Grasshopper - what spares to buy

[ngbee]

I've just ordered a re-release Grasshopper. I never had one as a kid, I started out with a Frog. I plan to use the Grasshopper to introduce my little boy to the hobby, I figured with a 380 motor it will be easier for him (at least at first) - he is only 6.

I want to stock up on a good supply of spare parts (while they are cheap and readily available) in anticipation of it getting a few knocks, etc. - can anyone advise what parts are the most easily damaged or used to wear out first (apart from the obvious ones like tyres!). How strong was the chassis itself - would it be cheaper just to buy a complete spare kit?? Would appreciate any comments. Cheers.

[theshopkeeper]

The weakest part on the design is the chassis - the front suspension top towers can break off if hit at the wrong angle and it writes off the chassis.

The rest of the car is pretty much bullet proof if you're sticking with the 380 motor - even a "full speed" crash doesn't tend to do much in the way of harm.

[Bigwheels_inc]

the other week spot that nobody tells you about is the spotlamp mountings if there hit from the front or in a role they can snap off so if i where you i would buy a body+ driver/spotlamp sprue decals chassis and of course tyres the rest of the grasshopper is pretty tuff and besides the bits weve already said about ive only busted a diff but that was because i fitted a 10turn motor

[ngbee]

I just checked some of the prices for the re-release Grasshopper spares. For the price of a set of new tyres, a body and a chassis I could almost buy a new kit. I only paid £54 for the kit including delivery. I'm thinking I might just buy a second kit, sounds a bit over the top but makes some sense.

[meridian]

I think another kit is the best way to go. And while they are available why not, who knows how long these will be available in the future. Just some friendly unsolicited advice, but if you are interested in longevity, it would be good to swap all the busing for ball bearings if you can.

Long live the 80's Tamiya classics!!

[Robby Hobby]

I live in the u.S. and here or the u.K. it would be better pricewise to purchase an extra kit instead of buying spare parts which would ad up close to the price of another kit. I had many of them back in the 80's and the most common parts to break were definitley the front shock towers as someone else mentioned and the front bumper. Another alternative is to go on ebay and buy a new old stock Parma aluminum front shock tower kit which was almost unbreakable and the Proline replacement bumper which was much stronger than the original and had good spring action to bounce the car off of stuff instead of letting the chassy take most of the impact. You can periodically find these parts cheap on ebay and it would be much cheaper than buying a whole extra kit.

Hope this info helps and good luck with getting your son started in one of the most exciting and educational hobbies a kid can have.

[DJTheo]

Also the body breaks at the rear "spoiler" at a reverse crash, no functionality issues, just doesn't look nice after. In generally the GH is one of the most robust RC cars ever, especially with the 380 it should run for ages till it needs parts, repair or servicing [8D]

Cheers