HG P402 - Project "Bargain Basement"

[PoorManRC]

Hi all!
Certainly, there are several other Rigs that I could be working with. I had to be different! I'm a Disabled Veteran, making just enough to be POOR. But I love my Hobby anyway.

My best friend bought me a HG P402 Kit. So by default, that became my plan - turn THIS $75.00 plastic framed kit, into something resembling a REAL Rig!! And do it's best to act like one as well.
Some people have bought these (mostly RTR), and quickly discovered that it's not a SCX10.... Most of those just gave up. Strange though, I've almost NEVER seen ANY for sale, used.....

There's a couple of things worth knowing about these. They're not so bad.... They're just FAR from done, out of the box! They require tinkering, tweaking, and just plain Modeling Skills!!!

They JUST released a NEW version of this in late April, 2017 (I was fortunate enough to get one of THOSE).
For starters, the axles have new Gears! They're machined instead of cast pot metal, like the first version.

AND, instead of the original 4mm output shafts on both the diff and main gearbox, they've increased them to 5mm!!
So now, besides stronger, now anyone's driveshafts can fit these, instead of just their weak, crappy 4mm driveshafts! Actual ball bearings now TOO (at least half of them).

Thanks to YouTube, I learned my first mod! It's simply cutting down the dogbone slots in the stub shafts.

This mod allows more steering angle - but it's not the only mod to make that happen....

Another simple mod was raising the bumpers. The stock mounts DROP the bumpers over 10mm!!

The frame ends have bumper mounts holes, just like a SCX10!!



This is NOT my permanent bumper. It's as flimsy as everything else! BUT, it's now at a height to allow a better approach angle, so I can at least LEARN how to crawl!!!
(I've been in RC since 1985, but this is my first Crawler)

MUCH more to come!!!

[clm]

Looks good, I can't wait to see more.

I agree on the 'crazy name' thing, some of the translations are hilarious.

I was half tempted to cut the big grill guard off my front bumper and mount it upside down with the licence plate recess on the bottom. I kind of thought it looked better that way, but then again I don't have a body for it yet.

I see you have replaced your steering link with a better one, I am not at that point yet with mine although I did note there was plenty of room to flip it over and run it so the center was closer to the diff housing. It did not look so strange hanging out there a mile in front of the axle then heh.

[PoorManRC]

Here's the upgraded gearbox!


And here's one of my front end mods...


THIS MOD, plus adding a much more powerful Servo, TRIPLED my steering angle more than anything else!!!


I installed aluminum links from an Axial Honcho, and a 22g Servo. The MAIN problem with the HG steering (P401/402/601... Doesn't matter) is - when you steer (as stock), the stock Servo only moves about half of its travel. On top of that, the steering arm actually PUSHES the axle from side-to-side, instead of actually turning!
This mod fixes that!!!

I still need metal chassis rails, but it's significantly better now!

Originally Posted by clm

Looks good, I can't wait to see more.

I agree on the 'crazy name' thing, some of the translations are hilarious.

I see you have replaced your steering link with a better one, I am not at that point yet with mine although I did note there was plenty of room to flip it over and run it so the center was closer to the diff housing. It did not look so strange hanging out there a mile in front of the axle then heh.

Thanks Bro!!

I need the metal frame rails, before I can flip my Servo throw.... everything's way too short up front right now. I've got a long Servo arm...
Like I said, those bumpers are definitely temporary!!!
They're only purpose right now, is to prevent anything important from breaking!

I have since cut up that front bumper even more.... I'm actually much farther along! I just wanted to show people as much of the humble beginnings as I have pictures of.

[clm]

Most excellent, then I shall shut up, warm up the like button, and pop some corn for the show!

[Brake Weight]

Can you give the ratio of the transmission and gears? The longitudinal layout of the tranny is interesting and I could maybe try to use one on a project.

[PoorManRC]

Originally Posted by clm

Most excellent, then I shall shut up, warm up the like button, and pop some corn for the show!

I'm going to do my best.....
we have a new Grandson!!!!
He's 6 weeks old, and stares at my Truck every time he is brought in...

