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Tamiya Lunchbox/Midnight Pumpkin Owners Club....


jason3249

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On 10/03/2021 at 02:11, oodboo said:

Yeah links can expire pretty quickly, especially when most stuff comes from eBay.

 

Here's my thoughts on mods on order of importance:

1 - Bearing kit, install when building rather than doing it later. www.rcbearings.co.uk have supplied bearings for pretty much every kit I've built.

2 - Alloy body mounts. The heavy abs body just shears off the plastic body mounts first time you roll it. Search eBay for "lunchbox alloy body mounts" there'll be a few options for about a tenner.

 

That's all you need to get started but of course there's loads you can do to these so next up:

 

3 - 5th shock mod as the leaf springs will be gone after the first run. This is to stop the slap from the gearbox when you accelerate. There's a little 3d printed part you can get that's a lot easier to fit, Google "ampro engineering cw01 transmission brace".

4 - Replace the shocks but I like tamiya stuff so I'd go for the tamiya short shock set 2. These can be quite pricy though so alternately look for something 75-85mm. You'll need the mounts which are supplied in the kit, if you don't have these then check eBay for "tamiya 9805082".

5 - faster motor. I always thought a 15t motor was the sweet spot in these, wheelies all day and a good top end speed. Of course there are plenty ways to go faster if you want.

6 - tyre foams. These help with handling without losing too much of the madness. I can't remember which ones I used now so get some help from Google for that.

7 - better wheelie bar. The standard one is a bit rubbish, I left it too long and the end where the wheel was had mostly been ground away and it had pushed holes into the gearbox casing. Look on eBay for "lunchbox wheelie bar". I bought a nice one and has 2 little wheels and brace.

 

From there your imagination is your only limit. You could get a parma lexan body to reduce weight up top.

Miniature manufacturing make some lovely alloy wheels.

Chassis bracing looks nice but I don't think it makes much real world difference, I have one brace between the front shocks.

You can get a kit that allows you to use standard pinions, I use a 20t 32dp pinion on mine.

 

Just popped into this thread to see if my list of planned upgrades for my yet to be delivered LB were suitable, this has confirmed what I was about to say! 

 

It's a shame that the AMPro bits are so much to deliver to the UK, makes it's far too expensive to use as an option.

 

The first question I have at the moment is around shocks. Given that *nothing* official is in stock, I'm going to try and find something else, do I need an 80mm shock?

 

Also, what do people use in terms of a 2s battery? The tray looks fiddly and I don't think any of my normal hardcase 2s batteries are going to fit. 

Edited by theboyfold
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just mind have a wee bit of velcro to hold the wires once the battery is connected and ready to run, stops em rubbing the left back wheel and damaging the wires 🙂

 

oh dad and i used ftx surge shocks as a 5th shock 🙂

Edited by Yrkoon
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  • 2 weeks later...

Having had a mooch of this thread - thanks to @Yrkoon for the tip off 👍 -   I have a question, for generally larking about does a Pumpkin need a forward/ reverse ESC rather than a forward/brake/reverse ESC?

 

As a kid the delight of full throttle reverse, then slamming full throttle forward was particular pastime for the 1980’s version of me. The smell of a burning mechanical speed control and resistor aside, I never killed a gearbox 😁

 

I’m building a Pumpkin for my niece and I wonder what is the best option, any ESC or maybe a 1060 or a Mtroniks ESC might oblige. Any thoughts?

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  • 2 weeks later...

8D6BF60D-CB83-44A6-BD8D-2B1AE39821B3.thumb.jpeg.8d1af642fd814c2a162b9f7036811985.jpeg
 

Finally finished this off today, soon to be bashed to high heaven and covered in mud/sand/chocolate when my little niece gets her hands on it - which I hope she does because Pumpkins and Lunchboxes always look better ‘enjoyed’ and played with!

