Modded Mad Fighter

[OldSchoolRC]

ok, some before and after pics of mods phase 1. My goal is to make this car a looker as well as a better performer. Since the suspension is pretty basic, I plan on mostly running this on-road, so I wanted it lower overall. Get the dremel and let the cutting begin!

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/madfighter/mf001_sm3.jpg

Dropped the rear suspension using touring car shocks, and changed the rigid axle mounts as the stock ones hung way down below the chassis for some reason. I was concerned that they could get hung up or damaged. The higher mounts came with the kit, not sure why they were not used in the first place. With them installed, the bottom of the chassis is now totally flat. Easy as can be, though i'm not 100% happy with it. Still more to come here.

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/madfighter/mf008_sm3.jpg

Front, i built a whole new suspension. When i dropped the rear, the front had to be dropped too, but the single swing arm suspension gave the wheels some serious camber issues. Not gonna work!! I built a suspension arm mount in the gap in the chassis where the old arms were and used some old Manta Ray parts cut down for the front arms. The shock mounts were made of some aluminum. The cool thing is due to Tamiya's interchangeable front parts, I can use the standard front buggy wheels, or change the C hub and run std. 12mm front rims. Front shocks are only friction shocks. I tried some oil filled, but since the car is so light in the front end, i could not find oil light enough to let the suspension work -way too stiff even with 20wt and 3 holes pistons. Frictions seem to work fine.

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/madfighter/mf010_sm3.jpg

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/madfighter/mf009_sm3.jpg

Started doing some body mods as well to accomodate the new suspension, and since there's a ton of room under the body, debating on an interior and driver...phase 2 coming soon.

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/madfighter/mf007_sm3.jpg

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/madfighter/mf011_sm3.jpg

[Philderbeast]

Looks great so far. Now I gotta get the Hornet running. I am having trouble finding the pinion gear though. I think a grasshopper body will work on it, they look basically the same. Sorry to tread jack, but.....

[Maxx man]

hey thats pretty awsome!

[Fiero_Man_121]

dang your making me wana try and fix up my very old tamiya buggy (no clue what model or year but its about 20, maybe more or less, not really sure)

[Maxx man]

dang your making me wana try and fix up my very old tamiya buggy (no clue what model or year but its about 20, maybe more or less, not really sure)

I wouldnt do anything costom to it sence its an older modle... but other wise get it fixed!

[OldSchoolRC]

well, this is based off 80's technology! :) bringing it into the 21st century. started filling in the body where the old front shock mounts were, and planning out the interior.

[Fiero_Man_121]

nitro, the car is so busted up i have no choice but to mod it and resto mod it.

[roadrunnr43]

nitro, the car is so busted up i have no choice but to mod it and resto mod it.

mmm.. resto-mod!

[Maxx man]

nitro, the car is so busted up i have no choice but to mod it and resto mod it.

aaaahhhhh I see... lol

[Fiero_Man_121]

yeah its on y to do list... way down at the bottom.:p

[Maxx man]

ya I know how ya feel...

[OldSchoolRC]

ordered wheels and a driver figure today....stealing some parts from the wild willy. :) Pumped about the interior, never tried one before. My first real styrene adventure.

[LSXEric]

Looking good, and the rims, thank you that the uglys are going.

Is there going to be a wing?

[OldSchoolRC]

maybe, haven't decided yet. i might mount it further back and lower, not sure yet. I picked up a piece of Delrin and want to play around with "machining" it into parts, i might make a set of new mounts with it.

[OldSchoolRC]

Actually, i don't think the stock rims are that bad looking. I have a pic set up on my desktop, so i've been staring at it over lunch... :) I want to change the rear tires, but they are all glued so new rims had to be ordered. The new ones are 12mm hubs all around, so i have to change the front around a bit.

[Tamiya John]

Nice work! I think it looks great wing-less; mean and stealthy.

I'm looking forward to the next update.

[OldSchoolRC]

Thanks TJ, stay tuned - more coming! and another Tamiya 2 projects in the works

[OldSchoolRC]

Mini update: Some pics of the body filler where I hacked off the indents for the old shock mounts. First filled it solid with styrene, then had to do some creative carving to make it clear the suspension, but it just fits. Looks a little hack off the chassis, but tucks in nice when it's sitting on there.

Also started on the interior....cut the front end of a new bright YJ chassis that was in the trash pile for the walls of the interior, and using styrene to build it out. Letting it dry overnight and will trim it up later. Ordered a wild willy driver tree for the interior details - steering wheel, shifter, etc and thinking about what to do for a seat. Have to see what all fits in there..

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/madfighter/mf018_sm3.jpg

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/madfighter/mf017_sm3.jpg

[Maxx man]

sweet... are ya gunna do some oil filled shocks? this thing is gunna look awsome!

[OldSchoolRC]

re-read the first post, i can't type that all again :)

[Maxx man]

oops lol nice stock tamiya oil shocks... myn havnt leaked a drop I like m alot even though they are plastic

[OldSchoolRC]

Long time no update! Pulled this down from the shelf and started working towards getting it finished.

I added some louvers to the rear panels - something I wanted to try for a muscle car build, and thought I'd practice here first - good thing as they turned out a little rough. Still filling and sanding, think I can at least get them looking decent. Have a lot of filling and sanding to do yet, but coming along well. Also, started working on the new rear wing mount. Will definitely be cutting down the wing, way too large.

Still needs some work on an interior, getting there. need to find a suitable driver first.

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/madfighter/004112010015.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/madfighter/004112010016.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr84/dschlegel/madfighter/004112010014.jpg

[piccofan]

wow that looks pretty good! you gonna make it brushless! im gonna be doing a mod too! (check out speedy tiger mod) i got some adjustable shocks and a 1/8th pipe on a 1/10 car and now it just rips! its a really nice and fun buggy its just fragile i suppose with the crappy drive terrain but ill be fixing that up! but good job cant wait to see it when its done!

[OldSchoolRC]

Thanks for the kind words! This kinda got sidelined with some other projects, but is only a night or two from being done. I wil post up pics once I finish it.

[Maxx man]

how did I miss this?! lookin good OS

and 4500 posts!