RC10DS - Pantera - Mid Engine Dual Conversion

[Lobonyc]

Hi Everyone. Here is a thread on a project i started in December 2017. During the holidays I found a RC10 mid engine buggy conversion. Mind you, im not a buggy guy. It was a nice, clean and simple design with a few custom parts like the chassis. Custom because the gear box was reversed and new mounting holes were needed. There is also an added motor brace. I had the urge to buy it, but again, im not a buggy guy.

then i had a thought ...hey, why not get it and convert the conversion to a DS ? I pulled the trigger and made the purchase. The buggy was in the mail

The RC10DS - Mid Engine Dual Conversion project is born

This is the mid engine RC10 buggy
I got some front end DS parts ready as you can see


Gathering some more parts..


I Got the DS nose plate mounted but im not liking the steering linkage setup that came with this buggy. Im going to be replacing it with stock DS parts.


Front is taking shape...rear still in buggy form


Steering setup replaced with an original DS setup.


I'll be replacing most of the tierod ends with RPM versions.
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Rear end of buggy getting converted


Front and rear ends looking good




DS Shocks and front bumper mounted



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The buggy had a custom support brace to secure the steering post and support the nose tubes. It was specific to the buggy and could not be used for the DS. Instead i used the buggy nose tubes and mounted them onto a set of aluminum blue anodized GT nose tube braces.




So this is where im at as far as the chassis. The nose tube braces are not secured to the chassis yet.





I was trying to avoid the chassis trimming by using axle adapter to reduce wheelbase...but i only manage to reduce it by 1/8 inch. This was not enough as the HPI Pantera body has a 10in wheelbase. I did some measuring and pulled out my cutting disk equipped Dremel. I cut a little over 1/4inch and drilled new nose plate and servo mounting holes. This granted me the 10 inch wheelbase i need so that i can mount the body i wanted from the beginning, The Pantera, and use the original DS wheels. This also placed the nose tube supports further back. This and reversing the supports will place the needed mounting holes closer to the inside of the chassis for added strength. The only thing left is to order a low profile steering servo, install motor/ESC, paint and mount the body.

The bottom side of the front end of the chassis


The bottom side after trimming and drilling of new mounting holes


The rear wheel well and tire. Notice the center wheel dimple on the lexan and the axle....cant get any closer than that


The front wheel well and tire. near perfection!


A few more pics




The Finished Front End

I purchased a HiTEC low profile servo to clear the nose tube braces as well as reverse the left with the right so they sit on the inside of the tube rather than the outside. 4 holes were drilled onto the chassis and the braces were mounted.






The rear tail light panel/ trunk has been attached to the HPI Pantera body via 4 button head screws. The body is ready for paint.









Paint in Progress




No Wing


Mocked Wing


Completed Car minus motor/esc & radio gear. I was not sure about painting the car green but after a few layers I ended up liking it a lot. The green has slight gold hues at different angles.

[RadioFlyer]

So clean. I like.

What body are you going to run on it?

[Lobonyc]

Originally Posted by RadioFlyer

So clean. I like.

What body are you going to run on it?

The HPI Pantera body.

This DS is a mid engine conversion. The actual Pantera car is mid engine.

It made sense to mate these two together

Take a look now, i added more photos.

[Postclanker]

Good to see you still involved my friend

And again... I’m jealous of your attention to details and using old rc models.
Nice color choice as well

More?

[Lobonyc]

Originally Posted by Postclanker

Good to see you still involved my friend

And again... I’m jealous of your attention to details and using old rc models.
Nice color choice as well

More?

Thanks Greg, Im still involved although not as much as in the past, i still keep my hand in the mix, lol.

Yep, the RC10DS is an old model. The electric DS were produced in 1996 and the Nitro in 1997. Im glad i managed to stock up on spare parts through the years.

More? If you meant with this project then Yes. i need to equip the Pantera with a brushless motor/ESC combo and a reciever. Then she can be complete.

If you meant, more RC10DS projects? Then Yes, I have a few DS cars im working on.

[durok]

I always loved the old DS chassis - I had a couple RC10T2 back in the day, was planning on converting one of them but things didn't work out - fantastic to see such a great job done on one!

That thing looks wicked...

[Lobonyc]

Originally Posted by durok

I always loved the old DS chassis - I had a couple RC10T2 back in the day, was planning on converting one of them but things didn't work out - fantastic to see such a great job done on one!

That thing looks wicked...

Thanks man, i got one DS and got the fever for that particular model.

[Postclanker]

You know Alex...I may have to break out my old chassis (x2) and strip one down like you did...the more I see your silver polished builds the more I like them.

You are the go to guy for old school RC10 reference....

Glad to see all the old photos re-imerging as well....I lost most of mine with the photo bucket debacle

Tapatalk....hard to find the thread you want is my only complaint there


Great to see all the builds again....especially “Pinky”.

[Lobonyc]

Originally Posted by Postclanker

You know Alex...I may have to break out my old chassis (x2) and strip one down like you did...the more I see your silver polished builds the more I like them.

Greg, I hope you have enough elbow grease for this job, lol.

You are the go to guy for old school RC10 reference....

That's kind of you to say. I wish I knew all the nuances of the RC10. Im only familiar with the RC10GT and the RC10DS. Simple 2WD cars/trucks that are lots of fun to drive.

Glad to see all the old photos re-imerging as well....I lost most of mine with the photo bucket debacle

Yeah, that sucked seeing all my postings lose their photos. I now use FLICKR to host my photos and find it way better than photobucket.

Tapatalk....hard to find the thread you want is my only complaint there

I've never used this, I use regular browser on my phone when visiting forums.

Great to see all the builds again....especially “Pinky”.

Pinky has been once of my favorite projects as far as RC10DS model goes. For crawlers, the Wrecklulse and blue bronco have been my favorites.

[Postclanker]

Oh man....


You don’t want to know what i’ve done to the wreckluce

[Lobonyc]

Originally Posted by Postclanker

Oh man....


You don’t want to know what i’ve done to the wreckluce

OH YES I DO!

Was it major chassis reconstruction? Does it still resemble the original wreckluse chassis?

I still have mine. I cant believe i got this chassis back on Christmas 2009. It took a while to get the shocks and links just right but im crazy happy with the outcome.

[Postclanker]

Yes!

I chopped it, I cut it, I slammed it
I put a monster motor in it.


I haven’t updated the thread yet....i’ve been lacking in the photo area lately

[Lobonyc]

Originally Posted by Postclanker

Yes!

I chopped it, I cut it, I slammed it
I put a monster motor in it.


I haven’t updated the thread yet....i’ve been lacking in the photo area lately

CHOPPED, CUT, & SLAMMED?!?

You need to update that thread!!!.

[Postclanker]

Originally Posted by Lobonyc

CHOPPED, CUT, & SLAMMED?!?

You need to update that thread!!!.

I posted some teaser pics yesterday

[Lobonyc]

Originally Posted by Postclanker

I posted some teaser pics yesterday

I checked it out...sweet changes and awesomely equipped.

I may need to go and restore my wreckluse thread with the proper photos. Those were hosted by photobucket and are all gone now.

[Boing]

That thing is cool. I grew up with Associated, "Since 1993 with an RC10T". I've often debated doing a DS build with the "parts-car" I have for my old RC10T.
That's right... I still have the RC that got me into the hobby and I still run it.