Toylander build thread!

[Hard-Drive]

Haha! TBH it's the garden that needs a bit of "babydriverproofing"! To start with he'll only be allowed on the flat bits, and I'll stick some kind of barrier up so he can't get to the Precipice of Death bit. Or anywhere near our cars!

There's no stream, it's a disused canal feeder that's not had water in it for decades. That said, the kill switch is a must, I have ordered one mainly on the premise that I don't want him driving into some priceless 1940's Series 1 at a Landrover show!

[Hard-Drive]

Don’t worry Coolhands...plenty places he can drive it apart from there. The video is a test run by Dad only!

Dogstar...think it’s been done but I’m not that clever I’m afraid!!

[Hard-Drive]

Huntsman said:

Cripes Iain! You've come on in leaps and bounds!

Thank you sir. I think if I'd not done all the extra details and also not been a tightarse and just ordered the "kit" front axle and running gear it would probably be done by now, and certainly under the tree at Christmas. TBH rather than rushing it, it can just be a belated present come the spring. No point in rushing it and not being happy with the finish. He's about to turn 2, he won't realise anyway.

It's also going to be a bit soul destroying stripping it all down again to paint it, but I want to know where everything goes and have drilled all the holes etc before I get the paint out!

Talking of which, paint has arrived. Had to be a factory colour, and I didn't want to stay with light green, as it's too close to the MDF colour and I won't get the "ta-dah" moment, and probably looks better on a Series I.. My missus hates marine blue, deep bronze green is too common with Toylanders, and I decided the light grey I'd intended to go with is a bit washed out and just looks like primer. I also wanted a colour that I could paint the wheels in as well...as when painted "limestone" they do tend to stand out as the wheelbarrow wheels that they are. So we're going with a rare factory colour of dark grey, as used on Series IIs for a few years.



More to follow when it happens...

[Hard-Drive]

So I didn't get a massive amount done over Christmas, but I have been concentrating on getting the electrics sorted. The "test drive" was done with everything literally thrown in, and obviously driving off the scooter "wig wag" potentiometer. As stated before, I need it to work off a proper accelerator pedal, (single ended potentiometer) with a reversing switch.

My local scooter shop kindly lent me the scooter equivalent of a diagnostics box, however, unfortunately, it won't let me reprogram the EGIS speed controller for the single ended pot, so the EGIS unit is going back to the factory and they will do it for about £27. So bearing in mind the donor scooter cost me about £50 I'm still quids in compared to using the proper Toylander bits, however it has been quite a bit more hassle but hey.

I have managed to work out how to wire the donor 12v toy Jeep gear lever to do the 4mph/8mph function, as well as reverse. I've made it look a lot more Land Rovery and it will be loads better than simple dash switches. The knob was something like £1 shipped from China off eBay and will look great when I have the red and yellow levers (ceramic drawer knobs) in there too.

From this:



To this:



Obviously I'll build a proper transmission tunnel around it in scale with the real thing. Note also the new key switch, the scooter fault LED in the main beam spot on the left gauge, and the battery meter. Left push switch is hazards, right one horn. There will be two similar switches on the main panel to do indicators (the scooter loom relies on a "momentary" push which then gives you a few flashes) and a traditional toggle switch for side and head lights.
It's slowly getting there!

[Hard-Drive]

DonkeyApple said:

It really is looking fantastic. Is the gear nob not at risk of getting broken off accidentally? There’s a lot of leverage there and a young lad having fun could easily tumble against it by accident?

I’d be quite tempted to have the levers much shorter so as to protect them (threaded extensions could be easily made if needed?)

Thanks!

Gear lever looks a bit longer in the photo than it is in reality. However it is still slightly longer than needed so I'll cut it down a bit...being steel it's a bit heavy (hence that helper spring to keep it out of second gear unless selected properly!) However it only goes in the forward/backward plane, and I'll rout a slot in the transmission tunnel which should keep it fully supported.

