MOC series (or a theme) - Offroad adventure trucks, trailers and home base

[P6tu]

Hello,

Where to begin... I am very proud of myself and my son for just fiddling aroud with bricks to actually "develop" so to say a whole theme almost.

I think I can say that it all started actually about five years ago already and I can say that the fundamental or the the base of this whole thing was my son's mashup of sets 60044 and 60035. I didn't pay much notice to his creation at that time and I was, so to say, busy with my Technic creations... But then, COVID came and like most of us, I was at home much more and well as I was working and then thinking by myself about work stuff and at the same time looking at what my son was doing (playing), then I fixated to the monstrous truck that he had created and played around for a long time already and well - it got my creativity going. When the workday was over (almost), then I didn't care about anything else and I got into the imagination world of my son with all the surrounding things. The mashup truck from sets 60044 and 60035 had some durability flaws that I needed to help my son with and then the building (development) started =). I think it took almost a year to get some actual result and I think I did my first order of spares for specifically for that MOC. Prior to that I had only ordered some missing parts or replacement parts for exsiting sets, but nothing else. The result was basically a tractor truck with a crane, a quad and a helicopter. I must admit that this was mostly my son's creation at that point and I only guided in making the beast of a truck sturdy and strong.

When all the required spares were there and the actual build was, so to say, finished, then with a quite detailed conversation of the imagination world, the situations and ongoing things in that imagination world, I found that the truck lacked a lot of things - my road to improvements started. At that point I made myself aquainted with LDD and afterwards with LeoCAD or something similar - few months and multiple spare part orders, play trials, durability/playability test the result was this: LEGO MOC Offroad adventure truck with a semitrailer by P6tu | Rebrickable - Build with LEGO .

To be continued...

Edited October 16, 2023 by P6tu
Made the topic heading more appropriate.

[P6tu]

Just to give some background information of the imagination world, then basically it was a Lego wasteland where there were two "cities" on either side and also a "secret" area where diamonds and valuable rocks were to be found that had unearthly powers. To navigate that Lego wasteland, there was a need for a beefed up Lego truck (initially the customized 60035 set truck) and a trailer for carrying a helicopter for surveillance and a quad for quick trips for scouting out the areas where those precious rocks and diamonds could be found.

As a heads up, this whole thing got more and more complicated and multiple other trucks were built afterwards. I also have to admit that this imagination world has kind of faded and my son has gone into his own things and builds at this time, but I have been continued with the "theme". I still use my son to test the play features, durability and also to get some improvement ideas. But to keep things interesting, then I'll just update the topic properly according to the actual timeline of the development =).

Next time I'll try to post the details of the finalized truck with the trailer. I'll try to explain the needs of all the features also according to the imaginary Lego world =). Maybe that gives some ideas for their own builds (and maybe even play ideas with their child or children).

To be continued...

Edited September 24, 2023 by P6tu
Saw a typo...

[P6tu]

As a member already mentioned, then people want pictures. So instead of surfing in some external sites, here are the pictures of the final build:

Truck in it's whole glory:

Edited September 20, 2023 by P6tu

[P6tu]

Now to explain and give out the backstory of how this truck came to be in our Lego universe =).

Due to natural causes the Lego land is filled with leftover bricks - the land is covered with them, they are all over the room and yeah, there is a way around the bricks from one end of the room to the other end, but why take the long way when you could drive straight over those obstacles with those huge tires. As the set 60044 had small wheels, then those were in desperate need of upgrade and wheels from the arctic truck 60035. But on the way all kind of issues may happen (wheels coming off, tires inflating, engine overheating and etc.) - so a proper cabin with the most basic tools is needed and rear of the cabin was the perfect place by using the big door at the back and having the roof to be removable to have additional access to the tools by BIG fingers :P :

Now, as the tool issue was solved, then I stepped in to add some basic offroadish features to the truck and most noticable things are:
- front winch (which isn't used much in the Lego wasteland since it is mostly just like a desert looking place with those leftover bricks and no big stones nor trees to attach the winch);
- bushbar;
- snorkel (you know to drive through deeeeep water);
- branch guards infront of the windshield (again a bit useless feature in our Lego wasteland due to the lack of trees in general).
All those mentioned features clearly visible here:

Since the moonlight isn't very much illuminating then a full range of foglights, highbeam lights and all other types of lights is very cool according to my son, then that was an easy task to fulfill. Big loud horns was also a good thing to already add to the roof beside the foglights - made the roof to look quite a proper unit =). TO even add more exciting features, then the roof foglights are combined with the white glow in the dark 1×1 round plates and for sidemarker lights I used at the bottom those transparent glow in the dark cheese slopes. But overall the truck is filled with every light that there should be also in real life (reverse lights, directional lights and etc.) as can be seen on the above picture and as well in the picture below:

Now, as some may have noticed, then for some reason the usual known Lego universe didn't have their vehicles equipped with fuel caps. My son always added those silverish 1×1 round tiles to all kind of vehicles to use as a fueling caps - therefor the same thing was added to this truck and to the future trucks also. Due to the big vast empty Lego wasteland had no antennas nor other communication means, then the truck needed to have it's own long range antennas and those were firmly added.

