DARKWAV

When I get parts I want to be able to just start bolting them on, but yeah with the CF stuff I take the time to prep the edges first like you for added durability and a proper finished look. I do a quick wet sanding before the Sharpie and CA so it is a bit of a process. I actually Sharpie before the CA, I haven't tried it the other way around. The edges come out with a gloss black finish as the CA also serves as a clearcoat.

I don't have any CF on my Baja though. The extra aluminum on it from my upgrades has certainly added pounds to the machine!

I've been itching to run the Baja but we keep getting these "Atmospheric Rivers" coming through the state dumping rain every few days and keeping the ground damp and saturated.

Horatio

DARKWAV
Well the thin cyano I'm using, spreading it out with a cotton bud (q-tip), soaked in lovely and immediately took on a nice shade of black. I didn't feel a need to apply Sharpe on that piece as it turns out. I'll try putting the Sharpie on first on the front Brace - it makes good sense. Cheers for the tip!

On the rear Brace, I haven't needed to use sharpie on this occasion. It looks perfect. And - I only had to unstick myself once. The thin Cyano gets you no matter how hard you try!


I'm working my way through the chassis. I've discovered my rear shock mount needed changing - the shock holes have turned into one big oval, so that's being replace with carbon fibre.

I'm lining up for a TR quick diff billet transmission and some other key alloy bits. I'm keeping a hint of orange in homage to the SS origin, but carbon and shiny billet alloy is a nice look.

I need new hubs and wishbones too, so the it's going to be a fun season. £$£$ 😁👍

Horatio

I got a fair bit done this evening, but there are more bits arriving tomorrow.


Rear plate fitted perfectly and looks superb. I'm finding it hard to say good bye to the lovely orange colour, but the carbon is sooo sexy!


Before sealing

After sealing



So burly - but nice and light. These plates are 4mm thick but still weigh less than the stamped alloy parts they replace. The rear shock mount here was Sharpied first, then sealed as per Darkwav's tip.


In theory, the SS shock mount has 2 shock positions - but 14 years has taken it's toll and now it's just one big oval hole on both sides!


Removing the upper front chassis plate meant removing the front shock brace and doing a little manoeuvring to get it out. You have to get the steering rack and radio box all lined up etc and it's a faff, but to be fair very little had to be removed.



The carbon plate works out at least 6grams lighter, despite being 1mm thicker! Stiffer, stronger and won't get bent. Win win!

All work under the watchful eye of PJ....


Before you know it - half a dozen orange bits now adorn your bench. End of an era.


Oh yeah! This stuff is awesome. And the Baja gets some TLC as we go along.

Dirt guards will be fitted tomorrow, but I'm going to use machine screws rather than the supplied self tappers. The flexi material is just right and helps it conform to the Baja's awkwardly shaped lower wishbones.

Pin braces and right engine mount plate are also to do. Then all I have to do is find some good spots to sport the Bonehead RC decals!

Can't wait to give this a rip!

DARKWAV

Dang wow that stock aluminum is weak. New finished piece looks really nice.

I have two of those Bombay-ish cats. They are about a year apart in age. Possibly related but not sure; both were taken-in off the street from our neighborhood. The younger one is a bit fractious so have not had any success getting him into a carrier and out to the vet to get neutered.

Back when HPI trucks were assembled with phillips head tapping screws, and it was a thing to replace them with cap screws, I would put a small dab of silicon grease on the tip of the screw when driving them into the plastic.

Horatio

Burly right engine mount is a really tight fit


The dirt deflectors are mainly to protect the drive shafts. The flexi rubbery material is durable and conforms to the rear lower arms nicely. I offered them up to see how they were going to bend to shape.

You may also note that these have been marked up with 2 little holes. This makes fitting a lot easier. I marked up the wishbones through these holes, ensuring that the deflectors were closely following the shape.

2.5mm holes were drilled into arms (where the moulding line is) and I used M3x8mm countersunk screws with 'SS orange' countersunk washers. This I felt had a better hold over the dirt deflectors than the self tapping screws provided.

Next job are the pin braces, which are fitted with really nice bronze bushes which will remove a lot of slop from the arms.

It's been an absolute pleasure fitting the parts so far and the Baja is looking far better for all the TLC. I can't fault Bonehead RC's service or the quality of their products. You should check them out, here:

Bonehead RC

I have other upgrades in mind for the Baja in the coming months!

Horatio

​​​​​PJ was a rescue cat - we found her when she was a tiny lost feral kitten in the middle of a main road at 2am.





She needed 4 days of intensive care, mite, louse and flea treatment, weaning and constant warmth.

Now she's all fixed up, and she's kinda imprinted on us in a way that is not often seen. Even though she's a fully grown cat now, she likes being carried around inside my hoody! Daft as a brush.

Horatio

Well, stage 1 is complete. New clutch, pinion, spur, and Bonehead pin braces. I'm super impressed with the rear pin brace - it's completely removed the slop in the rear wishbones caused by the oval holes that had formed in the old orange alloy ones.

I now intend to apply some strategic CNC alloy. 1 piece hubs, shock braces, shock stays and possibly the upper arms.

I'm also going to sort out some road tyres to save ruining my off road tyres on tarmac. If anyone has any suggestions - I'm all ears.

In the meantime - here's a picture of my naked Baja 5B.


Can't wait to get it finished and ready for spring.
And now I've just seen these......

Wow.