Project: YellowJacket

[HRDROKN]

Originally Posted by BasuraBlanco

I borrowed my neighbor's, it was a Weller WESD51D (50W digital), and was very impressed. A quick search on google shows that they retail for around $180 - $200, quite pricey. Weller also makes an analog version (WES51) which appears to be less expensive ($90 - $120) but of the same quality.

LOL.... I have a WES51 (nobody asked me) and love it!

And if you want I can make that tray out of aluminum for you or set you up to do it yourself!

[BasuraBlanco]

Originally Posted by HRDROKN

if you want I can make that tray out of aluminum for you or set you up to do it yourself!

Sounds like a plan. Once i finish this beast, I'll bring it over (along with some beers) and we can see about some improvements. HRDROKN's motto is "Stock is for Sissies!!!"

[BasuraBlanco]

Ok, it's been a while. Had a birthday (Yay!!), had to work the weekend (Boo!!) but finally found some time to build.


I'll be using the stock tires and foams for now. The wheels are RC4WD 2.2 Resistance internal beadlocks. Unfortunately, with the 5 piece design, they are not vented. I know that I could punch holes in the tires but I think I'll hold off until I need to. As a compromise, when assembling them, I tied a shoelace around the outer diameter of the tire to compress the foams then tightened the beadlock ring down. Once the shoelace was removed, a slight vacuum was created in the tire giving them a more mushy feel.


let's try'em on


Dammit, the hub covers fit fine on the rear wheels, but the front axle stubs protrude just far enough to prevent the front hub covers from going on. Oh well, I'll add that to the list of improvements.

Time to paint. Here are some mock ups of what I have in mind.

That whole YellowJacket thing is starting to make sense now isn't it? The logo is from the 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 Yellow Jacket. While the logo inspired the paint job, I don't think I have the skills to incorporate it into the final product. Wish me luck.

[BasuraBlanco]

So, it seems that there are two schools of thought regarding the order in which lexan bodies are finished. Some say paint, then drill, then cut; while others say to do the opposite. After this build, I think I will change my order to the cut and drill first method.



Had to cut the hood out and mark the areas that would be modified. I knew that I left the bumper off for a reason.



going for a two tone hood, that green 3M tape is excellent, nice crisp lines.



For the body panels, I used a compass set at 4" and made semi-circular marks at increasing 1/8th inch intervals. Then, I X-acto'd out the black parts



After four extremely light coats of black...


...then four light coats of yellow, with a finishing coat of white...


...a full afternoon of creative cutting...



...Add some decals...and We...ArE...


...DONE!!!

BTW, that is the only rock in my entire yard. Yeah, the animal print looks a little 80's hair metal \m/ but, I'm really pleased at how it all came out.

[Red_13]

Man that is a good looking car. What did you use to hold the hood down with? Looks like a body pin in the pictures. Thanks

[BasuraBlanco]

Originally Posted by Red_13

Man that is a good looking car. What did you use to hold the hood down with? Looks like a body pin in the pictures. Thanks

Thanks Red, I used the CKRC Hood Hinge kit (costs about $7). Comes with sets of pins, hinges, washers, nuts and drilled hex bolts.

If there's one thing I'm not 100% happy with, it's that hood. I thought I did my best to mark out my holes, but once I attached the hinge bolts the pins did not line up. I then used a body reamer to enlarge the holes; no dice, just made a bigger mess. I think the problem lies in the hinges themselves, they are just little wire clamps, I'll try screwing with them to see if I can get a better result. I'll snap some close ups when I get a chance.

[HRDROKN]

I had a chance to play with Yellow Jacket today.... nice rig! Here are a couple action shots....





And a couple poser shots with creeper rubber.....

[desertmaxx]

this truck is great looking itself, but i think it would look the best if you did the rear cage mod to it.

[Red_13]

Originally Posted by BasuraBlanco

Thanks Red, I used the CKRC Hood Hinge kit (costs about $7). Comes with sets of pins, hinges, washers, nuts and drilled hex bolts.

If there's one thing I'm not 100% happy with, it's that hood. I thought I did my best to mark out my holes, but once I attached the hinge bolts the pins did not line up. I then used a body reamer to enlarge the holes; no dice, just made a bigger mess. I think the problem lies in the hinges themselves, they are just little wire clamps, I'll try screwing with them to see if I can get a better result. I'll snap some close ups when I get a chance.

Thanks I looked on ckrc and all I found was hood hinge kit by itself. By any chance have you got a part # I can look up?

[gm0688]

Originally Posted by BasuraBlanco

So, it seems that there are two schools of thought regarding the order in which lexan bodies are finished. Some say paint, then drill, then cut; while others say to do the opposite. After this build, I think I will change my order to the cut and drill first method.



Had to cut the hood out and mark the areas that would be modified. I knew that I left the bumper off for a reason.



going for a two tone hood, that green 3M tape is excellent, nice crisp lines.



For the body panels, I used a compass set at 4" and made semi-circular marks at increasing 1/8th inch intervals. Then, I X-acto'd out the black parts



After four extremely light coats of black...


...then four light coats of yellow, with a finishing coat of white...


...a full afternoon of creative cutting...



...Add some decals...and We...ArE...


...DONE!!!

BTW, that is the only rock in my entire yard. Yeah, the animal print looks a little 80's hair metal \m/ but, I'm really pleased at how it all came out.

To complete the Muscle car them Vintage LJN 8" WWF Macho Man Randy Savage Action Figure WWE Wrestling | eBay and use somel model paint for jeans and a concert shirt.

[Hittman]

Usually not a fan of yellow but that is one sick paint job. Very nice

[BasuraBlanco]

Originally Posted by Red_13

Thanks I looked on ckrc and all I found was hood hinge kit by itself. By any chance have you got a part # I can look up?

The model number they have listed is "ckwrhood", look under the Wraith specific parts section under chassis and suspension, kit comes with everything you need.

[BasuraBlanco]

Originally Posted by gm0688

to complete the muscle car theme vintage ljn 8" wwf macho man randy savage action figure wwe wrestling | ebay and use somel model paint for jeans and a concert shirt.

"ooohhhhhhhhhhh yeaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!"

[zodiaci]

Sweet lord, that's one nice wraith. Inspirational work indeed.

[BasuraBlanco]

Thanks again for the great comments. Finally had some quality time off and found an interesting rock pile nearby using Google Maps.



The pile was right off the road, next to a residential area, no fence and no keep-out signs. Upon closer examination, this location might be a little too technical for a 1/10th scale rig (Hell, I had a hard time on foot, there's some real ankle snappers in that pile). But there were a few nice rocks with a couple of cool sections.

Let's see if the YellowJacket can crawl...



Yep!


Drag brake works too


One final poser shot to finish out the day.

All in all, it was a pretty nice test of all of my hard work. I need to tighten the slipper clutch a little bit, swap out the 9t pinion for a 12t, maybe throw some weights in the front wheels and I think my ride height may be a little too low (constantly snagging on the skid plate) I may have to flip the lower link mounts on the axles back around to gain back some clearance.

[HRDROKN]

OK I give up.... where did you find that pile? Pena Adobe?

[BasuraBlanco]

Paradise Valley in Fairfield.

https://maps.google.com/maps/place?f...-tLG3Dw&dtab=2

[midnight_f150]

Killer paint job. Do you have any updates on this rig? How do you like the 35t motor?

[Abrown83]

Great thread mate and love the finished product!


How are you liking your wheels?