Lunchbox For Xmas...

[tomjkear]

Dad was asking me what I wanted for Christmas the other day. He looked a little confused when I told him I wanted a lunchbox. Anyhow, I have clarified with him now and he seems to like the idea. He was into models himself as a kid, Airfix and the likes mainly but still... Anyway, I normally get about 100 spent on me at Xmas. What mods do you guys recommend for the Lunchbox. Am I right in thinking it doesn't come with Oil Filled Dampers or Bearings?

Look forward to any replies.

Cheers :-)

[mansellpants]

Dad was asking me what I wanted for Christmas the other day. He looked a little confused when I told him I wanted a lunchbox. Anyhow, I have clarified with him now and he seems to like the idea. He was into models himself as a kid, Airfix and the likes mainly but still... Anyway, I normally get about 100 spent on me at Xmas. What mods do you guys recommend for the Lunchbox. Am I right in thinking it doesn't come with Oil Filled Dampers or Bearings?

Look forward to any replies.

Cheers :-)

Well firstly i would say ballraces, oil shocks, the 3rd shock mod (search the forums for 3rd shock mod for more info) and a faster motor, maybe a 19 turn. Remember that you will need an Esc capable of running a 19turn, a 15turn limit will be fine. If you cant stretch to an new esc and 19turn then keep the stock esc and get a sport tuned motor.

Cheers

Colin.

[ryanbored]

Hehe, I can just see the look of horror when you open your postman pat luchbox and matching thermos on xmas morning!!

[tomjkear]

Well firstly i would say ballraces, oil shocks, the 3rd shock mod (search the forums for 3rd shock mod for more info) and a faster motor, maybe a 19 turn. Remember that you will need an Esc capable of running a 19turn, a 15turn limit will be fine. If you cant stretch to an new esc and 19turn then keep the stock esc and get a sport tuned motor.

Cheers

Colin.

Sweet. I can find the correct ballrace package. What shocks do I need to buy? Are there specific ones for the Lunchbox or are they generic shocks?

Hehe, I can just see the look of horror when you open your postman pat luchbox and matching thermos on xmas morning!!

Yep. He did offer to give me the cash to do the buying part of, so I shouldn't be at too much risk of any misunderstanding.

[mansellpants]

I think they are CVA short shocks, that you use. You can get them on ebay cheap.

Check out the Lunchbox sig on here for more mod ideas, paint schemes and info etc.

Cheers

Colin

[tomjkear]

I think they are CVA short shocks, that you use. You can get them on ebay cheap.

Check out the Lunchbox sig on here for more mod ideas, paint schemes and info etc.

Cheers

Colin

Thanks.

I think I have found the correct ones. I'm guessing you need to buy two sets, as the Lunchbox has 4 shocks!?

[pearce_jj]

The gold edition is well worth considering, 69 delivered from model sport at the mo. Saves a lot of pratting about painting!

For what it's worth, I have a sport tuned motor (10 delivered off ebay :-)), 3rd shock, bearings and a 3800mah battery, and really love it, much to SWMBOs annoyance. I do get through a steady supply of spairs though - aerial straws (one per run), servo savers (every other run), front suspension... Personally I don't think oil shocks are particularly important, since part of the charm is it's random bouncing and general uncontrolability :-) That said the front spring cups break easily so aluminium shocks would be an improvement. Well worth getting the front lights, official sets on ebay about 4.

Tried mine on a track at the weekend - mix of skidding all over the place (after the 'occasional' venturing onto wet grass) and two-wheels on the corners, quite pleasing to have it on the two side wheels without wiping out. Obviously it's much more at home ripping up the grass and splashing through marsh land.

With the ESC it can wheely much, much further than with the original MSC.

If you do keep the standard shocks, cut a 3mm length of rubber tube for the top of the shaft, to stop the awful knocking on the chasis and lower the ride height a dash (you'll see what I mean when you get it). Also mounting the servo saver off-center (away from the shorter length) makes the steering more even.

