Retierment sucks

[boxcar 1]

New to the sight and a returning enthusiast all at the same time.
Many years ago ( like 25 or more ) I was heavily into the off road rc racing truck seen.
Kids , business and just plain life ended that love affair . At the time and at the level I was involved it was an expensive game.
Fast forward to today. The Kid has grown up , My business ( both of them ) have been successful enough that I am looking at an early retirement.
Part of that was a set of surgeries that I have needed for years but had put off due to the recovery time and my schedule.
New Knees. Both of them.
The surgeries were completed on Jan.3rd , successful doesn't describe how well they went.
The problem is that I while I am rapidly recovering it will be quite a while before I can get back into the shop ( my normal diversion ) to help fight the sheer boredom I am currently suffering.
While working through a long fit of boredom about two weeks ago I re- discovered my love affair with all things scale.
I was shocked at how affordable the sport / hobby has become.
Don't get me wrong, the car / truck kit prices haven't changed much in 20 odd years. The supporting parts and accessories have come way , way down though. Far less than half of where it was back in the day.
Last week , after many hours of research , I pulled the trigger on a RC4wd TF2 kit , In then ordered all of the needed supporting electronics and hardware . All from Amazon. A luxury we didn't have 25 years ago.
Things are due to start arriving today. Hell by next week my new exorcise machine will be taking shape.


The plan is to initially build a bone stock TF2 . Take stock of it then do what I do best. Mod , mod , mod.
I plan to run the 2 speed transmission. I may add a 2 speed T-case.
I will fabricate bumpers and bars in house. I own a small machine shop.
I am looking into machining a 22-R from billet and stuffing a 35 t brushed motor inside. Will defiantly be doing a full interior.
Any way just thought I'd better get started on this thread so I could stay ahead of the game.
I haven't so looked forward to a build in many years..... Cheers Boxcar 1 ( Gregg )

 

[neilus]

Sounds good. Subscribed!

 

[Natedog]

Welcome to RCC Gregg, looking forward to your new build and hope that your surgery recovery is full and speedy! Walking and hiking with my crawlers is relaxing and good exercise.

 

[boxcar 1]

My thinking exactly.... At least that's how I explained the build to my wife.

 

[boxcar 1]

The mail man just dropped off the majority of my electronics. Now all I need is the truck kit and I will be on my way...

 

[Robs07junk]

Welcome Gregg To RCC , You'll Find This Site Very Useful ! "thumbsup"

 

[rngrchad]

You sound pretty amped up for your new TF2 build! You'll love it im sure. Can't wait to see what you can fab up in your machine shop. I feel the hard bodied leaf Sprung rigs have a special appeal to them that lexan and coils lack. Congrats on getting back into rc. Soon as I saw the awesome bed toppers, dinky interiors, available bench seat etc etc I just had to get one. Before you even you know it you'll be building a new kit every 4 months!

 

[rustneversleeps]

Hey Boxcar Gregg welcome and hoping for a speedy recovery....I'm also waitng for a TF2 Kit version should be here next week...
It seem in the last 2 weeks browsing this TF2 thread i see a few more builds happening here lot...
this is also going to be my first leafer well my second first one being in the 80's....lol "thumbsup"
subscribed now...

 

[charvel74]

I am waiting for my kit as well Gregg. I have been on this site and others doing research on what I want to do to my TF2. Already more plans than $$$$ for now lol. Look forward to seeing your progress when you get the truck going.
Mark

 

[rustneversleeps]

I am waiting for my kit as well Gregg. I have been on this site and others doing research on what I want to do to my TF2. Already more plans than $$$$ for now lol. Look forward to seeing your progress when you get the truck going.
Mark

X2 for what you just said...."thumbsup"

 

[666markb666]

I just got back into the hobby too....and it has been addictive as hell. Subscribed...good luck!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[boxcar 1]

I just found a thread on face book ( 3d printed Samurai body ) I may have to add a 3d printer to my machine shop......Very cool tech.
I also was able to track my kit with Fed-x..... It's in a truck, frozen to the parking lot in Troutdale Oregon. Go figure........

 

[charvel74]

I just found a thread on face book ( 3d printed Samurai body ) I may have to add a 3d printer to my machine shop......Very cool tech.
I also was able to track my kit with Fed-x..... It's in a truck, frozen to the parking lot in Troutdale Oregon. Go figure........

