Static Age

I attempted to fit the tamiya 54412 slipper clutch yesterday. Its not compatible. The spline pattern on the dog gear has no where to go in the HG-P407 transmission. Although it does fit it will not allow the transmission to engage 3rd gear(2wd high). Trying to select 3rd gear could potentially damage the transmission.

Kyosho Scorpion 2014 fronts are 1.9" and bearing fit. 840 bearings if used on kyosho axles.. Similar width to falcon & Stricker.

I removed a leaf from each spring & the coil spring on the damper shaft. It does allow for more articulation. I think due to the design axle articulation is limited. I'm also considering RC4WD leaf springs. The tyres are also very firm compared to most scale & crawler tyres. As mentioned above its a very good clone in terms of handling. Watch any youtube video of a vintage 3 speed & they are quite stiff & bouncy, not like more modern scale truck at all. I think with a few subtle mods it will be a fun truck that I can run as much as I like without fear of damaging a vintage 3 speed.

Correct, they do have spring on the shaft. I removed mine to soften the ride. The shocks are oil filled & just like vintage tamiya they leak. After market shocks would be a good upgrade, but for now I stripped mine & rebuilt them with fresh oil, tamiya red O rings & a dose of AE green slime. No bother as I had these things in my spares box. The shocks only require a very small amount of oil to function well.

The Rest of the kit has brass bushings. These are easily replaced with 1150 size bearings, same as most tamiyas. The inboard front shocks are quite unique for the time, the rear mono shock sort of works if you set it up quite soft. No doubt twin oil shocks at each end will be an improvement. I've done no mods to mine except bearings for reliability. Its fun to drive but it will never be a racer. Enjoy it for what it is.

I don't recall having any option when I bought one, so I guess the default plastic. I agree, steel would be overkill.

That's the spur gear. As I said its held up to a fair few runs so far which is more than I can say for the stock spur. I'm pretty sure that they are 0.6 mod, same as the tamiya sand scorcher. I'm using the 19 tooth pinion, seems spot on for decent acceleration & a good turn of speed. These old hunters are a little fragile & spares are not easy to come buy so you only want to go so fast with it. Handling isn't the best although it is slightly better than some entry level buggies from the era. Not to bad off road but they understeer very badly on tarmac as the front end is very light.

I've got a Hunter runner, its a great fun buggy. However even with a stock 540 motor on a modern battery the spur gear will fail pretty quickly. The spur is the only part that you cannot fit bearings to. Seems mad that it would be made that way. You can buy a spur gear on shapeways that has bearing recesses. I've been using one for a while & its holding up well. Regarding the pinion, I'm sure they are 0.6 mod. Looking forward to more of your pics, your hunter will really fly with that 15T 550 motor. Mines nippy enough with a 21T 540.

The wheels are about 2.1 inch so modern 2.2 buggy fronts will fit ok with a dab of glue. 2 inch tyres will also fit with a little stretch, so no need for glue. Schumacher has a few 2 inch tyres available.

Most of the UK ebay seller repro decals are not good. MCI racing do some of the best decals available https://mciracing.ca/products/blank-0a43a12e-ade2-49d6-8b62-9bff261c33f1 Edit: I'm late to this thread lol.

These repro tyres are great https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tires-set-with-inserts-for-Tamiya-Blazing-Blazer-58029-Wild-Willy-I-58035/272674549143?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

I'd go for around the 3000kv mark in a lunchbox, it will be very lively.

Those generic Chinese brushless set ups are very good value for money. I've got a few of them. You can get a motor & ESC combo for under £30.00. The motors with the fins as per the picture are 540 in external size & fitment but the internals are 380 size, these work great on 2wd buggies. The true 540 size will give lots more torque & are better suited to 4wd & monster truck applications. These have a smooth can as there is no room for heat sinks. If you are racing then go for the much more expensive brand name gear. For fun the Chinese brushless combo's are unbeatable value.

I presume the tyres are shot because the car is a runner. If that's the case why not fit more modern tamiya 2.2" 2wd wheels, you will have a huge choice of tyres from every current manufacturer. Are the original madcap wheels 2"? If so Schumacher make quite a few tyres for the vintage 2" wheels.

I have a 16t pinion fitted with the sport tuned motor. Just as fast but adds a bit more toque, ideal for sand & dirt.

Motor wise I have a Tamiya GT tuned with a 15T pinion, goes very well. My other highly modified super champ has a technigold with a 17T pinion, I have the thorp spur gear adapter. The chassis can be stiffened up a lot by fitting alloy nerf bars, they also look very cool.

I'd just run a 5mm drill through the centre of a regular 540 motor pinion.

Thanks, I'll try messaging the seller on shapeways.

This build is shaping up really nicely. I see the shapeways seller has the front trailing arms. What ball cups are required to make these fit?

I'd love a ball diff for my wild one. I cant see the stock one lasting too long with its current brushless set up.

I got them in a batch of RC stuff I bought on ebay. I don't need them I'll PM you mate.

Thanks, I suspected that was the case.

Can anyone help ID these. Vintage or reproduction parts?

The grasshopper tyres will fit, but its a bit of a stretch.

I also agree. That gearbox is super strong as long as bearings are fitted.