pic: RC Sandrail

[sanddrag]

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[Ryan M.]

So, was this built from scratch or did you (signifcantly) mod something else?

Pretty cool looking.

[Billfred]

So I guess you'd be ready for sand drags? (rimshot)

Very nice--what are the underpinnings? I was about to say Traxxas Bandit, but the front shock tower doesn't look right for that.

[dubious elise]

That is an awesome vehicle Sanddrag! It reminds me of a car that my brother got in the late 80's for his birthday. It still has been the best R/C car I have ever used in terms of handling and speed.

Functional offroad lights. Wowie!

[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.

[Jeff K.]

That looks awesome David. Kudos on the custom chassis. I see a stick pack, is it electric or nitro? And if it's electric, how many turn motor did you have in it? Also, how what was final cost? But that looks insanely shweeeet.

[sanddrag]

It is definitely electric. It ran on a six cell pack and a P2K 27 Turn stock motor. It was still pretty fast for how heavy it was.

approximate costs

Lights: $20
Wheels and tires: $20
Metal: $20

I already had everything else.

I started making a totally custom version that would have tubular suspension arms and shock towers and everything but I never got around to it and I don't think I ever will.

As a side note, I got my Clodbuster/Clodzilla monster truck running today.

[Clark Gilbert]

Looks awesome. You should see the RC Delphi Racing Indy car that Andy Baker has.

[mechanicalbrain]

I love the car and it really show how much work you put into your car. I know you only ran it once but do you know the spead that it ran (an estimate would be fine).

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by mechanicalbrain

I love the car and it really show how much work you put into your car. I know you only ran it once but do you know the spead that it ran (an estimate would be fine).

Thanks. I ran it much more than just once. I ran it on the street several times, took it to Pismo Beach once, and even entered it in a real competition race once (that's where it broke, due to too many jumps and crashes). As for speed, I really don't know. Maybe about 15 mph. I have an electric Mini Cooper (tamiya) and a gas stadium truck (rc10gt) that can each get up to about 35 mph I estimate.