Mud Blaster Build

[Monster Mash]

Hi everyone and welcome my Mud Blaster project.

My aim is to build a faithful Mud Blaster (58077) replica out of either new old stock original parts or re-release parts where appropriate and depending upon what is available. I will be using an MSC and, probably, vintage radio gear.

First of all, it’s going to be a slow burn and I’m not expecting to have this finished before April ’18 at the earliest due to delays in obtaining parts.  I’m based in the UK and I’ve got a few packages waiting for me to collect in the USA.

I’m sure that this won’t be to everyone’s tastes and may even ruffle a few feathers. I have an original Lunchbox from the ‘80s along with an original Midnight Pumpkin body. I recently built a re-release Midnight Pumpkin and was surprised at how faithful the chassis has remained to the original, as well as the quality of the parts and useful updates like the stronger track rods. The quality and accuracy of re-released varies, but I’m not convinced that vintage is always best or that all of the earlier parts were manufactured to a higher standard.

 

So can you still build a Mud Blaster in 2018?

After I’d already embarked on my project, I saw a new in box Mud Blaster on eBay for $850. So this may be an option, if a bit expensive. Various restoration projects also appear on eBay but I fancied a new build and want a modern gearbox and drive shafts.

The option I’m taking, is to buy both a re-release Monster Beetle and a  re-release Subaru Brat which contains the hard plastic Brat body  -  I will then need to order further parts for the conversion and will sell off any parts I don’t need. The obvious additional parts required are a set of Blackfoot wheels and Mud Blaster decals.

I’ve wasted no time and have already sold off some unwanted spares.  The Brat Chassis hasn’t gone to waste and has already been used to build a ‘Brat Scorcher’ for Lola who is 9. 

 

What are the ethics of this?

Firstly, I don’t want to deplete spares of rare and hard to find parts unnecessarily. I’m also not intending to pass my creation off as actually being from the ‘80s – early ‘90s.

If a part is still in production by Tamiya, I’ll order a modern one.  I’ll only order a vintage part if that’s all that’s available and it’s essential either for function (following the original build manual) or is needed because of significant differences in either design or appearance compared with the modern equivalent.  I’m not going to track down original parts just for the sake of replacing modern ones, especially if the only differences are serial numbers / EU compliance markings etc.,  that are hidden from view once the truck is assembled.

 

More to follow...I welcome any thoughts or tips.

[KEV THE REV]

Nice idea - should be good , the Brat body is a Tamiya icon - and the Mudblaster is an all time fav . The decals may be difficult to source , but there are aftermarket options out there.

[a.w.k.]

Hi,i like the idea very much.

I hope you didn't sell the polycarbonate Brat body with the rear bodyposts parts tree, because this parts tree is a original MudBlaster item  out of an old tool that you can use to mount the hardshell Brat to the MudBlaster chassis....iirc there is Mudblaster or 58077 engraved  on the sprue

[Monster Mash]

Hi Kev,

I'm hoping that I've an original set of decals on the way.  They've arrived at my friends house in the USA and she's going to post them to me in the UK. Fingers crossed, Otherwise, I'll have to try the MCI Racing ones which aren't bad by all accounts.

[Monster Mash]

Hi a.w.k.

I've managed to sell on the Monster Beetle body and gold wheels so far but I've still got the lexan shell and will be keeping the F Parts for the body posts as they appeared to be an exact match to those in the Mud Blaster manual but I had no ideal about the reference number on the sprue - thanks for the tip.

[njmlondon]

This is a great idea. Don’t worry for one second about the “ethics” of it.

I built myself a brand new ORV chassis for a Lancia 037 body using a Brat chassis as a base and I also mix n’ matched re-re and original parts to build my Super Champ / Scorcher.

As an aside I have a load of brand new ORV parts from a re-re Monster Beatle and am in the UK so get in touch if you need anything.

[StrokerBoy]

I can't see why anyone's ethical feathers might get ruffled.  It's just a couple of re-re's and the odd old part.  There are hundreds of non-standard builds on here.

I'm doing something similar.  I've got a new re-re Brat kit and a complete 037 body set with the intention of making my own Lancia Rally.  It won't be an exact replica, just a homage, and I certainly won't be trying to pretend that it's an original one.  I've got genuine Lancia Rally wheels/tyres (thanks Grastens) and I'll be opening up the arches but I'm not bothered about the front bumper and some of the details.

I look forward to seeing yours progress.  You'll definitely get it finished before I do mine...

