My new addition - Marui Samurai

[RedScampi]

I recently aquired a Samurai (in the mail currently) and am very interested in seeing this go together.

Oh really????

What are you thinking? It's not even in my hands yet!

[Mad Racer]

My wheels arrived this week from Pargu 2000.

They look great.

My bearings have arrived too.

Won't be rebuilding it for a couple more weeks away but all parts are there i think.

[Coelacanth]

Won't be rebuilding it for a couple more weeks away but all parts are there i think.

So you received the plastic parts trees finally?

[Mad Racer]

Hi Marc.

I got the parts from Tom but the Galaxy parts aren't here yet.

I can't understand why. Im still waiting on a order from A Main as well.

Will let you know when i get it.

Cheers

[Coelacanth]

Hi Marc.

I got the parts from Tom but the Galaxy parts aren't here yet.

I can't understand why. Im still waiting on a order from A Main as well.

Wow...that's a day short of 5 weeks now...usually stuff I've sent or received from Australia takes a solid 2.5 to 3 weeks, but not over a month...

[Mad Racer]

Almost finished it apart from speedie.

Has gone back together pretty good. A few bits were missing from who ever built it up. I managed to get around them.

The strange part most of all is that if you replace the bushings to bearings you need spacers on the wheel axles before you put the pressure hubs on. The spacers are in the kit as the instructions tell you this. I used some washers to shim the axle out.

Will be doing new tires next. ( Custom made up)

Pics coming Soon..

Ok this is where it's at. Still a little way off but i feel better now it's at least almost back together.

[Bormac]

Good work Mark. Im looking forward to some pics!

[Mad Racer]

Pic.s are up Jason.

I think you will like it.

Will post more pic's once finished..

Lazer is next.

[Coelacanth]

It's looking great, Mark! I had the same issue with the Marui Galaxy when going from bushings to bearings on the front wheels; Marui used these extra-thick bushings in a deep depression in the insides of the front wheels, for some godforsaken reason. Even when I upgraded the front wheels to something more modern using standard 4mm thick bearings, I had to do something to make up that 5 - 6mm of space or else the wheels wouldn't install properly.

I still hope those plastic parts trees show up...I'm almost certain they will, when least expected, after some shipping lacky notices a package on a shelf somewhere collecting dust...

[RedScampi]

That looks killer! I really like the black shell and wing! I'm slowly getting parts together for my build. Tell us more about the custom made tires...

[Mad Racer]

Thanks Jason, Marc & RedScampi

A Big Thank you Marc ( Coelacanth ) as he helped or should say personally sourced the rear parts that i badly needed. Really appreciate it Marc. I hope those Galaxy parts show up so i can finish my Galaxy off.

I thought everyone has red Samurai's so i will paint mine in black instead .

Tires are the hardest thing but my idea is to cut down some modern rubber. I say studs. The back are varywide and the front are too with a small D/A so the fronts will be harder. I say another set of rear tires that will have to be cut in the width and D/A to achieve the correct seize. I might try it on some cheaper rubber first.

I do want modern rubber in case i race this at the vintage festival in 9 weeks. To give it the best possible chance.

[Bormac]

I dont know why it is but the kit tyres actualy work quite well. Probably not so well on a really hard track but definately on a slightly wet and/or grippy track.
It could be a combination of 3rd middle diff, weight and suspension design but for some silly reason these cars drive superbly.
Retro R/C will definately vouch for this as he has had some success with his also.

[Mad Racer]

I just have come across some thing really weird on this model.

The rear rims are 1.9" while the front are 2.1". This is factory specs.

No wonder this will drive like no others at the time. The only reason the Samurai can get away with different roll outs from front to rear is because it has a proper center diff.

Well & truly a very advance design in it's day.

More pics to come when finished.

[Brandon G]

The roll out is the same front to rear. Yes the wheels are different diameter, but the difference is made up in the size of the sidewall. Overall tire diameter is the same.

[Mad Racer]

Your right Bradon G.

I just measured them with my digital calipers .

Still very odd. The front will have good steering response with a lower profile tyres . From what i can tell no castor at all too.

I have made a set of wheels up but not happy as i need to match up a set with the side walls to match..

Before anyone tells me to use the originals, i can't as they are dry rotted and broke off in my hands!!!!!!