Do put the third-shock in straight away, as the axle springs will break after the first use!

Cheers!

[markbt73]

It doesn't need much... ball bearings are a must, and add the tubing above the front springs as suggested to eliminate the positive camber. If you're going to do the 3rd shock, add it during assembly, because it takes a LOT of unscrewing to remove the gearbox after it's assembled.

A better servo-saver (Kimbrough or similar) will take almost all the play out of the front end, and make the steering much more precise.

And I'd suggest you see how you like it with the pogo-sticks and 540 motor before you mod it any further. The 540 is actually pretty peppy, and a battery lasts forever with it. And the bouncy suspension is part of the fun.

[tomjkear]

Thanks guys.

It sounds like the Lunchbox will be more work than I expected. Are there "proper" guides regarding the mods that have been mentioned in here? I really don't want to buy the model then ruin it by doing a dodge job.

pearce_jj - How do you find the Sport Tuned motor. Is it significantly better than a standard one that comes in the box. At the moment I have a Dark Impact, completely standard, and I'm shocked at how quick it moves. I'm not so sure what I think of the Gold model to be honest. Will probably go with the Yellow one, I made a pretty good first attempt on painting my DI.

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

It doesn't need much... ball bearings are a must, and add the tubing above the front springs as suggested to eliminate the positive camber. If you're going to do the 3rd shock, add it during assembly, because it takes a LOT of unscrewing to remove the gearbox after it's assembled.

A better servo-saver (Kimbrough or similar) will take almost all the play out of the front end, and make the steering much more precise.

And I'd suggest you see how you like it with the pogo-sticks and 540 motor before you mod it any further. The 540 is actually pretty peppy, and a battery lasts forever with it. And the bouncy suspension is part of the fun.

I agree! Although my midnight pumpkin (same chassis as the LB) is stupidly modified they are still great fun in stock form, just not able to handle a fast motor without flipping over all the time!

I would personally buy a standard white bodied one and leave it unpainted (unless you enjoy painting) otherwise it will end up looking like junk if you run it hard. The gold edition looks very cool but that coating will scrape off as soon as you roll it over.

Another option is a replica Parma lexan shell for running.

Oil shocks help reduce roll overs, and the 3rd shock mod is a must if you plan to fit a faster motor.

[pearce_jj]

Just search on ebay for these:

Tamiya RS-540 Sport Tuned Motor #53068

Tamiya 50320 RC Light Bulb Set

Lunchbox bearings

There is a seller "charming cross stitch" who is often breaking kits for parts, and selling spares very cheaply.

The sport-tuned is around 20% faster and more powerful than the standard motor, but without any significant increase in current draw as it is more efficient. I find this give better wheelies basically although as said above the shipped 540J isn't at all bad anyway.

The 3rd shock mod really is easy. All you need is a shock, almost any old one really! But fitting it will use one of the oil shock mounts from the kit, so if you want oil shocks at all corners you'll need to look out for shock mounts seperately on ebay (maybe someone on here might help you out!).

Cheers

[TenzoR]

Bearings are good and cheap. I'd leave everything stock and just have fun with it. I don't get why it needs to handle better, the point of the truck is to just bash and do stupid stuff with it. I remember when I got mine (around the age of 9 or so). I took it out in the winter (clearly I wasn't thinking as I did not water proof anything), and just drove it to destruction. I raced down the slippery hill, up again and just had such a blast with it. The car cameback all dirty but nothing at all was broken. Give a good scrub out I went again

[tomjkear]

Dad has his credit card out

I have the Lunchbox and Bearings on the list but need to know which shock I need for the 3rd shock mod.

There appears to be loads of different types on eBay.

CVA Mini

CVA Super Mini

CVA Long

Can anyone help me choose the right one?

[Prescient]

Dad has his credit card out

I have the Lunchbox and Bearings on the list but need to know which shock I need for the 3rd shock mod.

There appears to be loads of different types on eBay.

