39 replies to this topic

[bugone]

Not knowing what to get for Xmas, my mind strangely turned back to my youth and I asked my girlfriend to get me a Monster Beetle. She ended up getting me a Monster Beetle QD, so when I saw a proper Monster Beetle come up nearby on ebay, I decided to get that as well.

I wanted to modify the Monster Beetle to match my full size Baja.

(Painting in progress)

I've driven the Monster twice now, and both times I've broken something on it! First go was the steering servo arm, second go was the rear body mount. The new servo arm wont 'save' the servo, but is less likely to break! I decided to rebuild the body mount our of metal. It was a delicate piece of welding - but is very solid.



So, here is my Monster all painted up.


Here it is with the Quick Drive (pre finishing touches). Funnily enough, I've driven the QD loads, and it seems pretty much bullet proof.

[SteelRat]

Nice! You wouldn't happen to be a member of bajaclub.co.uk would you?

[bugone]

Nice! You wouldn't happen to be a member of bajaclub.co.uk would you?

Yep. Same username. I needed something to tinker with while its cold and wet outside.

[bugone]

Dammit, third drive, and I snapped an upright. This thing is so fragile!

[Percymon]

bad news, but at least ebay has a plentiful supply of used parts!

[Sayer]

...my full size Baja.

Hey! Stop living my dreams!

[SteelRat]

Yep. Same username. I needed something to tinker with while its cold and wet outside.

It's through that site that I ended up here! Never bought a full sized one in the end - too busy with the small scale ones

[bugone]

I've now finished (I think) upgrading my Monster Beetle. I've just been out for a test drive. This car is absolutely terrifying!

Can you spot what I've done?

[bugone]

After reading up about brushless conversions a bit, I decided to convert my Monster Beetle to brushless setup.

I've gone for a EZRun SC-8 120a and an LRP X12 6.5t motor. I also decided to upgrade the shocks. I've spent all evening soldering everything together and I've replaced all my Tamiya plugs with deans.

This is how it looks now.







Its too late to give it a run outside now, but I've tried running the motor. Wow - I didn't even attempt full throttle, I thought the tyres were going to break their glue!

[skip665]

6.5t brushless through a Monster Beetle gearbox!!

Wow you are brave! Hope it holds together for you - prepare to break more stuff

Car looks great btw

[bugone]

6.5t brushless through a Monster Beetle gearbox!!

Wow you are brave! Hope it holds together for you - prepare to break more stuff

Car looks great btw

Took it our for a run this morning. Tried it on rough stuff. Wowsers, the front wheels barely touched the ground. Then a bump launched it skywards and it barrel rolled a few times. Broke the servo saver.

I've set the initial punch to minimum, and I'm using a 16t pinion, so should reduce the torque going through the gears a bit.

If a jobs worth doing, it's worth over doing.

At least I know I can buy a whole new set of frog transmission quite easily.

[skip665]

Then a bump launched it skywards and it barrel rolled a few times. Broke the servo saver.

Thats the problem I found with the crazy brushless in a monster truck - any bump can launch the truck into a cringe worthy somersault which invariably breaks something.

I went to silver can/Sport Tuned and 2S lipo - much safer

[SteelRat]

Bent gearbox plates and chewed up transmission in 3... 2.... 1....

Seriously though, good to know it goes as good as it looks, but I have a feeling your fun may be short-lived

[skip665]

Bush Devil/Super Blackfoot/King Blackfoot gearbox conversion FTW

[bugone]

Bush Devil/Super Blackfoot/King Blackfoot gearbox conversion FTW

Does anyone know what the MB diff gear is. I know its a 52T, but whats the inner gear?

Only I've spotted this...


Edit - sorry, forgot no ebay links. Item # 290625163015

[bugone]

I've made a few updates to my Monster Beetle.









Now, I need some new wheels. I've cracked the front ones (driving too hard!)

[wolfdogstinkus]

It's still in one piece . I am surprised you have any tread left on your tyres, and your gearbox is still intact.
Looking good though. Any chance you can get a video of it running?.

[bugone]

Lots has been replaced.


Rear suspension arms, gearbox metal plates, bearings, driveshafts, etc. The left bevel gear is knocking under load, but I'm waiting for a 2.5mm tap in the post to do the oldfrogshot mod before I stick my new set in though. Also, I need new wheels as the front left joint has cracked.

Still, I have my backup QD to pay with. It's PDQ and bullet proof so far.

[wolfdogstinkus]

Bugone, Is it your QD that has the 7.2v battery tucked away neatly in the standard battery box?, or is that someone elses?

[bugone]

Bugone, Is it your QD that has the 7.2v battery tucked away neatly in the standard battery box?, or is that someone elses?

Yep. It has a mad bull gearbox, 2.2 rear wheels, oil filled shocks and a sport tuned motor. It goes great on road. The wide rear end adds a lot of stability.

I've got a 12t motor, but the ESC that turned up to run it shorted as soon as I plugged the tamiya connector in. Nearly melted my battery!

[bugone]

Any chance you can get a video of it running?.

I managed to get a quick vid of the motor running. I was juggling a baby, the controller the car and a camera, so couldn't so much.

[matman]

I have put in a 17.5 brushless system in my mud blaster / blackfoot / monster beetle .
& that is good enough . Spins the wheels still easily . Not broken a thing .
I was thinking about putting in a 21.5 in to see how it goes ......

[bugone]

I have put in a 17.5 brushless system in my mud blaster / blackfoot / monster beetle .
& that is good enough . Spins the wheels still easily . Not broken a thing .
I was thinking about putting in a 21.5 in to see how it goes ......

Try a frog pinion.

[wolfdogstinkus]

I managed to get a quick vid of the motor running. I was juggling a baby, the controller the car and a camera, so couldn't so much.

Cool, you got some major ballooning going on, are your tyres glued?

[bugone]

Cool, you got some major ballooning going on, are your tyres glued?

They were....

Got some bead locks coming from the states now.