Leaderboard

Rolled out the monster beetle today for a bit trundle through the woods, got a load of rc's but there is just some thing both silly and just fun with tamiya vehicles plodding along whilst smiling, good times like it was the 90's all over again

Hello again, time for another update on the Lunchbox Sometimes it would stick on some bit of tricky ground, or on a root or god knows what. The motor would spin up like crazy as I applied full power and the truck would shake and lurch like a lambing ewe and then after a couple of seconds off it would pop happily again. Enquiries on the site brought some advice from XVPilot- the wheels could be spinning inside the tyres and to glue them on a little bit. It worked like a charm. So the poor thing was eager to go, and go very fast as well, but it wouldn't steer on anything approaching full power. It had a turning circle like a ship, and on some surfaces such as wet grass it pretty much just went straight ahead. This wasn't quite the damper on the fun that it might sound- it's a Lunchie and therefore just put it into reverse, it'll turn one way or another and wobble off eagerly again. There was a lot of play in the steering connections and the servo wasn't powerful enough to turn the wheels fully when it was stationary, there was a whirring groaning noise and the wheels would jiggle a bit. It kind of worked ok at low speed though. And then I ragged it at full speed into some substantial bushes and broke the servo saver Never mind, it was the original anyway. Sometimes the ball joints would pop off too and I'd been considering a steering upgrade already, but I had no real idea of what to do. This very forum provided advice, and internet wisdom yet more. I ordered a servo from Ebay and a set of aluminium heavy duty steering connections from Asiatees, along with a pair or aluminium rear lower shock absorber brackets to shift the shock rearwards a bit and clear the motor. The shock absorber brackets were easy and quick to fit, I won't bore you with details, they have 2 positions to bolt the shocks to. I chose the highest position because you have to start somewhere and I have no idea what such a tiny difference could make, but will try both. It's just a shame that they're brown. I mean, who chose that colour??? The broken steering- The steering parts weren't easy for me to fit, the kit had a lot of extra bits and pieces in the bag. There were no instructions either, and I gave up in frustration for 2 days running before I managed to figure out what I needed to do. Fitting the steering arms to the knuckle joints at the wheel end was a bit tricky until I (not really me, but you know what I mean!) just drilled them out a bit and put little bolts through. There may be a problem here in the future as there isn't a lot of material at that end of the knuckle joint, so I've ordered aluminium ones from Hong Kong (I think) The servo wasn't simple either, until I worked out that I'd have to use some parts from the original servo to mount the heavy duty gold metal part. I also fitted it back to front the first time. Twice! There's some adjustment in the steering arms but not much. Just enough to get the wheels level after fitting it all back together. The steering is so much better now! The truck turns when I want, and has greater steering lock too. It's also tough enough to survive a huge crash which I inflicted on the poor thing- attempting a jump down a near vertical 15 foot high grass bank resulted in a bounce of 6 feet followed by a landing on the top right roof corner. Ouch. The crack noise didn't sound normal but the truck rolled onto it's wheels and drove off as usual, albeit a little wonky. The chassis had broken off exactly at one of the metal body mounts. If it had been a plastic Tamiya body mount would it have snapped off and saved the chassis? I think it almost certainly would have. When I bought the truck it had brand new mounts, I actually thought they were the metal upgrade parts until after about a month they started to break off as my driving got more boisterous. They may well be intended as sacrificial parts. The new chassis was about £8 delivered from Ebay and arrived in 2 or 3 days. Changing it took 2 hours including a cup of tea. I did try to glue it with extra strength mega-super glue but it only lasted a few seconds. I've since discovered that plastic welding is a possibility, so I'll bear that in mind for the future should I fail to heed the lessons I've just learnt . . . . . Today was the first opportunity I've had to go for a test bash with the newly invigorated Lunchie. It's as great and silly as ever, perhaps slightly less inclined to wheelie though. I will look into this, as wheelies are all part of the fun! Last week I managed to finish some rather silly modifications to the pink shell, so I'll chat about that next time, plus the funky steering knuckles should they ever appear, any changes I've made and all the things I break in the intervening period Nikki