Another thing to mention, is the exhaust pipes. Originally they used to be in upright position, but that made the rear tool compartment a bit too cramped, then those exhaust pipes were router in a horizontal way. They fit very snuggly to their designated places. Since overheating and the somewhat unconventional location of the exhaust pipes may cause fires then as a general thing - fire extinguisher is a very common thing to have. Lego is used to use yellow extinguishers, but in my and my sons experience - red is much more common color for the extinguishers.

As deserts and other such vast wastelands are usually with a softer terrain, then it is very common to have an option to deflate and inflate the tires of vehicles to provide better traction. To have this automated feature, then proper pressurelines were router from the wheel center hubs to the tires (to all six of them).

Last, but not least - a simple tow hitch in addition to the fifth wheel (which was necessary to tow all the required equipment and stuff) was also included.

SPOILER: At that time there was no clear or certain future use to that trailer hitch, but for now it has change and there are specific use for those trailer hitches =).

So that about the trailer truck itself. Next thing would be to write about the trailer - and ooh, that trailer is FULL of sooo many features =).

[P6tu]

Ouh, a thing that I forgot to mention, the third axle (the last one at the back) has a fake suspension so the wheels can move a bit up and down independently. This wasn't only about the feature itself, but it helped a lot to tow the heavy trailer. Without the moving third axle turning the truck on flat surface was a bit too disturbing and there was like a small need to lift the front a bit during play. Since the fifth wheel is located behind the second axle, then it was a perfect way to go. It make the front light enaugh to stay on the ground, but with a little effort the front of the truck loses traction in to the ground in play perspective and it is very easy to maneuver on laminated floor, carpet and any other surface that you could think of.

The visual perspective was, let's say, a positive side effect when driving over some Lego pieces =).

[P6tu]

Had a busy couple of days, but now, let's continue this storyline =).

About the trailer. At first, the trailer was a lot shorter and only had a spot for a quad/ATV and a helicopter. At some point it got a crane for lifting the quad, but then this was not enaugh. It needed more.

The journeys in the Lego vast wasteland were long and there was a need for a place to sleep, eat, live. A concept for living quarters was made and a final result is this:

The livingspace got equipped with:
- bed;
- cupboard with drawers that has toy cars (orange and red rollerskate :P), utensils and a letter;
- cocoa maker;
- heater (not very well visible, but it is left of the cupboard);
- radio for entertainment;
- little white sink with a tap (left of the desk);
- desk with PC and a tablelamp;
- two plants;
- fire extinguisher.
There are also two ceiling lamps to have good lighting in the room and they do not interfere with minifigs - the ceiling is high enaugh to keep minifigs happy even with hair =).
It is cramped in there, but enaugh for play. Due to the openable roof on the hinges there is plenty of access to everything and you can pose your minigs in there with ease. There are also some equipment for minifigs: mini pickaxe, camera, torchlight, satellite phone. For access to the cabin/living quarters there are two doors and there is a ladder that can be used to climb in.
The front of the trailer compartment was used for tools that were missing from the truck. For such a big trailer and for so many machinery and vehicles to take care on long trips there was a need for more tools:

In the front tools compartment can be found a crowbar, axe, hammer, disksaw (or something like that for cutting steel and etc.).
To have internet and tv reception, then there is also a long range antenna for the trailer too. There are also two smaller antennas on the roof.

Behind the living quarters was a perfect place to have some heavy machinery attached to the trailer frame. Since there was space, then a simple crane was not enaugh and a big drill was also placed =). Then there is empty space for the quad/ATV, but you could also fill it with something else - there is enaugh room for stuff =). And then there is a big floodlamp or a big workinglight for outdoor activities/works attached permanently on the tip of the third crane. There is a lot of articulation for all of those machines:

Behind the machinery there are two cupboards. One is with drawers that have some additional tools and the other one with enaugh space for a helmet that is meant to be used for driving the quad/ATV. Between those cupboards is also another fire extingushier.

And at the end of the trailer is a dedicated space for the helicopter. At the back is just in case a chain to fix some things, if needed.

