Need ideas for a desert buggy mod

[kraegar]

I've never tried something like this before, so I figured I'd start by asking for ideas & tips, then decide if it's something I really want to do...

Basically, I absolutely love the look of losi's mini desert buggy. Cool as hell.

I also really like the slash's I have... and I started thinking about what it would take to turn the slash into a desert buggy. I'm not talking a backslash look, but a roll cage with flat body panels look. I think it could be done, and could be really cool if done well... but I don't know where to start.

Should I look into brake line for the roll cage, and bend/weld one to tack onto the chassis? Ideas for the body panels? Other thoughts I'd need to consider?

Right now both slash's are stock (they're for the kids mostly), but I think I'd switch to a decent brushless setup, put some paddle tires on the back and some knife edge looking ones on the front.

I dunno, what do you all think?

Tony

[kraegar]

This would be my inspiration: http://twitpic.com/m8sqw http://twitpic.com/wkrx8

(Paul Tracy's Dune Buggy)

i wouldnt use brake line on a slash for something as complicated (and eventually HEAVY) as a buggy.id go for something like ABS tubing or rod and heat and bend it into shape,much lighter and plenty tough for a lightweight slash. and then use either ABS or styrene (or uber expensive carbon fiber) for the panels with zip tie or small straps for panel attachment.just my .02--josh

[whitrzac]

4 person
http://www.rc4wdstore.com/2/product_...cb3a5d81dd611c

2 person
http://www.rc4wdstore.com/2/product_...roducts_id=490

if anyone EVER sees one of these FS for less somplace else, LMK ASAP

[kraegar]

Those chassis are awesome.

[kraegar]

Where could I get ABS tubing/ ABS rod?

i get alot of mine here.cheap shipoping,great products.--josh

http://www.rplastics.com/plastictube.html

[kraegar]

Was looking around, found this place, too. http://www.indplastic.com/

What kind of plastic would be best for making a roll cage out of? ABS? Delrin? Something else? I'm assuming it'll be something I can heat with a torch (briefly) and bend. I'll probably make some sort of mold/form for each part, to keep them consistent.

And what thickness? .25"?

[kraegar]

Ordered a bunch of ABS & Delrin to experiment with.

sorry id didnt respond quick enough,the ABS is probably your best bet.it can be heated and painted along with the fact that if you glue anything together or try to melt anything together the delrin will crack and break.--josh

[kraegar]

Ok, good to know. I only bought $5 worth of delrin, so no biggie there.

[What's_nitro?]

Delrin would work great for skid plates if you go 1/8"+ thick.

[kraegar]

I'm mostly going to focus on the roll cage to start, and just build off of the slash chassis.

If that turns out to look like poo (which it probably will) I'll start down the road of the bigger mods. lol

[What's_nitro?]

Do yourself a favor and cut a form out of plywood or something to bend the plastic around. That way everything will be symmetrical and line up properly.

[kraegar]

That was the plan, yeah. to make some forms and keep them. That way if I decide to refine the design later, I'm not starting all over, either. Should be a good learning process for me, at least!