Hornet Front End Shock Tower

[homerboi]

I recently acquired a kit that came with enough parts to rebuild another one and found this on the second chassis.

Does anyone recognize this front end part?

I know CRP made something similar years ago.

[homerboi]

no one recognizes this part??

[Floyd]

no one recognizes this part??

Well , since no one else is replying . I cant say that Ive ever seen that particular shock tower . Every one I have ever seen was just silver ( bare metal ) with no anodizing on it .

[Guest DImblum]

Yup. That is a Hot Trick shock tower for the GrassHopper / Hornet. I have one myself NIB and it is one of the only Hot Trick parts that came in both Red and Gold instead of just Red.

Hope this helps.

Dan

[Dr.Robotnik]

Yup. That is a Hot Trick shock tower for the GrassHopper / Hornet. I have one myself NIB and it is one of the only Hot Trick parts that came in both Red and Gold instead of just Red.

Hope this helps.

Dan

I believe Hot Trick made all their parts in red, gold and black as I have these colours on parts.

[homerboi]

Thanks for the replies fellas.

The only advantage I see with this upgrade is the fact that it won't break like the stock plastic shock towers.

This topside shock mounting is pretty much the same as the stocker - not much of a choice in shocks (spring shock suspension with no dampers...)

I think I'll have to make up a new piece or modify this one to accept conventional shocks with dampers and ones that are a conventional length.

[Floyd]

You could always use the little "C" brakets that come with the LB/MP to be able to use oil shocks . Thats what they are for in those two kits .

[homerboi]

You could always use the little "C" brakets that come with the LB/MP to be able to use oil shocks . Thats what they are for in those two kits .

Sorry for my ignorance - could you kindly elaborate some more? What is "LB/MP"?

[Blacque Jacque]

Just a guess:

LB = Lunch Box

MP = Midnight Pumpkin ?

What do I win

[homerboi]

Just a guess:

LB = Lunch Box

MP = Midnight Pumpkin ?

What do I win

doh!

your prize... my humble appreciation.

I'm not sure which "C bracket" Floyd is referring to in these kits, but it seems that you would still need to use the existing damper shafts? I'm a bit confused...

EDIT: ahhhh! - the lightbulb turned on in my head. I see what you mean Floyd. Part # MD7 on the Hornet or #BP1 on the LB. However, that would still mean I would need to find/use a roughly 40mm or shorter damper - a bit short imo.

[Floyd]

Well , these are a little bit longer ( 54mm ) for the front of the Associated RC18T >>> http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti00...=LXJHU7&P=X <<<. But the suspention design on the front of the Hornet should allow the front arms to drop a little farther without messing up the stearing . Though it mite look a little wierd at first with the front end sitting up a little higher than normal . Not sure realy , just though I would suggest something

[homerboi]

Well , these are a little bit longer ( 54mm ) for the front of the Associated RC18T >>> http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti00...=LXJHU7&P=X <<<. But the suspention design on the front of the Hornet should allow the front arms to drop a little farther without messing up the stearing . Though it mite look a little wierd at first with the front end sitting up a little higher than normal . Not sure realy , just though I would suggest something

I was just looking at my FT RC18T - sitting on my desk.

I have the factory team 18T setup - http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti00...LXJHV9&P=PU

I'm quite puzzled how towers came up with a length of 54mm when my calipers show 47mm center-to-center. You're correct - the extra length of the 18T damper would have the front end sitting up higher, if you used the shock topside as the reference point.

I took some measurements on the hot trick front end and its topside is actually lower in height than the stock front end.

I'm sure a simple mod can be done - maybe adding an extension to the existing front shock tower setup.

[Dr.Robotnik]

Yes more questions I can help with

Here is the part you have, assembled on my car.

http://tamiyaclub.com/pictureframe.asp?t=n...006095809_1.jpg

More pictures can be seen on

http://tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?c...25&id=13728

You can see in the pictures, I am using You-G shocks (blue). These are a vintage hop-up which replace the original springs with a coil over oil damper. The spring tension adjustment is done with a threaded collar just like modern shocks. These may be quite rare but if you search ebay for a couple of months I am sure you will spot some.

Failing that, I believe the C-brackets people mention are used to mount Tamiya shocks like on the Lunchbox previously mentioned. The Hornet uses them to and you can see them at the base of my shocks where they attach to the front arm (the metal part with the bolt going through it). If you mounted another pair at the top too you could fit some normal style eyelet shocks if you can find a small enough pair. Maybe early front small RC10 ones might fit but I think not.

Or you could just wait until this lot of shocks arrives at my house from the states.

In the top left corner is the CRP version (another vintage hop-up) of the part you have (its the silver bracket in the top left with small coil overs attached). It is slightly taller and allows the fitting of normal coil over shocks. You can see it is fitted with the CRP coil over already. This will be going up for sale when it arrives so make me an offer if you are interested.

Cheers

Ed