Now, as can be seen on the above pictures, then there are also some more tools next to the low bed (middle section of the trailer). There is a proper pickaxe and also a big wrench. On the other side, as can be seen in the below picture, there is a shovel and a broom. Also the ladder for the living quarters can be seen on this picture:

On the right side there are also controls, a lever and pressure indicator for the machinery. On the left side that space is used for a small ladder.

About the underframe:
At the rear there are a lot of lights and at the front it is the same story. For more excitement, the trailer is also equipped with glow in the dark lights in front and in the back. Since the trucks third axle came out good and it is also good to have all four wheels on the surface all the time, then also the trailers rear axle has independent "suspension." To be able to leave the trailer without the truck, then it also has support legs in front. For fixing those supports in their place, then there is a chain attached to the end of the support legs. When they are in the deployed position, then the chain can be easely attached to the front part of the middle section and when they are in the "travel" position, then they can be fixed to the underside at the middle of the living quarters. For better visibility to work with the support legs during night time there is also a worklight at the middle of the underside (sorry. no pictures of it =[ ).

Next post will be about the few vehicles that can be placed on the trailer :P.

To be continued...

Edited September 22, 2023 by P6tu
Saw a typo...

[M Jibril]

Very impressive! It looks very detailed but also very fun to play with.

[P6tu]

4 hours ago, M Jibril said:

Very impressive! It looks very detailed but also very fun to play with.

It does offer a lot of playtime and keeps young ones busy =). Thank you =).

[P6tu]

In this post I'll give a somewhat short overview of the additional vehicles =).

On top of the living quarters roof we have a little bit souped up dinghy. It can accomodate two minifigs and it has a a small double propulsion engine. It is operable via steering wheel. It has a spotlight (another white glow in the dark round stud :P ), side markers (proper red and green light) and also has a beacon at the back to be visible from far away. There is also a lifevest hanging on to it.

On the lowbed (middle section of the trailer) is a quad/ATV. It is a small simple build, but I'd like to see it is a bit bulkier thing when compared to usual Lego ATV-s. It has the smaller balloonish tires on it and the back is a bit more builtup to give a somewhat sportier look. There is a small bushguard at the front and a towhook with chain at the back. There is also a red tailight as it should be and again - two white glow in the dark studs at the front:

Third vehicle is the biggest one on the trailer. It is also most detailed. With the helicopter the story is even a bit longer actually. My son used a helicopter from set 7686. So if you compare the two helicopters, then they are quite similar and I can't take proper credit for that helicopter. It is just a little bit modified version with another color scheme of the set 7686 helicopter. The biggest difference is the big rotorblade. In set 7686 there is a brick built one, but I have used a one piece unit. It looks better in my opinion and is also much sturdier. For the additional light there are again those white glow in the dark studs.

PS! On the pictures the helicopter is not properly built. The landing part should be one stud towards the rear. The helicopter is the "black sheep" of the "set". It isn't as tough as the other things and tends to break apart a bit, when played. Three things almos always break apart from the helicopter: the black landing part, front windshield and the red light on the tail rotor.

I don't mind to share the building instructions, but we have a deal with my son and everything related to this series is for a fee - so if there is someone truly interested in the build, then the instructions for it can be purchased on ReBrickable: ReBrickable site for this MOC .
Regarding the parts, then there obviously was a prebuild with more common parts and the first prototype of the final build was mostly of white, black and red parts. The final build has quite a few rare blue parts that might not be cheap so how it goes from the parts perspective, then it can be done quite cheaply by another colorscheme.
The reason, why I chose to go with black/blue, was simple - my favourite color is blue and my son likes black :P. Also, there aren't that many blue vehicles in Lego City sets and blue isn't any specific City subtheme color and why not have a style in that direction =).

To be continued...

[P6tu]

After this trailer truck was completed, then the need for additional trucks grew. The next truck wasn't that much of a need based, but more of a need to just have any other truck that would look almost the same and would be just as capable conquering the lands as the trailer truck. So with the next truck I just asked my son, what are the most interesting Lego City series trucks and the answer was 60056 (tow truck).

While the first truck was mostly my son's idea, then with this truck I just had a goal from my son - to have a similar truck for just towing. So I started building... Firstly I just made the front hood part that was 1:1 with the first truck. With the cabin it started to change. At first the cabin was also the same, but when I added the rear boom, the truck got insanely long in my opinion. I know that in U.S.A. they are known to be so long, but it was not to my liking and you want to have as short truck as possible for harsh road conditions (and for playing since long trucks can't take turns as well as short ones).

