Sand Scorcher runner project

[RcMadness74 24]

Do you have a link for that chassis?

[Dojo Dave 889]

Do you have a link for that chassis?

just search srb chassis on eBay they are average $33 U.S.

[Biz73 603]

Her you go:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Tamiya-1-10-Aluminum-Chassis-plate-side-Sand-Scorcher-Super-Champ-buggy-/321129288500?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac4cc1334

It does need filing on the edges, but will work just fine. Here's mine put together.

I really need to start playing with that instamorph to get some new ball sockets made, been procrastinating, not sure why.

[Shodog 1845]

The really trick ball races (ball sockets) were made by Thorp. I see them on eBay from time to time and those are the ones you should be on the lookout for.

[Biz73 603]

I see them on ebay, but they are $32 a set. I may spring for them, but I read about people making their own with this polymorph(or similar), and if I can make cheap ones, then I don't have to worry about wearing them out often. If this was going to be a shelf-er, I'd definitely have the Thorp ones already ordered. I do keep looking at the ebay ad thinking it would be so much easier to buy them. Maybe after I sell off some stuff around the house, my hobby fund is overdrawn right now due to a kit purchase that should have waited until this was done, oops

[Biz73 603]

Shodog,

Any idea how long the Thorp ball sockets will last in a runner? It won't get a whole lot of use, and mostly just spraying sand, but there will be some jumping off of rocks sticking out of the sand like natural ramps. I never even driven an SRB, so for all I know, the orig sockets could have lasted a decade of hard running. I still want to make some using the instamorph, but that may just be to test it out, as I can see this stuff being useful for a lot of applications.

Thanks for the input.

[Badboy 94]

As the thorp are made of nylon I think they last long time!

Badboy

[Shodog 1845]

I've only seen one thorp ball socket that was too sloppy to use. they are such a tight captured fit that you have to remove the ball socket from the arm so it can be split and taken off. basically you just can't pull them off like you would a normal ball socket

[Biz73 603]

Thanks for the input guys, I was just coming on to say I bought them, and noticed your comments so I'm feeling good about the purchase. I needed a 4mm ball to connect my servo to the steering rod. I ordered a 5 pack, and noticed he had the Thorps, so I went for it. I still want to try to make some for fun, just to see if it works.

I guess all I need now is a hump pack battery, an antenna, and a basher body. Any of you restoration guys have a cracked or chipped fender body lying around? I need to find something cheap to beat up

[Biz73 603]

I got the Thorp ball sockets

the instructions say to attach them to the kinpin balls before putting them into the arms, but I can't push mine through the hole. Any tricks? Or should I use pliers to push them through, and then push the kingpin balls into the socket? I don't want to ruin a $34 set that aren't very common to find.

[Shodog 1845]

They are a tight fit and they need to be because it's only the o-ring and interference between parts that keep them in.

[Biz73 603]

I know they have to be a tight fit to work, but I can't get them into the arms at all. The only way I think I can get it is to use pliers to pop each on into the arm, then attach them to the kingpins, but the instructions say to insert them with kingpins already attached. I tried to use channel locks to squeeze the whole thing at once, but holding the kingpin straight is next to impossible. How did you attach yours?

Thanks for the help

[Dojo Dave 889]

Believe it or not Walmart.com has a stock sand scorcher body delivered for $41.00

[Flat_Out 57]

Are those re-re ball studs? I think the re-re are larger and won't fit in the thorp cups. I would double check, but out of town right now.

[Biz73 603]

Flat_Out, I needed one of those ball studs for the servo horn to connect the steering. Yes, the ball studs on the upright are smaller.

I ended up breaking the steering arm off of one of the up rights while trying to hold it level and use a vice to seat these things. At this point I said screw the instructions and set each cup without the ball studs in it. I will just push them into the cups after, just like the stock ones.

The excitement of having a baja bug to run at the beach is quickly wearing off. This car has fought me all the way. I still need to sell my Bear Hawk before I can get the battery and shell(unless I can find a dirt cheap beater shell). I just want to get this project finished.

[Shodog 1845]

At this point I said screw the instructions and set each cup without the ball studs in it. I will just push them into the cups after, just like the stock ones.

You will crew them up if you do this. they are designed to encapsulate the ball that's why they are made in two parts

[Biz73 603]

Then I wasted my money buying these. That sucks.

Pretty messed up for Tamiya to cast the new parts with a different shape. It could have been as easy as a few dollar plastic part.

[Biz73 603]

Wow, it's been so long since I updated this thread. Reading back over it is a funny look back to that time. I have been having health issues for a few years now, and I started this project while I was dealing with medication side effects and surgery recovery, my patience and attitude was pretty bad. Haha, so many self created issues. It's been a badword of a ride It's been set aside a few times in frustration, but it's just about done.

A touch of grease made the Thorp ball cups easy to push in. I had to replace the dampers because I couldn't stop the leaking, but I used re-re ones to keep the same look. I bought some hump pack batteries, and a brand new body kit. All I need to do now is finish painting, decals, and I need to solder a new power switch onto the esc as the previous owner put a tiny one on and it's too small to bolt in place. I'm going to run the original motor at first, but if it's too weak I'll pop a torque tuned in there. With the new chassis, this thing is heavy!

I'll get some new pics up soon.

[Percymon 2187]

Good to see you made progress, and not given up on the project - the end is in sight now  

[Shodog 1845]

I wish I would have realized earlier that you are so close to me.  I have tons of used parts that would have helped your build  In any case it's good to see it progress.

[Biz73 603]

It's so close at this point, but I have been procrastinating so hard about painting the body. My finishing skills are still in the toddler skill set Since I spent the money on a new body set, I want to do box art, it's just coming along very slowly.

I never thought about giving up on this one, it just got stuck in a box up on a shelf a few times. I've bought and "finished" 5 other car projects since I started this one. It's time to get this thing out on the beach!

[Biz73 603]

Here is the progress so far

You can see the sketchy window trim painting. There are guys twice my age with far less shaky hands, haha. Here she is with her top off

The esc is just sitting in the electronics box, so the wires are all over, but otherwise she's mostly done. The holes on the stinger engine and the brackets didn't quite line up, so one of the side parts broke off when I tried to tighten it. It's still attached at the top and one side, so no big deal, it's just annoying.