The hornet transmission is one of the strongest out there in my opinion. I've had my lunchbox since it was first released in the 1980's & have only replaced the gear set once due wear.
I completely agree with you. They are overall bullet proof. I have replaced the pinion in my work hornet 2 times but this is because I used it 5 days a week for not only my lunch walks (3 mile loop) but a lot of R&D here at the office when we need feedback from accelerometers. I think I go through 2 sets of tires a year too, haha!
I love your mods to improve these old chassis designs, hornet & ORV. Did you ever see that grasshopper built in japan with independent rear suspension, it was all over the RC sites a few years ago? Ever thought about doing something similar?
Oh yes I know that car well. I am a few weeks away from a rear IRS version with double wishbones. I already made a swing arm test car and it is amazing. See episode 43 at the 8 min mark.
The text on the screen when you were putting the rear shocks back on said you used 80mm & 90mm shocks. Will 85mm work? Also, the lower screws were machine screws, not self tapping? 3mm? Thanks a bunch! I’m going to install this weekend, along with the 20mm offset front suspension. I already have the transmission brace, battery door, rear shock/wing mount and roll cage. Pretty nice stuff you’ve created. Many thanks!!
Yes, 85mm will work. As for the screws, you mean on the trans or the brace? Brace is mostly machine but self tapper will work just make sure all screw holes are cleaned out. Thanks so much!
Thanks so much! I was talking about the screws on the lower brace, just below the shock mount. I used machine screws, worked great. Also, the 20mm offset front, trans brace, roll cage, etc. all awesome products!! I feel like it’s 1988 and I’m a kid again ☺️
By the way, sorry if I have actually missed that. The third shock installation is really really cool and I really wanna install it to my hornet too. Could I be advised on the parts I need to purchase and steps to do that especially the parts near the pivot point and the shock and where to secure the shock etc. Thank you very much
This shock Installation is not available. Never was. The small brace in the back behind the battery compartment is enough to eliminate the slap of the motor onto the rear shocks.
COOL STUFF! I think you may have used lithium grease in the gear box I always tell guy's not to use it as when it gets old it drys out like a thick dry like substance.
Hey Bud, I really enjoy watching your videos. I haven't yet installed the 3rd shock I have to order a small shock for it yet. Things have been busy but I still make time to watch your vids. Thanks for the idea on clear coating the battery door I might just do that so it doesn't get nasty. I am normally on dirt and road not clay but I still like my monster to look its best. I still need to design the nerf bars for LED kits.
Cool man, let me know about the install. Dirt is usually ok but clay is awful. A couple coats of clear will help. I need to try and see how I can help with the nerf bars. I am still waiting on my towers!
AMPRO Engineering That's cool. I have a lot to do with the RCs but it Will take time but i am hoping to have all that i wanted all finished within 2017. You know how to contact me when you start on the other stuff. 😊
Watching this makes me want to buy the re-re Kyosho Optima kit. Especially when you showed those pin-spiked tires. Almost the exact tires from the Optima. Though, when you really think about bang for your buck, picking up a DHK 8381 Optimus XL 1/8th scale for $290.. You really can't beat that. That much aluminum and power and all RTR with everything you need. I mean, the pricing on DHK's RC's goes to show you that the majority of RC manufacturer prices are marked up to the extreme when DHK has proven that they can put a seriously well made, sturdy and quick basher on the market for little to nothing. It amazes me. People bash the hell out of these cars and they just won't die. Really enlightening when Kyosho is selling their re-re kits for $300 and they don't come with any of the electronics, motor, TX/RX, nothing. Much less car for twice the price when it's all said and done.
I just built a Optima repro a few weeks ago, it is unbelievable car, granted, mine is far from stock... I picked mine up from Amain for $250, $50 off coupon on orders over $300... The thing about the Optima is they hold value, you could always sell it for what you paid for it, possibly more, not so much with RTRs...