The general build was completed and now it was just about the details. The end result was this:

About the features. At the front we have the same winch, bushbar, branch protectors, snorkel and glow in the dark pieces as lights, long range antennas and etc. Since it is dedicated recovery truck, then changes start already from the fire extinguishers - there are two (one on each side). This truck needed a lot more tools by default, so there is the regular full set of tools. There are also two toolboxes that can be removed with ease (connected by one stud only). Near the cabin there is a big wrench on one side and an even bigger on the other side. At the rear there is a crowbar and a hammer. We also like to keep everything clean and tidy after recovery jobs, so there is a showel and a broom also. In the cupboard near the cabin can be found a torchlight and an oil can.

As it is a recovery truck, then beacons were also necessary on this truck and I wanted to have something a bit different from simple beacons on the roof, so I made the roof different overall and I really like this "dual sided" beacon outcome:

It makes taking off the roof very easy and it also was a good means to have a long rear light also at the top rear side of the cabin. There was plenty of space below the rear boom, then I used it for a spare tire. Near the rear of the cabin I also used that space to attach the rear winch. For easier operation I added the gears to have a better grip.

About the boom itself - nothing really special about it in my opinion. Quite standard thing compared to usual Lego towtrucks. The rear part is not extendable and the rear hook has two chains also just in case:

The wheels are all deflatable/inflatable (just one of the imagination jobs =P), the third axle is similar with the first truck with the fake suspension (also helps to steer during playtime when there is another truck being towed). We also have the hitch at the rear. Ouh, and we can not forget the fuel cap - every car has a fuel cap.

So that is about that truck. Kind of have to admit that it was done in a haste and doesn't seem to have a lot of functions when you compare it to the first trailer truck, but then again, it does give a lot of playvalue and introduces a lot more scenarios in the big wild Lego wasteland =). The build is very sturdy and it is quite hard to "break" it while playing. Only things that seem to come off by mistake, are the tools attached to the rear.

Like with the previous truck, the instructions are for sale only and no free passes :( - sorry. Link to ReBrickable site: Offroad adventrure truck for towing (ReBrickable).

Next post will be about the last truck (was planned to be the last atleast). This was much more dedicated to the actual "business" in mind in the whole Lego wasteland scenario. Hopefully that would be much more interesting to read about ;).

To be continued...

Edited September 24, 2023 by P6tu
Fixed typos again...

[P6tu]

Busy, busy time in real life and on-going Lego projects have kept me away from this forum for a while...

As I wrote previously, then the sole purpose of those adventures in the first place, was to gather and collect crystals, diamonds that posessed an unearthly power. Now we had the truck with the vehicles to search the areas for those rocks and means to pinpoint and to obtain those crystals and rocks. But there was an issue - the trailer didn't have any means to actually transport or to do anything with the crystals once they were gathered. And there came the need to have a capable offroad truck with a lab on it:

From the front the truck is identical with the towing truck and trailer truck. While the towtruck was 1 stud longer compared to the trailer truck, then this one is two studs longer. This is in my opinion the maximum reasonable length to still kind of fit in the Lego City scale (eight studs wide speedchamp cars are not for Lego City - my opinion).

From the equipment perspective the fundametals remained the same: winch at the front, bushbar, branch protectors in front of the windshield, full range of lights (including glow in the dark ones), deflatable/inflatable tires, tow hitch at the back, snorkel, fire extinguisher, long range antennas, fuel cap, exhaust pipes and big horns on the roof.
Back of the cabin there is a little storage box for a single crystal or multiple diamonds. The roof of the cabin is simply removable as always. The first fire extinguisher is also located back of the cabin alongside with a wrench. Above those we have some working lights that are attached to the roof. Those provide visibility to work with the bike crane and anything else between the cabin and the lab.

Since the truck is somewhat big by it's size, then it has a motorbike on it that can be taken down by operating the crane (controls visible on the other side of the truck) and that motorbike can be used for quick scouting or short trips between other truck in case there is a need.

And then we have the lab. The lab is quite packed, but fully usable. There is no conventional removable roof as is accustomed for Lego and instead the access is from the sides by simply tilting the walls up. This gives plenty of access actually and it isn't that dark inside as it looks. Inside the lab we have everything necessary for a little R&D or science stuff:
- digital microscope
- powerful PC for processing info
- bed
- a little cornerdesk next to the bed.

For minifigs we also have an additional fire extinguisher, torch, camera and a satellite phone.

Usually the night time is the best time to work on such desk and investigation jobs since during daytime the adventurers dig up the crystals, then the lab also had to be equipped with good interior lights too - therefor we have two rows of ceiling lamps in the lab.

