RCCrawler Forums

theadrick · 12-30-2009, 06:00 PM

Been in and out of the RC game over the years and purchased my Micro while visiting my sis in Denver. This is my first foray in the crawling game and been having a blast. So much so I'm thinking of getting a Mini, Nightcrawler, or Losi Comp. I've already modded a cheap wal-mart bug body which fits perfect but my Mad Max all metal body has been a fun and challenging project.

I took a metal body from a 1/24 Hot Wheels Monster Truck and got to work. The stock body compressed the springs almost all the way, so I borrowed the brother-in-law's dremel and started cutting.

At first I thought of trying to mount to the Micro's chasis but I wanted to be able swap between bodies as I modify and build more. I used 1/16" scrap booking plastic from Hobby Lobby and screwed it to the body behind the side cut-out. It's stiff enough to suport the body and flexible enough to allow me to mount to the stock posts. Will probably swap to thin sheet aluminum at some point.

I also sanded off all the paint wanting to paint color of my choice, but I now love the brushed metal with the paint in the cracks. Gives it that industrial/Gundam type look.

Surprisingly the crawling characteristics even with the added weight still works really well. I'm sure I cut the weight by more than half over stock. I could still take more, but I don't want to lose some of the Mad Max look. Could hollow out the fenders, but would be tricky and am afraid to jack-up all my hard work.

I hope you like it. Let me know your thoughts, suggestions, etc. It's a work in process and a bit different, hopefully in a good way.

lotaloi · 12-31-2009, 03:59 PM

Is it for the allien lol???????

Spaceman Spiff · 12-31-2009, 05:13 PM

ummm.....

theadrick · 12-31-2009, 05:47 PM

Even aliens need wheels...

Mutant_Xj · 12-31-2009, 09:31 PM

It looks like you need to lower it and streach it out a bit. Get some of the wire mesh office supply holders at walmart and cut them up to make inserts for the windows. and possibly make bigger tires to fill in those huge wheel wells.

theadrick · 12-31-2009, 10:11 PM

I agree. I plan on dropping the mount a bit and will extend the length a tad like I've seen on other mods. It's a closer fit than the pics show. I may also shorten the body just a bit. Not sure just yet.

Just been tinkering a bit while visiting the sis on vacation. Once I get back home I'll be able to do more. I do like the mesh suggestion. Hadn't thought of that, it''s a real good idea. Thanks

MRCking · 01-23-2010, 02:02 AM

Allien vs MRC..LOL Cheers a toast. I dont love it but I dont hate it. I do appreciate all the work that has gone into it.

Merkaba · 01-23-2010, 02:28 AM

I really like it. Is that a natural aluminum finish or is it painted? I think it would look wicked if you lowered the body and extended the chasis.

theadrick · 01-23-2010, 03:13 PM

It is naturally sanded aluminum finish. The project is on hold. Waiting to see what I do with my BWD chasis set-up. Might get a second crawler to extend the wheel base, or I might shorten the body. I've not abandoned the body because I've spent hours on it and I love the look. Thanks for the feedback...

firejosh · 01-23-2010, 08:47 PM

Nice...ah...alien? Ya paint looks awesome. Looks like the body just does not fit quite right. Maybe a lowering job will help.

VooDuuChild · 01-24-2010, 10:59 AM

I like the netting idea for windows, but it would look kick-awesome with some black tinted plastic in all the window holes!

theadrick · 01-24-2010, 11:47 AM

I have the meshing for when I get back to this project. I like the tint idea for the windows. I'll probably give it a shot, thanks...

12-30-2009, 06:00 PM	#1
theadrick Newbie Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: kyle Posts: 41	Mad Max Metal Body Been in and out of the RC game over the years and purchased my Micro while visiting my sis in Denver. This is my first foray in the crawling game and been having a blast. So much so I'm thinking of getting a Mini, Nightcrawler, or Losi Comp. I've already modded a cheap wal-mart bug body which fits perfect but my Mad Max all metal body has been a fun and challenging project. I took a metal body from a 1/24 Hot Wheels Monster Truck and got to work. The stock body compressed the springs almost all the way, so I borrowed the brother-in-law's dremel and started cutting. At first I thought of trying to mount to the Micro's chasis but I wanted to be able swap between bodies as I modify and build more. I used 1/16" scrap booking plastic from Hobby Lobby and screwed it to the body behind the side cut-out. It's stiff enough to suport the body and flexible enough to allow me to mount to the stock posts. Will probably swap to thin sheet aluminum at some point. I also sanded off all the paint wanting to paint color of my choice, but I now love the brushed metal with the paint in the cracks. Gives it that industrial/Gundam type look. Surprisingly the crawling characteristics even with the added weight still works really well. I'm sure I cut the weight by more than half over stock. I could still take more, but I don't want to lose some of the Mad Max look. Could hollow out the fenders, but would be tricky and am afraid to jack-up all my hard work. I hope you like it. Let me know your thoughts, suggestions, etc. It's a work in process and a bit different, hopefully in a good way.

01-23-2010, 02:02 AM	#7
MRCking Rock Stacker Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 69	Quick two cents Allien vs MRC..LOL Cheers a toast. I dont love it but I dont hate it. I do appreciate all the work that has gone into it.

01-23-2010, 08:47 PM	#10
firejosh Newbie Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tacoma Posts: 33	Wow Nice...ah...alien? Ya paint looks awesome. Looks like the body just does not fit quite right. Maybe a lowering job will help.

12-31-2009, 03:59 PM	#2
lotaloi Newbie Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 44	Is it for the allien lol???????

12-31-2009, 05:13 PM	#3
Spaceman Spiff Rock Stacker Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Santa Cruz Posts: 61	ummm.....

12-31-2009, 05:47 PM	#4
theadrick Newbie Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: kyle Posts: 41	Even aliens need wheels...

12-31-2009, 09:31 PM	#5
Mutant_Xj Quarry Creeper Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: here Posts: 344	It looks like you need to lower it and streach it out a bit. Get some of the wire mesh office supply holders at walmart and cut them up to make inserts for the windows. and possibly make bigger tires to fill in those huge wheel wells.

12-31-2009, 10:11 PM	#6
theadrick Newbie Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: kyle Posts: 41	I agree. I plan on dropping the mount a bit and will extend the length a tad like I've seen on other mods. It's a closer fit than the pics show. I may also shorten the body just a bit. Not sure just yet. Just been tinkering a bit while visiting the sis on vacation. Once I get back home I'll be able to do more. I do like the mesh suggestion. Hadn't thought of that, it''s a real good idea. Thanks

01-23-2010, 02:28 AM	#8
Merkaba Newbie Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 10	I really like it. Is that a natural aluminum finish or is it painted? I think it would look wicked if you lowered the body and extended the chasis.

01-23-2010, 03:13 PM	#9
theadrick Newbie Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: kyle Posts: 41	It is naturally sanded aluminum finish. The project is on hold. Waiting to see what I do with my BWD chasis set-up. Might get a second crawler to extend the wheel base, or I might shorten the body. I've not abandoned the body because I've spent hours on it and I love the look. Thanks for the feedback...

01-24-2010, 10:59 AM	#11
VooDuuChild Pebble Pounder Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The Great Northwest Posts: 115	I like the netting idea for windows, but it would look kick-awesome with some black tinted plastic in all the window holes!

01-24-2010, 11:47 AM	#12
theadrick Newbie Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: kyle Posts: 41	I have the meshing for when I get back to this project. I like the tint idea for the windows. I'll probably give it a shot, thanks...

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