arick

While I wait for some parts for my Willys build, I'm doing a bit more on the Deuce. The IFS/IRS kit comes with front and rear X members that are only boxed on the top so I've fully boxed both, as would be the case on a 1:1 build. It was a simple matter of cutting some sheet styrene to fit, glueing it to the X member and finishing with a bit of smear. This build is going to be a bit "different" because I'm going to use a Jaguar engine and trans. So, in keeping with the theme, I ordered a set of wire wheels from Chris Garcia. Chris's wire wheels are all metal and beautifully done. Next up is mocking up the front and rear independant suspension with wheels attached and then mocking up the engine/trans and additional cross members.

Thanks for the link Don, I will refer to it as this project proceeds. I've started building the wheel tubs. I'm using styrene sheet cut to the contour of the chassis on the bottom and the tire (plus some) on the top.

Don, I really like the woody. Do it! Al, is that Merc the one that was floating around LSM a few years ago?

Thanks to some great photos from Dave, I've mocked up a fuel cell and have an idea where I'm going with the roll cage. The more I thought about the extra detailing, the more I realized that it will be covered up, so I've decided to open the trunk and the drivers door. Starting with the trunk.............. I carefully cut along the gap between the lid and the body. Due to the excellent quality of the MF fibreglass body, and in particular the fact that it has even thickness throughout, this was a relativly simple task. With the trunk open, I'll be able to show off the wheel tubs, fuel cell, battery and perhaps a few NOS bottles for that big TDR blower motor. A word of caution though, when working with fibreglass, wear eye/nose/mouth protection.

I've made some progress on the rear end. Other than the addition of some detail accessories, its basically done and I can now mount wheels and tires for fitting of the chassis under the body. I've made some minor modifications to the calipers and rotors but its still all TDR made. I'm still working on the fuel cell and planning the cage, with thanks to Dave for some helpfull photos.

Looking good Al. How about a nicely weathered flathead to go with the rat rod theme? By the way, I really like the wood body frame. Nice work!

In addition to what Don said above, TDR is also looking to expand our Rapid Prototyping production. With that in mind, if any of you are associated with an RP printing service and would like to bid on some interesting work, or if you know of a reliable RP printing service, please send me the info at "tdr.innovations@gmail.com".

Good idea Don. I'm building four 8th scale fibreglass cars. There're a Willys coupe, roadster and woody and a Turtle Deck T. I'm also building resin three bodied cars and they are a Pocher Mercedes and Rolls. I'm also building a Deuce that will have either a resin three window coupe or roadster body. Personally, I prefer working with a glass body. Glass bodies are exceptionally strong, they don't warp and they're not prone to chipping when dropped or when being cut. Generally speaking, a glass body can be produced with thinner and uniform thickness throughout. On the downside, fibreglass can be hazardous to your health so when working the body, certain precautions have to be taken. In addition to my R/M and Pocher bodies, I'm working with glass bodies from the Madd Fabricator and a resin body from Edeuce. Bodies in both mediums are exceptionally high quality. Unfortunatly, some of the MF bodies are not currently in production however Edeuce continues to produce very good resin bodies. As my projects continue to the body work phase, I'll provide additional comments and tips.

Getting back to the Deuce chassis, I've now installed the TDR IFS/IRS cross members. Both pieces fit the R/M chassis without having to do any modifications. I've also boxed the front frame horns and the chassis rails back to the rear X member. I'm not going to box the rear frame horns until I know whether I'll be mounting a three window or a roadster body. The chassis will now go back into the jig for installation of a center X member and motor mounts.

Have you tried Slixx Decals Inc Dave? They are at www.slixx.com.

I highly recommend this body JB. The benefits of fibreglass over resin are strength, consistant thickness and no warpage. I've purchased several MF bodies and they are very high quality. My camera is on re-charge but I will post more photos later.

Before I go any further, its time to think about wheels and tires. Going through the parts box, I found some old American's from the Big T along with some rare Big T fat rear tires. So, I mounted them up and put them under the Willys body. I kinda like the wheels and tires and the look, especially if I can get the body to sit this low over the chassis. What do you guys think?

Hey Rick TDR Innovations offers interest free financing on all of our products. Anyone who wants further information can contact us at "tdr.innovations@gmail.com". In regards to the Cuda, when its ready for production, we will offer interest free financing. In fact when its close, we may start taking deposits. However, the original investors will be taken care of before any bodies are sold. By the way, tell your friend to go to our site at "www.tdrcatalog.com" where he will find all of our products including several versions of the TDR Hemi...........that he can buy

The TDR 11" rear end that I'm using is one of the early versions cast in resin. When first introduced, it was not optioned with proper width axel tubes for use in our pro street rear clip. I scratch built some tubes and added TDR 4bar/shock tube brackets. I've also had to modify the kit outer axel tubes. The mock up version is now mounted in the rear clip. There's some additional modifications yet to be done to properly shape the axel tubes but I can now add rotors, calipers and hubs so I can test fit the rear wheels and tires.