CVA Mini

CVA Super Mini

CVA Long

Can anyone help me choose the right one?

You need the CVA Short Shocks II number 50520

All the others you listed are wrong, the fitting U-brackets come with the lunchbox kit, the rest with the suspension. Stellamodels did do them at 10 per set but no where in the UK seems to have them bar modelsport or time tunnel at the moment and they cost 19.99 per pair. You ideally need them for the rears as a minimum.

[tomjkear]

You need the CVA Short Shocks II number 50520

All the others you listed are wrong, the fitting U-brackets come with the lunchbox kit, the rest with the suspension. Stellamodels did do them at 10 per set but no where in the UK seems to have them bar modelsport or time tunnel at the moment and they cost 19.99 per pair. You ideally need them for the rears as a minimum.

Thanks for the response.

Are 50305 shocks the same but yellow?

I am feeling a little put off buying the Lunchbox because I'm not sure 100% what I need.

Do I just need the following.

Lunchbox Kit

Lunchbox Bearing Set

CVA Short Shocks II number 50520

Is there anything else I will need?

Cheers.

[Wrecked]

Do I just need the following.

Lunchbox Kit

Lunchbox Bearing Set

CVA Short Shocks II number 50520

Is there anything else I will need?

Cheers.

Radiogear

Battery + charger

Yellow paint

Jimmy

[Prescient]

Thanks for the response.

Are 50305 shocks the same but yellow?

I am feeling a little put off buying the Lunchbox because I'm not sure 100% what I need.

Do I just need the following.

Lunchbox Kit

Lunchbox Bearing Set

CVA Short Shocks II number 50520

Is there anything else I will need?

Cheers.

Essentially the Yellow Shocks are the same, although I would be dubious about buying them as the performance may not be as good as the newer ones. If they are a vintage pack, you run the risk of the plastics and ruber having degraded

It depends where you are buying it from but the Lunchbox is pretty fragile. It is a great basher but the front end steering set up is prone to damage. Its handling as standard is terrible and it can barely survive the standard silver can motor. A few rolls and the body mounts will be done in: However the fun you can have from these is immeasurable and I would say you need in total:

Lunchbox Kit - Gold edition (or + yellow paint if normal edition) 64

Lunchbox Bearings - 15

CVA Short Shock 50520 x 2 - 40

RC Control Unit (Transmitter Receiver) + Batteries for transmitter 8xAA - 35

3300 Mah battery - 15

Quick Charger - 30

Tamiya Super Stock TZ (With the above upgrades this transforms the truck into something seriously special) - 20

http://goldstarstockists.net/live/catalog/...oducts_id/11315

From experience, the standard Tamiya ESC included in the Kit will run this motor, without issues

Total Cost roughly 219 (Far superior to the Argos deal and price for reference)

The problem with the lunch box is whilst it is a great truck, to get it up and running well, and so it is quick, you need to spend the cash on the upgrades due to the dire 80s chassis design.

Even if you go for a standard LB bundle deal you are looking at over 100, then to get it running great you need the extras.

Or forgetting the above, this deal (bellow) to get you going then add the extras as you can. Although bearings are a real benefit. If you are running on grass then its not so bad, on concrete/tarmac on the standard suspension it is hard going and rolls a lot.

http://goldstarstockists.net/live/catalog/...oducts_id/20033

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

I've got to defend the old lunchbox!

Its not that fragile, ok the body posts are a weak spot, but i find the steering is just fine, as is the rest of the chassis. I've got a 19 turn motor in my midnight pumpkin (same chassis) and its seriously fun.

I'd say buy a set of used CVA's. They would just need new shock oil and a rebuild. 40 pounds for CVA's seems pricey in my opinion. Double that price and you could by a TLT-1 and use the shocks from that!!!

Bearing sets can be had for around 6 pounds from ebay.

You could just get an XB version, which is pre built and comes with everything you need to run. I've seen those for approx 120 pounds online!