Eman77

It has arrived! As a summer project for myself and my 2 kids (one in preschool, the other in 1st grade), we bought a Tamiya Midnight Pumpkin (Metallic Edition) to build and run. Both kids already can run my various RC vehicles on their own well enough, so I figured it was time to build one together - so they can see how it works.

Also, both kids are responsible for paying for repairs on things that break, and installing with my help. I figure there's a life lesson buried somewhere in there.

The Pumpkin is a 2WD monster truck with puffy tires, a big bumper, and easy on the wallet - so it was a nice starter for the kids. The approach I'm taking is to build it slow, at their pace. If they get tired of a build, we stop for the day, no problem. However, if it drags on waaay too long, I'll jump in and do a few things w/out help to speed it up - they are eager to run it, after all.

That said, I'm taking pics along the way, and thought a build thread would be fun to do. Read slowly - we'll be building slowly.

So look what arrived today:

Eman77

When I ordered the kit, I also ordered some duratrax shielded bearings - kit comes with bushings, and I want to treat the pumpkin right.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...6&I=LXD122&P=K
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...6&I=LXD109&P=K

They're not the best, but I've used these before - they are inexpensive and reasonably durable, so I'm up for it.

Eman77

The stock pickup body is very stiff - and the metallic one is very pretty. Since I predict many rolls and flips with this, I ordered a spare (more flexible) body. Not sure yet how to convince the kids NOT to run with the cool metallic body, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...6&I=LXNAV3&P=K

Eman77

And the kit came with a nice morale booster when kids' sprits are down during the build:

Eman77

Day 1: We got the body posts installed on the chassis (all 4 of them! heh), one of the gear shafts in, and the tires on the rims. Then it was story time and bedtime.

Eman77

More gratuitous gear pics. One thing I'm trying to do is explain (w/out boring them too much) what the parts do, and why, as we install them. So they can imagine how the body will sit on the posts, what bearings do, and the fun of putting messy grease on a gear.

Maybe they'll learn something.

Eman77

Here are the tires mounted. A few questions:

1) I did not glue these. Normally I do - is it safe to assume I should glue these as well?

2) No foams were included with the wheels/tires. I assume this is ok (thought I read something about that for the Lunchbox), but wanted to be sure.

3) The tires are certainly beefy, but really not much bigger in diameter than my Levant tires (way taller sidewall though). This surprised me a bit. Just an observation.


That's it for Day 1. For Day 2 I expect less progress. [8D]

Lunchboxer

Glue the tires.. !!

Eman77

Right - I figured as much, but wanted to be sure before someone strongly recommended foams. [&:]

No foams then, right?

cumquat

it'll be easy to convince them not to run the abs body, paint the lexan body with [link=http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/cPath/201_1615_1617/products_id/9988/n/Spaz-Stix-Mirror-Chrome-Spray-Paint-35oz]this[/link] or [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJME0&P=ML]this[/link] (cant remember if you have an airbrush or not...)

Eman77

Just rattle cans for me. Hmm, not a bad idea!

trf

nice build...keep our memories alive...

Ttam Says Blarg

Do you know what I just realized? You cant give people stars anymore. What a flop forum feature... Anyways 5 stars and look forward to this one.

Eman77

That's ok - your virtual stars are near and dear to my heart.

hehehe

Eman77

Day2: gearbox (transmission and gear differential) was completed. Umm....that's about it. So all the gears are plastic, but sturdy Tamiya stuff, and went in easily. I used bearings instead of bushings when called for, and plenty of grease supplied with the kit.

Here's some pics of it before we closed it up.

Eman77

Day 3 almost didn't happen, but one of the kids wanted to forge ahead, so here we go. Steering servo installed, Rx and ESC installed. Using my old AM Rx that came with the RTR levant, since I had it lying around. Might as well, since the Tx is free to be used too - should be fine for the kids.

Kit comes with the ESC - it's a 104-BK, so that'll work.

That's all so far!

sledgedriver

I recently restored my original Pumpkin (58070) and now have an in-the-box Lunchbox waiting for me to build. Where did you get the bearings for your build? Maybe a Tower or Amain item? Thanks and keep the build posts coming.

Eman77

Good for you! I just used cheap shielded Duratrax bearings - you only need 2 sizes for the Pumpkin (I assume the Lunchbox would be identical). See the links in my second post to find exactly what I bought. I got them from Tower. It's not like you need high end ceramic ones for this application, in my mind. [8D]

The Mad Modder

Nice build! The Midnight Pumpkin is a fun truck. I built a Lunchbox(same chassis) with/for my younger brother last year. He absolutely loved the thing. There are no longer star ratings, but...


Just a tip, the duratrax teflon shielded bearing should be fine on a rwd offroad, but don't use them on a 4wd or fwd offroad. I set my Tamiya m03(fwd) up as a rally and the telfon bearings in the rear were really crunchy after driving on dirt. The front wheels were throwing dirt at the rears and it got into the bearings.

The Mad Modder

IDK, maybe they had people complaining because their "what should I buy?" threads were getting one star ratings. I liked the first system where you could add or subtract points from a score. Unfortunately some of the more abusive members/moderators pitched a fit because they got low ratings. Really, though, it added an incentive to be nice/courteous to people.

Eman77

Day 4: motor was prepped with pinion gear and plastic adapter type ring. Manual asks you to cable tie the motor wires down to the can - so hey, why not? I assume this is to keep them from dangling below the truck, but who am I to question mighty Tamiya.

Motor was also installed onto the gearbox, as well as the wheelie bar, and a couple of adapters around the axle on each side (with a ball stud exposed, likely for the suspension setup to come).

In my haste (or was it my kids talking?) I forgot to check the gear mesh carefully before slapping the motor on. Oops, better check that. But it's pretty dummy proof, with a super long pinion, and only 2 screw holes to attach the motor.

redfisher1974

looks fantastic, I think I need to get one for my daughter.

Eman77

Red: not a bad idea.

Good news: after eyeballing it, I think the wheelie bar will also fit on my Stadium Thunder. Will have to check for sure tonight. If it does, I'll try to find the parts to buy for it. It needs it.

Modder: point taken about the bearings. I think I have used them in 4wd before (used them in several other vehicles), but can't remember. I'll keep an eye out. At least they're cheap.

cumquat

hmm, it seems its just this thread that has no stars... maybe its the whole vintage forum...

redfisher1974

hey does the 104bk have a BEC? I know the old 101bk did not. All the adds say the pumpkin comes with the 101 but yours came with a 104?