Frankenshorty RC10 buggies - #1: USWB Race Replica

[Frankentruck]

I've got a couple of Comical RC10 buggies to build. I'm starting out with the shorty Masami style build, the Ultra Short Wheel Base race replica.
.

.
A little kickoff to the assembly work.
.

.

[Frankentruck]

Need to get a few more parts before progressing further. E-clips, ball studs, turnbuckles, etc.
.

.

[Frankentruck]

I was planning on doing a Stealth gearbox, but I'm low on those and strangely enough have a couple of Thorp 48p setups sitting around. So a Thorp 6 gear it is.
.

.
This gearbox also had a used set of titanium nitride coated diff rings. The diff seems pretty smooth after cleanup so they'll stay in for a little extra bling rather than getting replaced with new rings.
.

[Frankentruck]

I need to get some slightly longer turnbuckles for the front for more thread length into the ball cups, but for now it's good enough to go forward.

Rear CVDs built and installed.
.

.

.
Shocks added.
.

.
Wheels and tires mounted up, and rear shocks moved to 2nd hole to make clearance for the rear 'steamroller-sized' wheels. It ended up with a 7" front axle to rear axle wheelbase. The front and rear are both wider than that length.
.

.

.
Side by side comparison to a full sized buggy.
.

.
I did discover that Shorty pees like a puppy, so I need to rebuild one shock.
.

[Dadio]

We will need video of this one poppin wheelies

[1911Colt]

This is when the comicals become super cool: race replicas!

Which one of you master builders is going to do a Masami XLS or Yoke?

[Frankentruck]

4wd racer would be next level!

I plan to put a nice shell on it, but it needs something wheelie-rific too. I have just the beater for that...
.

.

[TokyoProf]

Looking good...like the idea of engineering limitations in the design. I'm also curious to see how it turns and jumps!

Maybe add some RC10T narrow fronts and wide rears to start a new comical race series.
Insect series (hornet, grasshopper, etc. and comical race events would be fun).

[Frankentruck]

Doing the 3 shock pseudo action shot with sticker job and a wing added. Maybe this needs a Comical Grasshopper or Hornet body to blend in with the others a little....
.

.
I have plans to do one more and I have a pan shaped chassis. Original thought was a buggy but then considered a 10T. Currently leaning toward doing a DS.

[Frankentruck]

Shock rebuilt and electronics installed. I went with a modern ESC with LiPo cutoff and a 2.4ghz radio.
.

.

.

.

.

.
Battery stuffed and ready to go... once the weather cooperates.
.

...with street shoes on
.

.
And it's definitely a wheelie machine. From a standstill up to half speed, anytime it gets full throttle it ends up smacking the motor guard. I guess I need a wheelie bar back there.
.

.
It also doesn't seem to steer very well with the front wheels in the air. A front bumper might be a good idea too. Maybe.

[Frankentruck]

I've started experimenting with airbrushing. I definitely need more practice and need to figure out a better way to clean up the spray tool between colors (7 colors including backers!), but the paint job turned out better than I anticipated. The mighty mini needed some non hand-me-down clothes.
.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

[1911Colt]

It also doesn't seem to steer very well with the front wheels in the air.

In other words it handles like a standard Top Cat. They won't turn at anything over about 3% throttle

Sorry if you covered this already, but do you have to remove the upper chassis brace to install the battery?

[Frankentruck]

The battery is trapped. There actually is an even smaller 2S battery (like 1200mah) that I didn't know about and could have used that would be removable through the top plate opening, but this battery is only used in this buggy so it's fine to just leave it where it is. The top plate doesn't have to come off for battery removal, just one standoff on the right side. Then the battery cup and battery can come out.
.

[Frankentruck]

Got some running footage today. I had a guest driver while I fumbled with the recording.

https://youtu.be/RJN9jKUfeOI?feature=shared

I also added a skid plate. It comes in handy.
.

.

.
The shiny spot in the middle is interesting. Maybe it warped when I used a heat gun to bend it.
.

[teshreve]

This thing is really sweet!