Alternative body for Bandit idea. Thoughts request...

[cunawarit]

I was looking at the gallery here and I saw Janus' Battle bug: http://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=77&t=25205



And given the lack of good looking aftermarket bodies for the Traxxas Bandit I thought it might be a good idea to copy Janus.

Looking at what bodies might be suitable I came across the Proline 3228-40 http://prolineracing.com/bodies/volkswagen-1-10-rock-crawler-body/

Size wise it might be just the ticket if it is cut like so:



Basically the Bandit's wheelbase/body is about 285mm, and the chassis width is 135mm.

The Proline bug body is 371mm long and 147mm wide, with the fenders! Wild speculation here, but assuming that I the reduction in width attained by chopping the body will result in roughly the required width to match the Bandit's chassis very closely. We are talking about losing about 5mm on either side like so:



Seems possible I guess...

Length wise I am assuming that chopping the whole of the engine part of the body and perhaps a little bit of nose will result in the required length of about 285mm....

What do you think so far?

Lastly, the bit that I have no clue about yet would be how to build a body mount for the back. Ideas?

PS: I am assuming that just using velcro around the chassis isn't good enough... Right?

[losiXXXman]

WHen you get REAL creative with body fitment, you kind of have to have the body in hand to determine mounting.

[Ivan Dobsky]

WHen you get REAL creative with body fitment, you kind of have to have the body in hand to determine mounting.

Absolutely. I've fitted a couple of alternative bodies to cars. Sometimes its a case of trial and error, you may well buy the body and find it will never fit. Other times its a perfect direct fit. If you're worried about wasting money then either buy a body that someone else has already got to work and copy theirs or try and get a good idea while in the shop with the car in hand.

Also sometimes its part of the fun of doing a project is to buy the body and find a way to make it fit regardless, by making custom brackets and stuff.

I'll try and get a pic of how I mounted my beetle body on the grasshopper later to give you an idea

[Ivan Dobsky]

Post deleted

[Lonestar]

Find a TRX1 repop... It should look gorgeous on a Bandit!

[cunawarit]

Thanks Ivan Dobsky, the Bandit had the mechanical speed controlled mount which could be used to create a bracket like the one you have there at the back.

Lonestar, from what I understand the Bandit is a fair bit longer than the TRX1, so it won't fit.

[harry697]

I just tried a reproduction TRX-1 body on my Bandit. It is a bit short, but it could work ok with some creative trimming. My biggest concerns would be how much "meat" there would be at the front and rear mounts and how durable the front would be after cutting it enough to sit flat on the Bandit upper chassis. Keep in mind that my body is already trimmed to fit the TRX-1, but it does look like with some custom trimming and a little compromising on length, it could work. I was actually surprised how well it contoured the chassis.

One other plus side to the reproduction body I have is that the mold lines are pretty weak, so if you have to cut outside the lines, it shouldn't show too bad.

[Mr. ED]

I 'd go with that. Not many other bodies will fit the long chassis well... with exception of a BJ8 perhaps?

[harry697]

I'm wondering if the other TBG body for the TRX-1 would work. They make a replica of the original body and also some generic replacement body. It looks a little less rounded everywhere compared to the original.

[cunawarit]

harry697, cool, that's nice to know.

*sigh* the Bandit is Traxxas' neglected child. I don't mind the J Concepts body, it looks fine. But it isn't readily available here... I don't know, I would have imagined there would be more options for a car that's been around so long.

[harry697]

Keep us posted on what you find. I could really use a new body on my Bandit.

[cunawarit]

I will do

I recently bought a new Bandit body, my old one cracked even more after I took it racing. That's the easy way out... I do love the low down Beetle look though, so I will be looking to achieve this somehow

[Mr. ED]

I had an old bolink body I used on a buggy and later on a touring chassis.
That 'd be perfect for you.

Slam it real low down and it should follow the cahssis contours pretty well:

It's an old bolink of which I removed the fenders.
I think Parma may still do some of this style? Bolink is no more and RJ speed makes the legends bodies still, but not this one

[cunawarit]

That's cool

Ansmann already sells a buggy sort of like that like that, the Hot Rod.



Except Ansmann's has more of a 32 Ford style grill and the one you posted looks like a 33/34 fenderless, which is way cooler

I want something like looks more off-roady though, I liked the Beetle body because it sort of the classic Baja bug look.

[Mr. ED]

yes, I knew the ansmann, and tamiya had a tourer too. But I would drop it so low the hood and roof are where they sit on a normal buggy: like a chopped salt lake racer.
Nothing wrong with a well done bug though. I have some in my gallery too.