Custom: Monster Mountain Mauler

Illustration for article titled Custom: Monster Mountain Mauler

I’ve done my first custom for Sonzilla! Pretty happy with it myself and I’m looking forward to handing it over to him when he gets home later. I’ve sent photos to the lovely wife and she won’t show him because she said his head will explode and will want the thing in this little hands.

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Illustration for article titled Custom: Monster Mountain Mauler

This is how he presented it too me. He’s getting pretty good at this. A few days earlier he tried Lego wheels in his first ever custom attempt which was the subject the linked post. This latest version was an evolution of his first idea, this time he found some tyres from a monster trucked John Deere lawn tractor.

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Illustration for article titled Custom: Monster Mountain Mauler
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He had pushed the tyres over the original wheels which was ok but couldn’t rotate as they contacted the little mud guards. I figured it’s time for me to step up and help out the little bloke. The tyre fit was good and I was just going to grind off the guards and be done with it. Then noticed the tryes didn’t really stay on that well if played with, after a bench test drive.

Illustration for article titled Custom: Monster Mountain Mauler
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Here’s his first attempt with the Lego wheels.

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The donor on the left and stock Mountain Mauler.

Illustration for article titled Custom: Monster Mountain Mauler
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The hood on the Deere is actually diecast and the thing was screwed together.

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I’d hoped to just dismantle it and swap the axles from each cast leaving the Deere still usable. That didn’t happen as the rims were pessed on to the axles and captivated in the base, destruction was the only way sadly.

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Another cast with outer axle housings.

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Actually got a tap now as I bought new screws and a proper drill, M3 X 6mm screws and drill of 2.5 mm dia used prior to tapping.

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They fit but still hit the guards, I’d hoped the stock axle set was going to provide some clearance but a little grinding was needed.

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First cast using my new screws!! I like the look although I’m going to get some black versions for these bases.

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The guards after grinding, I’ve since removed more of the front as the were still some clearance issues.

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Ok, all done. Before and after comparison shots.

Illustration for article titled Custom: Monster Mountain Mauler
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Illustration for article titled Custom: Monster Mountain Mauler
Illustration for article titled Custom: Monster Mountain Mauler
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Illustration for article titled Custom: Monster Mountain Mauler

A short slow motion clip of the beast in action, I need to make a tiny bobble head driver for these clips.