Blackfoot For My Lad.

[evil2004]

I have been rebuilding my old blackfoot for my lad as he wants to get into rc cars. What i am asking is what parts or hop up parts are available for the original blackfoot? Can they be bought might be better asking or if anyone has got a pic of mods they have done suspension or electrical im not fussed that would be great. I really want to get a hummer or rock crawler but not got the cash at the moment. Cheers people.

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

Seeing as I've got a Saturday off from going out I'll answer your question

The original blackfoot has the same chassis as the monster beetle, so the same applies,

here's my modified runner:

My trucks a bit of a labor of love (or money pit ) but it does show you just about everything that can be added to the chassis.

The bracing parts you can see are made by CRP. They are vintage, and the company stopped trading many years ago - but a reseller with loads of old stock, and some new bits, appeared on ebay a few years ago, so many of the parts can still be found.

With the suspension, Tamiya's "short shock" CVA dampers are good. They are moulded in black now days, though in the 80's were yellow, which are what came as standard with the monster beetle.

Heavy duty suspension mounts are made by CRP, again available on ebay.com. They are certainly a worth while upgrade as the stock rear suspension mounts are a weak spot.

The truck would also benefit from a ball bearing set if ones not already fitted. The stock plastic bushings do nothing good for run times or durability.

Electrically, an ESC would be a great idea. My monster beetles fitted with one and its a massive improvement over the old 3 step manual controller. Nobody uses those anymore

For motors, anything down to a "23 turn" is safe for the gearbox. The standard motor is 27 turns. Race motors, which wouldn't be suitable, are usually 15 turn or less. Stick above 23, and the gearbox will be fine.

Speaking of the gearbox, it would be a good idea to rebuild it with fresh grease if it hasn't been used for a while.

You should be able to get the truck up to scratch for less than 50 pounds (esc, motor, a few CRP hop ups and oil shocks) which is of course a lot less than the price of a new kit.

Its a great handling chassis, one of my favorites and easily as fun to drive as it's modern equivalents.

More suspension details:

Suspension Mods

[GunnersRC]

Seeing as I've got a Saturday off from going out I'll answer your question

The original blackfoot has the same chassis as the monster beetle, so the same applies,

here's my modified runner:

My trucks a bit of a labor of love (or money pit ) but it does show you just about everything that can be added to the chassis.

The bracing parts you can see are made by CRP. They are vintage, and the company stopped trading many years ago - but a reseller with loads of old stock, and some new bits, appeared on ebay a few years ago, so many of the parts can still be found.

With the suspension, Tamiya's "short shock" CVA dampers are good. They are moulded in black now days, though in the 80's were yellow, which are what came as standard with the monster beetle.

Heavy duty suspension mounts are made by CRP, again available on ebay.com. They are certainly a worth while upgrade as the stock rear suspension mounts are a weak spot.

The truck would also benefit from a ball bearing set if ones not already fitted. The stock plastic bushings to nothing good for run times or durability.

Electrically, an ESC would be a great idea. My monster beetles fitted with one and its a massive improvement over the old 3 step manual controller. Nobody uses those anymore

For motors, anything down to a "23 turn" is safe for the gearbox. The standard motor is 27 turns. Race motors, which wouldn't be suitable, are usually 15 turn or less. Stick above 23, and the gearbox will be fine.

Speaking of the gearbox, it would be a good idea to rebuild it with fresh grease if it hasn't been used for a while.

You should be able to get the truck up to scratch for less than 50 pounds (esc, motor, a few CRP hop ups and oil shocks) which is of course a lot less than the price of a new kit.

Its a great handling chassis, one of my favorites and easily as fun to drive as it's modern equivalents.

If Evil doesn't mind me jumping in here, are the chassis EXACTLY the same, i always thought they differed?

[evil2004]

no worries mate, need to trawl ebay and here now for braces, shocks, gearbox grease. And if it hadnt of been that i have just payed out for a radio gear set (i.e vintage two servo set up with the original three step plate) i would of gotten a esc. Cheers for that. What bodies fit the chassis or are they limited?

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

The differences are little when it comes to performance:

The MB has extra:

CVA Shocks

Gold wheels

Pin spike tyres

Metal bracket to support the servo saver

Rear skid plate

Ball bearings for the differential

I think thats about it

[GunnersRC]

The differences are little when it comes to performance:

The MB has extra:

CVA Shocks

Gold wheels

Pin spike tyres

Metal bracket to support the servo saver

Rear skid plate

Ball bearings for the differential

I think thats about it

Cheers mate.

Evil did you get my PM earlier?

[evil2004]

Emailed you gunner, so for my lads truck then a 23 turn motor and the original 10 tooth pinion or another??????

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

The stock pinion should do fine.

In order to fit any other pinions you'll need an adjustable motor mount, or use the stock pinion gear from a tamiya frog.

I've got an adjustable motor mount with a 13 tooth pinion, but thats to make up for my vintage race motors lack of top speed.

[evil2004]

might just order a 23 turn motor and see the difference it makes. Im thinking of making the roll bar again out of some lightweight titanium bar that we have got at work. or thought of making a rear skid plate out of some polished stainless. What are your thoughts people would you think they will look a bit tacky?

[shooter05]

I just got a Blackfoot that needs some help. any more mods or hopups? Hows your boys truck doin?

[kaiser]

gents, you need to read through this thread:

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?...dling&st=20

excellent info.

[Leethal Driver]

One other thing that helps: worthwhile drilling the holes out to 3mm on the rear arms where the shock mounts to the rear arm, and then using M3 screws and lock nuts to secure the shock to the rear arm. They're notoriously prone to splitting the top of the rear arm if screwed too tight with the stock screws, then it's £11 odd on new C parts.

Gotta side with MMBIB on this one, love my MB and my BF.

[NJhopper]

If your looking for a little bit of vintage performance you can get a thorp ball diff with an axle set. This will eliminate the fragility of the tranny, but they aren't cheap!

[chris350z]

i made a skid out of aluminium, then sprayed it black

chris

[berman]

You could do the 'oldfrogshot' mod as seen in this thread, guys like Blaque Jacque have had much success with it.

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=52667

One day I will get around to posting a 'rebuild with oldfrogshot mod picture how to' thingy when I get off my lazy backside and buy a tap n die set

[chris350z]

i have now put a ball on my skid plate as i was thinking of making a trailer.

but i dont know what to make it from?

chris