Tamiya Juggernaut 3

[MelvinsArmy]

I recently picked up a very nice Tamiya Juggernaut 2. The Jugg has always been my favorite monster truck platform. I've owned about 5 Jugg/TXT variations over the years, but haven't had one for quite a while. When this one came up on ebay and had a very good BIN price, I grabbed it. It was barely used, it's body was still in the box in the plastic bags, it had all the gold Tamiya hop up parts and a Super Rooster. When I got it I put the Tamiya F350 body I had left over from when I converted my Hi Lift to a Hilux. I got the truck up and running and it was very nice. Here is how the truck looked after I put my F350 body on it:

I was having trouble getting the four wheel steering to line up correctly. After about a half hour of tinkering with the links and servo, I said f-it I'm gonna build a custom Juggernaut. Again. Those who remember me from Clodtalk might remember my old Juggernauts. Stripped down, lowered, GPM chassis, Clod tires, flat black F350 body, etc. I built one and had a blast with it. For reasons I don't remember, I sold it. I missed it so much that I built a second one nearly identical to it. Eventually I sold that one too. Those two trucks were probably my favorite monsters that I've owned. Here is a pic of the second truck, I can't seem to find any pics of the first version which I liked a little better.

This new truck will be the third modified Juggernaut I've built, so I'm calling it the Juggernaut 3. Also, I think Tamiya should make a Juggernaut 3 and I'm building this truck the way I'd do it if Tamiya let me design such a truck. I've got most of the parts gathered. Bigjeepz has made me some custom aluminum parts, chassis braces, suspension mounts, a custom 1 sided motor mount, etc. The truck will have TXT links and sway bars. Here are a few of the parts bigjeepz has made for me.

I don't think I've ever done a build thread before. This truck is taking a little longer to piece together than others I've done. More to come.

[Lowgear]

I can't wait to see how this turns out! I bet it will be pretty awesome.

Maybe while the Clod is "discontinued" they will release another Juggernaut.

[MelvinsArmy]

That would be nice!

A little progress. I started working on the front axle. I've converted the shaft to a TXT-1 piece. bigjeepzz made me some aluminum suspension mounts, I put the top pieces on. I made a behind the axle servo mount out of 6061 aluminum sheet. I don't know for sure if it's going to work in that position, but so far it looks like it will. I wanted to use the TTR CVDs I took out of my Clod, but they seem to fit way too tight in the Jugg axles so I'll probably stick with Tamiya parts.



Here is an electronics tray/F350 cab mount that I made out of Kydex.

[nvxwax]

I was having trouble getting the four wheel steering to line up correctly. After about a half hour of tinkering with the links and servo, I said f-it I'm gonna build a custom Juggernaut. Again. Those who remember me from Clodtalk might remember my old Juggernauts. Stripped down, lowered, GPM chassis, Clod tires, flat black F350 body, etc. I built one and had a blast with it. For reasons I don't remember, I sold it. I missed it so much that I built a second one nearly identical to it. Eventually I sold that one too. Those two trucks were probably my favorite monsters that I've owned. Here is a pic of the second truck, I can't seem to find any pics of the first version which I liked a little better.

Nice Jugs that did not sound right

I have never owned a Jug, But they look very cool, the closest thing i have is a G-Made Clod (Its more aftermarket then Clod )

Im a sucker for flat black trucks, Do you have any other pics of the black one and how it was built?

[MelvinsArmy]

Here's another of the black truck. It was basically just a stripped down Jugg/TXT. It had a GPM chassis, TXT suspension links, AE shocks and a handful of custom made parts. I should have taken more pictures of it.

The new truck will be similar.

[MelvinsArmy]

This project is taking a lot longer than I thought it would. I had some chassis issues, but I think that might be all worked out now.

Here's some progress. The parts came back from the anodizer. I rebuilt the transmission with a TXT shaft and the single hole motor plate bigjeepzz made me. Installed is a Novak 550 6.5, that ought to provide plenty of punch.

Next, I put the wheels together. RC4wd beadlock wheels with custom anodized rings.

[Lowgear]

Those look like nice wheels. I was thinking of getting them for a future Clod pulling project.

[MelvinsArmy]

Finally making some serious progress. The truck is about 90% done now. I need to get some yokes for my drive shafts, some battery cups and some proper shock spacers. Then it will be ready for a test run. I had to make a new servo mount because the other one had clearance issues with the suspension links. I could have made a cf or fiberglass bar like a TTR setup, but I wanted to have aluminum steering links. The new mount is made of Kydex. I also made a rear lockout that I'm pretty happy with. It's in front of the axle and is totally adjustable. I need to get those parts anodized black to match the rest of the truck now. Here are some progress pics.

[nvxwax]

Looks good Melvin, You are making me want a jug lol. (must resist, i have to many projects)

[Seabass]

Scott very nice. Looks outstanding.

Jake

[MelvinsArmy]

Couldn't have done it without you Jake!

[SMOKE-DOG]

That's lookin' sweet.

[MelvinsArmy]

Progressing ever so slowly, but it's worth the time. The truck is nearly finished. I need to figure out the drive shaft situation. I had some Traxxas slider halves and ordered what I thought was the other matching halves, but they didn't slide worth a crap. I don't know if the parts have changed over the years or if I just ordered the wrong ones. I'm now thinking I should buy some of the RC4wd Punisher shafts, they might hold up to the torque of the brushless system a little better, and they'll look better too. On to the pics:

[SMOKE-DOG]

Nice work. Makes me wanna build another truck. Are those Tamiya shocks on there? They look like the ones Tamiya has on clearance for like 20 some bucks a set.

[rhino1]

Man that Jug looks tuff! I have to get me one soon.