 

5E33F823-B204-491F-B974-F226E4E541D8.thumb.jpeg.b455e641bac141221b105310dd4f4990.jpeg

 

D2A8EC74-FFB3-4824-82FF-1279F45F1608.thumb.jpeg.f7e3ab583f719c1986ba2f5356a5b037.jpeg

 

Standard Pumpkin bar some soft tyre foams all round and ballraced. I did add a 55 turn crawler motor as a temporary measure till she’s to grips with it, and used a Hobbywing 1060 in crawler mode - no brakes but full throttle from forward to reverse just like an original mechanical 3 speed 😂 You can just about make the on/off switch reach the hole that once held the resistor. I went heavy on the heat shrink on the motor/ESC leads at both ends to give them a fighting chance. Still wheelies too 😁

 

17915B44-4024-4DE4-8F87-D9C1EC6FD6B7.thumb.jpeg.ddccf7316d7f67357cba8864a7e176a7.jpeg

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1 minute ago, Stormbringer said:

nice mate i remember when mine looked like that lol :rofl:

 

Thats why I took the pictures before it gets enjoyed 😜 My wifes to blame really as I was buying a Rising Fighter buggy for half the price but she wanted her to have a Pumpkin like she did when they first came out!

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50 minutes ago, Shergar said:

8D6BF60D-CB83-44A6-BD8D-2B1AE39821B3.thumb.jpeg.8d1af642fd814c2a162b9f7036811985.jpeg
 

Finally finished this off today, soon to be bashed to high heaven and covered in mud/sand/chocolate when my little niece gets her hands on it - which I hope she does because Pumpkins and Lunchboxes always look better ‘enjoyed’ and played with!

 

5E33F823-B204-491F-B974-F226E4E541D8.thumb.jpeg.b455e641bac141221b105310dd4f4990.jpeg

 

D2A8EC74-FFB3-4824-82FF-1279F45F1608.thumb.jpeg.f7e3ab583f719c1986ba2f5356a5b037.jpeg

 

Standard Pumpkin bar some soft tyre foams all round and ballraced. I did add a 55 turn crawler motor as a temporary measure till she’s to grips with it, and used a Hobbywing 1060 in crawler mode - no brakes but full throttle from forward to reverse just like an original mechanical 3 speed 😂 You can just about make the on/off switch reach the hole that once held the resistor. I went heavy on the heat shrink on the motor/ESC leads at both ends to give them a fighting chance. Still wheelies too 😁

 

17915B44-4024-4DE4-8F87-D9C1EC6FD6B7.thumb.jpeg.ddccf7316d7f67357cba8864a7e176a7.jpeg

looks awesome, i love the pumpkin and lunchie for garden bashing and mad handling 🙂

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thinking of grabbing one of these now ready for something to build later in the year.  What is the general consensus on yellow paint?  I hear that TS-47 Chrome Yellow is maybe a better match than what Tamiya suggest?

 

Looking at oil shocks, bearings  with metal body mounts.  Looks like 5th shock is a must or are there better alternatives these days?   What length does the 5th shock need to be?

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My AMPRO bits arrived this morning via UPS with no problems, I also received some m3 stainless steel rod that I had ordered from eBay so I could make the top control arms. I also used some of the threaded rod to make a pair of knuckle pins to hold the front hub mounts. I have a bit of fine tweaking to do to set the wheels a little more upright but so far I am very happy with the outcome.

254002475_SettledSuspension1.thumb.jpg.028bdc4974c9f7f62dbea782bed5b871.jpg

 

1580591810_MaxComperession.thumb.jpg.ef3433ac9765d6a024ea1f7a7f5b00e3.jpg

 

834119543_SettledSuspension2.thumb.jpg.490975add2533f19225013532b8312d2.jpg

I had also bought some 10mm wide yellow polypropylene strapping which I have cut to size and sewn to make a tow strap.

519940952_PolypropyleneTowStrap.thumb.jpg.ce5429e1e4746412db2ec1b6b7af9be9.jpg

 

This last pic shows my 5th shock install

188418740_5thShockInstalled.thumb.jpg.0f4e639dfa4216685ee78fbf127fc1ae.jpg

 

I also received the light buckets that were ordered with the wishbone kit, I have yet to set them into the bodyshell, I need to get some appropriate adhesive, I have tried using 2 part epoxy, Superglue and Revell model cement on some test bits but they didn't seem to work, would Tamiya Extra Thin Cement  or Micro Kristal Klear be any better? Any advice on adhesives would be appreciated😎

 

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On 18/06/2021 at 16:52, KC59 said:

My AMPRO bits arrived this morning via UPS with no problems, I also received some m3 stainless steel rod that I had ordered from eBay so I could make the top control arms. I also used some of the threaded rod to make a pair of knuckle pins to hold the front hub mounts. I have a bit of fine tweaking to do to set the wheels a little more upright but so far I am very happy with the outcome.