I am LMAO here with you disappointed at not enough carnage in the destruction of the gearbox. I guess grease is grease. After as long as you have had cars, muddy gunky grease is a reality, I doubt there is any grease out there that doesn't change a bit over the years and running. I mean doesn't the Tamiya Ceramic grease also change color and such?? I know that the mistake of the moly grease that Tamiya told us to use BITD with the HotShot was nasty blackish as new and turned a slimy green/black when used up. I can't tell you how many times I have torn into an old HS transmission and had stained and gunky nasty diff gears to clean up and I still don't know what to use to get them really nice looking without using such a strong cleaner as to affect the plastic and perhaps turn it brittle and thus get to crater a trans in the end either way. WOW, Talk about SAFETY, you ought to work for OSHA. LOL USELESSSSNESSSSSS
Looking good! Pretty impressive you can make the middle single double. I must've missed you last week, I was there Monday and Thursday afternoon. That giant truck is Mike's Tekno ET48.3, 1/8 scale truggy.
Awe too bad! Yeah I think this was Wednesday but I wasn't there for long. I had family visiting (my sister was filming) so I couldn't spend too much time there. Plus...the whole care breaking thing...haha!
An eighth scale truggy on that tiny track!? Its hard to find big tracks, especially around where I live or else I would be trying out eighth scale. Love the Super Fly. I like how the AMPro logo is cut out on that shock mount. Looks pretty cool. That hornet actually jumps nicely! That tire mod is genius.
I know, its massive compared to the other cars but they have a 2S limit on this track so I guess that will help. I have to agree about the jumping. As soon as you get the lay out of the track down, the you can adjust how you drive the car. It really is nothing like a stock one and yet, feels like you are driving the 1980's. Oh and yeah, I am really happy about the rims on the car. All about the look there.
U probably didn’t mix greases, there’s a lot of backlash in these cheap gearboxes, they’re not precision engineered Likely all that goop is nylon dust mixed with grease and I too am surprised the gearbox lasted this long with u bashing it! That’s got to be testament to their choice of plastics here
Hi there, I have a question about the rear suspension mounting kit that you make. I didn’t see a video for that one specifically, so I’m posting here. Is there any trick to mounting the shocks? I felt like the install was good, but I have bent three shock pistons so far, 85mm & 90mm sets. Maybe I’m just buying cheap components from eBay... But if you have any advice, I’d love to hear it. By the way, anybody considering Ampro parts for their Hornet, I can’t say enough good things about them!
You are right! I never made a video! I have a video on the CW01 rear brace install and it is just like that one. The pistons are bending? You are kidding. Can you send me some pictures? Amproengineering@gmail.com
It's not usefullness. It's interesting :-) Great jumps too, a bit surprised to see that. And even though you say your Super Fly isn't for the looks it's still the prettiest girl on that track.
That definitely was not a "useless" video! I learned some diagnostic points, and how tough overall, these gearboxes are. 😉 Cool run and great music too! My friend and I are looking forward to building our own "Superfly", with IRS. My buddy has been feeling very defeated lately, so I'm also getting him the bits to finish his TT-02 chassis! He don't know it yet.... I also sent him and his family $100, on a special PayPal link - paypal.me/pacbeltrr I urge anyone else to join in, so we can get a great guy back on his feet again. I'm telling you this, because he thinks highly of you. We are looking very forward to digging out our old Hornets, and going to work! I'm telling you, he needs to keep using his hands, for his sanity, and because he's really good at it too! Murph
Apparently, I even like your "useless" videos! 😜 I haven't seen a good look at that cantilever front suspension yet... OMG it just looks COOL! how does it work for you? Does it require the roll cage? Either way, it's a real eye popper?
Just fixed the gearbox on my original Lunchbox from when I was a kid. I lost the original screws that held the motor in place and my "fix" actually ended up cracking the gearbox housing over time. I replaced the gearbox housing and got an aluminum motor mount upgrade from eBay. I'll keep driving it until it fails but the gearbox doesn't sound all that good. I think that the loose motor stripped one of the gears a little bit but it's still working. The aluminum motor mount that I got is actually intended for adding different pinion gears but I'm using the original pinion gear. I'm very impressed with the new motor mount. It keeps the motor cooler and allows you to adjust the tooth mesh. Here's a link if anyone is interested; www.ebay.com/itm/272582308111
Well, it is bouncy at the rear but there is no way around that. With a solid axle and the fact that under acceleration the car has effectively no rear suspension (thanks a lot physics), this is the best a Hornet will ever do. When compared to the stock hornet, that is when you see the difference. Thanks for the compliment. Soon I will have the 3.0 version of this car complete. That is an IRS car.
