Toylander build thread!
Discussion
Dog Star said:
Blimey - that thing absolutely flies - I take it you're on the high (8mph) setting there?
I am so jealous - would you like to adopt me? I'm a bit bigger than your young lad (I'm a bit bigger than you, probably), however I am willing to wear a bobble hat.
Haha! Yes, that's the 8mph setting, purely because my lad absolutely would not let go of the gear lever which was held firmly in the 8mph position! I've not yet installed the sneaky hidden speed limiter under the bonnet, which may be a priority especially once he loses 90kg out the passenger seat which should liven up the performance a little.I am so jealous - would you like to adopt me? I'm a bit bigger than your young lad (I'm a bit bigger than you, probably), however I am willing to wear a bobble hat.
Of course it's also quite possible that I got my maths wrong on the gear ratios and need a smaller drive pinion on the transaxle...
Burnt a bit of midnight oil on Friday and got a bit more done so my lad and I could take it to the Land Rover 70th Anniversary bash at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon. The little truck ran brilliantly apart from throwing the left drive chain in the arena, however this was an easy fix and we soon got going again, and will be rectified properly once I've taken it all apart, painted it and adjusted the chain tension properly by shimming between the back axle and the body. It only happened the once and we must have driven about a mile around the show, including some terrain that had me surprised by it's ability!
The lights, badges and mirrors really finish it off...can't wait to get it finally sorted! Although it really might need "restricting" a bit...it really is quick and that was with me aboard too!
We're on here, at pretty much exactly the 1 hour mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIDwn9-zKcI&t=...
The lights, badges and mirrors really finish it off...can't wait to get it finally sorted! Although it really might need "restricting" a bit...it really is quick and that was with me aboard too!
We're on here, at pretty much exactly the 1 hour mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIDwn9-zKcI&t=...
It's all now come apart and I'm flat out trying to finish it for the Kelmarsh Land Rover show. MDF sealant gone on, and the first coat of undercoat. I could have gone on for weeks trying to get the wing fronts perfect, but they are 98% good and it's a child's toy at the end of the day.
I am officially a rivet counter...but the dummy ones do bring it to life a bit and make the brain think it's made of Birmabright aluminium...not MDF. The metal trim pieces on the quarters took ages to get right (hammered from flat sheet) but once the rivets are in will look the biz.
I am officially a rivet counter...but the dummy ones do bring it to life a bit and make the brain think it's made of Birmabright aluminium...not MDF. The metal trim pieces on the quarters took ages to get right (hammered from flat sheet) but once the rivets are in will look the biz.
Soooo...we got there in the end. I spent a lot of time doing silly stuff like all the rivets in the bonnet, knocking the corner trims and fuel cap surround up from sheet ally, and doing the fake brackets bolting the "tub" to the "chassis". It's gained a GB badge and floor mats since the close up pics below were taken too. I'm dissapointed in the paint finish, it's a bit bumpy in places, I tried to roller it but it's been so hot the paint just dried far too quick. But TBH it's going to get some knocks...already has...so it's probably better to have something easily touched in than some perfect sprayed finish. And...it's an old Land Rover at the end of the day!
I want to find a rusty bit of steel tube for an exhaust, get the lights working (24v loom, 12v LED so will need to re-do the loom off one battery only) and when my lad is old enough to drive it totally unaided, put some proper seats in. I've not put the seat back in for now as when I'm in there I'm essentially sat over the back axle.
The bumper has already had a scrape from loading it into the trailer, so I'll try and get it galvanized like the real thing.
It's been a fun project, and my lad loves it. But never again...it took forever (my fault...all the details), although I'm really happy with the "look" and think the details do make it look much more like a scale model than just a ride on toy. We took it to the Kelmarsh Land Rover show yesterday and got loads of positive comments...and even met a couple of PHers too who had been following the build...nice to meet you guys.
I want to find a rusty bit of steel tube for an exhaust, get the lights working (24v loom, 12v LED so will need to re-do the loom off one battery only) and when my lad is old enough to drive it totally unaided, put some proper seats in. I've not put the seat back in for now as when I'm in there I'm essentially sat over the back axle.
The bumper has already had a scrape from loading it into the trailer, so I'll try and get it galvanized like the real thing.
It's been a fun project, and my lad loves it. But never again...it took forever (my fault...all the details), although I'm really happy with the "look" and think the details do make it look much more like a scale model than just a ride on toy. We took it to the Kelmarsh Land Rover show yesterday and got loads of positive comments...and even met a couple of PHers too who had been following the build...nice to meet you guys.
Cheib said:
Haven't read the whole thread but the finished product is fantastic. Even a cursory glance makes yours look the best....the wheels you have gone for look so much better than some of the others....never mind the details!
Thank you! In fairness some of the ones on smaller wheels are just ply bodies on top of a mobility scooter chassis, and fair play to the builders as some of those bodies have been designed from scratch rather than from plans as mine was.However with the scooter based vehicles, you are effectively stuck with those small wheels, which bolt straight onto the scooter transaxle. If you put big wheels on, they will be very difficult to fit, plus the gearing will be way too high. Mine has a separate rear axle, with the old transaxle mounted above it with chain drives down to the wheels.
Wheel size is critical IMHO, and one day I might try and improve the look of the wheels with dummy "nuts" welded on and some kind of cover over the hub to look like the real deal.
Maybe...
Highway Star said:
ColinM50 said:
A bit like the ride on or drive yourself toys you can get in Halfords, they're toys for Dads, kiddies aren't really interested in them and after 5 mins will want to play with something else.
I bought a ride on remote controlled one from Ebay and 3 yr old grandson played in it for allotted 5 mins and never shown any interest since. Chatted to manager of local Maplins about them, he had an offer on and tried to sell me one and he said they're all sold to Dad's kiddies aren't really keen.
From OP's pov, OK build it for the fun and challenge for you but please don't think your little monkey will spend hours playing with it - he won't
Wow - quite the generalising buzzkill aren't you, Colin?I bought a ride on remote controlled one from Ebay and 3 yr old grandson played in it for allotted 5 mins and never shown any interest since. Chatted to manager of local Maplins about them, he had an offer on and tried to sell me one and he said they're all sold to Dad's kiddies aren't really keen.
From OP's pov, OK build it for the fun and challenge for you but please don't think your little monkey will spend hours playing with it - he won't
To give an alternative perspective on a similar sample of one child, my lad loves his (electric motor self built tractor), almost as much as his bike. When I get home with him every day, after he's had his tea, he's out on them both for around an hour before bath and bed time.
OP - especially as you have a LR, I'd wager he'll love it and want to be 'just like Daddy'.
Very happy to report that as per the general consensus of the thread, your views were indeed BS. Every night I get asked to get the "little Land Rover" out. He's spent days and days playing with it now, not hours, and that's aged 2.5 where he can't really drive it yet. He spent all day driving it round the aforementioned Land Rover show last weekend...along with all the other kids...so it's not like he's the exception to the rule.
Just to point out, a Toylander is nothing like the £50 cars you get in Maplins that struggle to drive on a lawn, let alone drive round for an entire day over quite tricky terrain with a fully grown adult on board too. Yes, it's a toy for him, but it's not a "toy" if that makes sense. It's a child's car, simple as that, and we all love driving, right?
I'll happily report back when he's bored of it, but don't hold your breath...
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