LIMITED TIME OFFER........TDR MULTI MEDIA OFFENHAUSER ENGINE KIT TDR has eight multi-media 8th scale Offenhauser engine kits in stock. Each kit contains 50 finished resin parts and 10 rapid prototype'd parts. As a bonus, each kit also contains a three speed manual transmission and starter. The resin parts in this kit significantly reduce the weight of the finished model and also reduce the prep time required should the builder want to smooth the RP parts. These 8 kits may sell fast and we may not do another run for awhile, so please place your order by visiting our web site at "www.tdrcatalog.com".

Thanks Dave. I haven't decided on wheels/tires yet. While waiting for glue and paint to dry on some rear end parts, I mocked up the front suspension. All parts (upper/lower A arms, coilover shocks, rotors and calipers) are from TDR Innovations. I'll also be adapting the TDR rack and pinion steering.

I was going to run a TDR 9" style rear end but I've now decided to go with the TDR pro street/pro stock 11" style rear end. This change in plan required a switch to an optional TDR rear chassis clip. The optional clip has correct mounting brackets for the shocks and four bars needed for this rear end. I have one of the first test kits needed to mount this rear end in the optional clip. There are some issues with it, but with some minor adjustments, I think I can make it work. The photo above shows a test installation of the four bars, shocks and axel hardware.

I don't think Dave will mind me stepping in here. TDR and Dave regularly share information and we've partnered on products that may eventually end up on our catalog. When we took over the Cuda project, it came with a resin body that was a test pull with some issues. Because of our relationship with Dave, we sent him the 8th scale resin Cuda body and its his to play with. I'm not going to let the cat, or in this case the "Cuda", out of the bag, but I can guarantee you that this will be one of the most exciting projects you'll ever see on this site. Please don't confuse this body with the one that TDR will eventually put on the market. That body will be in fibreglass. Take it away Dave!

Syd, you continue to amaze me with your scratch building talents. Keep it up, we love it.

My other project is this Deuce. Starting with R/M stock rails, I've mounted them in my chassis jig and am mocking up the TDR IFS cross member. I may extend the wheelbase a bit by moving the cross member forward. Once I have the IFS where I want it I'll mock up the TDR IRS. This will be followed by boxing the rails before final installation of the front and rear cross members along with custom center cross members. I have an Edeuce three window coupe body that I'm going to use and it will be slightly channeled over the frame. Power will come from one of the TDR engines, possibly one that's not quite ready for the market yet.

I'm not going to let Gramps get away with having more projects on the go than me so I'm going to post a couple more of my own. The first one is this T. This is an MF fibreglass body that came with a full hood and track style nose. I'm thinking that I may add a full belly pan. My intent is to run a fully detailed TDR Offy with a four speed trans and a TDR Halibrand style rear end hung on coilovers. The chassis comes from the R/M "Big T" kit (thanks Gramps) and I've fully boxed it. I'll also use a modified "Big T" front suspension. Wheels will be painted Jag wires. The tires come from the R/M Big Deuce.

I'd like to answer Rick's comments. In regards to "Pro Street" vs "Pro Touring" I agree that Pro Street is getting tired. Having said that, in our catalog at www.tdrcatalog.com you will find a Pro Street chassis. Its the same one that I'm putting under my Willys coupe. This chassis comes with three different width front clips and two rear clips. Yes, its Pro Street, but there's nothing to stop a builder from producing his own rear clip in order to go the Pro Touring route. Keep in mind that this is our first 8th scale chassis and its designed to work under several body styles. If the demand is there, we'd consider looking at other chassis options. In regards to Rick's question about financing.......yes, there is a financing option. We'd be happy to set up an interest free plan but please keep in mind that we won't ship until payment in full has been rec'd. This option applies to all TDR products.

Casey, eventually there may be a complete kit but the first offering will be just a body. TDR already has a Pro Street chassis that will work under this body. We also already have several engine/trans/rear end kits along with wheels and tires. You can find these items now on our website at www.tdrcatalog.com.

After finish joining the two chassis center sections, I've mocked up the front and rear clips with styrene tube connectors. Next up will be to adjust the wheelbase to fit under the 8th scale Willys body. I'll attach the front and rear suspensions and will use the chassis connectors to ensure the wheel base is set at 13" to match that of the body.

As some of you may know, Dan at Scalemotorcars purchased an 8th scale 71 Barracuda master and assorted components about one year ago. Several members from this site and from SMC invested in the project but unfortunatly, it stalled. I'm pleased to announce that TDR Innovations is now the sole owner of this project. We aquired everything from Dan and we're currently in the process of working the master to the point where it will be suitable for casting in fibreglass. In addition we are creating an interior tub and other important components. This is a long and involved process and we cannot at this time make any promise as to when the body will be in production. When we start producing bodies, our first priority will be to satisfy the original investors. Once that is accomplished, the body will be announced and offered for sale. If you are an original investor, please contact us at tdr.innovations@gmail.com. We will be posting updates here as the project progresses.