[MOC] Class 1 Buggy - 42126 alternate

[gyenesvi]

Hi,

My next build is a smaller alternate from the Ford Raptor set. It is a simpler one, but I'd still like to share some insights about it and the set.

When I started to experiment with building from this set, I wanted something with moderately interesting suspension, as that's the only technical aspect that could be varied a bit from the available parts (I don't think it's possible to put any real twist in the drivetrain from these parts). My first difficulty was that the set only has two hard shock absorbers and two soft ones, all of them small, with which it is hard to build any sophisticated suspension that has a decent amount of travel. So first I had to find out where I could use the soft ones (front or rear). The design of the rear suspension seemed trivial using the ball-joint for a floating axle, but making the 'trailing arm' longer (as I think it should have been in the Raptor according to the real one). Without weight it was still functioning okay with the soft springs as well, but I knew this would change with the bodywork. In the front, building longer A-arms also seemed possible to make it more interesting, but just could not get the soft springs to support the weight with longer travel. So I just decided to use the hard springs in the front, and keep the soft ones for the rear.

Also, the orange body panels of the Raptor are not as good as I first imagined, as most of them are flat and small and I find the wheel arches hard to integrate smoothly (for me, they just stick out as if they were slapped on; and most of the existing alternates don't use them as wheel arches). But the long wing panels seemed good for a nose, and the wheels are perfect for a buggy, so I decided to take a shot at a Class 1 buggy shape (also, it's light, so the soft springs can support the weight). Ridiculously enough, the orange panels were not even enough for building smooth sides (I know I could have built something up from small beams, but I don't like that). So I just used black panels for the sides, and used the orange panels for the roof, at least they were well shaped for that, and could even add some race stripes.

As Class 1 buggies have mostly rear engines I put it in the back, so the routing of the drivetrain was a bit of a challenge, given that I wanted to have the ball joint of the rear suspension close to the middle of the chassis to have a long trailing arm for the suspension, and that way the path of the driveshaft had to avoid the HoG steering somehow. Well, they pass really close to each other. Here's the whole chassis, which at least I think is a nice frame with the arches, and it makes it light but sturdy (can be lifted by the roof).

In the end, I am satisfied with the shape and the front suspension (the rear one is kind of trivial). I also managed to add a bit of decoration to the rear end. Here are some more pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

Let me know how you like it!

Building instructions are available on Rebrickable.

Cheers,

Viktor

 

[1gor]

Viktor, simple build yes, but simple as beautiful 

Some of those alternative models look way better that original set.

[Jundis]

Now I am tempted to buy the 42126 :D

Great clean build!

One question: Are you sure about the shock absorbers placement? I'd rather would place the soft ones on the front and the harder ones on the back?

[gyenesvi]

14 hours ago, 1gor said:

Viktor, simple build yes, but simple as beautiful 

11 hours ago, Jundis said:

Great clean build!

Thanks, glad you appreciate simplicity :)

11 hours ago, Jundis said:

Are you sure about the shock absorbers placement?

In this setup using the soft ones at the front was very weak, because the shocks are angled a lot. In the rear position they are in a more upright position, so it's stronger there.

I tried a couple positions in the front, but it was either too soft or the A-arms were too steep or too flat or the travel would have been too short. This angle was the one I liked the most for a buggy.