Sometiomes there are also some rivers that need to be passed to get to some distant villages to ask for tips about the crystals or simply a shorter way from one dig site to another, then there is also a canoe on the top of the lab roof.

The canoe has also a machete on it to hack through some vines if needed. Also there is a small beacon at the back and a small light at the front. In order for the minifigs to get the canoe from the roof, there is a ladder and a pole next to the bike crane control lever.

This is how the truck looks fully equipped =) and it's full glory:

Again, there are instructions, but not for free :(  : ReBrickable link to this MOC .

 

A little bit of trivial info about this truck.

This was the first MOC that I published and I actually asked around for feedback about the build. Therefor I find it nice to give credit to few people who gave quite good feedback and this feedback was well received by me and my son - many improvements were done due to that feedback. Therefor I must thank for the warm feedback these users in BrickOwl forums: Brandish_Jaye , Calibrick and Mariehollands. And even special thanks for giving some direction of ideas to Brandish, who commented that the truck looks something like from Snow Runner (videogame). Thanks to that comment the lab truck was not to be the last one and two other truck ideas were given into production/development by my son :P - about those I'll write next time =).

To be continued...

Edited September 30, 2023 by P6tu
Typos...

[P6tu]

Inspired by SnowRunner®© PC game there were two trucks designed and "developed" in addition to the first three trucks. First one of those two trucks was, I'd say, the most monstrous and offroad capable truck of them all. It is with a 8×8 drivetrain/chassis and has two moving axles compared to one, as it was with the previous trucks. Also, another major difference is about the cabin - it can hold two minifigs and it is a COE type of cabin (cab over engine):

As you can see from the picture, it is a crane truck. The crane was needed in our Lego wasteland for extreme recovery operations where a simple tow truck wasn't able to handle it.

About all the equipment:
- snorkel
- front winch
- full set of lights and beacons (including glow in the dark bricks)
- bushguard
- branch protectors
- crate with full range of tools and a toolbox
- inflatable/deflatable tires
- tow hitch
- side supports for crane
- two fire extinguishers
- water hose with a small watertank or it can also be an extra fueltank ;)
- fuel cap
- horns on the roof.

About the functionalities and play features:
As stated, it can hold two minfigs and they both have their own mandatory cups for drinking =). The cab can be accessed through the roof, which is removable as a standard Lego thing. The crane is freely rotatable and when it is in it's resting position, then it is firmly fixed between the beacons. The hook is controlled by the black gears on the sides. The boom can be raised with using a small black gear at the back of the crane housing and it can be extended. One frustrating thing for my son is the fact that when the boom is extended, then the hook does not fall down freely, despite the few yellow studs attached to the hook. I tried to have the chains connected to the hook as I had with the tow truck, but I wasn't able to come up with a pleasant way to have the chains attached to it - they always felt like a bit excessive in this build... Cool, but excessive :(... Since the crane lacks an operating seat, then operating the crane for the minifigures is done by using the controls and a lever on the right side of the truck near the side support connecting point.

And, yes, there are side supports for the crane to prevent it from tipping over, when lifting something from it's side. While in reality the supports do not actually really hold much pressure, then it is more of a visual thing. The supports can be placed away neatly to their dedicated storage space from the back of the truck. They are firmly connected with somewhat usual, but clever option.

What I forgot to mention, is the long range antenna. For this truck it is a bit different. Due to Lego City scale limitations and the build, then the traditional long antenna was too long and another approach was needed - so it was done and this one has a brickbuilt sturdy, but a bit shorter antenna on the right side of the truck:

There are instructions available for a cost again in here: ReBrickable page for offroad crane .

One more truck to write about and then we can continue this journey with the next things in this line of adventure trucks ;).

To be continued...

Ah, one important thing about the front windshield branch protectors.

I know that some people hate this approach on Lego pieces, but in order to get them sturdy and to be able to handle all the play, then there was a need for 2,5 stud length Lego bars. 2 studs long bar was insufficient and three studs long bar was too long. Therefor I just cut one 5 stud long rigid hose to two exactly from the middle. So the build is still done only by Lego® bricks as it is with all our builds =).

Edited October 2, 2023 by P6tu
Again, typos...

[P6tu]

Finally got the chance to write about the last offroad truck that was made. The last truck was simply needed in the wasteland for quick traveling and got some influence from Dakar rally and from that Snow Runner PC game. Low and behold, the smallest truck in this offroad truck series:

This is a quick nimble very offroad capable light truck. It doesn't have much to go with, but even if you could get stuck with it, then you have a motorbike at the back to continue the urgent quick journey. The story for this truck is that it is used like a messenger truck between the base, the cities and trucks. It is economical compared to others from fuel perspective due to it's light weight and simple 4×4 drivetrain.

