SLOW WHITE – Scale Rat’s Custom Built Rebel RC RJ Rebelcon

SLOW WHITE – Scale Rat’s Custom Built  Rebel RC RJ Rebelcon

Those who know me know that I’m perpetually on the prowl for a kit that inspires me to start up a new project build. It was at Ultimate Scale Truck Expo (USTE) 2022 that I passed by Rebel RC’s booth and got a chance to go over all the upgraded parts and awesome body accessories that the stock RJ Rebelcon already comes with. It was at that moment that I knew I had to have my own Rebelcon. I was lucky enough to grab a new orange Rebel RC RJ Rebelcon at the event, and while I was at it I also ordered a clear body so I could do my own thing with it.

The body arrived a few weeks later, which was enough time for me to plan out my new project’s concept. I decided to go with white as its base color. I chose that color because I’m originally from New York, currently residing in Florida, and it reminds me of a winter with snow, which is not what you get in sunny Florida.

With a snow theme setting the tone, I asked myself how I could expand on the idea without simply attaching snowballs onto the sides. I came across a Jeep at my wife’s shop were they vinyl wrap 1:1 vehicles; they were in the middle of wrapping this Wrangler in a military-style camo.

SLOW WHITE - Scale Rat’s Custom Built  Rebel RC RJ Rebelcon

A THEMED LOOK

Then it hit me: Snow camo would be perfect for the Rebelcon. Having access to my wife’s shop, Tampa Auto Wraps, meant that I also had full access to the shop’s entire selection of vinyl wrap. Using the 1:1 vinyl wrap designs as inspiration, I was able to design my own scale vehicle wrap for use on the RJ Rebelcon. After the wrap was on, I felt that it looked a little too plain. So I then created some vinyl stickers using some familiar 1:1 brands, as well as some RC brands, to add to the look of the rig.
With the clear body now painted white and covered with white camo vinyl wrap, I moved all the scale accessories over from the original orange body that the Rebelcon came with. That was a big project on its own. The sheer number of accessories you get with the Rebelcon shows just how much more value you are getting with Rebel RC’s rig.

They intentionally left the RJ windows clear so you can see all of the chassis and interior when you look into the rig. I decided to 3D-print a full interior and made a basic floor. For the interior’s floor, I carpeted the front half and installed diamond plate in the rear. I made low-profile seats with a center console and a full dashboard with a steering wheel. The scale interior covered up the RJ’s functional RC equipment and gave the Rebelcon a much cleaner, more realistic look.

This Scale Rat custom build includes a full interior with carpet on the floor.

This Scale Rat custom build includes a full interior with carpet on the floor.

Peeking through the windshield reveals a full 3D-printed interior.

Peeking through the windshield reveals a full 3D-printed interior.

MORE UPGRADES

A few months after I thought I finished the body portion of this Slow White project, Rebel RC went and released upgraded axle housings and brass performance parts. I had to have the silver housings, because that matches the snow camo perfectly. I ended up getting both aluminum axle housings, aluminum linkage mounts, a rear brass portal cover, front brass portal cover and brass steering knuckles.
Everything fit perfectly, just like it should, and looked amazing all put together. The gearing was buttery smooth thanks to the new Cow RC Udder Budder that I applied. I programmed my Spektrum DX5 Pro transmitter with a SR6110AT receiver for RJ’s locking differential servos and the Hi/Lo servo.

With the extra weight from the brass parts in the front, I needed a much stronger steering servo. I decided to go with Reefs RC Raw 500, which is one of if not the best servo out there for crawlers. The amount of torque it supplied was a perfect fit, but honestly, I got it mostly for the housing’s silver finish, which matches the silver finish of the axle.

Details such as an LED light bar and roof rack add to this vehicle’s realistic look. These items come stock on the RJ.

Details such as an LED light bar and roof rack add to this vehicle’s realistic look. These items come stock on the RJ.

Chassis upgrades include a Castle Creations Copperhead 2280kV crawler ESC and brushless motor combo.

Chassis upgrades include a Castle Creations Copperhead 2280kV crawler ESC and brushless motor combo.

Here’s another look at the chassis. Note the factory stock magnetic body mounts and upgraded Castle Creations brushless motor.

Here’s another look at the chassis. Note the factory stock magnetic body mounts and upgraded Castle Creations brushless motor.

Rebel RC includes plenty of scale accessories as standard equipment on the RJ Rebelcon. Pezza’s personal touch of added paint and weathering provide a realistic look.

Rebel RC includes plenty of scale accessories as standard equipment on the RJ Rebelcon. Pezza’s personal touch of added paint and weathering provide a realistic look.

The brass parts add unsprung weight to the RJ, giving it more realistic driving characteristics.

The brass parts add unsprung weight to the RJ, giving it more realistic driving characteristics.

MORE POWER

Because I like more control over my rig’s performance, I chose to install the new Castle Creations Copperhead 2280kV crawler ESC and brushless motor combo. With this combo installed I now have full control of the rig, including control over the exact wheel speed as well as the amount of torque I can apply. The newfound power the Castle Creations combo produces far outweighs the extra weight I added from the upgrades. I also went with Robinson Racing for a new 16T pinion and 44T spur.

The body features white paint as well as a custom white camo vinyl wrap.

The body features white paint as well as a custom white camo vinyl wrap.

STORM TROOPERS

With the overall look of the rig almost done, I reached out to my buddy Rusty at Rusty Kustoms and requested a new wheel setup. We decided on the new Vanquish Products Tank wheels in white, Vanquish IFR Skarn ring in white, and the Vanquish IFR Delta ring in black. We called this wheel setup “Storm Troopers.” It’s a color combination that matches the body perfectly. As for tires, I wrapped the wheels with JConcept 4.19 Landmines. I wanted to go with a tiny tire that fit well in the wheel wells.

Rebel RC’s optional silver-colored axle housings were chosen for this build since they match Slow White’s color scheme.

Rebel RC’s optional silver-colored axle housings were chosen for this build since they match Slow White’s color scheme.

FINAL THOUGHTS

As you can see, Slow White is now done and ready for a snowy trail-crawling adventure. There’s no snow in Florida, but perhaps I can run it in the snow during my next visit to New York. The RJ Rebelcon is a great value for an RTR kit as comes with a lot of scale accessories. If you’re looking for a project to start, Rebel RC’s RJ Rebelcon is a rig that’s worth checking out.
To see more custom creations by Robert Pezza, aka Scale Rat, followed him on Facebook and Instagram with the handle @ScaleRat20.

Sources
Rebel RC
rebel-rc.com
Scale Rat
FB: @ScaleRat20
IG: @ScaleRat20


Text and Images by Robert Pezza

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Updated: January 26, 2023 — 1:33 PM
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