Jim24

Hey Ultraburger! This popped up via email and I realized I have not been on this site in a LONG time. I did finally get my Lunchie going and bought a Midnight Pumpkin for the wife/kids. Sadly, these old girls do not take well to being "abused" and I found I was breaking one thing or another almost every time I took them out! So, they have sat parked in a safe place and really haven't been out at all. If time allows, I plan on getting something new to beat on and just keep these for rare occasions and for display. Best of luck and enjoy it!

Shocks are on, I had to used the pre-load adapters on the front shocks because it was still riding a bit low and the wheels were hitting the front bumper. Working good so far. Of course my servo saver broke on that initial run and I had to replace it but at least I had one!

Things have been crazy lately so I haven't gotten much done. My shock set from Abisma has shown up and I still need to get them on. After that I have to make a final decision on whether to go with the Shapeways or FX10 front end mod and of course the chassis braces and 5th shock mod/shapeways brace. If all this happens and works well, I will be doing the same to my wife's MP!

Thanks, I will take a look at those. I have read the FX10 mod is tough as nails. I was a bit worried about the complexity and my lack of spare parts since I am just back into the hobby after a LONG time and both my Lunchbox and Pumpkin are used and did not come with spare parts!

Thanks Vagabond, I have read that chassis braces are really necessary in the front for sure. I will look up your shapeways shop when I buy them. I have seen some on there that have the Lunchbox printed in them and liked them. Considering how involved the FX10 mod is, it might be worth the risk of $30ish on the Ampro arms. Thanks!

Hey all, after much consternation my Lunchie is running and is a blast. However, it is older and has NO mods yet. I have a set of 4 shocks from Abisma coming from the UK and I will be ordering the 5th shock brace from Ampro to solve that area rather than doing the 5th shock. My question is I have been reading posts about the front end on this vehicle and mine is just a sloppy mess. However, the FX10 mod seems a bit complex and requires some fiddling, modifying, and extra parts and the Ampro double wishbone set up appears to be prone to breakage. I am not going to be doing any major air with this thing but going off curbs and small jumps is part of the fun and I don't want to spend $30 on something that "may" break the first time out like I saw in another thread. So, what do you guys recommend? Is there a way to make the front end issues better with minor mods or are these two I noted the only real option out there?. And if you have done one or both, pics or how-to's would be appreciated! Thanks!

I have actually looked at the 3rd shock replacement brace you have and I am planning on getting it for both units. But I have to save up for front shocks for the Lunchie first, this thing bounces around like its on a trampoline and wont even turn if you are on the throttle at all! This used Lunchie I bought is bone stock and now older and really in need of upgrading. The MP handles much better and most of that is because the front shocks are actually still working, the Lunchie is just a pogo stick! But I will be looking at braces too!

Update: She runs. I put in all new gears since I bought the whole bag. She runs like a champ now, no grinding. I guess that cracked axle gear was the problem all along. Now its onto upgrades. Appears shocks and chassis braces are the first necessities for both this and my wife's midnight pumpkin!

Update...Well, after waiting for a new rear axle mount to come from one person and the diff pin from another and then finding time to put it all together (just now)...fail... Still works under light load but as soon as you gas it, it grinds and moves only slightly faster. SOOOOOO, I took it all apart again and examined everything even closer, even taking the axles completely out this time. Noticed something I had not seen before on the axle gear on one side...cracks in the plastic on the ring around the axle nut. I had not seen these before but I think under pressure of full throttle the cracks expand and cause that side to not mesh properly with the diff. I cant see ANYTHING else as the teeth all look fine. So, a bag of gears with new axles has been ordered, should be here Saturday...hopefully this is the end and I will actually get a run out of her...

Yessir, someone mentioned that and I tested those waters and the wheels were fine on the rims and hubs. After taking a real close look inside, the diff pin is missing and at some point one of the rear axle carriers broke in the mount. Looks like the screw just split it. So now Im searching for a diff pin and a D-parts tree. However, its going to have to wait until after payday. This hobby has sucked my funds dry in no time!

Took it all apart and found two things. One, that diff carrier pin IS missing. And I found one of my rear axle holders was broken at one of the screw points.. this lunchie is giving me fits!

I will take a close look at that later. I'm also planning on pulling the motor off out Pumpkin and putting it in the lunchbox just to be sure. If it's neither of these then I guess it's onto buying a bag-o-gears and rebuilding it!😣

Ok guys, I had the entire gearbox apart checking everything and checked the grub screw. I couldn't see any chipped teeth or anything else wrong. Put it all back together and tried running it and it ran ok for a minute. Then the grinding came back. If I run it at very low throttle there is no noise and the van moves normal. As soon as you "gas it" it moves slow and has the grinding sound. If I keep trying it eventually doesn't go at all except under very lite throttle. there is no noise when you manually turn the wheels there is no grinding and the diff is working right as the wheels turn opposite as they are supposed to. Any chance this is a failing motor??

Ok, great. I was reading a bit on this after posting and that grub screw seemed to be a common issue. As far as the shocks, I will look at those but I will have to find some of the U shaped mounting plates since I bought this used and don't have any additional parts. Thanks guys!

Hello again, You may have seen my last post trying to get my "new" used Lunchbox running because it had battery and receiver issues. Well, after finally getting the radio and receiver worked out, an ESC, and having to order a new servo saver because the new servo was a different size, I finally got it out and ran her for the first time about 10 minutes ago. Well, she ran great for about 2 minutes and then I got stuck on an obstacle in the yard (the trampoline support pole). Freed her up and hit the throttle and all I got was a buzz. I gave her a push and she ran and if you lift her up she goes but any amount of torque causes her gears to slip. I have not taken the gearbox apart yet but I am guessing the old gears are either out of mesh or are stripped/stripping. I will be taking it apart later or this weekend. So, here is my question... Is there a recommendation for an upgrade that isn't too expensive or do I just buy a new set of Tamiya gears off eBay for $7-10 bucks. So far I have owned this for 2 weeks and have gotten 2 minutes of run time. Also, the front end is SO sloppy she is bouncing all over. I have read all about these needing better shocks, I will take recommendations on these too. Thanks!