B-MOW's VS4-10 Phoenix Portal

[B-MOW71]

Originally Posted by treadway47025

another nice build

Thanks man!

Originally Posted by Gramps

This turned out really nice. Thanks for all the tips and pointers

Thanks! Hoping have some updates on the build soon!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[B-MOW71]

Time for an update! After being down and out for a week dealing with the "C"-word, I survived and am now feeling a 100% again. I spent the past few days working on getting the driver painted and installed.

This time I picked up the Tamiya Bruiser Driver Figure. For my other VP VS4-10's, I bought the RC4WD Scale Driver Figure, but could not find it in stock anywhere. So this time I ended up finding the Tamiya Briuser figure on eBAy. It is basically the same injected molded part and looks identical, but is packaged by different companies.

I decided to go a different direction with the driver theme this time. I normally paint the driver to somewhat match the color scheme of the body, but this time I went with a "simple" man look. I gave the driver a flannel shirt and worn out jeans. May not be the best looking flannel shirt paint job, but it'll do! Also gave him something to smoke with he's wheelin' the Phoenix down the trails!

Also added a 3D printed tachometer and gauge cluster to the top of the dash to give the "simple" guy something else to look at!












After I mounted the driver in with the mounting tab between his legs, he was still a little wobbly sitting in the seat. The only easy way I could see to get him mounted solid in there was to drill a hole in his leg and run a screw and nut down thru the seat to attach him. Sittin' solid now and won't flop around when crusin' over the rocks! The screw head shouldn't be too noticeable once the interior is mounted in the body.

[GA Dawg]

That looks great!

[Panther6834]

The flannel looks better than just "good enough"...it looks great. As for the long times between updates, better "slow and accurate", over "rushed". It's been over a month since my last Phoenix update, almost entirely due to an excessive workload...I was hoping to get some done today (I was supposed to be off, but work, once again, 'calls')...combined with certain parts not having arrived (as many of us know, so many retailers are out of so, so many things). Thankfully, the motor arrived a couple days ago, so I might be able to get a minor update done tomorrow.

Keep up the Great job, and don't worry about it taking longer than expected. Nothing worthwhile was ever "accomplished" by getting things done "as fast as possible".

~ More peace, love, laughter, & kindness would make the world a MUCH better place

[Gramps]

bet he looks good sitting in the cab of the Phoenix going down the road

[JSterrett]

Nice work on the driver, glad you’re feeling better! Finally got done being mad at my Phoenix and put it back together yesterday, lol. May need to pick up one of these figures…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[B-MOW71]

Originally Posted by GA Dawg

That looks great!

Originally Posted by Panther6834

The flannel looks better than just "good enough"...it looks great. As for the long times between updates, better "slow and accurate", over "rushed". It's been over a month since my last Phoenix update, almost entirely due to an excessive workload...I was hoping to get some done today (I was supposed to be off, but work, once again, 'calls')...combined with certain parts not having arrived (as many of us know, so many retailers are out of so, so many things). Thankfully, the motor arrived a couple days ago, so I might be able to get a minor update done tomorrow.

Keep up the Great job, and don't worry about it taking longer than expected. Nothing worthwhile was ever "accomplished" by getting things done "as fast as possible".

~ More peace, love, laughter, & kindness would make the world a MUCH better place

Originally Posted by Gramps

bet he looks good sitting in the cab of the Phoenix going down the road

Thanks guys!

@Panther - Thanks! Slow and steady! No rush now since the weather here is crap!

In cab photos on the way!!

[B-MOW71]

Originally Posted by JSterrett

Nice work on the driver, glad you’re feeling better! Finally got done being mad at my Phoenix and put it back together yesterday, lol. May need to pick up one of these figures…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Jeff!

Hopefully it'll be better the second time around!

I do like these driver figures. They fit the seats great and no leg chopping needed!

[B-MOW71]

And here are the "driver at the wheel" pics!

[Panther6834]

Oh, man...I LUV that "window half down" mod. I was thinking of completely cutting out there side windows (ie. windows completely down), but I REALLY like what you did. How difficult was it to do?

