Blackfoot Restoration

[jonboy1]

1 hour ago, Peter_B said:

Meh some people are so picky. I'm sure they must have better things to be doing than being cheeky on here

Erm, nope - can't actually think of anything, no.

 

[Peter_B]

5 minutes ago, jonboy1 said:

Erm, nope - can't actually think of anything, no.

 

Think harder!  

 

[jonboy1]

Oh yeah - that Pumpkin I got yesterday - good thinking!!

Now where did I put that can of black paint........

[Crash Cramer]

I still want a chance at that Bigfoot body

[Peter_B]

I finally got round to fitting the front body mount and fitted a 17.5T Trackstar brushless motor. I don't want mental speed, but thought after years stuck in the loft it deserved something a bit nicer than a silver can. Did a quick test and with the 17.5T and half charged NiMH it seems a nice speed.

[Ian_Gsi16V]

Looks great, I think the ORV chassis never loses it's appeal (let's all forget about the gearbox issues)

 

[Peter_B]

15 minutes ago, Ian_Gsi16V said:

Looks great, I think the ORV chassis never loses it's appeal (let's all forget about the gearbox issues)

 

I agree. I've been doing my test runs without a body and there's something about seeing the chassis running that I like. Even if it is shaped a bit like an oven ready chicken.

I even started to think "they should have made a buggy on this chassis" then remembered the Frog lol

[Ian_Gsi16V]

2 hours ago, Peter_B said:

I agree. I've been doing my test runs without a body and there's something about seeing the chassis running that I like. Even if it is shaped a bit like an oven ready chicken.

I even started to think "they should have made a buggy on this chassis" then remembered the Frog lol

Be careful running topless (ooh er). Last time I did that on my vintage MB to save the body from damage I rolled it and snapped the end of the body mount! 

[Peter_B]

4 minutes ago, Ian_Gsi16V said:

Be careful running topless (ooh er). Last time I did that on my vintage MB to save the body from damage I rolled it and snapped the end of the body mount! 

I was careful. It's only been a couple of runs, less than 5 mins each, just to make sure things work.

[Ian_Gsi16V]

Reading this thread is making me think I need to dust of my Monster Beetle and give it a run this weekend, not moved a wheel for a few months

 

[Ann3x]

7 hours ago, Ian_Gsi16V said:

Looks great, I think the ORV chassis never loses it's appeal (let's all forget about the gearbox issues)

 

For an ORV without the gearbox issues try the bush devil (or fit a BD gearbox to the Blackfoot/MB).

[Crash Cramer]

On 7/28/2017 at 6:59 AM, Ian_Gsi16V said:

Looks great, I think the ORV chassis never loses it's appeal (let's all forget about the gearbox issues)

 

You CAN forget the gearbox issues, buy an MIP ball diff for it!!!

On 7/28/2017 at 7:17 AM, Peter_B said:

I agree. I've been doing my test runs without a body and there's something about seeing the chassis running that I like. Even if it is shaped a bit like an oven ready chicken.

I even started to think "they should have made a buggy on this chassis" then remembered the Frog lol

HA HA, oven ready chicken, you could go and get a nicely already roasted chicken from the store that comes in a plastic clamshell and eat the contents and build your own body for the ORV, I know, crazy sounding, but hey, it would be free and include a meal.!!!

[Ian_Gsi16V]

6 hours ago, Crash Cramer said:

You CAN forget the gearbox issues, buy an MIP ball diff for it!!!

HA HA, oven ready chicken, you could go and get a nicely already roasted chicken from the store that comes in a plastic clamshell and eat the contents and build your own body for the ORV, I know, crazy sounding, but hey, it would be free and include a meal.!!!

I actually run support plates with Frog Universals and it has been nothing but reliable, as I am from the UK I find the MIP just too expensive.

Really, I was talking about a standard ORV when I mentioned the gearbox.

 

 

[Peter_B]

17 minutes ago, Ian_Gsi16V said:

I actually run support plates with Frog Universals and it has been nothing but reliable, as I am from the UK I find the MIP just too expensive.

Really, I was talking about a standard ORV when I mentioned the gearbox.

 

 

UK here too and you're right, that diff is expensive.

Unfortunately I've not yet been able to source any support plate type solution.

[Ian_Gsi16V]

18 minutes ago, Peter_B said:

UK here too and you're right, that diff is expensive.

Unfortunately I've not yet been able to source any support plate type solution.

Yeah, sadly the guy who made them only did a small run of them as they are really good and a very cost effective solution! 

[Crash Cramer]

I understand that completely, I did get one at the presale price and postage isn't always cheap these days. I thought I had seen those plates before, is someone making them on SHAPEWAYS at all??? It would seem the best place for them, will have to ask PintoPower if he has seen them and their fruits.