New resident at our house!! VERY long story, but got there in the end!! Al.

apparently its autumn

Fitted Dusty shroud in preparation for a sandy bash this weekend,

How about a Proper Camel Trophy replica ????????????????

this is a reluctant sale as i really like this, imo it handles so much better than a savage and that says alot as i am normally a savage guy since putting the new parts on, i have never took it out. new parts lipo doors front and rear tbone bumpers. chassis lower chassis links rpm arms the electric included are spektrum s6280 ( only problem is i had to force the wires in as the wire is so thick and the servo compartment is tiny, only few quid on ebay. still works though) 1717 motor, only used a handful and still in good condition. 150a quicrun waterproof esc, never used it on 6s. it has got quite a few upgrades on it already. the spare wheel has a rounded off hex so is not usable. will require radio, lipo and lipo charger to run this rig. the shell is bit battered but still usable. would like 410 posted please if paid by paypal, please pay the fees cheers guys

I love all Motorsports... especially rally (group a/b) and hill climb of any nature.... Here's some cool rally pics...just because they're awesome to look through... And lastly, seeing as the Suzuki escudo pikes peak challenge car is sitting above, and how I've always wanted to run it myself....... Let's see how they ran the pikes peak back in 96', he hits his stride around 30 seconds in. And here's how we do it these days! Got to have some big cohonez to run this climb at this speed Puts ken blocks run into perspective

@Miss T Nikki, Could you tell me the length on the steering arms, I need 95mm I wondered if the lunchie was the same, if so can you let me know details of the arms you are using? Thanks, Gav

I have got a HPI fire bolt 15t motor in my hornet boy does that shift neil

Hi nikki you are getting quite good at repairing and upgrading you lunchie that's all part of the fun of this hobby I am always on the lookout for another Tamiya thinking about a Tamiya jimny next Neil

all trimmed and marked up, should be ok, know better tomorrow when i get to paint the bugger and fully fit, should be all good

I have a choice of Firebolt 15t brushed with a dynamite waterproof esc or a goolrc 3100kv 4pole sensorless with quicrun 60a, or a sensored 2pole quicrun 13.5t & matching sensored esc... Or a silver coloured 27t... Decisions, decisions...

The rims look like De Racing Trinidads http://www.deracing.net/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=43 The tyres could be Hot Bodies Rodeos

That would be a 18t 0.8 module pinion, with the motor mounted Hornet-style straight to the gearbox with no adapter.

So been busy with the scooby doo shell again More sanding, this time with wet and dry 320,400 Washed/dried, then high build primer in one main coat, and three coats round problem areas... Awaiting drying of high build, then 2000 wet and dry all-over, then paint!

Nothing broke on yesterday's quick and mildly abusive test bash so I'm feeling hopeful! The replacement servo has a brass splined shaft, I'm not sure what's inside it but it's faster and more purposeful in it's action than the original. I'll do some photos as soon as I can

I have fitted an HPI Firebolt 15t Motor in my Lunchie and its wheelie's all day

The Milenium Falcon landing pad. Finished converting the coffee table into a proper display cabinet. Now to get the Falcon built. John

Very nice write up of a lot of improvements to your Lunchie. Sounds like it should be a lot tougher and last very well, despite the abuse you give it. The custom modifications look really well done as well, so hopefully none of them fail, at least not for a while. That servo and saver also look really good. Did you get a metal geared servo? Keep enjoying it, and show us some photos of the mad things you do with it!

Are you planning to replace the whole thing or just the spur? If you want to replace the whole thing, you just need to flick of the C Clip with a flat head screwdriver. It takes a bit of practice and do it slowly...they are a bugger to find if they ping off anywhere!!!

Great update, sounds like you're still very much enjoying Lunchie ownership! Have you got a link or part numbers for the rear shock mounts and the HD servo saver? I'm starting to plan electrics etc for my forthcoming build (though I still haven't decided between a Lunchie and a Jimny...), but apart from rubber sealed bearings, I'm not planning any other changes at build stage, though no doubt a raft of mods will follow very quickly This one will be our 'beach basher' so ultimate off road suspension prowess is not really a major consideration.