Your videos are an absolute joy.
You are very kind!
I remember that layout!
Classic for sure!
The hornet transmission is one of the strongest out there in my opinion. I've had my lunchbox since it was first released in the 1980's & have only replaced the gear set once due wear.
I completely agree with you. They are overall bullet proof. I have replaced the pinion in my work hornet 2 times but this is because I used it 5 days a week for not only my lunch walks (3 mile loop) but a lot of R&D here at the office when we need feedback from accelerometers. I think I go through 2 sets of tires a year too, haha!
I love your mods to improve these old chassis designs, hornet & ORV. Did you ever see that grasshopper built in japan with independent rear suspension, it was all over the RC sites a few years ago? Ever thought about doing something similar?
Oh yes I know that car well. I am a few weeks away from a rear IRS version with double wishbones. I already made a swing arm test car and it is amazing. See episode 43 at the 8 min mark.
That's great news. I'll go check out episode 43 now.
good work. love to see those old cars go better.. i still have a grasshopper 1 and a monster beetle.. good old cars
Heck yeah they are.
Blue Pinto sounds a bit like chili peppers - great vid brother!
That is a good point! thanks man
The text on the screen when you were putting the rear shocks back on said you used 80mm & 90mm shocks. Will 85mm work? Also, the lower screws were machine screws, not self tapping? 3mm? Thanks a bunch! I’m going to install this weekend, along with the 20mm offset front suspension. I already have the transmission brace, battery door, rear shock/wing mount and roll cage. Pretty nice stuff you’ve created. Many thanks!!
Yes, 85mm will work. As for the screws, you mean on the trans or the brace? Brace is mostly machine but self tapper will work just make sure all screw holes are cleaned out. Thanks so much!
Thanks so much! I was talking about the screws on the lower brace, just below the shock mount. I used machine screws, worked great. Also, the 20mm offset front, trans brace, roll cage, etc. all awesome products!! I feel like it’s 1988 and I’m a kid again ☺️
THIS IS HILARIOUS. I know this car and issues w/it. LOL
Yeah, the hornet is something special, ahah!
looks like a water/grease milkshake... force mixed by lots and lots of rpm...lol.
I was thinking that too. This was possibly run in water years ago and then became that beautiful mix.
By the way, sorry if I have actually missed that. The third shock installation is really really cool and I really wanna install it to my hornet too. Could I be advised on the parts I need to purchase and steps to do that especially the parts near the pivot point and the shock and where to secure the shock etc. Thank you very much
This shock Installation is not available. Never was. The small brace in the back behind the battery compartment is enough to eliminate the slap of the motor onto the rear shocks.
Yeah, what Asura said. It doesn't work as well as the pivot that we made and raises the CG. This was before i had re-designed it.
COOL STUFF! I think you may have used lithium grease in the gear box I always tell guy's not to use it as when it gets old it drys out like a thick dry like substance.
Maybe...who knows. It wasn't dry though, it was just gross!
yea I know lithium grease when i see it!
I know what you man.
Nice! I got my 3d printed parts for my Hornet yesterday, They will be fitted soon!
Oh cool! Let me know if you have any questions.
No questions :) All fitted
Hey Bud, I really enjoy watching your videos. I haven't yet installed the 3rd shock I have to order a small shock for it yet. Things have been busy but I still make time to watch your vids. Thanks for the idea on clear coating the battery door I might just do that so it doesn't get nasty. I am normally on dirt and road not clay but I still like my monster to look its best. I still need to design the nerf bars for LED kits.
Cool man, let me know about the install. Dirt is usually ok but clay is awful. A couple coats of clear will help. I need to try and see how I can help with the nerf bars. I am still waiting on my towers!
AMPRO Engineering That's cool. I have a lot to do with the RCs but it Will take time but i am hoping to have all that i wanted all finished within 2017. You know how to contact me when you start on the other stuff. 😊
You got it.
