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TL01 General Lee project

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 1:20 pm
by SFC K
So I picked up this used General Lee a while back and want to mount it to my old TL01 chassis. Issue though it the wheel base is just over a 1/2" to short. Width seems to be fine as long as I use zero offset. Any one seen mods for the TL01 chassis to get some more wheel base out if it? If this doesn't seem possible, I am open to suggestions on a different chassis that might work.

The Tamiya WB is 10 1/8" and the chassis on the "01" is 10 3/4".

Thanks,

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Re: TL01 General Lee project

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 3:40 pm
by 67CamaroSS
I have the same body. I learned from the guys at Tamiyaclub that the best thing to do is pick up a Tamiya Hummer chassis which is just a TA01/02 with the longer manta ray chassis and longer middle shaft. I had a TA02 and bought the manta ray chassis and was lucky enough to find the driveshaft. It gives you just about the perfect wheelbase. I think I had to just slightly shave the wheel wells to get a perfect fit. The tires you see are on 3mm and 6mm Vintage Torque Thrusts and would probably tuck in nicely if you used the 0mms. A lot of guys are buying the HPI vintage stock car wheels that can be painted to look close to the General Lee turbines. Here are a couple pics. I love the look but can't bring myself to run the body.

Re: TL01 General Lee project

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 3:46 pm
by SFC K
Thanks for the info! That looks sweet with the HPI wheels. I have a set of the Stock car wheels as well but will need some work to look right.

Re: TL01 General Lee project

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 3:56 pm
by 67CamaroSS

Re: TL01 General Lee project

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 4:01 pm
by GoMachV
Any chance you could make it up by flipping or making new arms? May be easier

Re: TL01 General Lee project

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 4:09 pm
by 67CamaroSS
I don't have a TL01 anymore but that may be your best option since yo may be limited by the fixed length driveshaft and considering the gearboxes are inter grated in the chassis.

Re: TL01 General Lee project

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 7:44 pm
by SFC K
gomachv wrote:Any chance you could make it up by flipping or making new arms? May be easier
Thanks Jeff! I took your advice and did some wrenching and it worked by I flipping the arm and linkage. I had to use a different size dog bones from my Sprint and shocks from my Nitro RS4 3. I also had to use a longer screw for the lower shock mount by swapping it out for the shorter screw that hold the two arm half's together. I was also worried about the angle of the bone but their is no binding during travel. I did try a CC-01 dog bone and it was just a tad to long and the stock TL01 bone was too short.

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Re: TL01 General Lee project

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 7:45 pm
by SFC K
Those are sweet! I will try and make mine look like those. Thanks!

Re: TL01 General Lee project

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 8:24 pm
by 67CamaroSS
Good job. Looks like a perfect fit.

Re: TL01 General Lee project

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 8:33 pm
by Minisforever
You know we're gonna need an action shot of this thing jumping!! No need for the Dixie horn, its already in most our heads with first glance of your car.

Re: TL01 General Lee project

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 9:18 pm
by backlash
If you wanted to run some wheels/rims with a greater offset, you could use arms off a M03 Mini chassis..

Re: TL01 General Lee project

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 9:22 pm
by Coelacanth
Very nice, looks almost perfect. That was lucky that just reversing the control arms got you almost the perfect wheelbase length. For me, reducing track width and wheelbase length was the biggest challenge converting a non-onroad chassis to fit an onroad body. It'll be sweet to see that General Lee actually running! 8)

Re: TL01 General Lee project

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 9:30 pm
by SFC K
Thanks guys! I can't wait to see it running!


Next, I needed the signature front push bumper but did not want to mount the one that came with the body. Searching through the parts bin, I found my CC-01 bumper that had the ends cut off. Perfect replacement I thought. Three screws and it is mounted and fit really well I think.


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Re: TL01 General Lee project

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 9:31 pm
by SFC K
backlash wrote:If you wanted to run some wheels/rims with a greater offset, you could use arms off a M03 Mini chassis..
I might have to find some for the front. I think it needs to be narrowed a little bit. Thanks for the info. :wink:

Re: TL01 General Lee project

Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2014 5:39 pm
by SFC K
Small update. I order a set of M03 suspension parts so I can tuck the wheels in a bit more and run 31mm wheels. I hope it works out.