[PoorManRC]

Originally Posted by Brake Weight

Can you give the ratio of the transmission and gears? The longitudinal layout of the tranny is interesting and I could maybe try to use one on a project.

Low gear- 3.57:1
High gear- 2.125:1
Axles- 4.24:1

These have lower gearing than just about EVERYTHING else!

[clm]

Originally Posted by PoorManRC

Low gear- 3.57:1
High gear- 2.125:1
Axles- 4.24:1

These have lower gearing than just about EVERYTHING else!

Would be perfect for BIG tires... if it didn't have such TINY bearings

[PoorManRC]

Tiny for sure!!!
Also, the way that the gears are arranged, they make a mechanical drag brake!!
I figured with some really sticky tires, it might just climb pretty well.

[clm]

Hmm, with bearings and lube my axles freely rotate with no resistance. The Trans on the other hand has a tight spot between the bevel gears. With the trans out the thing will freely roll with no drag brake like action.

[aver3]

I love that you are doing this right now. I picked up an HG P402 recently and am nearly complete with the build. I fixed my suspension's lack of movement by installing cheap 110mm shocks. Now I see that the driveshaft is hitting the upper link. I found a piece on Thingiverse that will let you use a 4 link setup. I may have to fix my 3D printer and try it out.

[clm]

One option for hitting the driveshaft that does not put 3d printed parts in stressed locations would be using the Y from an axial scx10 and making a new link on the one side that bends out and around the driveshaft.

[PoorManRC]

Originally Posted by clm

Hmm, with bearings and lube my axles freely rotate with no resistance. The Trans on the other hand has a tight spot between the bevel gears. With the trans out the thing will freely roll with no drag brake like action.

Well then....... Maybe it's the transmission creating the "drag brake"!
I'm convinced that the gearbox will be the first to go. I'm already looking for either an Axial or Redcat replacement.


Update: Made some wheelwells out of Cool Whip containers! It was really easy, and took Lexan paint perfectly.

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Finished scratchbuilding the dashboard and center console....

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[clm]

Looking very good there Carmine!

I did the dogbone drive cup mod you showed and it worked wonderfully, the truck ca get all the angle possible by the knuckles now... or at least could if it had some zero ackermann knuckles

It did require coming up with a way to 4 link the front end so the axle didn't shift side to side but that turned out easy.

[PoorManRC]

Thanks. I've seen better, but it works!
I eliminated the axle shift, with a good, aluminum 3-Link set from Integy.
....... Although that has increased the torque steer!!
I need to engineer a Panhard Rod setup somehow.

I'm glad the drive cup mod worked for you!!

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[clm]

If you end up going with a panhard bar you are going to want to convert your upper Y link to a single link so the Y link and panhard don't fight. As for the flex in the frame, I bet if you made some metal braces for the side of the frame that would eliminate it from flexing.

[PoorManRC]

The idea is to eventually get SCX10 Frame Rails. I suppose I could achieve the desired effect, by sawing off one leg of the front Y-Link. To eliminate torque steer, I have to give up some axle shift....
On Vaterra and SCX10-2, it's hardly noticeable.

I think we are two means to achieve the same end....
If we use enough of each other's ideas, we're gonna have some sweet Rigs!!!

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[clm]

Well I plan to put mine on leaf springs and get rid of most of the links... because I already have a linked truck with the TRX-4 (which is getting ignored as I tweak on this HG) Put I found out the scx10 skid plate spaces things too wide for the HG parts to work so now I need to get servo mounts and cross members from axial rigs to secure the chassis. I want to get the 10.2 servo mount and battery tray for the front so they both fit at front.. so much front weight! And I am thinking of getting a gmade leaf spring kit to adapt onto this chassis. It will be a glorious bastard truck in the end

[PoorManRC]

I noticed that too....
I'm going to need some SCX frame supports. I think it might actually be more stable with the wider chassis. I'm not in it for very much, so it's definitely worth trying.

By the time I get done, the only stock HG thing left, might be the axles!!!!

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[clm]

Depends.. will you replace them with aluminum HG axles? ;)

I had planned on getting this set, but I picked up used bare rails and am getting random mix of scx10 and 10.2 parts to fill it out.

Axial Frame Set SCX10 | TowerHobbies.com