GPM hop-ups of my abused runner!
Got this truck off eBay only to find every boss on the thing split - especially at the front. Some had split because the wrong screws had been used (too long, compressed the plastic - ouch). Knuckles, C-hubs, gear box, tower, etc.
So I bit the bullet and with some help from TA-Mark chose some GPM parts. Choice was mostly based on getting it running, plus my first foray into pimping ;) Now it's been a bit of a learning curve and had to get some other bits to make everything fit (Top Force ball connector bag, modified upper arm made from filed down ball connectors, etc.) But I'm almost there!
Got a lot of tuning to do - steering connectors are being replaced by adjustable turnbuckles, and I might shorten the upper swing-arms a little more to reduce splaying effects of suspension at full compression - hoping longer steering connectors (i.e. turnbuckles) plus greater non-compressed toe-in, should alleviate this - all tips welcome!
Ok, everything is now fitted and working perfectly! So chuffed! Needed a bit of tuning on the upper arms: the 45mm shafts fit so well that if the upper arms are too short (literally a mm or two) the shafts interfere with travel. I've had it belting around the track in the garden and it's a delight to have a car that's controllable, after the random madness of the tuned Grasshopper! ;)
Thanks to all for your help and advice - especially TA-Mark without whose patient advice this project would not have been realised. Cheers!
Update! Haven't been on T-Club for a while but been fettling over the winter. I've GPM'd the rear suspension, which has increased the wheelbase by roughly 10mm. Added Tamiya shock upgrade. Also added anti-roll-bar at the rear, which makes a slight improvement. Also GPM drive shaft, (see first three pics below).
Also added a Tamiya Dirt-Tuned motor. A new steel pinion has resolved some of the awful racket that was coming from the rear ;)
The result is an F150 with great traction and a slightly firmer but very poised stance - jumps nice and steady, nice and flat in the air. VERY pleased!
New GPM backend GPM drive shaft Looking a little abused ;) Awaiting new turnbuckles to adjust toe-in Longer steering rods should ease splaying? Steering rods connected properly sorts bump steer! 45 mm shafts, turnbuckles and new upper arms A thing of beauty! New shocks next...? Ready to Race (and probably crash ;)
Comments
generationx
So often it's the way that what looks good in the auction pictures turns out to be full of cracks etc. Had a Thundershot that needed all new gearbox cases for just that reason.
TA-Mark
Something assembled wrong there, mine has no bumpsteer. That is excessive! Steering links should be parallel to the bottom arms.
Chutneypundit
Mark, you are a hero! Must have inadvertently put the assembled knuckles on the wrong sides - result ballnut thang ended up on top rather than below knuckle. Swapped, and bump steer has gone. Wheels now point outward permanently now, but that will be fixed with new turnbuckle connector rod Thanks again, Mark!
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