[Prescient]

10 hours ago, Peter_B said:

UK here too and you're right, that diff is expensive.

Unfortunately I've not yet been able to source any support plate type solution.

I did send you a message a while back re the ones I make. I have my beetle out of storage so have the dimensions and some pics.

All you need is a 2mm carbon or 3-4mm+ perspex sheet. Carbon is better but nasty to work with.

A 51mm holesaw cutter for the outer plate and 21mm holesaw for fit round the middle diff. Cheapest way if you don't have them is like the set below.

Plus 12mm drill bit to notch the edge for fit round the counter gear and 2-4mm drill bit for the 3 screw hole notches.

https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p23014?table=no

Sorry for poor pics.

If you manage to make a pair don't over tighten or the diff won't spin freely. I will be making some again but not until later this month or early next.

[Peter_B]

@Prescient indeed we did exchange messages about them. I think you'd recently moved or were moving at the time.

Thanks for the info.

I think it's still beyond my capabilities. I don't have a drill or anything at present.

If you do make some in the coming weeks please bear me in mind. Obviously I would reimburse you for time and materials etc.

[Prescient]

19 minutes ago, Peter_B said:

@Prescient indeed we did exchange messages about them. I think you'd recently moved or were moving at the time.

Thanks for the info.

I think it's still beyond my capabilities. I don't have a drill or anything at present.

If you do make some in the coming weeks please bear me in mind. Obviously I would reimburse you for time and materials etc.

I can send you the one from the photos if you want? Its not perfect as the counter gear hole is too big one side (non motor) and it will need sealing with superglue on the edges. 

I'm not running these trucks at the moment as busy with my other projects so don't need it.

Message me your address details and I will pop it in the post.

[jonboy1]

8 minutes ago, Prescient said:

I can send you the one from the photos if you want? Its not perfect as the counter gear hole is too big one side (non motor) and it will need sealing with superglue on the edges. 

I'm not running these trucks at the moment as busy with my other projects so don't need it.

Message me your address details and I will pop it in the post.

There's some nice people on this forum 👍🏻

[Peter_B]

11 hours ago, jonboy1 said:

There's some nice people on this forum 👍🏻

Indeed there are. One of the friendliest forums I've ever taken part in.

@Prescient much appreciated. I'll drop you a message now.

[Peter_B]

So I've had chance to finish a few things off.

I replaced the 65mm turnbuckles and stressed ball connectors with some 60mm turnbuckles and new ball connectors.
I fitted some brass 850 bushes as spacers to the battery holders so that my packs fit.

I finally got around to putting the re-release body onto the vintage chassis.

 

I can not take credit for how good the body looks. It was painted for me by another TC member, who also made - by hand - the front and rear Ford lettering.

I'm fairly sure my pictures don't do it justice. It looks amazing, especially running in the sunshine.

I haven't asked if they want to be identified so I don't want to name the TC member who did it as I wouldn't want them to be inundated with people asking them to paint body shells.

I'll leave it so that they can either come and identify themselves if they wish, or let me know and I'll come back and do it for them.

 

So, that's an original Blackfoot, bought early 90's, kept in a loft for 20+ years. The only re-release parts, other than the body, are the plastic parts for the shocks and a couple of parts (1 each side) in the front hubs. There are Schumacher 60mm turnbuckles used as steering arms, connected to a centrally(ish) mounted Core RC 9016MG servo. It's running a TBLE-02S speed control hooked up to a Trackstar 17.5T brushless motor.

Still a couple of jobs to do. One of which is to fit supports to the gearbox to stop the diff exploding itself. Another is to paint up a lexan runner shell for it.

[jonboy1]

I think you've done a beautiful job restoring this. It's really nice to see a functional resto mixing a few well thought out new items with a sympathetic eye on the originality. You've got a great Blackfoot there, and the more I look at it the more it's becoming my favourite all over again, might have to get myself one again after seeing this! 

So what's going to be next?! 

[Peter_B]

29 minutes ago, jonboy1 said:

I think you've done a beautiful job restoring this. It's really nice to see a functional resto mixing a few well thought out new items with a sympathetic eye on the originality. You've got a great Blackfoot there, and the more I look at it the more it's becoming my favourite all over again, might have to get myself one again after seeing this! 

So what's going to be next?! 

Cheers mate. It wouldn't look half as good if I hadn't had a bit of help.

You should definitely get one!

Next?

Well I did start pulling the electrics out of my Procat yesterday. Found that I'd made a couple of mods that I can't remember doing, not can I remember why I might have done them.

The re-release of the CAT XLS is handy as many parts are shared, so there are new parts available instead of paying silly money for used stuff.

I'm also on the lookout for a TXT and/or RC10. Possibly a Monster Beetle too.