Best looking current factory or aftermarket 4WD body?

[oldskool]

Guys,

I have decided to rebody both my Optima Mid and YZ10/Super Dogfighter. I saw the Turbo Ultima body thread and using a Tamiya Sand Viper. That is going to work perfect for my purpose (complete, nice shelf queens but not a full restoration).

Can anyone give me an idea of a good looking "cab forward" wide body? I looked at the Kamtech bodies which are nice, but pricey. I was thinking a Tamiya Gravelhound might work for starters. Any other ideas? I did a search, but there are so many new products. 1:8 was in its infancy when my Mid was made.

Thanks!

[JK Racing]

I am pretty sure it wont fit the Optima Mid, but check the Academy SB or SB V2 body/undertray for the YZ-10.

Just thinking, would the current Lazer ZX5 body work on the Mid?

[Mr. ED]

I'm gonna watch this tread: had similar plans for a YZ 10 super dogfighter.

I have 2 NIB bodies that should fit: an andy's and a triumph, but neither have a bottom pan and I too would rather use a cheap contemporary alternative.

3 candidates on my list beside the gravelhound are team azarashi shells, duratrax (evader bx pro?) and the hotbodies.

(The new type ZX5 bodies and darkimpact are too narrow and too short)

[Snake Plissken]

good thread, I was looking for an Optima Mid replacement body recently as well without much luck. The problem is that contemporary buggies have the batteries arranged in saddle pack or lengthwise configuration which means all the bodies I looked into (like the B44 and D4) were not wide enough to fit the Optima Mid or Lazer (in which the body has to be at least battery pack wide).

[RichieRich]

I've also thought about using an evader body for the Mid. Those bodies are exceptionally wide. I just haven't gotten around to experimenting.

[kustomizerz]

I think the best solution is using Dahm's RAZER. This body will fit both Optima mid and Super Dog Fighters.

http://www.vansinvent.com/rebuild/vansinventrb/html/d150.html

This body was designed by Ira Dahm and introduced in late 1980's. Now he is out of business but VAN's INVENT is selling his bodies.

http://www.vansinvent.com/

[mrlexan]

Tak, Van's Invent is selling anything, or returning phone calls, or returning emails, and so on and so on................................... We have tried and tried to no avail

A shame, it really is.

[kustomizerz]

Tak, Van's Invent is selling anything, or returning phone calls, or returning emails, and so on and so on................................... We have tried and tried to no avail

Really? Sorry, I didn't know that and actually I have never buy bodies from Van's invent.
I have had lots of Dahm's bodies when Ira was going to out of the business.
Does anyone know Ira's latest e-mail address?

PS:
Jay, have you read my last e-mail about Losi wheel caps? Your mail server looks not working sometimes...

[mrlexan]

no sir, I haven't received any email from you.

[Mr. ED]

Ok, it's UGGLY and as such does not correspond to the subject title... but it is wide enough to take a stick pack
http://at.robbe-online.net/rims_at.storefront/475b73a0007c16f0271b3e0dc1460666/UserTemplate/1/?ISID=475b73a0007c16f0271b3e0dc1460666

[kustomizerz]

I have sent e-mail to Ira. His address seems to be still working but never responded.
I will ask him about the sales if I could get contact with him.

no sir, I haven't received any email from you.

I will send again through PM.

[Mr. ED]

Hi aku, do you know if the tamiya rising storm body is still availble from tamiya?
Looks way better for a YZ10 than the gravel hound I think.

[kustomizerz]

Hi aku, do you know if the tamiya rising storm body is still availble from tamiya?
Looks way better for a YZ10 than the gravel hound I think.

Yes, I believe Rising Storm body is still available. But I don' know which is better for YZ10. I think both are no good.

[Mr. ED]

You may be right there Aku.

Do you know anyone in Japan who can make some repro's of the Andy's Apache Warrior.
If I cut and paint it now it will be hard to repro later.

[kustomizerz]

Do you know anyone in Japan who can make some repro's of the Andy's Apache Warrior.
If I cut and paint it now it will be hard to repro later.

No, I don't know anyone who can make repro as the business. If you make mold yourself and order vacuum forming to the factory, it's possible. Tanaka has made Tomahawk body in this way. And I had tried to make repro of Yokomo body a few years ago, but this project is stopping because I could get enough original bodies. I will try again if they run out.

So, I think the best way is send e-mail to Mr.K in UK