[nowinaminute]

I don't see why it should bother anyone. People have been making hybrids since the old days.

I agree about the quality of the rerelease stuff too, top notch for the most part. Some of the designs have changed quite dramatically such as Wild Willy, Holiday Buggy etc but some are so faithful that I don't see how it could ever spoil someone's nostalgia. Most of the changes have been for the better in one way or another too.

[nowinaminute]

I don't see why it should bother anyone. People have been making hybrids since the old days.

I agree about the quality of the rerelease stuff too, top notch for the most part. Some of the designs have changed quite dramatically such as Wild Willy, Holiday Buggy etc but some are so faithful that I don't see how it could ever spoil someone's nostalgia. Most of the changes have been for the better in one way or another too.

[a.w.k.]

And shortly after your build is finished , Tamiya will re release the original MudBlaster..............

[Monster Mash]

Strokerboy - that haul of Lancia parts is an achievement in itself 

Thanks for the support everyone.

I've not got much to report other than that some more parts arrived today -  vintage press parts bag X9995 from the States. These were quite cheap and I get 4 parts that have been deleted from the re-releases, namely the steering servo cover plate (dark bracket to the left of the parts picture), the MSC stay beneath it, which is effectively a metal shelf that sits between the chassis halves, and to the right of that, the resistor cover and resistor plate. All in all, a bit of a result.

I've also added a picture comparing 'old with new' for the front skid plates. The modern plate has a silky smooth matte aluminium finish whereas the vintage spare part is brushed and noticeably rougher, particularly the holes which feel as though you could cut your finger on them. 

I'll probably make a start on the chassis tomorrow / over the weekend.

[Monster Mash]

The postman delivered some packages yesterday and I'm been able to make some more progress. I received a new old stock MSC for a TL01, the seller's pictures were awful but it arrived brand new and untouched and was cheap. The only downside, which I suspected might be an issue, is the short cables for the Tamiya battery connector. However, all of my modern batteries have long cables on them and it fits. I swapped the resistor cover for the correct one from my X9995 parts bag along with the resistor plate.

I was fortunate in that I was able to find all of the correct vintage screws in my spare parts box. The MSC stay required four 3x6mm and two 3x12mm machine screws. My modern screws were all too long or too short and the wrong colour. However, after a half an hour looking through my vintage spare parts and measuring screws, I was able to find all of them and it looks very neat. I also found the correct screws to attach the resistor to the chassis and the receiver switch stay.

I used the vintage front suspension stays as they were better finished than the re-release parts - there's no hard fast rules on which is best and it seems to vary from part to part. 

Still got loads to do but I'm very happy so far.

 

[KEV THE REV]

Looking good , great to see an MSC these days . I've got an original Blackfoot resto which has an MSC just for originality . Some members have installed an MSC set up in their models just for show but actually run an ESC which is fitted elsewhere on the chassis out of site , usually underneath the MSC plate or receiver area on this one

[Monster Mash]

Just a quick update and a picture of progress so far.

I had a bit of a mishap with parts and received some faulty servos which I also believe were fake, so i sent them back and bought two others of the same type from a local retailer. The less said about that the better, I'm hoping that they give me a full refund.

I've continued with the vintage theme and have been using gold tone screws with washers, following the 1989 Mud Blaster instruction manual, instead of the modern screws that came with the 2015 Monster Beetle kit. It's a small difference but overall, it gives a different effect. I've also used a vintage Futaba 27 Mhz receiver which looks very nice with gold lettering.

Next step will be the gearbox then I'll tale a look at body before I take break until I go to America to collect my other bits and pieces.

I hope you enjoy my build.

[Monster Mash]

Hi everyone, 

Here's an update and apologies in advance for the poor quality photos. I'm awaiting a control rod for the MSC which is taking forever. I've also got some CVA shocks but won't be picking them up until the end of March.

The first picture is gearbox halves, old vs new. I couldn't see any difference in quality and they're the same design, thickness and finishing. I went with the newer ones since they didn't have as many storage marks. 

The next picture is me putting the gearbox together. I like to use an old paint brush to apply the grease, as well as cocktail sticks which are useful for positioning gears and also rotating them, to make sure that the grease is evenly distributed.

Then we've got the gearbox assembles and installed, Instead of the black machine screws and lock nuts, I used 27mm machine screws and flange nuts as per the original build manual.

lastly a picture of progress so far and the body parts. I managed to get hold of a new old stock decal sheet off eBay but I had to ship it to a friend in the US who then forwarded it on.