Doodlebugs, Scrambolas, Jitterbugs, and Field Crawlers (And Other Types) CBP

[Dr. Cranky]

I sure do hope there will be a great deal of interest in building these types of vehicles in a community build.

All fun, no STRESS, and no rules. You finish it when you finish it.

All we ask is that you contribute all your eye candy here to this thread . . . you progress build, your inspiration eye candy, etc . . . you know the routine.

Build one and share.

Here's where my original idea comes from. I hope it helps keep you inspired.

http://www.roadkillcustoms.com/Hot-Rods-Rat-Rods/blog/template_permalink.asp?id=127

Edited November 30, 2012 by Dr. Cranky

[Dr. Cranky]

Joe, does that mean you are in? I am not following what this has to do with Big Daddy Roth?

[Aaronw]

Would you consider these close enough in spirit?

[otherunicorn]

Could be an interesting distraction.

[Dr. Cranky]

Aaron, you betcha, those are good contenders. Why not, they look like a blast.

[fredo84]

This ?

[Aaronw]

Alrighty then, I'm in when this gets going. I've planned on doing one of those snowmobile conversions for a while now.

[Agent G]

I have a 40 Chevy Pick up that's been sitting forever partially built. I donated the windshield glass, so I believe it will be my kit for this.

I'm thinking high desert prospectors truck.

This will be my inspiration.

G

Edited December 3, 2012 by Agent G

[Chuck Most]

I'm in. My granfather has a '25 Model T USPS van with the skis and tracks for winter use, and of course I can cobble up a Doodlebug with the Model T and A parts I have on hand.

There's a 1:1 Doodlebug in my neighborhood, based off a '30 Model A truck. Hitch a three bottom plow to the back and it would be perfect...

[Jantrix]

So. Anyone have a source for tractor tires or at least some sort of heavy treaded tire in the above pics. I could almost do this in a day or two, if I can keep the.........................

aww........who am I kidding?

[Chuck Most]

Posted this in the other thread, but I'll duplicate it here. Enjoy my delicious copypasta!

A few things to think about-

There are a handful of 1:25 ag tires I've seen on diecast Ertl promos, but I've seen just as many (if not more) 1:1 car/tractors with medium or heavy duty truck tires on the back. I'd also look into WW2 era 1:35 and 1:24 military kits- some of those might work, and many 1:35 tires will fit bi-scale wheels and still look 'right' on the model. As Dr. Cranky mentioned, the reissued Willys Jeep kit's tires would be suitable as well. You could even fabricate your own spoked steel wheels, like the kind seen on the Model T conversion kits sold by Shaw. Also, some retained all four stock wheels/tires, or had a set of builder-fabricated dual rear wheels. Sometimes the stock wheels were cut down to fit a different diamter wheel rim.

Ertl did make a few 1:25 farm and construction kits, but the drive tires would be WAY too big for what we're talking about here- the tires in those kits are meant for a 14 to 20,000 pound machine, not a flyweight like a doodlebug.

You could use pretty much any early '30's or older vehicle as a starting point, though the vast majority were Ford based.

Model T Doodlebugs normally had improved cooling, as the Model T engine wasn't as well-suited to field work as it was to simply moving the car. Often the frames were reinforced, and in many cases the rear axle was solid-mounted to the frame- no rear suspension at all.

Also keep in mind that no two will be exactly alike, even if they were based on an aftermarket kit like the Shaw setup. Builders equipped them and set them up for their own uses.

[Dr. Cranky]

This ?

YES! That engine sounds so good.

[Dr. Cranky]

I'm in. My granfather has a '25 Model T USPS van with the skis and tracks for winter use, and of course I can cobble up a Doodlebug with the Model T and A parts I have on hand.

There's a 1:1 Doodlebug in my neighborhood, based off a '30 Model A truck. Hitch a three bottom plow to the back and it would be perfect...

Chuck, the rubber chickens are a definite must! What a great pictures. I'm drooling.

[rlwheels]

Attached are a few tire suggestions depending upon the doodlebug you may have in mind.

[Chuck Most]

^^^^^GOLD MINE!!!! ^^^^^

[Aaronw]

I have a 40 Chevy Pick up that's been sitting forever partially built. I donated the windshield glass, so I believe it will be my kit for this.

Assume this is a typo and mean '41 Chevy or '40 Ford, but hoping you actually have a source for a '40 Chevy truck, maybe a diecast I don't know of?

[otherunicorn]

All doodlebug-like bits have been gathered from the junk box. now to turn this pile of scrap into something that "moves".

[Agent G]

1941 Chevrolet, sorry..................................

G

[Pat Minarick]

I'm in . Dr. are you building one ?

Edited March 24, 2013 by Road Runner 79

[Dr. Cranky]

Of course I'm building one. You betcha. So far I am taking in all the inspiration of the wonderful work already in progress here. Keep it going. I'll jump in soon.

[Jantrix]

I'm still looking around for a source of truck/tractor tires/wheels, without spending a whole bunch. If anyone comes across some in an un-thought of place please let us know.

[Pat Minarick]

Mine cost me 10.00 bucks from a Spiderman 4-wheeler! It has two big and two smaller tires .I cut the centers out and used some extra rims from a Romels Rod .

Edited December 8, 2012 by Road Runner 79

[Jantrix]

Good thinkin. I was headed to the toy aisle to have a look around.

[AzTom]

Good thinkin. I was headed to the toy aisle to have a look around.

That's where to get them. There are some some cheap Pull Back farm tractors in about 1/43 - 1/32 scale. The tires are about 1-1/4 to 1-1/2.

[otherunicorn]

Bitterjug the Jitterbug....