best and most fun driving a creation is well worth that trade. Keep pushing the envelope bub.

  41. Zippopotamus
    December 12th, 2013 at 00:56 | #41

    What do you mean by “Dragged Axle”? Isn’t it a Live Axle?

  42. Sariel
    December 12th, 2013 at 00:41 | #42

    @christian
    Errr… the RC unit?

  43. christian
    December 12th, 2013 at 00:24 | #43

    Hi Sariel, great work!
    Only a question….what part is the central balck block in the chassis instruction???
    Many thanks
    Christian

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