Re Re Grasshopper - Top Tips Please!

[Grumpy pants]

I have a Candy Green GH sitting under my daughters bed to be built.

Genuinely looking forward to getting this built and running it in our back garden. 
 

Motor Choice - Silver can 540 or Torque Tuned?

I’ve got Sports Tuned, but feel this might all be a bit too much to enjoy the GH? 
 

Of course bearings and I suspect I’ll need a Lunchbox pinion, aside from that I feel like some CVA’s would be nice. 
 

Some form of battery door retention is in order, to keep it in place. 
 

Anything I’ve missed?

Shock recommendations would be helpful please.

 

All recommendations are gratefully received! 
 

I’ve got lots or SRB wheels and 2 sets of buggy wheels, so hopefully these can be used on the GH too. 
 

Does it need some wheel weights in the front of the tub?

[Twinfan]

I'd stick with silver can - I felt the Torque Tuned in my Hornet was too much although the Grasshopper does have the heavier hard body.  Definitely no more than Torque Tuned though.

You'll need an 18T 0.8 mod pinion, which can be a little tricky to find.  I use the Carson ones (500013408).

Battery door can be retained with a longer screw and an old servo arm, that's all you need.

Not sure about CVAs or shocks, so watching this thread with interest!

 

[jonboy1]

some kind of third shock mod is always an option, as are the Team CRP front arm conversions.

Or of course, there are the @ThunderDragonCy conversions!

[Pizza Frog]

The servo arm mod for the battery door works well for keeping the battery in;

The 3x12 screw was replaced with a 3x18 + washer

[Grumpy pants]

1 hour ago, jonboy1 said:

some kind of third shock mod is always an option, as are the Team CRP front arm conversions.

Or of course, there are the @ThunderDragonCy conversions!

Are they prone to gearbox slap like the Lunchbox jonboy? 

[Grumpy pants]

1 hour ago, Twinfan said:

I'd stick with silver can - I felt the Torque Tuned in my Hornet was too much although the Grasshopper does have the heavier hard body.  Definitely no more than Torque Tuned though.

You'll need an 18T 0.8 mod pinion, which can be a little tricky to find.  I use the Carson ones (500013408).

Battery door can be retained with a longer screw and an old servo arm, that's all you need.

Not sure about CVAs or shocks, so watching this thread with interest!

 

Really helpful thank you 👍

[Grumpy pants]

47 minutes ago, Pizza Frog said:

The servo arm mod for the battery door works well for keeping the battery in;

The 3x12 screw was replaced with a 3x18 + washer

Fantastic, thank you 👍

[Ministrone]

2 hours ago, jonboy1 said:

some kind of third shock mod is always an option

One shock would be an upgrade 

[markbt73]

No place for a third shock on a Grasshopper. The gearbox only pivots up and down, with no "floating" movement like the Hornet and Lunchbox have.

There's no way to make a Grasshopper handle well. I've been trying for almost forty years now, and it just isn't possible. But there are some things you can do to help: On one of the parts trees, you'll find the little spacers that are used in the Hornet to create friction dampers on the front springs. They're supposed to have O-rings inside them. You don't have to use O-rings, but do install the spacers. They add a little pre-load to the front springs, which have a tendency to sag.

Oddly, I've gone back to 380 motors in all my Grasshoppers. I just don't expect them to be fast, and the slower speeds keep it under control - and make run times last forever. 380 + 4000mAh 2s lipo = an hour or more of controllable fun.

[jonboy1]

18 hours ago, markbt73 said:

No place for a third shock on a Grasshopper. The gearbox only pivots up and down, with no "floating" movement like the Hornet and Lunchbox have.

There's no way to make a Grasshopper handle well. I've been trying for almost forty years now, and it just isn't possible. But there are some things you can do to help: On one of the parts trees, you'll find the little spacers that are used in the Hornet to create friction dampers on the front springs. They're supposed to have O-rings inside them. You don't have to use O-rings, but do install the spacers. They add a little pre-load to the front springs, which have a tendency to sag.

Oddly, I've gone back to 380 motors in all my Grasshoppers. I just don't expect them to be fast, and the slower speeds keep it under control - and make run times last forever. 380 + 4000mAh 2s lipo = an hour or more of controllable fun.

My mistake, you are quite correct - no flappy front mount on this one!  

[Kowalski86]

If you want better asphalt/dirt handling a set of Hornet rear tires will help. The stock sand tires really do not like asphalt, but they should tolerate dirt.

I find that Grasshoppers run better with some weight in them, they basically "need" it. They were designed with old batteries in mind, a second servo, and a 4-AA holder for the MSC. If you just drop a LiPO/ESC in it'll weight next to nothing and get knocked around very easily.

