Simple RC12i Build

[morrisey0]

I am calling this a simple build because honestly, the foundation was so nice, the build was super simple. The parts list to finish this build is just so small.

The foundation. Obviously used, one owner RC12i:

A little breakdown and the clean bones start to come out:

The bottom of the chassis was nice and used as it should have been. It would have taken removing half the depth to remove all of the "racing," so I just removed enough get rid of 60-70% of the love. These pics are a bit hard to see as my lighting sucks as usual:

[morrisey0]

All of the nylon in its pure 40 year old form, cleaned but oranged. I kinda wish I had an actual after pic of this as the parts came out better than expected, but I think it is shown in the completed pics.

I had to print two parts (so far) for this build. The chassis "rib" broke in multiple pieces when being removed (as would be expected being CA'd in), so I built one of those, and the front bumper. The bumper is purely aesthetics, and is only there because the "brilliant" white of the plastic bumper made the "antique" white of the rest of the nylon look, well, antique.

And then the build just moves forward:

Next will be tire gluing / truing, and then the body.

[Maxell27]

Awesome.

I had one in the late 80s and wish I never sold it. I may hunt one down, I would like to relive my teen years

[XLR8]

Same here, Maxell27.
Seeing this car brings back such great memories.
I didn't own or race mine very long but I remember that it was great fun.
I need to dig through some boxes from the attic and see what I've got left -- I really want a 12i to add to the collection.
Thanks for this posting this build!!

[morrisey0]

Nickels worth of free advice for any future builders ................ the tires need a bit more diameter than your typical modern spec 1:12 pan car.

Ran out to the truer and cut down to 45mmF / 46mmR, and that just ain't gonna work. Hope I can get them to work on my 12L, because if not, that is a wasted pair (or maybe set) of donuts. And it isn't like these things are falling off the trees these days.

[Frankentruck]

The 12L has the axle bearing carriers that can center or offset the axle higher/lower, so that has a shot of working with these wheels. I'm assuming that if you don't have the offset carriers you could print a set. Otherwise I could probably help with that.

[morrisey0]

The 12L has the axle bearing carriers that can center or offset the axle higher/lower, so that has a shot of working with these wheels. I'm assuming that if you don't have the offset carriers you could print a set. Otherwise I could probably help with that.

Completely forgot about that fact. I have bunches of those offsets sitting around. May just save these tires. Thanks!

[morrisey0]

Tire crisis avoided. The 45/46 cut is not ideal on a 12L even with the lowest axle offset adjuster, but at least there is a spring there to adjust preload. Ironically, I pulled these wheels/tires off of the 12L, unglued and untrued, to fit on the 12i while I waited for replacements to come in. At the end of the day, they ended up right back on the 12L.

So, I am again back to tires and body. I am back and forth on the body and layout, and honestly have no idea where I want to be. I like the true 1:1 appearance of my Tamiya 956, but I also like the true appearance of 1:12 pan cars of the day. I don't know, I will decide soon.

[XLR8]

Tire crisis avoided. The 45/46 cut is not ideal on a 12L even with the lowest axle offset adjuster, but at least there is a spring there to adjust preload. Ironically, I pulled these wheels/tires off of the 12L, unglued and untrued, to fit on the 12i while I waited for replacements to come in. At the end of the day, they ended up right back on the 12L.

So, I am again back to tires and body. I am back and forth on the body and layout, and honestly have no idea where I want to be. I like the true 1:1 appearance of my Tamiya 956, but I also like the true appearance of 1:12 pan cars of the day. I don't know, I will decide soon.

Thank you for warning us about the tire diameter. I'm searching for tires and wheels at the moment and I see a few that are pre-cut to 45mm and I will avoid those.

I'm leaning towards a Porsche 911 body but that could change. The good news is that 12th scale bodies of all kinds are plentiful and relatively cheap. I'll might pick up a couple then decide which one to paint. Or, maybe paint both and swap them out occasionally.

[Frankentruck]

My 12L has rears that are 54mm diameter and fronts that are 48mm diameter. They both seem like the right size to me.

[morrisey0]

Thank you for warning us about the tire diameter. I'm searching for tires and wheels at the moment and I see a few that are pre-cut to 45mm and I will avoid those.

Are you finding any pre-mount / pre-cuts that are 2 or 4 hole rear? I remember most of what I was seeing awhile back was the more modern 3 hole rear wheels.

[morrisey0]

My 12L has rears that are 54mm diameter and fronts that are 48mm diameter. They both seem like the right size to me.

Yea, from the originals that came off this one and the 12e, I was thinking about 54 / 52 or somewhere around there, and then found that is about full size on the Jacos that I am going to use. May just trim the edges and call it a day.

[XLR8]

Thank you for warning us about the tire diameter. I'm searching for tires and wheels at the moment and I see a few that are pre-cut to 45mm and I will avoid those.

Are you finding any pre-mount / pre-cuts that are 2 or 4 hole rear? I remember most of what I was seeing awhile back was the more modern 3 hole rear wheels.

Yeah, I'm finding 3 hole and even some that are hex drive. I know those won't work.

I also found these that appear to be more universal fit but I have no idea if they will fit the 12i

https://www.ebay.com/itm/391944517172?hash=item5b41b6b634:g:Fv4AAOSw91Jb~bQt

https://www.ebay.com/itm/372165096638?hash=item56a6c4b4be:g:7NAAAOxy1klRcPZm


To be honest, I'm really not a big fan of their wheel design. Maybe if I could locate some un-trued donuts, I could design a custom printed wheel set to go with the Porsche.
What do you think?

[Maxell27]

A quick question is it hard to find new wheels and tires for a 12i?