1987 Panda Pandamonium Buggy...restore or modify?

[mAdMan]

I'm gonna be honest and say if I throw my Reedy Ti 7-2 brushed in it, it will fold in half. But an actual ESC and 2.4ghz would be a nice upgrade, and the ability to run small & light 7.4v lipo would be nice. Plus maybe some oil filled shocks.


What do you guys think?



I want to keep it tame but still useable and fun

But go as far as rod ends and adjustable camber links? Should I try to modify the chassis *slightly* for a better servo?

[hugger19]

i wouldnt bother even doing to much to that car.

[mAdMan]

Looking at these for the front and some of my old B4 shocks for the rear.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/231816710350?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368


It's exactly like the Tamiya Grasshopper so there is some potential. It also came as a kit in Europe as the Graupner Pinto. They are somewhat collectible.

[mAdMan]

I don't even know what to make of the old servo. 5 wires and a square shaft?? I tested them, it's a ~3v BEC in that board. It also has a funny mount that I have never really seen. I would like to use it, but I don't know what to make of he 5 wires. I could mess around but I don't want to fry it. Any insight?





I modified a servo standoff by drilling holes all the way through. It seems to hold.




I am trying to keep from cutting the stock chassis servo mounts off. I don't know why though it's not worth much LOL

[mAdMan]

Done with the electronics. Just need to reassemble but the wife wants to go see Batman vs. Superman.



Stock body fits great

[mAdMan]

You want to know why none of these things survived? It's because of the 2.5lbs RTR and a 540 motor all it wants to do is donuts. I need some new tires...

[GoMachV]

I know you moved past it but the 5 wire servo is traditional for the toy grade stuff, three wires to the pot and two to the motor. There are no electronics inside that servo.

[mAdMan]

I learned that yesterday. That big ass electronic board is the ESC, BEC, servo brain, and receiver all in one. I found a couple useful threads, let me see if I can find the links on my phone. One was a 5 wire to 3 wire mod and the other was a Panda build thread that got my wheels turning. I may delete this thread and clean it up with a build sheet now that it's done. I was able to retain the stock on/off switch. The steering is 1/18 scale ball and cup, servo is a Futaba from an old GT (the steering used to just be bent wire), I also swapped out the rear shocks for oil filled b4 shocks.




Another Build:
http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=76393

5 to 3 wire:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=27662112&postcount=8



***Let me see if I can clean this up a little...

[matt1ptkn]

So build a vintage RC car, OR take your wife to see a movie, Batman v. Superman nonetheless... Man that's a tough decision, I wish I had your life...

[Coelacanth]

You want to know why none of these things survived? It's because of the 2.5lbs RTR and a 540 motor all it wants to do is donuts. I need some new tires...

The plas-tastic construction probably didn't help, either.

[mAdMan]

Haha thanks guys! You aren't going to believe what I found on eBay, a brand new unstickerd body with all the decals, a brand new set of wheels in Orange/yellow, a controller throttle stick, and 3 brand new bumpers! All for next to nothing. The list next represents parts I have ordered and paid for but haven't arrived and been installed.


So the specs thus far:
electronics
-Reedy SC550 brushed ESC
-2.4ghz XP trs 4 channel receiver
-XP3G radio
-stock ~20 turn 540 motor
-Futaba S3003 servo
-2200mah 2s lipo 30C

steering
-FT blue 1/18 scale rod balls
-Dromida 1/18 ballcups
-Kimbrough servo saver
-10GT steering servo mounts

Suspension, wheels, tires
-Rear b4 shocks, rebuilt with 30wt and green slime
-Front 70mm shocks 1/18 shocks from eBay
-NOS yellow/orange 1.5" Panda wheels
-Tamiya grasshopper F&R tires

[GoMachV]

I completely forgot, I have like 12 sets of yellow wheels in bags buried somewhere. Doh

[mAdMan]

Dang! It's ok though I only paid like 16$ for the set of 4 shipped from FRANCE hehe

I will take a set of white if you have one

Picked up a HP 30c 2200 7.4v lipo Battery

[mAdMan]

Got some cool stuff in the mail from France

[mAdMan]

These just arrived from China for 7$ shipped. Oil filled, not leaked out, and fully adjustable. 5mm taller body over stock. I'll need to setup some new screws, spacers and washers but they fit. Should help keep the front end on the ground.






They were half filled with yellow fluid from China so I refilled them with some AE 10 weight