[MOC] "Dakar" Tracked Vehicle

[VicT]

Hi, my name is Victor and I've loved Lego since I was a little kid but haven't built something in like 17-18 years. This all changed when my girlfriend gifted me with the BMW R1200 (I also love riding bikes). 

After initially just wanting to get another Lego bike or two to put up for display, I realized that I wanted to build my own creations again.

Bought 42065, and thought how to improve it, but so many things have changed that the learning process took a while. 

 

My goal was to create a tracked vehicle that would be somewhat fast, but also easy to control / maneuverable. I decided that 2 speeds would be enough. Also, to be able to switch gears by remote control, to have suspension and maybe a nice but ultimately not too heavy body.

I now think of it as a kind of vehicle that would race in a fantasy version of the Dakar Rally (if tracked competitors would be a thing).

Features:

- 1x BuWizz

- 2x L Motor for drive (skid steer)

- 1x M Motor for gear change

- 2x 2 Speed transmission (1:1 and 3:1 ratios, neutral)

- Soft suspension with good travel

- Detailed-ish body, with easy removal

Photos taken by a friend.

DSC_3813-edit by Victor T, on Flickr

DSC_3815-edit by Victor T, on Flickr

DSC_3818-edit by Victor T, on Flickr

DSC_3820-edit by Victor T, on Flickr

 DSC_3822-edit by Victor T, on Flickr

DSC_3823-edit by Victor T, on Flickr

The gear changing mechanism: from and M Motor, via 2 clutch gears, move 2 changeover catches.

DSC_3826-edit by Victor T, on Flickr

Gearboxes: 

DSC_3829-edit by Victor T, on Flickr

Here's a video of me trying to negotiate a simple obstacle course (4 times :) ) - climb over some books, change into 2nd gear, accelerate and show off :P

 

I could have refined the design more, but I want to move on to other projects, the wheeled kind :) I will likely build a "trial" version of this in the future.

Praise, but especially criticism is welcomed :)

Nice to meet you,

Victor

 

 

Edited March 24, 2018 by VicT

[Aventador2004]

Very cool! Love the details.

Isn't the gear selector wrongly positioned in this bottom picture?

 

[VicT]

Thank you!

I think it's in the right position, as 1st gear is on the left in front and on the right in the back, so the selector moves appropriately :)

 

 

[BusterHaus]

Welcome to Eurobricks! I like the performance of this build, and it looks pretty good, too. It could be a bit wider to increase stability, or maybe not as tall.  No complaints beyond that. 

[VicT]

Yes, I agree. I wanted it as small and light as possible, hence the smaller width. Regarding height, I realized that it's a tad too tall but I liked how it looked and decided to keep it. 

For my next build I'm going to take more things into consideration in the beginning, this time I was focused on the chassis, the body came after that was finished :)