From equipment wise it is more or less the same as others:
- bushguard
- branch protectors
- snorkel
- front winch
- fuel cap
- fire extinguisher
- long range antennas
- full set of lights as usual
- inflatable/deflatable tires
- few simple tools
- tow hitch
- spare tire.

What sets it apart from others is the smaller engine. Therefor this truck has only one exhaust pipe. While the 8×8 truck had huge double stack exhausts for the huge engine it has, then this truck has only one exhaust pipe at the back of the cabin.

The truck has space for a bike and there are worklights attached to the rear of the roof to give visibility during night time to either get the bike down or get the spare tire unmounted.

The build is sturdy like all the others and is very tough little bugger from play perspective. Only flaw with it is the motorbike holder that tends to break off after every third dismounting of the motorbike.

Regarding the inventing of this truck itself, then it was somewhat fun build. Front part was easy - basically copy-paste of the previous trucks. The rear - well, this was interesting. That is the part were we happened to have a glimpse of Dakar rally and son wanted to have something similar to jump off the Lego wasteland dunes and etc. so at first it was somewhat simple cargo like compartment at the back with two spare tires at the rearmost area. It was a bit boring and since the two tires looked somewhat awkward, then I placed the tires as close to the cabin as possible. Then at the back we had four cupboards (one with drawers and three with a space for helmet and other tools), but then it kind of felt bulky and didn't have that speedy feel from visual perspective. Two cupboards were removed and a rear wing was placed and it started to look good. Problem was that I was not able to build the rear wing so it would be sturdy enaugh (in my opinion). After removal of the wing the truck looked quite like the final build, but I needed to get somehow some more details to it and son needed more features or something else to it and just by random coincidences the bike found it's place at the back =). Only thing that is missing according to my son, is the place for a helmet that you need to drive the bike. Well, it was also missing for the lab truck so it was looked over and since the drivers of those trucks have helmets on anyway, then we got past that obstacle for this time ;).

Forgot to add the direct link to the instructions page: ReBrickable link to offroad scout truck . As with previous ones - with a symbolic cost =).

Edited October 6, 2023 by P6tu
Again, typos...

[P6tu]

Ah, yes, what will happen to this topic now - well, the story does not end here =). After those trucks were made, then a quite challenging task/input was given by my son, that, from one point of view doomed the whole playfield for my son due to the huge project and the whole thing drifted apart, but at the same time gives him this eager need to get to play with it, once completed. At that time he was still playing with the trucks, but he needed an actual home base for the trucks and I started to create that, but it was a bit too big project to realize and after some months the whole action shifted to my son's own city and it wasn't in his most anticipated thing any more.

That didn't stop me and I went full digital with the designing the home base for those trucks and I have it somewhat completed. It has expanded over time and when it was at first on just three 32×32 baseplates, then by now, it is lifted to nowadays more common MILS plate system and is built on 15 MILS standard plates. It is 5 plates wide and 3 plates deep at the moment and is a true home base for all the trucks.

I have not been able to get myself to actually afford to build it in reality due to the sheer amount of needed bricks (estimated total price of the bricks currently is around 2k€). I will build it eventually, but meanwhile to get my son back to his interesting Lego wasteland, I have started to create additional content for the offroad trucks themselves. While chronologically the home base would be the next thing to write about here, then I'm still figuring it out, how to continue this topic - should I write about the huge feature and detailed packed home base or should I continue with the add-ons for the trucks. By add-ons, I mean, that the trucks got their hitches utilized and there are at the moment three trailers to couple with the trucks that further improve and add play features/scenarios to those "sets".

I'm not sure, how many readers there are, but I'll try to ask it from the community anyway:
How would the community like me to continue this topic? Should I start writing about the home base or should I write about the trailers for the offroad trucks?

And if there is a fanbase of this project, then I did a discount for this weekend without the knowledge of my son to the offroad trucks. Use a coupon code LETSGOOFFROAD and receive a 55% discount on any of the trucks =). The coupon is usable over this weekend =). All those trucks can be seen here (with some other MOC-s): All MOC-s by P6tu .

[P6tu]

I'll go with the trailer =).

So how the trailers for the offroad trucks came to be. While I was building the base for the trucks then when I was thinking about the sleeping places, then it got me thinking that OK, two trucks do have a place for minifigs to sleep and the monstrous 8×8 truck, tow truck and small scout truck didn't have any - and a camping trailer would be a perfect thing that could be hitched to the existing trailer hitch that is present on all the trucks anyway.

