Ironhide13
Quarry Creeper
Let me tell you a story…
So it all began with a simple email last year; a “Coming Soon: A Limited Edition!” announcement to the world, if you will. I knew as soon as I laid eyes on this devil in a blue dress, that one day we would meet. However, the time and money needed to seek out and bring this beauty home was not cooperating with me. So, I busied myself in other work, but never forgetting the stunning raw appeal of love at first sight.
Browsing the online hobby shop pages more recently and planning for my next build, I stumbled across a notice of one online hobby retailer expecting a shipment of this blue devil to arrive in late April of this year. I felt my pulse quicken at the news of its impending return after being away for so long! I called my LHS, and inquired if they may be able to procure one for me. They could, but it would be an even longer wait of at least another month… (*nail biting*)
And then, at the end of that month’s wait, I was told it had been pushed back to the end of June (*ugh*). I tried to wait it out with my LHS, but after seeing it in stock on the manufacturer’s website and talking with the LHS (considering the expected wait time and the limited edition-ness, he suggested I not wait but to go ahead and order it online), I clicked “I want that!” and waited for a man in a white van to deliver it. Finally, my wait was over, as my latest object of desire had arrived and was at home in a big, boxy, box-within-a-box, brown box care package waiting just for me!
However, as the anticipation of its arrival was being washed away by the joy and relief of finally having it in front of me, I knew that it would not remain as it was for long. Even with all its scaly (as in 1:1 life-like, not reptilian) goodness, it was missing a few things, and it was not quite up to my vision for its potential. Plus, I have an innate inability to keep things completely stock.
“Tell us more!”
First up was to apply the top recommended tips and tricks from the faithful group of leaf-sprung tiny truck enthusiasts. Along with a complete tear down for grease, Loctite, and waterproofing, removing the inner shock springs on the rear and out of 1 set on the front, dressing up the shocks up with black boots (kinky), and I’m trying the Chino mod while remixing of the leaf springs were to be done: middle length leaf to top of the stack to improve flex and prevent axle wrap. However, I noticed the front was still bottoming out too soon, like there was almost no vertical travel. So, I decided to take the former rear springs and use them in a pair of the front shocks and leave the other front pair empty. It seems the rear springs were actually shorter than the ones in the front. Maybe the springs in the front were intended for longer shocks? I don’t know… but much better-er now, anyway. Then I installed the Bowhouse RC rear leaf shackle mount and the A&M Garage shackle reverse kit at the front while I was at it.
*Quick, the readers are losing interest! Show a body-on-wheels sneak peek!*
Going from white to black for the removable top (Duplicolor’s CustomWrap Removable Gloss Midnight Black, in case I don’t like it), and it gives a semi-smooth finish, which was the suggested finish for a more scale feature. Also, chrome to gloss black on the mirrors, bumpers, handles, grille and other trim. And, flat black in the center of the grille while we’re at it. I did shave the rub strips off the bumpers, and smoothed the “bolt heads” off as well.
I am taking my time on this re-build, so don't expect updates often... That said, next up will be the interior.
So it all began with a simple email last year; a “Coming Soon: A Limited Edition!” announcement to the world, if you will. I knew as soon as I laid eyes on this devil in a blue dress, that one day we would meet. However, the time and money needed to seek out and bring this beauty home was not cooperating with me. So, I busied myself in other work, but never forgetting the stunning raw appeal of love at first sight.
Browsing the online hobby shop pages more recently and planning for my next build, I stumbled across a notice of one online hobby retailer expecting a shipment of this blue devil to arrive in late April of this year. I felt my pulse quicken at the news of its impending return after being away for so long! I called my LHS, and inquired if they may be able to procure one for me. They could, but it would be an even longer wait of at least another month… (*nail biting*)
And then, at the end of that month’s wait, I was told it had been pushed back to the end of June (*ugh*). I tried to wait it out with my LHS, but after seeing it in stock on the manufacturer’s website and talking with the LHS (considering the expected wait time and the limited edition-ness, he suggested I not wait but to go ahead and order it online), I clicked “I want that!” and waited for a man in a white van to deliver it. Finally, my wait was over, as my latest object of desire had arrived and was at home in a big, boxy, box-within-a-box, brown box care package waiting just for me!
However, as the anticipation of its arrival was being washed away by the joy and relief of finally having it in front of me, I knew that it would not remain as it was for long. Even with all its scaly (as in 1:1 life-like, not reptilian) goodness, it was missing a few things, and it was not quite up to my vision for its potential. Plus, I have an innate inability to keep things completely stock.
“Tell us more!”
First up was to apply the top recommended tips and tricks from the faithful group of leaf-sprung tiny truck enthusiasts. Along with a complete tear down for grease, Loctite, and waterproofing, removing the inner shock springs on the rear and out of 1 set on the front, dressing up the shocks up with black boots (kinky), and I’m trying the Chino mod while remixing of the leaf springs were to be done: middle length leaf to top of the stack to improve flex and prevent axle wrap. However, I noticed the front was still bottoming out too soon, like there was almost no vertical travel. So, I decided to take the former rear springs and use them in a pair of the front shocks and leave the other front pair empty. It seems the rear springs were actually shorter than the ones in the front. Maybe the springs in the front were intended for longer shocks? I don’t know… but much better-er now, anyway. Then I installed the Bowhouse RC rear leaf shackle mount and the A&M Garage shackle reverse kit at the front while I was at it.
*Quick, the readers are losing interest! Show a body-on-wheels sneak peek!*
Going from white to black for the removable top (Duplicolor’s CustomWrap Removable Gloss Midnight Black, in case I don’t like it), and it gives a semi-smooth finish, which was the suggested finish for a more scale feature. Also, chrome to gloss black on the mirrors, bumpers, handles, grille and other trim. And, flat black in the center of the grille while we’re at it. I did shave the rub strips off the bumpers, and smoothed the “bolt heads” off as well.
I am taking my time on this re-build, so don't expect updates often... That said, next up will be the interior.
