CHEVROLET K30 FLATBED RECOVERY TRUCK

STUART PARDUE « EDINBURGH, MIDLOTHIAN, UNITED KINGDOM

We love seeing passion projects and Stuart’s K30 Flatbed sure is a great example of one. Stuart fills us in on his unique build: “I started working on this truck exactly 12 months ago. I wanted a scale on-road flatbed recovery truck. At that point the Cross RC WT4 didn’t exist and the Traxxas Hauler as a complete package wasn’t scale enough for my liking. I purchased a CEN F-450 truck and stripped the chassis right back. I then set about installing the Axial SCX10 II axles with the help of some custom links to work with the preexisting CEN link mounts. I also installed an Axial SCX10 II skid plate so I could run an SSD aluminum scale transmission.

Power distribution from the gearbox is sent to both axles via a triple set of Lesu polished aluminum scale driveshafts. The rear drive is split in two with the help of a Lesu carrier bearing. To get the Traxxas Hauler bed to fit the CEN chassis the bed itself was heavily modified to keep it down low. The bed is attached to the chassis rails via a sleeve bearing that also gives the bed its tilting action. To power the bed, I set about installing two Actuonix L16 R 50mm linear actuators. These actuators are three-wire versions so they operate exactly the same as a normal servo. This means they plug directly into the receiver and can have trim and end point adjustments set accordingly. The Chevrolet body started life as an RC4WD K5 Blazer which was subsequently chopped in half and had a Shrink RC cab-back panel installed. The cab has been adorned with subtle but pleasing accessories such as the 3D-printed sun visor, bug deflector and CB antennas. There is also a pair of Xtraspeed truck wing mirrors installed for greater effect. Because the battery and receivers have been located in the custom side lockers, there is room in the cab for a floorpan, door cards, bench seat and a GRC Traxxas Blazer dash.” Great work, Stuart, we really like the highly detailed machine you’ve built!

BUILD HIGHLIGHTS

- Chassis: CEN Racing F-450

- Body: RC4WD K5 Blazer

- Motor: Hobbywing Fusion SE 1200kv

- Speed Control: Integrated ESC

in Hobbywing Fusion motor

- Battery: Gens Ace Soaring 2200mah 2S Lipo - Wheels & Tires: Integy 8-lug single and dually

1.7 wheels wrapped in RC4WD 1.7 Lorider tires - Shocks: RC4WD Bilstein 50mm

internal spring shocks

- Axles: Axial SCX10 II axles front and rear - Paint: Toolbox Red and matte-black

acrylic automotive paint

- Graphics: Custom vinyl door graphics and flatbed reflective markers created by Stuart Pardue

- Radio System: Flysky FS-I6S 10-channel

- Other Options: Actuonix L16 R 50mm 210:1 RC linear actuators x2, Traxxas Hauler flatbed, KK Truckstore custom side lockers, RC4WD Warn scale winch, Warn front axle lockers,

SSD rear axle hubs, 3D-printed sun visor, custom-made bug deflector, truck wing mirrors, King Kong RC fuel tank, custom mudflaps front and rear, Texas license plates