[Hard-Drive]

A bit of progress. I sent the speed controller back to the manufacturers to get it re-programmed for the single ended potentiometer, and it all works fine. I've built a throttle pedal with the pot under it, and refined the gear lever, and made a change to an alloy handle which takes a lot of weight out of the action. I've built a semi-scale transmission tunnel cover and bellhousing cover, with a slot for the gear lever which gives it a lot of lateral support. Here it is in first gear (the 4mph setting on the mobility scooter)



...and in second (8mph)



For reverse, you push and hold the lever forward against a spring. The red/yellow knobs are just placed in for now, the M4 x 0.7 tap I needed to make the levers tonight was missing out of my toolbox...grrr...

...so I decided to install the front sidelights and indicators. This is a departure from plans and involved putting some 28mm alloy tubes into the wings and then the lights fit inside the tubes. Obviously when I fill and fair the wings it should all look nice and smooth.







All of this extra detail is really, really messing up the build time, but comparing my lights to standard I do think it's worth the effort...mine's looking far closer to the original and that's before any paint...

...I think...

[Hard-Drive]

Made the windscreen today. Not as tall as the plan version, and it tapers in at the top as it should do for a Series 2...quite pleased with it and looks better than the plan version which is parallel sided...fine on a Series 1 but not a 2...

[Hard-Drive]

jj2908 said:

Impressive My dad and I about to start a build for the great grand children/grandchildren Lucky for me the new toylander HQ is just down the road!

Inspired by your cosmetic upgrades. Would you mind posting a link to the alternative head/side/indicator lights please?

Am I to assume that bodywork comes first? TL sell a pre-cut panel full set on their website.


Cheers

Headlights https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00VM9WKVK/ref...

Indicators etc https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06XY4QBGT/ref...

(fairly sure the prices have gone up a bit on both of those!!)

Yes, bodywork first, however if you are wanting to do modifications be careful as the headlight apertures may be wrong. I'd really recommend changing the bulkhead as I think the "kit" version does look a bit naff.

Re outboards...haha...it's two actually...and all looking a bit TG "Toyboata"!!

[Hard-Drive]

Simpo Two said:

Must have missed it - what's the green sheet material? Is it green MDF or some kind of recycled plastic?

It's water resistant MDF. I'd never heard of it before this build...but it's very good stuff. Cuts and machines very cleanly, and obviously doesn't split. And it should need only minimal filling and fairing when the time comes to prep for paint. Much cheaper than quality marine ply too.

I left an offcut sat in water for a few days with no obvious ill effects. I'm not saying I'd use this stuff for a boat building project, but it would be great in kitchens and bathrooms for example. And before I paint it, I will seal it too with some special MDF sealer. Should hopefully last for a while as I suspect this is going to get driven through puddles!

[Hard-Drive]

jj2908 said:

popped into the TL factory last night and bought the body kit.... Starting soon.. wondering if I can ut on some beefier wheels and tyres like those on the suzuki LT quad - any advice?

Tbh unless you’re going to build it as a 90, complete with wheel arch/bonnet/front panel/dash/screen mods, I think it will look a bit odd. You may also seriously reduce your steering lock and will be on your own from an axle design point of view too.

[Hard-Drive]

Too Late said:

Great progress.

I am 3 evenings in to building the Willy's jeep

Judging by your progress over 3 evenings, you must be about finished now!!

[Hard-Drive]

Not done that much recently...various bits of tinkering like starting on the bonnet hinges and putting some rivets in the bonnet, and work on the H/L and 4WD levers (dummy ones of course). But today seemed like a day to show the little guy how things have been progressing and have out first proper father/son drive together! It was really cool, he loved it, even if I did make one change and screw the throttle pedal box down in the passenger footwell!





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYizDq1VH0s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WMke3H2Ubg

[Hard-Drive]

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.

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...

[Hard-Drive]

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=...

[Hard-Drive]

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.

[Hard-Drive]

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.

[Hard-Drive]

It's a Series II, not a Defender!

Edited by Hard-Drive on Sunday 29th July 16:01

[Hard-Drive]

Love this shot taken by another Toylander parent. Loving the body roll, looking like the Stig on "maximum attack" mode!

[Hard-Drive]

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...

[Hard-Drive]

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?

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'.

Colin

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...