I know I've said it before but it is a lovely body, let me know how easy it is to fit, I'm trying to fit a trailer onto Ranger, then try it out

Can't go wrong with the Zippy 6200mah 40c, got 6 of them and all good!

That is fine. If you Pm me a rought sketch with dimensions of a mount if you would like one, I will mock it up in software and can then send that file to you, so you can print it in paper and check all the dimensions are correct, then it will be easy to cnc it out of aluminium and post it over. That body is looking a lot better, nice work. Will be cool to see it after a nice fresh coat of paint.

Ah bugger, had few days dry up here but windy, not checked forecast. This should come today and pretty sure it will be a good fit, i currently have 1 on my traxxas stampede and looks like a cool old bigfoot style truck https://www.modelsport.co.uk/pro-line-1972-chevy-c10-body/rc-car-products/33453 , to be done in metalic blue

May take you up on that offer of a mount. I'll let you know when the motor/s arrive dude, thanks ! For now ive been getting on with stripping the chassis and the start of a refurb on the original shell. Started by sorting Windows out at side Sanded some lip edges out, scotch brite, blacked to reveal lips, sanded again, thin etch primer applied in 8 coats... Start awaiting final etch primer drying now before high build primer applied in certain areas, then more sanding of high build etc, then re sand wet and dry whole shell.... This will be done later this week Then I can make any last Dremel cuts/holes I need, of which there are many!, trial fit accessories, remove them, then finally the first coat of colour!!!

For now! I need to change the steering links to threaded ones at some point, the plastic ones are very flimsy, however that might be a good thing as they are likely to pop out before it breaks something else. I would like another body as well and get a decent paint job done but maybe something for winter? I think then this should be a decent 2WD buggy and considering in total I probably spent about £70 all in its a bargain (the buggy was free from a mate and I had the motor, ESC and a few other bits lying about). Sent from my TA-1033 using Tapatalk

Daily Commuter checking in. I have had my bike (BMW g650gs thumper) for about 7 months now with 5k miles under my belt thinking of garaging up over winter and commuting on the train. Is winter really as bad as described? Obligatory bike pic (wild camping trip with the gf this summer)

Fatal error was getting married................THREE TIMES!!!!Cost me a small fortune. Could have had a nice Thai girl for a few quid J

Another hour done in the woods today, still impressing me with the climbing, still going strong and no breakage, woods has changed a lot to mostly leaves and bloody twigs

I've been looking into these for a while now. If its anything like the outlaw then it'll be well worth the money! I don't need one, I don't need one!!!!

Front and rear tethers in the 5ive,

Yesterday evening but : rebuilt scout transmission with bits from the HSP one I bought. HSP one had a few extra spacers which I suspect the scout one might have had originally. Might explain why it ate the input gear. Seems to run nicely again. A few ball (rose) joints have worn and are sloppy so might have to shop for some proper ones. Maybe time to upgrade to M4 and I fancy making new upper links on the front for a bit more caster angle. Shell is barely holding together too, time to dig out the spare.

Have a look at Team Blue Groove. Good prices and cheap but fast shipping from Canada. http://stores.ebay.co.uk/TEAM-BLUEGROOVE?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 John

Not done but more seemed to have lost I've been sorting out the loft and for the life of me I can't find my Alfa Romeo TL01, hopefully its at my mums... And cleaned up the Amp after a quick blast around the garden

Talking of fiddling with out trucks........... refitted the standard light kit today.......... in a slightly different position to original, wasn't sure to start with but quite like it now. Didnt want to chop up the tamiya body so this is the best I could come up.

Certainly does For how much ceramic coating will set you back and how long it could take (some companies do them in batches to save time so it's sometimes a good months wait) I'd buy a ported head kit, if you want more power. It'll probably cost around the same and give you massively more than ceramic coating on the pipe will.

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/rw-1-0-module-pinion-18-teeth-for-5mm-shaft/rc-car-products/34369 thats what i use on 4s, stock pinion is not good

Good to hear - we've got rain and its forcast for a few days