Quick (hopefully) Grasshopper 2 basher project

[mongoose1983]

Okay, I just started this project here. It's a cheap (and hopefully QUICK) runner car I'm building from a bathtub chassis I have had for years and to date I refused to throw. It's got one front shock tower (left) broken, and a crack on a rear mounting point. Other than that it is just worn and old.

BUT I can make it run again.

Well, I've decided to replace the front shock towers for a one-piece aluminum piece, inspired obviously by the aluminum ones that CRP used to make for the Hornet back in the day.

Here's some pictures of the chassis. Not sure what these tires are.

And the issues. Here's the broken shock tower. Note the Rockbuster suspension arms. It's the only thing I had to make this thing go.

The cracked rear bit. I'm not sure how to fix this yet. I think the front issue would be a bit more "demanding".

And here's some donation I got from a local friend to try and do something with the car:

By now I'm missing the locknuts for the Rockbuster uprights (They're bigger than standard Tamiyas). And I have yet to see what can I use as shocks on this one.

More pictures asap.

[mongoose1983]

Here's the clean cut, alright.

And here's what I did to the aluminum piece I got. After doing some measurements and cutting, I had to place it where I wanted it to go. Then I drilled three holes, bent the aluminum piece cleanly, and finally bolt it onto the chassis. Now I have to figure out what shocks I'm going to use. Of course, once I get it all shaped and ready I'll paint it all black. I think it's going to look fine in the end.

Okay, here's the custom aluminum shock tower properly bent and really to be installed.

More soon.

[mongoose1983]

Okay, here's the custom part mounted and some minor mods:

Some detail to make it fit alright.

These are the Rockbuster arms.

RC10 locknuts. It's the only thing I had sitting around in here to use.

Shape fits alright the bathtub chassis.

Hope to resume the project soon.

You all have a good Friday!

[markbt73]

That is exactly how the old CRP front shock kit for the Grasshopper/Hornet was installed, cut off the stock towers and bolt an aluminum bit on. (edit: never mind, you said that already. I should read, and not just look at the pictures...) Looks like a good start! Always love a "recycled" build.

[pizzachaude]

Thats awesome!! For the rear mount try roughing up the surface and filling it with epoxy, should hold for a while. Let me know if you need anything else for this project, got lots of Hornet/Grasshopper bits.

Any progress on the Avante?

[Erosfix]

Excelent job dude !!! I wisk I can have the tools to do it my self but since you helped me to find the original cpr part the problem is already solved !! Thanks friend Lol

[beefmuffin]

I need to get that box out to you ASAP - sorry it's taken so long! Definitely some bits in there you could use on this...

[NWarty]

I have a slew of GHII stuff, let me know if you need anything

[beefmuffin]

I have a slew of GHII stuff, let me know if you need anything

If so - we could do the same trick with the box I'm sending down soon.

[NWarty]

That would work Ben.

Erich,

Let me look through my stash and let me know what you need. I have a lot of parts leftover from three GHII restorations.

EDIT: I have less than I thought. Chickenman got most of the good stuff, but here's what I have. That CRP metal brace was for a Hornet build that I decided not to use. Let me know if you want it.

[mongoose1983]

Thanks everyone for the kind words. Hopefully someone wanting to fix their Grasshopper --or the like- chassis would find this info useful or might take an idea or two.

Thanks Ben & Blake! I'll PM you guys tonight when back at home.

[MAD RACER]

It's such a basic platform and you seem to have the vital bits.

Nice job so far.

[mongoose1983]

Did not have much time to work on this one the last days. You know, it's Christmas...

I did not have the original bumper but I found this bit I've stored for years. It was painted all silver, but the graffiti remover did not take the paint off. Yesterday I thought about scraping it and it worked alright. Seems to be made of pure nylon.

Now, I have NO CLUE as to what brand it is, but I suspect it is from the late 80's. I don't remember where I got it from.

