RG-35 4×4
Model of a South African MRAP vehicle. Features pendular suspension, 4×4 drive, 2-speed gearbox and lights.
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.
@Sariel
Well, he’s a very nice person 🙂 I like his MOCs too, but in your opinion, what is the most interesting model in his gallery?
@gabry
No, I only know his Lego models.
In this website you have written the name of Andrea Grazi; do you know him? We live in two close towns, here in italy!
@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.
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?
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.
@bob
No.
are you going to film it?
@bob
I don’t know.
whens the next truck trial event?
@bob
Because I put them in there.
why does it has diffs?
@bob
Because it protects the rest of the drivetrain from high torque.
why has every trial truck gear reduction in the wheelhubs? was it just an idea? or is it a rule?
@bob
It’s hard to keep it narrow enough.
another question: what about independent suspension on a 4×4 trial truck?
@bob
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, I guess.
whats the best truck trial truck you ever made?
@Gray
The chassis is to small for a live axle to fit in.
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.
@Aj
Yes.
Did you use rack and pinion for the steering?
GOLD!
All hail the lego master. I love the suspension and drive systems. Respect!
@Jordan
I see it now sorry
@Jordan
I did, and you’re telling me it’s not enough.
@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.
@jordan thomas
No, I can’t, this model has been taken apart long ago.
can you show the steering for the portal axles i cant really tell from the pictures
@Sariel
ah, sorry i didnt see that bit 🙁
@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.
Thanks 🙂
is it mainly for looks or is it actually good in use?
@Ben
Take a look at the photos: http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Sariel/RG354x4/WIP/3.jpg
Hi Sariel, Just wondering how you made the winch?
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!
@muscle_tech
What simulator?
What is the name of the simulator you used in the video? I would like one, but can’t seem to find one.
@SPARTA
April 14th.
Whens the next truck trial event?
@LinkDestroyer33
That depends on which suspension and how heavy is the vehicle. There’s always some friction involved, of course.
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.
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 🙂 for sure I will get some new ideas here.
Great stuff!
I really liked this so I tried to make a land rover forward control loosely based on this idea
Pozdrawiam Wszystkich Polaków!
@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.
@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.
Hello paul, why does the truck need to weigh 2kg ? A lighter truck is a more powerfull truck.
@Sewgway
Turntable can be removed completely. Check my Jeep Wrangler instruction to see an example.
@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?
@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.
@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?
@Sewgway
It’s usually somewhere between 5:1 and 9:1, depending on weight and number of XL motors.
@Sariel
That ‘s true.One last question ,what gear reduction is usually used in trial trucks?
@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.
@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.
@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.
@Sariel
And something quite irrelevant , is the suspension of the 8070 set good (with modifications)for off-road 4×4 vehicles?
@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.
@Sewgway
Did you try browsing these: http://sariel.pl/category/ideas/ ?
@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?
@Sewgway http://sariel.pl/2009/12/scaling-tutorial-for-vehicles/ like this??
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.
@TheTechnicKiwi
It would be best to do neither.
For a trial truck do you think it would be better to make knob wheels slip or u-joints to break?
@Michael304
Only for small obstacles and light vehicles.
Is independent suspension for an trial truck better than pendular?
@michael304
PF.
Wich motors are the best for trial truck PF or RC?
@88high
I couldn’t even if I wanted to – this model is long taken apart.
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!
excellent! I will try that then.
and thanks for publishing all your great inventions such as gearboxes etc.. -really works good
@SGT Jensen
Yes, I have. No, it can be prevented with older differentials, as you can push axles deeper inside them.
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
@Mecho12345
That depends on the characteristics of your vehicle, so you’ll have to see for yourself.
How likely is it for the gears or axle to get damaged? Also how much will the gears to slip?
@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.
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
Your welcome 🙂
@Mecho12345
Ah, yes. Thank you.
you seem to of forgotten to put this in the “truck trial” category
@Sariel Thanks
@mindstorm addict
No, because it’s a different kind of suspension here.
Did you used a panar road whit the pieces from the unimog?
too bad… for its accident. I think it looks very very cool, mean, really nice job!
thanks a lot!
@Jake
I print stickers on regular paper and put transparent duct tape over them.
Hey Sariel! Its me again… I have another question 🙂 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?
Hey, I’m Canadian too!
@mindstorm addict
Including soldiers?
I hoped you would build a Canadian military model beacus I’m Canadian
it is very nicely built
yay! great to know my army is going to have some of these.
if your wondering, im Canadian =D
Poor truck at the end 😀
@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 🙂
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.
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 ?
@shawn
There would be, but now that it crashed I will not be rebuilding it again 🙂
@shawn this was the final version
Nice. So when are you going to test it’s mine resistance 😉
In the final version, would there still have been room for the winch?
@Jake
Nope, no damage.
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!!!