Parksey78 24 Posted February 26, 2021 Hi all, been lurking for a few weeks and have now signed up. Seems like many on here, I'm rekindling a love for RC from childhood, now being in my 40s... Bought myself a Lunchbox a couple of weeks back and thoroughly enjoyed building it. It's just meant as a basher but has a few upgrades already - sport-tuned motor, Fastrax oil shocks, fully ball-raced, and some cosmetic bits like the chrome Pumpkin wheels, lighting kit, Tamiya Race Blue paint (although the job I did on it is shocking) and tyre stickers. It already wears quite a few battle scars on the body as it still flips and rolls like a Lunchbox should. Next job is to retrieve the original Thunder Shot I had in the late 80s from my parents' loft and "restore" that, it's got some suspension damage but hopefully fixable. From there, I fancy the Mk2 Escort or maybe the Subaru Brat, but understand the latter is a ****** to paint. Could probably do with brushing up my skills on other sets before trying that one. Anyway, hoping to pick up plenty of ideas and tips on here. Cheers James 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
87lc2 2666 Posted February 26, 2021 Welcome to TC, this is a fantastic forum. There are a lot of guys that know all you'd ever want to and more about Tamiya models past & present. Lunchbox looks great, glad you're enjoying it. Good luck on the Thunder Shot, I don't know much about that model, but there are plenty of guys here that can help if you need it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakratfink 967 Posted February 26, 2021 James, welcome !i I will second that this is a great forum full knowledgeable, friendly folk. The Lunchbox/ Midnight Pumpkin. I’ve got a second hand Metallic MP off eBay and even with the silver can it is a blast to drive . Ball bearings, Lipo stick pack are really the only mods on mine. It wasn’t pristine when I got it, and it has gained a few scratches but, like you said, a Tamiya wheelie truck is bound to spend some time on its roof. Looks great in blue, I’m a little jealous of the wheels as broke a front wheel on my metallic edition pumpkin and I had to settle for white Montero wheels for replacement. Can’t seem to find them in the States. As far as other mods go A lot of people claim the Lunchie body mounts are a weak link and replace with alloy. My MP was purchased with broken/ missing mounts so I ordered alloy straight away. Shenloco on the forum has a lot of great videos on “free” mods on his YouTube just google ShenRC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Problemchild 2149 Posted February 27, 2021 Hello and welcome - love the lunchbox JJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Exit13 673 Posted February 27, 2021 Welcome to the club. Nice LB. I’ve got one too from the 80’s and thunder shot. RCmart was great resource for the t shot but you will figure that out. Also are a lot (not me) of experts around here that can help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
H22A4 85 Posted February 27, 2021 Welcome and fish out that Thundershot and post some photos of it! I fished my Thundershot out from my parents loft and restored it last year. Still is lots of fun over 30 years later. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lsear2905 1279 Posted February 27, 2021 Welcome to the club! The lunchbox is awesome fun and a great truck with minimal 'mods.' I 3D printed (well, asked someone to do it for me) a couple of replacement body mounts - don't get aluminium ones as they cause cracking in the body and the chassis. In any RC it is important to have a weak point that's cheap and easy to replace rather than breaking more expensive components (chassis/body). If you have access to a 3D printer you can also print the Lunchbox suspension brace, which dramatically improves handling. When you wear out your wheelie bar (or just want something that's not terrible) I recommend the GPM racing one which is a lovely bit of kit. Whatever you do, enjoy your truck and post plenty of photos! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted February 27, 2021 9 hours ago, lsear2905 said: When you wear out your wheelie bar (or just want something that's not terrible) I recommend the GPM racing one which is a lovely bit of kit. Yes , deffo. much better . I've 2 on LB runners 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakratfink 967 Posted February 27, 2021 13 hours ago, lsear2905 said: If you have access to a 3D printer you can also print the Lunchbox suspension brace, which dramatically improves handling. I have the Ampro one. Looms like the same concept. If I had access to a 3D Printer I might have tried this one 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattHill 0 Posted February 28, 2021 Hi James! I'm new to this group as well. I've just made a midnight pumpkin with the kids, and it works, which is great. The steering does, however, break regularly with the rods unscrewing. I'd like to upgrade a lot of the parts to better versions, does anyone have any suggestions on how to do this? I must mention that I am an absolute beginner so do not know the lingo yet! Speak soon, Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakratfink 967 Posted February 28, 2021 4 hours ago, MattHill said: Hi James! I'm new to this group as well. I've just made a midnight pumpkin with the kids, and it works, which is great. The steering does, however, break regularly with the rods unscrewing. I'd like to upgrade a lot of the parts to better versions, does anyone have any suggestions on how to do this? I must mention that I am an absolute beginner so do not know the lingo yet! Speak soon, Matt Are you saying the little threaded Rod ends are unscrewing from the plastic ? Are they screwed in far Enough? If so perhaps a drop of CA glue applied when you screw them together ( just use a slower drying glue to give you time to thread it to the right length ) If that doesn’t work, maybe make your own links from a different thicker rod perhaps ? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted February 28, 2021 2 hours ago, Dakratfink said: If that doesn’t work, maybe make your own links from a different thicker rod perhaps ? The steering rods on the re-re are already M3mm . They should be solid in there and not 'unscrew' . there might be another proble with this . I've never glued rods in 6 hours ago, MattHill said: Hi James! I'm new to this group as well. I've just made a midnight pumpkin with the kids, and it works, which is great. The steering does, however, break regularly with the rods unscrewing. I'd like to upgrade a lot of the parts to better versions, does anyone have any suggestions on how to do this? I must mention that I am an absolute beginner so do not know the lingo yet! Speak soon, Matt Hi Matt . Have you got any pics of this problem area or part ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Parksey78 24 Posted February 28, 2021 Hi all, thanks all for the welcome and advice so far. 😊 Yep, stronger body mounts and something to brace the front suspension is on the list, and possibly the Ampro mod for the gearbox housing. Not sure if that stops it wheelying, or at least makes it less easy to wheelie? MattHill - I've been having some steering issues too, but noticed the longer of the two rods was a little bent out of shape (presumably from a meeting with the kerb...), but I've bent it back into shape and it seems OK again. Will probably look for an upgrade as it's an easy thing to do. The Thunder Shot has been retrieved from the loft too, will pop a pic in a new topic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakratfink 967 Posted February 28, 2021 11 minutes ago, Parksey78 said: Hi all, thanks all for the welcome and advice so far. 😊 Yep, stronger body mounts and something to brace the front suspension is on the list, and possibly the Ampro mod for the gearbox housing. Not sure if that stops it wheelying, or at least makes it less easy to wheelie? Yeah, I’ve got stronger body mounts on mine and and Ampro brace . it doesn’t Stop wheelying but in my opinion it fees easier to control and ride out a wheelie if that makes sense 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KEV THE REV 2319 Posted February 28, 2021 You can put weight in the front to stop too much wheelie action, it also helps the front traction Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lsear2905 1279 Posted February 28, 2021 1 hour ago, KEV THE REV said: You can put weight in the front to stop too much wheelie action, it also helps the front traction I don't mean to tell anyone how to enjoy their RC, but if you're not after a vehicle that constantly wheelies maybe a Lunchbox isn't the way to go? 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
