Red Optima

[ballhog]

This all started with rebuilding ONE old optima. I was at a cross road on what to replace, so I now have two. A new build and one runner. It's almost done, see if you can spot the one black nut and washer I didn't have in chrome.
Belt Conversion
Option house rails
Lohas Wheels
Pargu2000 radio plate and front bumper support
RC screwz kit
Tamiya 6029 Square Spike Tires 53084
Race Prep SS-16 SuperBones - Titanium Dog Bones
Duratrax ST/BX chrome drive joints # DTXC8100
Here what it looks like so far whit allot allot allot of polishing.

[tim.sanderson]

Wow! That is one of the nicest rebuilds I've ever seen. I love the red/silver combo. I was originally thinking it might look better with the anodizing taken off the shocks, but the more I look at it, the more the gold grows on me.
Top drawer!
(black washer is on the right-front wheel. Haven't found the nut yet...)

[nvxwax]

Nice build, I thought those were LOHAS wheels? I just got a set and i must say they are very good quality wheels.

[tim.sanderson]

Right-front shock tower has the black nut.

[Coelacanth]

That's gorgeous, ballhog. I can only hope mine turns out as nice! I was tempted by those wheels too, but they weren't available in blue and I wasn't all that fond of that particular design. A more straight 5-spoke and I would've been all over it.

I have a question for you regarding the RCScrews kit...I also bought that kit. One thing that was immediately obvious to me was that the screw kit didn't include hardly any self-tapping screws, they were all machine screws. How did you bolt those into the plastic parts?

[GJW]

very nice indeed!! easier buiding this way too over finding the original parts. top job

[Mr. ED]

Looking good and nice pics to boot. Small suggestion: replace the tie-rods with lunsfords, or tecnacrafts if you find them?

[ballhog]

Thanks, for the nice comments!

nvxwax ur right, oops, Lohas wheels.

You got it tsan.

Yeah as you can tell by not enough nuts the RC screwz kit has some short comings. Instead of all the self tapping, I tapped almost everything. Mad it easier to use all the machine screws.

Thanks for the tip on the tie-rod ends mr ed, it could defi use so titanium tie rods.

[Coelacanth]

Thanks, for the nice comments!

nvxwax ur right, oops, Lohas wheels.

ballhog, I like how those Tamiya meats look on those rims. Are they standard 2.2" size? I'm assuming the Lohas wheels are 2.2's. If so, I wonder if you could give me the approximate width of the tires? Thanks!

[bdrmbully]

Thanks, for the nice comments!

nvxwax ur right, oops, Lohas wheels.

ballhog, I like how those Tamiya meats look on those rims. Are they standard 2.2" size? I'm assuming the Lohas wheels are 2.2's. If so, I wonder if you could give me the approximate width of the tires? Thanks!

i believe the width's are adjustable...

[ballhog]

Coelacanth: I can give the width of the tires, later tonight. yes they are 2.2" tires. I went nuts trying to find tires. So many tires out there and not all of them have dimensions usually they are just listed by application/vehicle not size.

Here's the note Lohas gave me in regards to the tires selection: "The tire is same as TAMIYA DF-02 & Top force. This is my most favorite one. You can also consider Kyosho ZX5 tire. That one is also very nice!"

Yes the wheel widths are adjustable.

[Mr. ED]

ballhog, I like how those Tamiya meats look on those rims. Are they standard 2.2" size? I'm assuming the Lohas wheels are 2.2's. If so, I wonder if you could give me the approximate width of the tires? Thanks!

i believe the width's are adjustable...

B. Adjustable width tires you've been watching 'transformers' too much
C. I think I have those tires at home and will try to remember measuring them for you. I actually have the corresponding narrow fronts too... do you need that width also?

[Coelacanth]

Thanks guys. I needed the tire width as I have a set of cool beadlock rims coming and I'm planning to run a set of spike tires on those, and treaded tires on a set of chrome HPI Super Star wheels.

[Hcp22]

A sharp looking buggy, well done ballhog

[RETRO R/C]

VERY nice looking Optima! Made me get out my Hot Trick version and have another look.

One comment though - GET THOSE HORRIBLE TAMIYA TIRES off the car - it will self implode with Tamiya gear on it!!

Great work, I know just how much time it takes to get alloy looking that good. Well done.

Cheers

Darryn