Composite Craft Predator Lynx re-build

[TravelinTravis]

Some of y'all might of noticed from the previous photos....that I couldn't get the 1/16th allens off the top links of the aluminum chassis mounts...lol! Had to wait a few days...but...MIP to the rescue!!! Tough living overseas and needing standard tools...but found a good shop in country that had'em in stock eventually! Back on track now!

[juicedcoupe]

Wera makes great 1/16" and 0.050" (1.3mm) drivers as well.

Their "Hex-Plus" tip design is a life saver. It almost looks like a Torx but works great.

[TravelinTravis]

Sorry for lagging on updates to the build...so here's the latest. Before shots of the chassis, upper+lower rear pod and front cross beam graphite pieces....top and bottom....

[TravelinTravis]

After....cleaning...top and bottom. Removed excess servo tape as best as possible by the old school method of....pick'in at it with my long fingernails....gave me good reason to cut'em after so I could noodle on the guitars better later ! Then localized WD-40 to remove what remained....Warm water and Dawn dish soap with a light sponge....old tooth brush with Colgate...then rinse and wipe with Dawn again after. Came out good I think...but careful what you wish for, now the scratches on the bottom are more visible..lol! Oh well, this isn't a shelf queen build...she'll be runin again.

[TravelinTravis]

Still don't like that extra servo mount hole that was added so close to the original hole...but...I've got a spare and another one from my next nib Lynx build in reserve. Notice the early build chassis has 2 holes drilled for the upper link mounting posts (1RT+1LT) and the later lynx build chassis (w/the Composite Craft stickers) has the 4 holes drilled to accept the updated black Delrin (2+2) upper link mounting posts. In late '87 when I first started running a Lynx, my sponsor helped me make the upperlink posts out of white delrin to save weight over the aluminum OG posts....might mock up some of those again...not sure yet...I was only 15-16yrs. old back then and I don't have any of my old gear or photos left...or much memory...lol....other than my user photo. I've really missed R/C...so lucky to have found this group...hope you guys enjoy the photos and I''l try my best to pick up the pace on this build a bit.

[TravelinTravis]

Well...looks like the front crossbar kingpin threads are stripped/damaged and one insert is cracked on my CC Lynx re-build. I've got one pair new with the nib kit, but I'm not using those for this build. Any heads up on sourcing these...let me know. I need replacements and spares....Gotta have spares when these rebuilds will be runners!

[TravelinTravis]

Thanks to a friend from another group for pointing me to a guy on ebay selling an OG CC Predator...I made a good deal and gained some needed spare kingpins...hopefully they're in better shape than mine! She's been rode hard, but there's some nice spare bits to harvest there I think. The seller also had a spare crossbar with kingpins and steering blocks, so I got a good deal on both. Price was nice and the added bonus is the aluminum wing mounts, hardened steel axle, maybe a backup speed controller, aluminum pod pcs., tall body mounts and an og saddle pack to boot. If you look close you can see the original owner double decked two crossbars on the car and looks like the bottom crossbar might be cracked at the bottom left front. I just need those kingpins/collars to be in good shape!!

[TravelinTravis]

Yes...these are the front turnbuckles that were on this poor car. Think I've seen piano wire thicker and straighter Different lengths too, and notice...on the one end there's no threads...just glue that was holding a ball cup Oh well...off to ebay and other groups to search for heavy duty turnbuckles and ball links. FYI - If anybody else does a Lynx build, these cars take a total of 6 turnbuckles/tie rods: 2 for the front end S/B: 2.620"......2 for the upper rear S/B: 1.00" and the 2 for the lower rear S/B: 1/2".

[Frankentruck]

If you look for Schumacher turnbuckle on amain.com you should see a nice selection of length options. Several of us use them for replacement of Associated 4-40 turnbuckles.

[TravelinTravis]

A little update...before and after polishing on the rear hubs and the antenna standoff. Came out nice I think. Still need to clean them up a bit...this was fresh off the wheel.

[TravelinTravis]

Progress is being made! Finished up all the polishing...on to the build! Before...after.....

[TravelinTravis]

Couldn't resist dropping this in for now...

[Retro rc]

Looks awesome so far

[TravelinTravis]

If only this still worked Composite Craft Registration card circa 1988....I love how the date line was written in by hand.

[Retro rc]

If only this still worked Composite Craft Registration card circa 1988....I love how the date line was written in by hand. 20220924_143851-min.jpg20220924_143820-min.jpg

You should make a copy, send it off and see what happens