I'll hope to have time to get some pictures done of the trailers within this week so I could post them and then describe them one-by-one with the features. I made total of three trailers: lab trailer, washing station, utility trailer. There is a fourth trailer in mind, but this is still in thoughts. Something fuel trailer/quad-/motorbike extra utility something trailer... But will see how it goes along the progress.

To be continued...

[P6tu]

I'm in a pickle with time - don't have enough of it and can't get it from anywhere. But the first trailer was the lab trailer. Since I haven't placed up the "studio" then I made a simple picture with a phone of it to be at least able to show something to the readers =):

It is a double axle trailer (rear axle has "suspension" so the wheels always are touching ground). The trailer also has front and rear stands that it can rest on when not attached to a towing vehicle. It is equipped with:
- two beds;
- on board radio;
- sink;
- microscope;
- oven;
- heater;
- desk with a table lamp and PC;
- fire extinguisher;
- small potted plant;
- small camerastand;
- cocoa maker.
Picture of all those things:

It can fit two minfigs to the beds with ease. Access to the top bed is via the inside stairs. Both beds have a quite good lookout during night time (especially the top bed - minifig can view the night sky directly above him/her :P ). Access to the interior is by simply removing the necessary sections.

From outside the trailer isn't that well equipped since it is a lab trailer after all and not an utility trailer.  Only available things are:
- two life vests;
- a dinghy for two minifigs with set of oars;
- ladder to access the dinghy;
- a crowbar and a shovel;
- long range antenna to have internet and radio access everywhere;
- working lights to keep the surrounding area of the trailer lit during night time.

As it always is with the sets to this theme - it has glow in the dark studs for driving lights in the front and back. Besides that, there are all sidemarkers and other usual lights necessary for a vehicle (including licenseplate).

This set hasn't been build proofed yet by my son and the instructions have not been looked by him, so there aren't any instructions available as of now (will be in the future). For the time being, then he is happy with the durability so far, but isn't very fond of the tight space at the middle, but all is accessable - I just see quite often that the camera with stand and the potted plant have been removed...

Here is a picture of the trailer with the big crane offroad truck:

As it can be seen, then the dimensions are spot on compared to the rest of the trucks and it works very well.

Ah, forgot to mention, but all the trailers have their own hitch at the back, so they can be all connected with each other and it is possible to make like a roadtrain, which my son likes to do often :P.

I will update the post about this trailer or make another reply, when the instructions have been proofed and proper pictures have been made of this trailer. Also, I will share the info on the other trailers too when I have a chance =).

To be continued...

Edited October 20, 2023 by P6tu
Again, typos...

[P6tu]

Did some R&D with my son on this big trailer and needed some improvements. So in the pictures above is not the final thing - yet.

[Yperio_Bricks]

Quite an impressive world you are building! And you are putting a lot of thought into the vehicles. My favorite so far is the small off road truck (the one that carries the motorbike. Do you also plan to build some kind of landscape? I read you build a digital home base for the vehicles?

[P6tu]

12 hours ago, Yperio_Bricks said:

Quite an impressive world you are building! And you are putting a lot of thought into the vehicles. My favorite so far is the small off road truck (the one that carries the motorbike. Do you also plan to build some kind of landscape? I read you build a digital home base for the vehicles?

Thank you =). I can't take the whole honor on the world, but I just like the approach of my son. Lego Cities are quite "standard" in that sense and I have not seen nor noticed something similar to post apocalyptic or similar Lego landscape or idea for that matter. Mostly there are ports, houses, warehouses, construction sites and that's that. The reason most probably might be that there is a lot more going on in such cities than there would be in the wastelands where our playground is :P.

But yeah, landscape - will see. The MILS standard, is in terms of brick consumption, quite thirsty, but there is no limit in the virtual world. But the idea itself already to build on MILS standard kind of begs to be used in real life =).

For the vehicles there is a home base and that is something that I will bring to life - just time and financial resources are holding back with that base at the moment. In time I will share the base with it's details also (and there are MANY action features and details).

Right now I'm trying to get some proper pictures of the trailers and after that I'll go with introducing the base build. I've noticed that it isn't that much frowned upon, if someone presents just a virtual creation. I may be a bit old school since with virtual world there are no limitations in terms of weight, count of parts and somewhat hinder the brain to find alternate ways to improve and develop the builds. That is why I just make something basic or fundamental in the virtual world and then the real building and "development" in that sense starts afterwards.

But after this base has been introduced, then there are few more different vehicles (already built) which complement the whole scenario even more =).

