Chevy 3500 Dually Toy Conversion by Karl Sandvik [Reader’s Ride]

About the only thing that gives away the scale of Karl Sandvik’s Chevy 3500 Dually work truck is the size of the hex heads on the custom steel frame rails! We’re suckers for a truck that nearly suckers us! Karl tells us he chopped up a Tamiya CC-01 front suspension for it, widening the suspension arms and substituting dogbones from a different Tamiya model to keep the 4WD functional. The powertrain is based off of an old RC4WD dual-motor transmission that feeds power into the original output shaft for the CC-01 rear axle. The rear axle itself was modified to accommodate RC4WD leaf springs for a scale-correct suspension. He had to fabricate a custom-length driveshaft to  work with the long wheelbase. Power comes courtesy of a pair of Novak Terra Claw 55t motors and an Outcry Dual Motor controller. Rolling stock consists of RC4WD 1.9 Double Trouble II wheels wrapped in Dirt Grabber tires. The body began as a Newbright Silverado 1500 which required major plastic surgery using styrene to become a convincing 3500. New bedsides, rear doors, roof, windows, grille, hood, and bed interior (with battery stashed beneath) were required. There’s also a full interior and a set of magnetically attached tow mirrors. He brazed the brush guard, tube steps and rear hitch from aluminum. Front to back the scale authenticity is first-rate!

Want to see your machine here? Send photos and a description to readersrides@airage.com. Be sure to send the full-size photos. If that bogs your email, use WeTransfer–it’s easy and free.  

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