~ More peace, love, laughter, & kindness would make the world a MUCH better place

[B-MOW71]

Originally Posted by Panther6834

Oh, man...I LUV that "window half down" mod. I was thinking of completely cutting out there side windows (ie. windows completely down), but I REALLY like what you did. How difficult was it to do?

~ More peace, love, laughter, & kindness would make the world a MUCH better place

Thanks!

Good eyes on the rolled down windows! I forgot to mention that I had cut them.

It's not too hard at all! I used a piece of 1" wide painters tape and lined it up with the top edge of the window channel. Then used a pencil to draw the window frame onto the tape. Then cut the tape on the pencil line and then moved the tape down to the bottom of the window channel. I used the score and snap method with my X-Acto to cut out the lexan.

Hope that makes sense! After re-reading it, it doesn't sound to easy to understand! If needed I can snap a pic of what I mean.

[Panther6834]

Originally Posted by B-MOW71

I used the score and snap method... Hope that makes sense! After re-reading it, it doesn't sound to easy to understand.

Got ya...easy to understand.

~ More peace, love, laughter, & kindness would make the world a MUCH better place

[B-MOW71]

While I had the Phoenix on the bench, I went ahead and installed the head and taillights. I used an extra Powershift RC VS4-10 Origin Light Kit that I had in my spare parts bin. It is a pre-wired kit that is made up and ready to go.

I laid down some Gorilla tape and then used my glue gun with black glue sticks to attach the wires to the body.










It's hard to tell in the pic, but I also added the Knight Customs 3d printed intercooler behind the grill. I had left this part of the lexan clear so that the intercooler would show thru the grill.

[smog]

Nice job B, an impressive wiring job on those lights. Very tidy indeed.

The Bruiser driver is great. Very versatile. You have magically turned him into Sam Elliot...

[B-MOW71]

Originally Posted by smog

Nice job B, an impressive wiring job on those lights. Very tidy indeed.

The Bruiser driver is great. Very versatile. You have magically turned him into Sam Elliot...

Originally Posted by smog

Nice job B, an impressive wiring job on those lights. Very tidy indeed.

The Bruiser driver is great. Very versatile. You have magically turned him into Sam Elliot...

Thanks to you and your twin!!

Seriously, thanks smog!

Luckily the wires for the lights were long enough to route around the side of the body. That way I don't have to move them if I need to remove the interior. Hopefully the glue sticks hold up to the abuse it will get out on the rocks.

Yeah, love these drivers. Easy to paint and mount in these VP rigs. I didn't even think about Sam Elliot! I should have given "Sam" gray hair and a cowboy hat and named him Captain! (An 1883 reference for those who were wondering!)

[smog]

Haha, true. He has been gray haired for quite awhile already.

Double post! Not sure how that happened, gonna try and delete one.

The Phoenix is such a nice rig. It would be pretty cool to see VP release another rig, but with with non portalled plastic axles, new body and such.

[B-MOW71]

Originally Posted by smog

The Phoenix is such a nice rig. It would be pretty cool to see VP release another rig, but with with non portalled plastic axles, new body and such.

The Phoenix is a nice rig! I've been comparing it to my VS4-10 PRO on the bench and I feel the Phoenix is the better of the two. Don't get me wrong, I love my PRO, but the Phoenix just looks and feels like it will be more capable out on the rocks. I'll get a better comparison of the two once I can get them both out on the rocks this spring for a head-to-head.

I'm hoping VP took notice of the need and want of plastic axle housings and give us a new rig like you mentioned. I'm sure they already have something cookin' in the oven!

[FREEDOM83]

I love your cars. Very nice how the Phoenix turned out, a spectacular job in that interior, blue is my favorite color, you already have my love hahahhahaha

[meatmonkey]

Excellent build.

Your driver looks a little stressed out. What you been making him do? I figure he'd relax since he gets to keep some of his legs.

[B-MOW71]

Originally Posted by FREEDOM83

I love your cars. Very nice how the Phoenix turned out, a spectacular job in that interior, blue is my favorite color, you already have my love hahahhahaha

Hey thanks FREEDOM!

You've got some good lookin' rigs too!

Originally Posted by meatmonkey

Excellent build.

Your driver looks a little stressed out. What you been making him do? I figure he'd relax since he gets to keep some of his legs.

Thanks meat!

He'll be chillin' once he finishes his smoke!