Watching this makes me want to buy the re-re Kyosho Optima kit. Especially when you showed those pin-spiked tires. Almost the exact tires from the Optima. Though, when you really think about bang for your buck, picking up a DHK 8381 Optimus XL 1/8th scale for $290.. You really can't beat that. That much aluminum and power and all RTR with everything you need. I mean, the pricing on DHK's RC's goes to show you that the majority of RC manufacturer prices are marked up to the extreme when DHK has proven that they can put a seriously well made, sturdy and quick basher on the market for little to nothing. It amazes me. People bash the hell out of these cars and they just won't die. Really enlightening when Kyosho is selling their re-re kits for $300 and they don't come with any of the electronics, motor, TX/RX, nothing. Much less car for twice the price when it's all said and done.
Man I know what you mean. Sometimes it is hard to justify that much.
I just built a Optima repro a few weeks ago, it is unbelievable car, granted, mine is far from stock... I picked mine up from Amain for $250, $50 off coupon on orders over $300... The thing about the Optima is they hold value, you could always sell it for what you paid for it, possibly more, not so much with RTRs...
This is great work!! Good ol Norcal Hobbies.
Thank you! The track layout this time was awesome.
I am LMAO here with you disappointed at not enough carnage in the destruction of the gearbox. I guess grease is grease. After as long as you have had cars, muddy gunky grease is a reality, I doubt there is any grease out there that doesn't change a bit over the years and running. I mean doesn't the Tamiya Ceramic grease also change color and such?? I know that the mistake of the moly grease that Tamiya told us to use BITD with the HotShot was nasty blackish as new and turned a slimy green/black when used up. I can't tell you how many times I have torn into an old HS transmission and had stained and gunky nasty diff gears to clean up and I still don't know what to use to get them really nice looking without using such a strong cleaner as to affect the plastic and perhaps turn it brittle and thus get to crater a trans in the end either way.
WOW, Talk about SAFETY, you ought to work for OSHA. LOL
USELESSSSNESSSSSS
Well I was hoping to see destruction in there. After all you hooked me up with a box of gears that I am excited to finally use! Alas, boring...
Looking good! Pretty impressive you can make the middle single double. I must've missed you last week, I was there Monday and Thursday afternoon.
That giant truck is Mike's Tekno ET48.3, 1/8 scale truggy.
Awe too bad! Yeah I think this was Wednesday but I wasn't there for long. I had family visiting (my sister was filming) so I couldn't spend too much time there. Plus...the whole care breaking thing...haha!
An eighth scale truggy on that tiny track!? Its hard to find big tracks, especially around where I live or else I would be trying out eighth scale. Love the Super Fly. I like how the AMPro logo is cut out on that shock mount. Looks pretty cool. That hornet actually jumps nicely!
That tire mod is genius.
I know, its massive compared to the other cars but they have a 2S limit on this track so I guess that will help. I have to agree about the jumping. As soon as you get the lay out of the track down, the you can adjust how you drive the car. It really is nothing like a stock one and yet, feels like you are driving the 1980's. Oh and yeah, I am really happy about the rims on the car. All about the look there.
Looks like water and oil churned up
Like blown headgasket.
Not last you say :D That car handles soooooo bad : D
So you haven't run a hornet before have you? Hahah!
Yeah......had my hornet since 1984 and the diff' still good........original.
Nice. They are pretty darn stout. I have been running that at the track about 3 years now. This is the first failure so I cannot fault it.
The 'monster',looks like a Losi 8Te truggy
I think you are correct. As you can tell by my channel, I am not up to speed on modern stuff. Haha!
I've seen that cracking between the centre section and the axle er...shrouds?, quite a bit over the years. It's pretty common.
Yeah me too. It happened to me once in the 90's on my Hornet. It was weekly on my friends lunchbox...lol. He was not a good driver.
U probably didn’t mix greases, there’s a lot of backlash in these cheap gearboxes, they’re not precision engineered
Likely all that goop is nylon dust mixed with grease and I too am surprised the gearbox lasted this long with u bashing it! That’s got to be testament to their choice of plastics here
Interesting. I have a lot of these with very, very high mileage. Ill have to crack some open and see how those bad boys look!
Hey dude, just wanted to pop in and say I love your videos! I watch every one of them, keep up the great work.
