Hbx Custom Destruction

[Mustache]

Picked up a hbx devastator for about 70 bucks. It wasn't what I wanted but I didn't want the cost more - of what I wanted.. besides I figured I'd be destroying all the engineering of what I got so start micro seemed sensible.

This is my first thread here hopefully I'll get my images on ok.

Ok so my build is going to be a one off "scale" moding a 1/20 highjacker model and my poor poor hbx.


So far:
1) 90% body work.
2) stock chassis & rec/esc housing trimmed.
3) rear driveline lengthend a quarter inch.
4) custom rear chassis extension fabricated.
5) peripheral chassis extension fabricated.
6) motor repositioned with fabricated motor mount.

Coming soon:

I- front chassis extension and front end skid.
II-10% remaining bodywork.
III- internal full roll cage.
IV- external partial cage/bimini top.
V- paint and pilot.

I'll associate pictures numerically to the two lists

[R.Billy Rob]

Welcome to the micro scene! I can't wait to see what you come up with. I love a good 1/20 build!

[Derek Larsen]

The two things I heard about the Highjacker kits were that the details were intense (it comes with pistons and a crankshaft!), but there was a lot of flash on the trees because of the wear on the original molds.

How much of the interior will you use?

[Mustache]

Thanks RBR for the welcome.

DL, I have not found any flash outside what I've typically seen on models. In fact I'd say this one is on the cleaner side of average. The Highjacker does have a lot of unique things in it including a kitchen sink.. I won't be adding all those details although I think the body up completed kit would be cool to see in a hunting/camping scale crawler. I won't be using any of the frame or suspension bits. Most of the model I suppose I'll save for odd parts here and there which will probably find their way into a garage sale - honestly. I have too many projects to consistently model and paint stuff although I do enjoy it. No sadly, my Highjacker model is also getting destroyed along with my hbx.

But I'm enjoying the fun! I doubt seriously that many here will like 'her' much because she's going to be fairly heavy and tall. I really probably should have just opted to make a complete custom chassis instead of moding the stock one. I know I could have gotten my cg a little lower and hid some of the "body lift".

(man I need to use smaller images...)

[Mustache]

sorry for the massive pictures..

[Mustache]

handy work. I could have added another 1/8 inch. I think 3/8 to 7/16 is close to the that can be added. I might put this shaft on the frontend and add another lil bit on the other one for the rear. The rear needs more as its longer all-out. Anyway I'm pretty sure the ends will fail before this section would now.

Note: This doesn't extend the length of the drive line, it extends its contact point. Maybe I should've called it 'reinforced' instead of extended...

[Mustache]

Incomplete body.

Most of my images seem to fail to upload. This is the only one of 8 - and its my least favorite.

[Mustache]

Profile of unfinished body with articulation.

[Mustache]

Grill.

Note: The body isn't actually mounted at this point. In this image despite being propped up, I can see that it is tipping forward. The Battery is mounted in the engine housing and you can see a bit of it in the mirror. Also all the radio gear is on board. But I'm sure to gain a couple more oz in finishing the front end and fender flares not to mention the roll cage and rear cover.

[Mustache]

I did some painting - although there is more. This is why the "glass" is still taped off.

Also the front Chassis Extension is completed, with the front bumper and skid. The front end needed some torsional stability, which I added; however, the pictures of the rolling chassis where done before I added it.

I still need to do some roll bar work and the back deck will look considerably different once that gets added. After that the Chassis will be ready for tearing down for cleaning prior to Paint.

Also, the body and sub body are attached in these later photos; however, the rear decking isn't fully attached but I'm not sure if the photos will show how its seating.

I thought I'd show one picture of the mounted CB radio; however, the dash, wheel and driver aren't installed yet along with some other things.

One final thought is its weighing in now at 16.3 oz. With the CG about a half 5/8 to 3/4 inch forward. The front end is carrying just over 10 oz, and if bottomed out when static, it can only recover about an 1/8 of an inch on its own. I'm thinking of adding a collar on the front two shocks to compress the springs an extra 1/4 inch maybe. Doing a rear-droop is not going to happen unless I pretty much remove the springs there... it looks like. When pitching the model upwards in a climb and adding articulation the rear suspension seems a little stiff.

Any thoughts on how I should aim to set up the suspension spring rates is much appreciated.

[Mustache]

Despite using Steel for chassis extensions and skids, I think I could shave a couple oz off if I had just opted to build my own chassis. This is not a waisted effort imo, I might end up going that route later.

The main reason I would want to is I could set the suspension up exactly how I want it and lower the body 1.5 to 2 CM. That would put it more into a "scale" ride height. I am pleased that The entire body is free of electronics however!

[MattTheGenus]

This thing is hilarous, you've got to do a little mural on the side when you're done

[Sparks1337]

Lol that's great, a proper passion wagon!

Nice work. That looks like a super detailed kit too.

[mtnbiker4evr13]

Originally Posted by MattTheGenus

This thing is hilarous, you've got to do a little mural on the side when you're done

Maybe a heart window and a howling wolf on the back doors

[Derek Larsen]

This is the original style of the kit. Rush albums not included.