[Yperio_Bricks]

Such a hugh landscape is certainly a project for years. I often build my mocs on MILS plates, not because it is needed but because i like the system. An soon the brick boxes will be half empty because so many bricks went into the underground construction

[Pirate_King_1982]

These MOC’s are perfect. They could very easily all belong to an official LEGO sub theme. Do you plan on making plans for these vehicles on Rebrickable. I’d  buy plans for sure, I’d  really love to make some of these vehicles bright light orange to use in Jungle Explorer dioramas.

Edited October 31, 2023 by Pirate_King_1982

[P6tu]

On 10/28/2023 at 2:47 PM, Pirate_King_1982 said:

Thieve MOC’s are perfect. They could very easily all belong to an official LEGO sub theme. Do you plan on making plans for these vehicles on Rebrickable. I’d  buy plans for sure, I’d  really love to make some of these vehicles bright light orange to use in Jungle Explorer dioramas.

Thank you =). For all five trucks there are plans/instructions available on ReBrickable in here: ReBrickable user P6tu . You can see all the MOC-s what I have published so far. Regarding the color scheme, then yeah, you can make most of the blue parts into bright light orange to match the Jungle Explorer theme =).

[P6tu]

I still haven't finalized the first trailer yet. I have the instructions and I have made the improvements, but I am still waiting on few parts to make it 100% complete and then I can take proper pictures of the first trailer too and publish the instructions.

So, just to keep this topic still a bit interesting then I did some pictures of the second trailer (also not 100% completed nor has it gone through the child proofing phase :P. But never the less, here it is attached to the small scout truck:

Sorry for the bad picture quality again and the bad lighting. The second trailer was desperately needed by the scout truck for covering more ground and quicker. One thing the scout truck was missing was a bed to sleep in. So the first thing was to have a bed in that small trailer:

Second thing was the distance - BIG improvement in distance is always the fuel that it can carry, so the second thing was actually implementing a big fuel tank to the trailer. Now, the liquid tank was divided into two sections. Obviously when you are on a long trip with a car without any civilication, then you need to wash yourself and groome yourself, so a shower, sink and toilet was needed and also another half of the tank was filled with water:

While the fuel can be pumped from the hose on the left side of the truck, then water can be either taken from the tap next to the sink or there is also another option outside - a tap with a red button near the bottom of the ladder =).

A list of other features and stuff of that trailer:
- bicycle for some physical activity (helmet included in one of the compartments on the left);
- showel for whatever situation;
- stands for the trailer to be stationary on it's own;
- big axe for camp firewood or safety?;
- crowbard just as standard;
- sattelite phone;
- glow in the dark lights in front and in the back;
- external surrounding lights to lit up the world =);
- ceiling lamp inside the shower/toilet room.

As stated, it is still missing some parts and hasn't been "verified" by my son yet, but it is played with so it is a work in progress =). But I will get this trailer also completed eventually and also make better pictures and instructions available for that trailer too =).

Edited October 30, 2023 by P6tu

[P6tu]

Just a little "teaser" on this whole project with all it's things... You can spot some things that I haven't even mentioned (all are still work in progress things). This is the base that my son and even I am very eagerly waiting to build - just need to get the pieces somehow... :

[P6tu]

I was on a vacation abroad and didn't have any time to place into the offroad adventure theme. So I did the least possible - I had my son proofbuild and play around with the smallest thing (besides one simple bike) - the little support 4x4 offroad pick-up truck with a simple support trailer:

The 4x4 pick-up is quite a simple build actually and it has all the proper offroader features like the front bullbar and a rollcage with roof lights. There is also a wrench for quick grab and on the other side there is a walkie-talkie. It is a lifted truck, so the ground clearance is appropriate =). In the back trunk there is a box with a drill, extinguisher and a torchlight.
 

Now, the trailer is a bit more complex in terms of equipment. The main features are the two tanks on the trailer - a water tank and a fuel tank. Both have their own nozzle and area also equipped with level indicators and pump pressure controls, cauges. There is a conciderable variation of tools also for those simple off-site repairs and jobs: disksaw?, crowbar, adjustable wrench and spanner wrench. In the cupboards you can find an additional fire extinguisher, torchlight, oil can and another smaller drill. The trailer is also equipped with external worklights and supports so it will remain level without being attached to a car:

So far this is the only build where the car has no glow in the dark lights. Only the trailer is equipped with those glow in the dark lights in front and in the back =).

Sorry for the poor quality pictures. Did them again with my phone, but I will update them with better quality pictures =). I've made the instructions also available at ReBrickable in here .

 

To be continued =)...