254002475_SettledSuspension1.thumb.jpg.028bdc4974c9f7f62dbea782bed5b871.jpg

 

1580591810_MaxComperession.thumb.jpg.ef3433ac9765d6a024ea1f7a7f5b00e3.jpg

 

834119543_SettledSuspension2.thumb.jpg.490975add2533f19225013532b8312d2.jpg

I had also bought some 10mm wide yellow polypropylene strapping which I have cut to size and sewn to make a tow strap.

519940952_PolypropyleneTowStrap.thumb.jpg.ce5429e1e4746412db2ec1b6b7af9be9.jpg

 

This last pic shows my 5th shock install

188418740_5thShockInstalled.thumb.jpg.0f4e639dfa4216685ee78fbf127fc1ae.jpg

 

I also received the light buckets that were ordered with the wishbone kit, I have yet to set them into the bodyshell, I need to get some appropriate adhesive, I have tried using 2 part epoxy, Superglue and Revell model cement on some test bits but they didn't seem to work, would Tamiya Extra Thin Cement  or Micro Kristal Klear be any better? Any advice on adhesives would be appreciated😎

 

thats a sweet looking lunchie 🙂

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I've just applied the first orange tint coat to the front  and rear indicators and the side marker light buckets, I'll see what they're like after they've dried and then red tint the rear tail/brake lights 😎

868980118_LunchBoxLightBuckets.thumb.jpg.e6fb0ad3ca66dd3c3be2d76defe0c325.jpg

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  • 7 months later...

Hi guys,

 

Just to let you know as well as Clodbuster upgrades I have also designed a few Lunchbox parts recently . Due to the cheaper cost of the Lunchbox most of the "upgrade" parts available seem to reflect this lower quality (3d printed parts etc). I am only interested in producing our usual CNC'd carbon, delrin and machined aluminium upgrades to our usual very high standards. These parts, due to their high cost, are not for everyone, but they an option for those of you that want the best.

 

More pictures, prices and descriptions are on my website UKMonsters.co.uk I also have a facebook page and sell on ebay.

 

Pro Independent front suspension kit

 

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DSC06292.JPG

 

DSC06295.JPG

 

 

Alloy servo mount brace

 

DSC06206.JPG

 

DSC06188.JPG

 

DSC06204.JPG

 

 

Adjustable carbon wheelie bar

 

8.JPG

 

2.JPG

 

 

Alloy rear hubs

 

DSC06227.JPG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  • 1 month later...
  • 2 months later...

I seem to have won one of these in an eBay auction.

it has the Black can sports tuned motor with the TBLE02s esc, I have a Hobbywing 10BL60 knocking about, is this a better ESC?.

it looks like it already has the 3rd Shock upgrade and the metal body posts.

Will strip it down when I receive it and make sure all is good,

Any battery suggestions (Xt60 if I use my 10bl60).

Any other tips or tricks with these?

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If it hasnt already had it done brace the chassis front and rear at the shock towers so chassis cant flex as much

My son and i run the round edged gens ace 4000mah 2s lipos in our lunchbox/pumpkin get arond 30 to 40 mins runtime

Also lights are cool

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Ohh we also run waterpfoof servos in ours and put the receiver in a wee tupperware container to make it splash proof and plent room in chassis and shell for it (about 1.5"cube)

Our esc,s are hobbywing 1060,s which are waterproof as well so no probs running in the wet :good:

Ps its all in this thread the mods weve done

Edited by Stormbringer
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6 hours ago, Stormbringer said:

Ohh we also run waterpfoof servos in ours and put the receiver in a wee tupperware container to make it splash proof and plent room in chassis and shell for it (about 1.5"cube)

Our esc,s are hobbywing 1060,s which are waterproof as well so no probs running in the wet :good:

Ps its all in this thread the mods weve done

Which model servo is it?, I have a waterproof receiver box, so will make use of that, I’m hoping the kids will want to use this, my lad doesn’t use his MN99 Landrover at all, it’s just too slow for him, might rob the lights out of that for this.

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