I did not have enough time today to finish the shock tower, but things are looking good for the final step. It will be drilled, shaped, and painted black. Believe me it's going to look much better than what anybody can think

In the meantime I will have to go with two short shocks front. But one is Kyosho gold and the other one RC10. They will be replaced "Someday".

You all have a great Sunday!

[Crash Cramer]

That bumper sure has a shape like a Parma bumper I have seen for a Fox, except it is in white Kydex perhaps.

[mongoose1983]

That bumper sure has a shape like a Parma bumper I have seen for a Fox, except it is in white Kydex perhaps.

Hi Chris, haven't found the Parma bumper to compare. Could be Parma, who knows.

Anyway, here's the finished shock tower. Now waiting for the enamel to dry so I can mount it on my buggy. I like it, I think by doing this one I learnt a lot and next time I need one of these it's going to be much easier for me to make one.

Here's the pictures:

After spraying some black enamel to it:

More later with the buggy

[kontemax]

It seems too thin imho.

Max

[Drivetrain]

Will there be a crossbrace on the tower? I'm wondering if the torque on the tower might tweak it on a rough landing.

[mongoose1983]

Will there be a crossbrace on the tower? I'm wondering if the torque on the tower might tweak it on a rough landing.

No there won't. And I'm using a lunchbox coilspring divided in two on the front shocks so they're pretty hard. So far by pushing the car down by hand the tower flex very very little inwards. I doubt the force of a hard landing, even considering the weight of the motor and battery pack, would be able to bend the tower points at all.

Now to some pictures.

Here's the overall look of the naked chassis. I thought the tower would look better but it is no beauty, unfortunately.

Again, no bolts for the wheels. I do LOVE the classic three-piece wheels, but man finding those bolts is SO difficult in here! Also, both tires have a severe flat spot each one. I tried to correct that at least visually by getting some rubber inside of them. I don't know what to do to solve the problem completely and for good. Perhaps filling them with silicone sealant?

By the way, notice the much bigger nut for the upright? These Rockbuster uprights use a different nut. I had to pay dearly for these HPI ones at the LHS

And here's another look at the Rockbuster suspension arms. The custom tower painted black is not that noticeable behind them.

And the solution for the missing rear shocks. Little travel, alright, but still better than nothing!

And a look at the car with the body on. I've made the mistake of painting the tower before testing the shocks. I should have cut it a bit lower.

Now the car won't win a beauty contest, but it's going to run, and it's made with leftovers and parts I'm sure 99% of the TCers here would have thrown instead.

The final steps later.

In the meantime, y'all have a good week!

[Drivetrain]

OK I see the geometry now. Nice!

[Nitomor]

You've done a great job with that front tower and the rest of the build. Great to see you salvage another RC.

[Crash Cramer]

FUNCTION and BEAUTY??? you want both??? What are you hunting, a supermodel???

I think the job is great and about those wheel screws and nuts, well, I will have to see what I dig up here, but I better keep the weight down to a minimum.

[Drivetrain]

FUNCTION and BEAUTY??? you want both??? What are you hunting, a supermodel???

I think the job is great and about those wheel screws and nuts, well, I will have to see what I dig up here, but I better keep the weight down to a minimum.

Supermodel and functional are a rare combo. If those supermarket tabloids are to be believed, that is.

[Smidsy]

Think I've got some of those wheel bolts, that came with my GH2. I'll have a look in the morning.

Craig

[mongoose1983]

Think I've got some of those wheel bolts, that came with my GH2. I'll have a look in the morning.

Craig

Hi there Craig,

Thanks for wanting to help!

Anyway, the GH2 uses one-piece wheels. The ones you can see in the pictures here belong to the original GH and they're three-piece wheels.

Have a good one!

[Crash Cramer]

Erich, I will need a list from you buddy, your WISH LIST, things you would need to finish things up, like the 2x8 bolts and nuts for those wheels, or do they take 2x10 screws????