Readers Rides – March 2023

Readers Rides – March 2023

True Deuce
Mark Petroski « BURBANK, CA

We love scale detail, but Mark takes it to another level with his kitbashed hot rod build. Mark tells us about his custom build: “My wife surprised me with Monogram ’32 Ford and Lindberg Big Red 27 T-Bucket model kits she found at a flea market. I purchased random chassis pieces, got out the Dremel tool and started cutting. I used a lot of leftover 1/14-scale truck pieces from my previous builds. The frame was put together with various M2 and M3 pushrods and connectors.” Mark completed his detailed Axial SCX10-based hot rod build with a great-looking rat rod appropriate paint job, detailed dashboard gauges, plenty of RC4WD accessories, 3D-printed parts and real fabric upholstery. It’s a great-looking ride for sure, congratulations on the exemplary work, Mark!

BUILD HIGHLIGHTS
– Chassis: Axial SCX10
– Body: Custom kitbashed from 1/8 Monogram ’32 Ford and Lindberg Big Red 27 T-Bucket model kits
– Motor: RC4WD 540 Crawler brushed motor 35T RC4Z-E0005
– Speed Control: High-voltage waterproof 320A brushed
– Battery: Venom 7.4 2s 2000 35c XT60 plugs
– Wheels and Tires: RC Black Wheel 26x52mm, 1/8 Monogram ’32 Ford Deuce Firestone Champion “Big n Littles” tires with 1/14 semi-truck inserts
– Shocks: Leaf spring suspension, stainless
– Axles: Front—Custom CNC alloy front end steering axle upright for Tamiya 1/14 tractor truck; Rear—CNC metal front axle rear axle
– Paint: Rustoleum flat enamel brown (body and grille), Tamiya black TS -14 (frame), Alclad II 5114 chrome for Lexan (headlights)
– Decals: Monogram ’32 Ford kit, Monster Vintage decal from ’80s in trunk
– Radio System: Flysky FS-GT5 radio with Flysky FS-BS6 6CH receiver
– Other Options: Motor—1:8 3D-printed custom headers for the Chevy small block, Revell/Monogram 1:8 set of E- and J-style headlights with separate fluted lenses, 1:8 custom vintage Weiand Dragstar 6-carb intake, 1:8 custom Lindberg Big Red T carburetors and fuel lines, RC4WD Z-S1043 1/10-scale aluminum V8 engine replica, RC4WD R4 Ultimate Scale single speed transmission, RC4WD Trail Finder 2 V8 engine mounts, RC 4WD pulley kit w/belt for V8 scale engine, RC4WD distributor and rubber tube driveshaft, metal driveshafts, RC4WD Mojave Body bench seat, Exclusive RC MSD 2 step and Blaster coil

True Deuce

True Deuce

True Deuce

Sandrail Assault
Brian Brown « South Shore, KY

Crafting your own RC car out of non-RC-specific materials may be even more fun than building a dedicated kit, and it sure is really cool when done right. Brian’s amazing sandrail is just the kind of project that gets us excited about ground-up custom projects. This rail’s inspiration came from full-scale buggies like the Beeline Cobra and the Berin 902. Brian tells us more about his custom build: “I built the frame out of ¼” brake line, Mapp gas, and silver solder. The drivetrain is out of an old Kyosho Assault. I did add lots of scale touches including a light-up tachometer that I built from an old shock collar, RC10 driver decals, and some scrap Lexan.” It’s an amazing build and we’re absolutely loving it, Brian!

BUILD HIGHLIGHTS
– Chassis: Custom made from ¼” brake line
– Body: Custom
– Motor: Trinity Monster 19T brushless
– Speed Control: Hobbywing XR10
– Battery: Ovonic 3S 2200mAh
– Wheels and Tires: Front—Kyosho Tomahawk; Rear—Boom Probuild with Rock Creeper 1.9 tires
– Shocks: Off brand
– Paint: Electric green powdercoat
– Radio System: Futaba 4PLS

Sandrail Assault

Sandrail Assault

Sandrail Assault

Sandrail Assault

Monster Patrol
Rob Boone « Waynesboro, PA

We can thank Rob Boone for this great-looking monster truck that’s based on the real-life Monster Patrol monster truck. Rob fills us in on his RC build: “Monster Patrol was always one of the coolest-looking trucks when I was growing up. I wanted to create a more modern Monster Patrol, so I started out with a Losi LMT Son-uva Digger and I painted up a JConcepts 2014 Chevy 1500 body and an extra racerback that I had in my spare parts collection. The wing is from Arrma and the decals are from MCI Racing. I added 10mm Treal wheel hubs to the stock wheels, a Hot Racing servo saver, 110mm Hot Racing limiting straps, a Spektrum Rugged radio and receiver. I’m really happy with the way this truck has turned out.” We are too, Rob, thanks for sharing it!

BUILD HIGHLIGHTS
– Chassis: Losi LMT
– Body: JConcepts 2014 Chevy 1500
– Motor: Spektrum 3150kV sensorless brushless
– Speed Control: Spektrum Smart 130A ESC
– Battery: Spektrum Smart 3S 5000mAh and Spektrum Smart 2S 5000mAh
– Wheels and Tires: Losi LMT
– Shocks: Losi LMT with red springs
– Axles: Losi LMT housings
– Paint: Tamiya PS-5 black, Tamiya PS-28 neon green, backed by Tamiya PS-1 white
– Decals: MCI Racing Monster Patrol decals
– Radio System: Spektrum DX5 Rugged
– Other Options: Treal 10mm widening hubs, Hot Racing 110mm limiting straps

Monster Patrol

Monster Patrol

Overnight Parts From Japan
Zachary Keanaaina « Glendale, AZ

Drifting is an exciting motorsport to watch, let alone drive. The RC version of it is certainly just as fun and the RC cars built to take on the drift course really do look amazing. Zachary Keanaaina of Glendale, Arizona, shares his JDM-inspired drift machine with us. The colorful Toyota 86 is replicated with a Max Speed Technology RB86 body that sits on an Overdose 10th Anniversary GALM chassis. Drifting is a fun way to drive, especially with other RC drifters. Zachary adds, “There are a bunch of us at Bubble Milk Battle Grounds in Phoenix, Arizona, if you’re lookin’ to get sideways!” Great job, Zachary!

BUILD HIGHLIGHTS
– Chassis: Overdose 10th Anniversary GALM
– Body: Max Speed Technology RB86
– Motor: Acuvance × Overdose V3 10.5T
– Speed Control: Acuvance Xarvis XX ESC
– Battery: Scale Reflex 100C 2S Lipo
– Wheels and Tires: DS Racing TSG-007 tires, Lab Work Emotion CR3P 6mm wheels
– Shocks: Overdose HG Spec.3 bodies with Spec.2 purple caps
– Axles: Overdose 42mm dogbones
– Paint: Tamiya PS translucent pink, translucent purple, bright silver, black
– Decals: Custom Team Bubble Milk and factory stickers
– Radio System: Futaba 10PX
– Other Options: Reve D RS-ST servo, Yokomo V4 gyro, Acuvance Blaze, Acuvance Trace Bector, Acuvance Trace, and Acuvance Acutron capacitors, Fused RC cage, Overdose Type-7 swan neck wing, SRCBody tow straps and emblems, ABC Hobbies screws, Hobby Talk RC tsurikawa (tow strap)

Overnight Parts From Japan

Overnight Parts From Japan

Overnight Parts From Japan

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Updated: May 11, 2023 — 3:20 AM
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