Hopped-up 'Hopper
I never had one of these when I was a kid. There, I said it. I was into the road cars back then, and it was only after wrecking three against the kerbs, drains and 1:1 cars that I considered the practicality of running on-road RC. I bought this as a standard, tired Grasshopper in the early 00s, and slowly and organically it evolved into this, through bits off of a Hornet, an Academy (I think) thingy and a re-release shell. The most significant modification on this car is the front suspension - it has adjustable upper links which allow the front wheels to maintain a constant camber angle to the ground when compressed. It also has some nice little oil shocks. CRP? The rear has a stabiliser and a plate which locks the vertical movement of the front pivot on the gearbox. To be honest, I'm not sure if this benefits the handling, I guess the designer was trying to reduce the mad bounce this car has. I always found those little pin springs inside the front hinge much too weak anyway, and this does away with them. I have some rear shocks to match the fronts, but the springs are too hard - it makes it bounce even more. So instead I fitted some Hornet shocks. Other specs include MSC (I'm cheap), 540 silver can and Troll rear tyres. I nearly sold this car along with the others, but it's too special. Instead I've resolved to run it more.
Comments
simondo
Thats a very well sorted grasshopper. ypu`ve done some good mods.I was thinking of doing a similar mod to the front suspension of my hornet.
DImblum
Another fine example of a nicely hopped-up GrassHopper. The front shocks are made by Parma and the camber linkage is either from a Panda Cyclone or a Mugen Manx. Great job on your build.
the-way
You did a great work and everything matches perfectly. Well done
R/CVET
Nice mods...reminds me of the mods I made to my Hornet back in the '80's especially those rear tires. Your GH is a definite keeper now.
kyosho_collector
Nice Grasshopper, looks sweet with those upgrades!
swedishwiking
Very cool mods on the front suspension. Some more pics without body perhaps?
Eleck_Rider
Thanks dudes. I'll take some more pics of the technical stuff. I'd quite like to get that blue anodising off, I've read that Easy-Off does the trick? Thanks for the info DImblum, I'll research those donor vehicles - I took the front wishbones, uprights and links off the one car. They slotted right in to the Tamiya chassis.
skywhelp
Very nice modding, I like the 70's sci-fi back drop!
Eleck_Rider
Finally added a couple of extra detail pics.
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