Grasshopper to Baja Bug

[i_am_scarecrow 913]

I know this has been done many times before but each seems to be slightly different so here's my take on the Grasshopper to Baja bug conversion. I didn't want to say Sand Scorcher as I'm not entirely sure how this will look when it's completed and lets be honest, it will never be a Sand Scorcher so Baja Bug it is.

A real Sand Scorcher is out of my reach sadly so the next best thing is to build my own using mainly parts I already have.

To begin with then I started with a slightly damaged Grasshopper, only a broken wheel and spotlight so nothing serious.

As I ready had the chassis and also a spare Blitzer Beetle shell I got stuck in. Lining the shell up on the chassis wasn't too demanding, I did have to trim some of the chassis down at the front but on it went using some tl-01 rear body mounts and a few screws.

I have lots of pics of the process so far but this is where I am at currently, tis only patched together at the minute-

I'm a bit stumped trying to fit the rear engine cage but I'll get it on some how. Many more pics of the work so far will follow but I wanted to introduce the project first!

[i_am_scarecrow 913]

Here's a better idea of exactly where I'm up to, more pics as mentioned before.

Here is the slightly modified chassis as its sits right now, you can see the missing front end and the body posts. The front needed to be cut so the wheels looked right in the arches, without trimming the front the body sat way too far forward and looked odd. As I said some tl-01 rear body posts were cut down for the rear and screwed into the Grasshopper body mount holes. They line up really well with the blitzer bodyshell's locating holes so that was handy! The front was also quite simple again using a cut down tl-01 rear body post and a mounting block from another project I had laying about. I need to sand down the ends to make them a little neater.

You can see the body needs a bit of work. It seems to have lots of extra holes like it could have been used for various cars so I've started to fill the ones I wont be using.

I also have a choice of front panels with a third Sand Scorcher option on the way, I do prefer those as they have the front indicators.

You might have noticed the odd wheel in the pics above too, these arrived recently so I'll be replacing that broken wheel asap-

Interior wise I have started building a rollcage for it. I'll be using the original drivers body but Willy's head will replace the standard one and I really couldn't leave out a nitrous bottle!

Power wise I don't want to go too mad, I have a brushless powered Blitzer Beetle already so for now a standard silver can and matching pinion will do nicely

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/shane320i/023-1.jpg

That's about it for now, should have some more body progress this week sometime, more pics to follow!

[WelshHornet 2]

watching this as i have an unused hornet with a trashed shell.

[mr crispy 2295]

That's a nice conversion, I particularly like the TL01 mounts. I found the 540 motor can overwhelm the chassis especially with a heavier bodyshell fitted so Hornet rear dampers help to control it.

It's a popular body swap, search google images for "Tamiya Sand Hopper" if you get stuck for ideas.

[i_am_scarecrow 913]

Thanks mr.crispy, it was actually a random picture on google that put the idea in my head, I saw it and thought how hard could it be?

Anyhoo, not a great deal of progress today but I did get the rest of the holes filled and sanded so it's almost ready for some plastic primer.

[i_am_scarecrow 913]

I've just realised I haven't really posted any pics of the car sitting on the chassis. I think the stance is spot on, wheels are sitting nice and central in the arches after trimming the front end down a little.

I also had to trim a tiny amount out of the front panel, just enough for it to slip into place

I had time to get a little paint on the car too, even started on the top coat-

[mr crispy 2295]

That is looking very nice. I actually like the look of it right now, just needs a few rust spots

[i_am_scarecrow 913]

I've been slowly doing little bits to this over the past week, main job being painting the shell. The plan was to go for lime green and white in the original sand scorcher style but after painting the green I decided I didn't like it and went another route.

Currently it looks like this again!

While I let the paint dry I set about mounting the sand scorcher's rear cage to the grasshopper chassis. This has had me scatching my head since I started the project. My solution was to use parts from another hobby of mine, Lego!

I had to trim the cage a little but using some of Lego's Technic parts I came up with this-

It need's a little fettling but the fit is good on the car, the side arms sit very close to the rear shocks but they don't touch.

I'll be gluing and Q Bonding the cage tonight to make it nice and solid.

I've lost count of the bits and bobs I've ordered for this now, some plasticard and lengths of tubing are on their way for the interior, a decal set is also winging its way to me too.

[mongoose1983 3357]

Fantastic work on that rear cage!

[i_am_scarecrow 913]

Thanks matey, had to fine tune it slightly but fits even better now. Also trial fitted a scale engine I found on Ebay but I think I prefer the standard scorcher's exhaust.

[mongoose1983 3357]

Looks awesome!

[i_am_scarecrow 913]

Almost there! Just a few small details to finish off the body and we're done

[i_am_scarecrow 913]

Ta da! Body is all done now, just have to fit the drivers head in place. I decided to use the monster beetle glass and headlights as they are darker than the regular sand scorcher stuff.

I've also fitted the 540 silver can, never going to set the pavement alight but it's quicker than the 380.

[bromvw 744]

Very nice . If you want to fill out the back a little then these fake engines are cheap as chips and easy to fit .

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXBNZN

[i_am_scarecrow 913]

If you check out the pic a few posts up with the car in grey primer you'll see one fitted! Decided I liked the look of the standard exhaust though

[bromvw 744]

If you check out the pic a few posts up with the car in grey primer you'll see one fitted! Decided I liked the look of the standard exhaust though

Fair play mate

[Mr Big 29]

That looks fantastic. Really tempted to do one of my own now! Always fancied a Sand Scorcher, but would be scared to use it properly due to the investment required.

Are those Sandscorcher wheels/tyres?

[Mr Big 29]

Ignore me. Just realised they are grasshopper items!

[Exit13 675]

On 11/20/2014 at 12:10 PM, i_am_scarecrow said:

Ta da! Body is all done now, just have to fit the drivers head in place. I decided to use the monster beetle glass and headlights as they are darker than the regular sand scorcher stuff.

I've also fitted the 540 silver can, never going to set the pavement alight but it's quicker than the 380.

I can dig it!!

[87lc2 2801]

I know this is an old thread, but love this!  Looks fantastic.

[i_am_scarecrow 913]

Hehe nice to see it's still being looked at, the car has gone through various stages but I still have it, it's having a new body fitted soon. 

[Boomstick 156]

On 2/19/2021 at 9:31 AM, i_am_scarecrow said:

Hehe nice to see it's still being looked at, the car has gone through various stages but I still have it, it's having a new body fitted soon. 

Got pics???

I scored a chrome orv chassis and am thinking of what I want to build out of it. I'm thinking of lowering the suspension and building a buggy with monster truck tires. Maybe clod tires and wheels but with less than one inch ground clearance and a beetle body... Or maybe a similar route as your build, again lowering the suspension but instead of clod tires, adapting traxxas slash tires and wheels... I want to race an orv chassis build against modern stuff and hopefully not come in dead last...