nginsb

Finally the build is complete! Looks fantastic, very happy with how it turned out. Decided to mask the windows before painting, just in case one day I want to put a driver figure in (probably won't ever get round to it, but all the same). Was a real pleasure to put this kit together, couldn't resist posting a pic side by side with the Avante - both absolutely stunning.

A bit of a delay getting to the body shell, but have finally trimmed and sanded - now ready for spray. Better weather here this week so will get a chance to complete the build. I must say, I'm a little torn about spraying at all - its such a superb looking platform, almost a shame to cover it up!

Well, its come together very nicely, really pleased with the result - this is a real stunner of a vehicle and a pleasure to build. Still need to do the body, waiting on some good weather to do the spraying outdoors. Couple pics below of the (nearly) finished build, those viewers with eagle eyes will notice the colour difference in the two front damper cylinders. I'll live with it for now, and perhaps will replace them one day if I can even find a set somewhere...

Ok, looks like I panicked a little, the size issue seems not an issue (screwing them in both to their max, the sizes look ok). So I guess I can live with two different colour front shocks. It thats all it is, I can keep calm and carry on. Still interested if anyone else has had this kind of inconsistency in their kits?

Well, I've hit a snag! And looks like a real showstopper. Building the dampers, I noticed something odd with one of the front cylinders, the colour of one of them looked inconsistent. On closer inspection, it looks completely unmatched with any of the others, and on even closer inspection, is a completely different size! This is a real disappointment, as the kit was totally sealed (refer to top pic at the start of this thread). Not certain what to do from here, I purchased this kit a long time ago from RCMart and no way of getting a replacement now. Anyone have any similar experience or comment? Pics below sort of show this as best as possible (poor lighting but should get the idea).

Front axles and uprights assembled and fitted, together with the bumper and front damper stay. Still to fit the steering and then on to the dampers. This is really a marvel to see coming together, starting to look like an Egress!

My only other experience with them is a few scale accessories for my TRX4 Defender, so nothing specifically functional. But like you, this probably won't get much run time so its likely not a big issue.

Yep - the inner bearings fits quite snugly, but outer ones seems to be quite loose. I'll see how I go - quick to switch out, but you're probably right, not all that worth the added expense and hassle, the kit hubs are more than adequate.

I remember taking my first overseas trip to London at age 13 and finding a hobby shop in Camden who sold me a set of bearings for my Shogun, the upgrade was tremendous. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the running of the car 30-odd years later, when it finally arrives!

Building the rear arms, really impressed by how sturdy these feel. Fitted the rear hubs, I'm using the Yeah Racing aluminium hubs designed for the Avante but which seem to fit fine. Little bit of lateral play around the bearings but this seems to be absorbed by the diff sponges which put adequate pressure on the rear axles. Will have to see if this impacts the car in any way, can always switch to the kit included hubs if need be. Rear end, really coming together nicely.

Looks like a fund project - reckon it'll go like the clappers with that GT tunes motor in it. Enjoy, post some pics of your progress!

Little more progress today, decided to use the torque splitter, gearboxes now complete. Upper deck fitted and rear stabiliser installed. Its starting to take shape!

Decided to rebuild the diffs - added a little more grease to get them running smoother and figured out what seems to be the right tension. Now the quandary - whether to go with center lock or torque splitter. I've read a bunch of previous posts on this, weighing up the fors and againsts, kind of in two minds. I might experiment with the torque splitter setup just to experience the difference compared with my other vehicles eg the Avante (which is built to spec) but may switch to the center lock for easier (non track) handling down the line.

Some progress made, a few pics below. As mentioned, taking my time with this one, enjoying every step! Step 7 and 8, building the differential gears, was quite new to me - I haven't build a proper ball diff in past models. I'm not all that certain how tight to make them, how smooth they should be (mine feel little "gritty"). Any tips on this step?

Going to be building it largely per original spec - I have the Yeah Racing aluminium front knuckle and rear hub sets which I will fit (used these on the Avante also). I may try to find a set of the blue rod ends which were used on the original (apparently the F parts from the Clodbuster will work). But for now, thats about it.

Haha, thanks - I hope I do it the justice it deserves. I'm looking forward to seeing how this compares with the build of the Avante, which I thought was an absolute masterpiece of engineering.

So I had planned to keep this one on ice for a while longer, waiting for a rainy day so to speak. But given the extended lockdown circumstances where I am, figured now's as good a time as any to get building. This will complete my trio of Tamiya re-re's that I'd always wanted to build - the Super Hotshot, Avante and now the Egress. What will come next...open to suggestions! I'll post a couple of build pics for anyone interested, will take my time with this one, so progress may be a little slow.

What a find! That looks brand new, even with the original box. Please post some more pics once received, like you, this was my first buggy when I was 13 (now 44). I still have my original which is in need to some restoration, but I plan to rebuild it as soon as I get some time and will probably order a new (replica) body shell.

Fantastic that you're doing this with your boy, I have such great memories of building my first kit, also at the age of 13 with my dad. It was a Marui Shogun and we spent a number of weekends putting it all together. I'm nearly 45 now and I honestly remember those days like they were yesterday. Brilliant memories and the shared experience will last forever (far longer than the car itself - although I do still have that original Shogun). Enjoy it! The Super Hotshot makes for a great build, I put one together a little while ago, which I posted a few pics of in this build thread (which wasn't started by me but happened to coincide with my own build) Take lots of pics - and I'm sure you'll soon buy another for yourself so you can race with your lad!

2 months in the waiting (post is a little lagged getting to the tip of Africa) - been very eager to try out some Samix brass parts on my TRX4 Defender. Couple of other bits and pieces from Amain.

Took long enough - but finally completed the Avante build, very pleased with the outcome. Couple of small snags, the cam-locs as mentioned above (will get replacements for these when I can) and I completely botched the helmet decal. I'll either mask and spray something similar or get a replacement decal sheet. Also decided on an all black cockpit interior which I think looks reasonable - but slight deviation from box art. Other than that, all went rather smoothly. It an absolute stunner of a buggy, I have an Egress re-re kit which I will get building on some time in the future, but hard to think anything can compare with the Avante. Maybe I'll be surprised...

Thanks for the info @a.w.k., also for the link which is very interesting. I won't open that can of worms here, but will check out the various aftermarket suppliers suggested, I'd have no issues making use of one of them, if it helps to restore my Shogun (for which original parts just aren't available).

@a.w.k. thanks for resurrecting this brilliant piece of RC history! I still have mine that I ran extensively through the late 80's, its in need of some work but its all there and in reasonably good shape. I recall that I had bent the center shaft and the 3 x58mm screw attaching the rear gearbox (too many front impacts) but hopefully replacements are still available. I too would like to get hold of a new body and decal set - if you have any contacts/links to source this, much appreciated. Thanks for posting - brings back some great memories.

Thanks - thats exactly what I must have done - seemed like left over moulding and not anything functional. Lesson learned - test first, snip after. I was going to look at ordering replacement plastic Tamiya cam loc parts, but on second thoughts (and seeing @moffmanpic above) I will definitely rather go with an allow/aluminum option. Thanks for the feedback...now to complete the spraying of my Avante body, the last step of my build (and the one I procrastinate the most over!)

Seems I have run into a slight snag with the cam loc wheel system - the locking mechanism appears to be really loose (like these things just flap about). Is there a trick here that I have missed? Perhaps in my enthusiasm for clean edges I have inadvertently filed away some crucial part on each of the lock clips (or whatever the right name for them is) that keeps them closed. Or have simply assembled them incorrectly. Any input appreciated! Pics below.