I can't think of any shocks that will fit a Grasshopper without extra work, nor would I worry about it. I had a Super Hornet with CVAs/extended wheelbase, it would still lift a rear wheel in the turns and diff out. The pogo shocks on the front of a Grasshopper put less stress on the chassis in big jumps.

[Pizza Frog]

On 6/27/2024 at 1:41 AM, markbt73 said:

No place for a third shock on a Grasshopper. The gearbox only pivots up and down, with no "floating" movement like the Hornet and Lunchbox have.

There's no way to make a Grasshopper handle well. I've been trying for almost forty years now, and it just isn't possible. But there are some things you can do to help: On one of the parts trees, you'll find the little spacers that are used in the Hornet to create friction dampers on the front springs. They're supposed to have O-rings inside them. You don't have to use O-rings, but do install the spacers. They add a little pre-load to the front springs, which have a tendency to sag.

Oddly, I've gone back to 380 motors in all my Grasshoppers. I just don't expect them to be fast, and the slower speeds keep it under control - and make run times last forever. 380 + 4000mAh 2s lipo = an hour or more of controllable fun.

I went back to 380 motors too, It's one of my favorite runners.

[Grumpy pants]

This is great guys, thank you.

I’ll build it with bearings, 380 motor, the battery door and kit shock mod and try her out around our lawned garden. 
 

After that maybe a 540 with the upgraded pinion, some weight in the nose and then go again. 
 

I’ve got a pair of Hornet tyres in stock already, so that’s an easy upgrade as well. 

[Super ally]

With my grasshopper i put bearings,540 silver can and 18t pinion gear and thats good enough for this buggy.If you want better handling and speed you need to look at other buggies.

[Grumpy pants]

My wife asked if I wanted to  take this kit with me to build whilst we are away for a few days next week - A keeper for sure as well as my wife 😂

[Grumpy pants]

Actually had some ‘T’ time today 😎

[Grumpy pants]

On 6/26/2024 at 2:41 PM, markbt73 said:

No place for a third shock on a Grasshopper. The gearbox only pivots up and down, with no "floating" movement like the Hornet and Lunchbox have.

There's no way to make a Grasshopper handle well. I've been trying for almost forty years now, and it just isn't possible. But there are some things you can do to help: On one of the parts trees, you'll find the little spacers that are used in the Hornet to create friction dampers on the front springs. They're supposed to have O-rings inside them. You don't have to use O-rings, but do install the spacers. They add a little pre-load to the front springs, which have a tendency to sag.

Oddly, I've gone back to 380 motors in all my Grasshoppers. I just don't expect them to be fast, and the slower speeds keep it under control - and make run times last forever. 380 + 4000mAh 2s lipo = an hour or more of controllable fun.

Do you mean use these two spacers B5? 

[markbt73]

No, those don't look right - now that I think about it, they might be on the Hornet-only parts tree, with the rear shock mounts and stuff. I'll see if I can get a pic tomorrow when I'm out in the wotkshop.

[Grumpy pants]

Down in Dorset for a few days, after a funeral this morning.

Decided not to bring any RC and to spend this time with my wife and to use the paddle boards we are trialing….

[Grumpy pants]

On 6/26/2024 at 10:36 AM, Twinfan said:

I'd stick with silver can - I felt the Torque Tuned in my Hornet was too much although the Grasshopper does have the heavier hard body.  Definitely no more than Torque Tuned though.

You'll need an 18T 0.8 mod pinion, which can be a little tricky to find.  I use the Carson ones (500013408).

Battery door can be retained with a longer screw and an old servo arm, that's all you need.

Not sure about CVAs or shocks, so watching this thread with interest!

 

Ordered this pinion today as there was 20% off on eBay from TTP 😎

[Grumpy pants]

Enjoying this build - front shocks next, paint the wheels, then put the electrics in before trying my hand at the soap and water method for the decals 👍

[Grumpy pants]

It’s been awhile 🤦‍♂️

Anyway, up and running with the 380 motor and NiMH.

Paid £80 for this including delivery and an ESC, sold the wheels and tyres for £35.

Spent £5 on a pinion, so looking like £50 all in.

The wheels, tyres, Servo, Alu bumper, wheel nuts, r/x, F103 carbon uprights, and paints have all come out of my spares, super happy with the overall cost and use of kit I already have in stock.

Onto the body next -

 

[JimBear]

More of these "spare parts racers" please! Lower cost, more fun, sort of.

[Grumpy pants]

2 hours ago, JimBear said:

More of these "spare parts racers" please! Lower cost, more fun, sort of.

I’m enjoying the build and using up kit that I’ve already bought and paid for.

Empties my spares stash more and my wallet a bit less 😂

It helps that I got lucky with the cost of the kit initially as well to be fair. 

[Grumpy pants]

Hoping to find a little time to do some detailing on this little gem tomorrow -