pic: RC Sandrail

[sanddrag]

The car was based on an old Team Losi XXT. I replaced the rear wheels with HPI Chrome 5-spoke star wheels, with Pro-Line paddle tires. I replaced the front shock tower with one from a Losi XX. I replaced the front wheels with HPI chrome 5-spoke star buggy wheels, and Traxxas Bandit tires. I took out the whole molded chassis (middle part) and the steering setup and set it aside so I was left with a complete front and rear end.

I used 3/16" diameter brass tubing to make the frame. I cut and notched each piece with a dremel, and sanded it to remove oxidation. I then soldered them together with a regular soldering iron, and when finished, painted it. Some of the pieces (like the plates to mount the front and rear ends) needed to be heated with a torch to solder because they were larger.

The steering was done direct from the servo (no belcranks) with T-maxx links and Tamiya rod ends.

The hardest part was the upper structure since it had to be creatively held in place for soldering.

As mentioned in the picture description, this car was loads of fun while it was in this configuration. It was extremely unique and very realistic. It turned heads everywhere it went. I had planned doing some interior details for it, but I couldn't find scale seats anywhere.

Anyway, the car has since been converted back to the stock Losi XXT form.

I also did a rock crawler tube frame constructed in a similar fashion, but I only used it once and never got any pictures.