Still waiting on mine. The hobbyshop didn't receive the delivery today so maybe tomorrow it will be here . Meanwhile I am working on the SSD beadlock wheel I got. Those little boogers have 20 miniature bolts going around the edge. I am going one by one adding blue loctite to each one. What a royal PITA. They sure look cool with the Pitbull Growlers mounted though.

 

[boxcar 1]

The kit (oddly enough ) showed up yesterday at bout 3:30pm.
After a quiet evening of work the chassis id now dry assembled in absolute stock configuration. The kit itself is a beautiful thing . All the parts are top shelf ( Other than the bumpers nerf's and bumper supports) . They leave a bit to be desired. I'm being nice, these parts are junk.
The first thing I noticed is that the springs are slightly longer than they should be for the given mounting locations. This sets the shackles at much to steep an angle front and rear.
I will post pis and an idea or two on how to correct this issue later.
I'm pretty sure that a new front cross member that incorporates a shackle reverse system will need to be fabed up . This will extend the frame
1/2" allowing for proper spring / shackle angles and will also allow for the new front winch bumper.
In the rear I will machine a new shackle mount that will compensate for the spring length and the added lift that the front shackle reverse will create..
I will then fab a new rear cross member to attach the new rear bumper to.

 

[rngrchad]

Sounds like your on your way to TF2 greatness!!

 

[charvel74]

I got my kit today finally. I need glasses I had major problem trying to read the screw sizes on the little bags. Some were marked clearly but others I had to empty them out to read the black ink on the plastic. Luckily seems my differential has almost zero play in it. I was not looking forward to taking that apart.

 

[boxcar 1]

Yea . The bag labeling could be better. ALLLLLLLLLOT BETTER. I ended up using a mike,,,.

 

[malickie]

I got my kit today finally. I need glasses I had major problem trying to read the screw sizes on the little bags. Some were marked clearly but others I had to empty them out to read the black ink on the plastic. Luckily seems my differential has almost zero play in it. I was not looking forward to taking that apart.

Your still going to want to take apart your differentials, transmission and axles regardless. The Play was only part of the reason, the biggest part was the fact that from the factory RC4WD Tends to Not Lubricate the parts enough. Your going to especially want to do this if you plan on running in any water/snow as you should lube everything up with a Marine Grease at that point to make water less of an issue especially bearings, I would at the minimum coat any outer bearings in Marine Grease and of course make sure the gears themselves have enough grease.

I Just got myself a TF2 RTR the other day (there is a fun story that goes along with it that involves me getting 5 stitches trying to cut a zip tie off one of the wheels). Already ordered a new ESC, Servo, RC4WD Mojave body light kit, and Body Lift Kit so I can mount my 1.9 Baja Claw 4.19" Wheels. Hopefully with that lift kit I won't need to modify the body but I will see Monday when I get the items. Obviously wasn't worth my while getting an RTR as opposed to a Kit minus the fact that I didn't have to assemble the body lol. Depending on how much the Leaf Springs loosen up I may wind up going 4 link and 3 link/panhard. Of course I am going to wind up getting the XVD and Punisher Driveshafts as well, but all in due time.

 

[FloridaRCman]

Hi all... I am also in early retirement... 2 years now and going completely nuts... I have been in and out of this hobby of ours since I was 20... now I am 53... don't tell anyone.. lol.... I must Have sold my stuff 3 time because I thought I was done with this hobby ... well every one ones it is cheaper to keeper.... everyone does lose there ass on selling this stuff.... I will NEVER sell this stuff again ... if I would have kept the stuff I sold before ...I could have put down a nice amount of $$$$$$$ on a new home..... LOL..... but in years since I started to get into this hobby things do change ..... all for the better... now with the internet you can find anything you want and need.... these cars/ trucks look so real....... this hobby is so addicting...... Buy Buy Buy..... I build more then I drive them.... driving them is just a bonus.... much better than a stand still plastic model.... does anyone agree?

Ps. This website is SIMPLY the best..... Hands down...:mrgreen:

 

[charvel74]

I did take apart the diff the shimming was very close I tried adding a shim but that caused binding. Unfortunately I snapped a couple of the bolts that holds the cover on the diff. I hardly used any pressure and snappo . I have to remove the screws I broke when I get a chance.