Tamiya Lunchbox on HPI RS4 MT
 

I purchased an RS4 MT when it first came out. Turns out an on-road monster truck is no fun. I recently built a Axial SCX-10 and took out all my old vehicles. I have decided to shorten the RS4 MT Chassis and swap the Lunchbox body onto it. I am hopping it will make a decent wheelie truck. I am keeping the AWD belt system so I am ordering a shorter belt for the front axle. I am trying to keep the build cost under $20 using existing pieces and parts.

Re: Tamiya Lunchbox on HPI RS4 MT
 

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Re: Tamiya Lunchbox on HPI RS4 MT
 

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Re: Tamiya Lunchbox on HPI RS4 MT
 

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Re: Tamiya Lunchbox on HPI RS4 MT
 

The wheelbase is being shortened by 2.5" and all the electronics will be mounted high in the back of the chassis.

Re: Tamiya Lunchbox on HPI RS4 MT
 

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Re: Tamiya Lunchbox on HPI RS4 MT
 

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Re: Tamiya Lunchbox on HPI RS4 MT
 

I have an actually chassis on the Tamiya Lunch Box Chassis swap project. I installed a 144 tooth belt in place of the 188 tooth belt. So far everythin lines up and the 4WD is intact. I am working on a servo setup now.

Re: Tamiya Lunchbox on HPI RS4 MT
 

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Re: Tamiya Lunchbox on HPI RS4 MT
 

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Re: Tamiya Lunchbox on HPI RS4 MT
 

I made an aluminum bracket for the servo and changed the linkage.

Re: Tamiya Lunchbox on HPI RS4 MT
 

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Re: Tamiya Lunchbox on HPI RS4 MT
 

That's a pretty neat project. I bought one when the baja bug version was released and have never been able to do much with it. It always seemed over-geared and there was too much friction in both belts no matter how loose they were. I would love to try something like this to mine just to have something to put my Parma Lunchbox body on. What power system are you planning to run? Any plans for a wheelie bar?

Re: Tamiya Lunchbox on HPI RS4 MT
 

By the looks of that belt i would love to own a stock one!!!

Re: Tamiya Lunchbox on HPI RS4 MT
 

I am currently using a modified lunchbox wheelie bar but it isn't long enough so the rig still flips if I hit the gas too hard. I will have more photos posted tomorrow. I have a 27 turn motor in it right now with an old Rooster reversible ESC. I changed to a 20T gear on the motor. I burned up several lower turn motors with the big tires.

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The wheeling bar was built using the existing bracket from the Tamiya Lunchbox, some old shock mounts, and the front wheels off a 1:24 scale Plymouth Prowler die-cast car. It needs to be longer but I haven;t had a chance to work on it more.

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The body mounts use the existing lunchbox holes, they were made with 1/4 brass bar stock I have around and the sprues from a axial parts tree I had leftover. They work great. I am going to try to figure out a way to mount the batter lower in the chassis. I thought it would help with the wheelies but it has not problem with the wheelies at all. Video coming soon.

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