Well thank you!
Great video!!! Very interesting! It looks like someone barfed inside your transmission!😁
It sure did! I don't know what the heck happened in there.
Hi there,
I have a question about the rear suspension mounting kit that you make. I didn’t see a video for that one specifically, so I’m posting here. Is there any trick to mounting the shocks? I felt like the install was good, but I have bent three shock pistons so far, 85mm & 90mm sets. Maybe I’m just buying cheap components from eBay... But if you have any advice, I’d love to hear it. By the way, anybody considering Ampro parts for their Hornet, I can’t say enough good things about them!
You are right! I never made a video! I have a video on the CW01 rear brace install and it is just like that one. The pistons are bending? You are kidding. Can you send me some pictures? Amproengineering@gmail.com
It's not usefullness. It's interesting :-) Great jumps too, a bit surprised to see that. And even though you say your Super Fly isn't for the looks it's still the prettiest girl on that track.
Well thank you for that. It is certainly unique out there and for me, a ball to drive.
Make all overkill available for sale, it is all necessary :D !!!
Haha! It is all on Shapeways in my store!
drill a hole, the bit being the width of the notch you want, then use cutting wheel to cut in to the hole, no grinder bit needed this way ;)
Oh that too!
The Dremel bit is called a Burr
Oh nice
Awesome Channel and videos! You do awesome work! I'm curious where I find one of those bearing/ bushing puller tools you have
Thank you! I think I just used a screw driver that is 5mm to get them out...unless I have missed something! This is an older video now!
I've had my lunchbox gears explode. They were 30 years old, so I'm betting that was the issue.
Very true. They aren't as young as they used to be.
That definitely was not a "useless" video! I learned some diagnostic points, and how tough overall, these gearboxes are. 😉
Cool run and great music too! My friend and I are looking forward to building our own "Superfly", with IRS. My buddy has been feeling very defeated lately, so I'm also getting him the bits to finish his TT-02 chassis! He don't know it yet.... I also sent him and his family $100, on a special PayPal link - paypal.me/pacbeltrr
I urge anyone else to join in, so we can get a great guy back on his feet again.
I'm telling you this, because he thinks highly of you. We are looking very forward to digging out our old Hornets, and going to work! I'm telling you, he needs to keep using his hands, for his sanity, and because he's really good at it too!
Murph
I know what you mean. I am trying to see what spares I have.
Apparently, I even like your "useless" videos! 😜
I haven't seen a good look at that cantilever front suspension yet... OMG it just looks COOL! how does it work for you? Does it require the roll cage? Either way, it's a real eye popper?
For me I am in love. The Hornet is just so good to drive now with that front end. Yeah I looks killer too!
that bit is called a burr
Thank you
that transmission looks like it has been through he'll and back 😂
Oh it has, lol.
Just fixed the gearbox on my original Lunchbox from when I was a kid. I lost the original screws that held the motor in place and my "fix" actually ended up cracking the gearbox housing over time. I replaced the gearbox housing and got an aluminum motor mount upgrade from eBay. I'll keep driving it until it fails but the gearbox doesn't sound all that good. I think that the loose motor stripped one of the gears a little bit but it's still working. The aluminum motor mount that I got is actually intended for adding different pinion gears but I'm using the original pinion gear. I'm very impressed with the new motor mount. It keeps the motor cooler and allows you to adjust the tooth mesh. Here's a link if anyone is interested;
www.ebay.com/itm/272582308111
Oh i like those. I have thought about getting one and may end up doing so. Thank you for the info!
Is it my impression, or the rear bounces a bit too much? Great job anyway!
Well, it is bouncy at the rear but there is no way around that. With a solid axle and the fact that under acceleration the car has effectively no rear suspension (thanks a lot physics), this is the best a Hornet will ever do. When compared to the stock hornet, that is when you see the difference. Thanks for the compliment. Soon I will have the 3.0 version of this car complete. That is an IRS car.
Just the right kind of uselessness ;)
You need to be the right kind.
Everyone needs a little uselessness in their life.
I agree with that.
porn rims and tire
Lol!
You can learn on these useless video!thats a great looking useless buggy but I like it
Hahahahahha! thank you!