1:20 Scale Class 5 Baja Bug

[R.Billy Rob]

The Bug is sitting on the back burner, waiting right now. I've been focusing my build time on painting my 1:20 Nissan mega truck. Once I'm done with that I'll get back on this one. I thought I was almost done with the bug, until I gave it her first test run. Now I've got a huge list of problems to deal with! I need to reposition the transmission, and clock the rear axle to correct driveshaft angle. I need to make an anti sway bar to keep her from twisting. And then there is the motor issue... Let's just say those little Xcelorin brushless motors just don't like 3S so much. I fried the one in my SCT, so I stole the one from this build to temporarily replace it, and fried it also! Now I'm going to try out a longer can motor in the SCT, and if it works out, I might put one in the Bug. Or I might just say screw it, and get a low turn big block from Danally and run that on 3S! I'm still not 100% sold on the brushless motors yet.

[grandbolin]

Originally Posted by R.Billy Rob

The Bug is sitting on the back burner, waiting right now. I've been focusing my build time on painting my 1:20 Nissan mega truck. Once I'm done with that I'll get back on this one. I thought I was almost done with the bug, until I gave it her first test run. Now I've got a huge list of problems to deal with! I need to reposition the transmission, and clock the rear axle to correct driveshaft angle. I need to make an anti sway bar to keep her from twisting. And then there is the motor issue... Let's just say those little Xcelorin brushless motors just don't like 3S so much. I fried the one in my SCT, so I stole the one from this build to temporarily replace it, and fried it also! Now I'm going to try out a longer can motor in the SCT, and if it works out, I might put one in the Bug. Or I might just say screw it, and get a low turn big block from Danally and run that on 3S! I'm still not 100% sold on the brushless motors yet.

I hear ya on the brushless man. I'm really wanting to build a full radical tube built rock bouncer with sumo axles. I have a brushless motor sitting here that hàd maybe 30 minutes of run time. Still not sure if I want to use it yet.

[TownsendTdi]

Can't wait for a video of this one! Really cool!
I put a brushless in my micro t, it came out after one run- running it around a tile oval and I hated how little "braking" it provided for how fast it was.

[Slambaam]

Just slam that shit in reverse!5

[R.Billy Rob]

Well, it's been awhile, but this girl ain't dead. I've decided to go a different route though. After a short test run, I quickly realized my chassis would not work. The rear links were too short, the transmission was too far back, the springs were binding, and the driveshaft was too short, and the angle was too severe. So I set it aside for awhile. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, I ordered a Fungi Specter chassis from Shapeways, and do to a printing error, I found myself with a spare chassis! Well, it fits inside of this body perfectly! So I've decided to marry it with my chassis. Now it's back on!

[hotwheels000]

Perfect

[lil' bear 4wd]

i dont usually pay much attention to micro builds but this little bug is pretty cool!

[three2won]

so glad this build is back up and running, great idea with the Specter chassis, can't wait to see it finished

[R.Billy Rob]

Thanks for all the kind words guys! After the first test run I was rather disheartened, thinking I was back to square one with this build, until I got that specter chassis. As soon as I took it out of the box, I knew it would fit. Not that I ordered it for the bug, but it just hit me. I was actually excited to see one of the body mounts didn't print, 'cause I knew I might get a replacement chassis from Shapeways, which I did. I'm so glad the chassis fits. I feel it will now even look more like my Twin Hammers, which I'm going to put a bug body on. I now can't wait for Sunday when I get a day off to work on this thing some more.

[R.Billy Rob]

Roller! (Again)

[R.Billy Rob]

And here's the two chassis' together without the body. The Specter chassis is such a nice tight fit that it adds a lot of rigidity to the body that the previous chassis was definitely lacking. To be honest, I can't wait to get this thing running. I've even stollen a motor from my SCT. I just need to work on the rear suspension a little first. It's a little too stiff, and sits too high, and definitely needs an anti sway bar. It's just got too much flex for a fast 2-wheel drive vehicle. Anyway, here's a naked shot:

[R.Billy Rob]

See, too much flex for this rig. Just check out that rear tire!

[hotwheels000]

Full throttle launch will be 3 wheelin withat much flex lol

[R.Billy Rob]

Originally Posted by hotwheels000

Full throttle launch will be 3 wheelin withat much flex lol

Oh yeah she will! In fact when I did the first test run with the first version of the chassis, it 3-wheeled across the front room until it blew out the driveshaft. It was a very exciting 3 seconds!

[R.Billy Rob]

Small update, I did get the spare mounted up, and I'm also playing with some micro-T rear springs. They're a little soft, but I figure if I stretch them a little, they'll match with the front once all the electronics are in. I also got started on a front bumper, but I ran out of rod, so I got stopped dead. as soon as I can get more, I'll be back at it! Here's a shot of the spare.

[R.Billy Rob]

Also, here's a shot of the front bumper.

[penneyma79]

Loving the beetle! Can't wait for action shots, needs more scuffs!!

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[Sparks1337]

Nice build - love the front bumper

It's really interesting to see the issues you're having with the rear suspension for a high-speed setup, as I'm considering going down a similar route.

Can't wait to see how it comes out.

[amorton94]

Done yet? This thing needs finished!

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[Natedog]

Looking great, thanks for updates!