Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

I got a good start on my first dump truck yesterday. I'm try to use some of the drivetrain and suspension parts from a donor short course truck I had.

Just checking the edit function, I still need to find a new place to host and link my photos AND try to download all my photos from Photobucket...


Jim

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

Starting on the front end, this might be harder than the read end, I'm going to try and make it a 4x4. :confused:

I thought this shot was worth the tall part in the mill vise clamping solution...

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psvtvd2nms.jpg

Jim

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

I remember that truck with the pneumatic cylinder, good conversion

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

That's looking like a really good start.. It'll be really interesting to see how your truck comes together.

What was the short course donor?

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

Friz, the donor is a dromida. I'm not convinced it will be the best donor, but it is what I had on hand. It is pretty cheap and mostly plastic parts like all the diff and shafts and stuff. It will be interesting to see how it holds up if I get it going!

Here is a related video I just posted about the gear head motor I am using in the truck. I screwed up and used a mounting screw just a bit long and it busted a tooth off one gear in the motor.

http://youtu.be/HsCEJ2fIEKM

Jim

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

Got some more done this weekend. I am going to have to fine tune the chain drive/transfer mechanism. It doesn't line up well enough the way I have it and the chain binds up on the sprockets more that I want. I also need to come up with a descent tensioner for the chain. Problem is, I'm using the same mounting screws from underneath that attach the steering cross link and Bellcrank system.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psyw577syz.jpg

Jim

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

Good start jim!! Where do you find these metal toys?

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

Tom, thanks.

I found one dump truck at the pike steam show a few years ago and I found one local here at a antique/consignment shop. My dragline came from a local diecast toy store, it was a lucky find.

I'm hoping to find something at the steam show this weekend.

Jim

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

Going a different direction with the drive train and suspension on the truck. Here is the proto rear axel ready for milling hex on the ends to fit my wheels.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psabg43rdz.jpg

Jim

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

Jim-what,s your plan on milling the hexes on the ends? I have been thinking about doing this on my dragline walking system but I don't know how to do it and keep the ends matching without an indexer. (I think that is what I need), but I am just in the thinking part right now. May never happen.

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

Tom, I found two hex nuts that fit close onto the shaft. I drilled through the flat of the nuts and taped them for set screws on opposite side of each nut so I can attempt to evenly tighten the nuts just to try and keep them reasonably centered on the shaft.

I laid the assembly on the surface plate as I tightened the nuts to keep them parallel, although for my case I don't think it would really matter that the hex on one end is in the same plane as the other end.

Then I simply laid the shaft with nuts attached into the mill vise and milled one flat, then rotated to the next flat on the nut.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psygcmez79.jpg


Jim

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

Once I figured out how to do the hex I decided to go big. So, I'm making hubs for the wheel with the hex and a flange that looks like a brake rotor. That pulls up against the inside spokes of the wheel with a 6-32 cap screw to keep it parallel with the wheel. Then I drill the inside of the hub to fit a 1/4" steel axel.

Hex milled on the mill using a slip fit nut attached to the round. Then moved to the lathe to turn the rest.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psv23karoj.jpg

Turned down and parting it off here.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...pspxy0hqlm.jpg

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psrzdvycma.jpg

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7uupldal.jpg

Jim

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

Independant suspension, coilovers, alloy super-singles, brake disks... somebodys building a Sports Dump Truck!

Looking really cool so far. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

:p ya, you might get that impression huh? :p the coils and independent suspension is going away and the disc brakes which probably aren't typical are mostly for my machining experience/practice and to try and give support to the plastic wheel. I plan to make my own rims if I ever get this sucker powered up and working with the "borrowed" plastic.;)

Jim

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

Here is my version 2 prototype rear axel. Thinking about how to do the halves from the gear cover out to each wheel. I want to do a "typical" style solid axel with leaf springs. :rolleyes:

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...pscng4iwkc.jpg

Jim

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

Jim-looks like you, the mill and lathe are getting along nicely. They can be lots of enjoyment and you can make about anything your mind can come up with. However, after cranking those handles for a long time it can get boring. That's why new projects are important. Truck is coming along good!!

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

Trying to figure out how to make the mesh a bit more/easier to adjust.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...pskucx2md0.jpg

Jim

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

Without knowing your plan for that axle, but thinking about gear mesh. It looks like you're thinking both bushing and bearings.

Would it work to thread half of the axle shaft so that you could run 2 thin plain nuts in a jam configuration on the right of that picture where the bearing is currently, to pull the mesh tight. Maybe do that on both sides for an easy adjustment of mesh and backlash.

Or a more difficult but much cleaner install could be milling a flat inside the pumpkin where the base of the crown gear sits, so that you can just shim the crown gears together. It'd be more annoying to set up, but your axle tubes could be thinner and it won't weaken the shaft like threading would.

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

Dump Truck Conversion Take Two!

Got myself a donor with solid diff/axels and started over on the dump truck.

Here are the leaf springs and shackle so far. Leaves are made from steel strap and shackle parts are plastic chain links and aluminum channel.

Springs are about 3.5" eyes, might change once I get further into it and see how it sits.
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psd30v9fix.jpg

Planning to use brass tube for the pivots
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psi26vrup1.jpg

One shackle...
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4iluenuo.jpg

Stay tuned.... :rolleyes:

Jim

Re: Another Structo Dump Truck Conversion
 

Going to try a single helper and using heat shrink as a keeper
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psngjsgkuc.jpg

Axel mounted
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psjgwb05dr.jpg

Now I need to figure out how to solve the wheel and hex size mismatch. I have some wheels I plan to try but the hex is smaller than this one here.
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psjbrvzqzk.jpg

Jim