I Am Jon

Recieved my buwizz on Friday and knocked up this simple little creation. Super light, just 2 L motors, few gears and some big wheels. Runs both ways up and does pretty cool wheelies and flips. Doh, forgot where to upload images for posts. Got it now:

Got a ebay bargain 42005 Monster Truck for £20 today. After a quick "A" build I decided to have a go at my first PF mod. Bit ugly but only have a few bits of modern stud-less to play with so was kinda a challenge to get it working at all. Started out rebuilding the back-end with an XL motor, then rebuilt the front around a servo motor and finished up rebuilding the middle to hold the AA battery pack. Not going to win any competitions with it but pretty pleased for my first proper mod . Shame it's not 4X4 but think I need a second diff and a few extra parts to make that work. Due to the heavy battery, slightly soft suspension and rear wheel drive it does tend to stretch out a bit in reverse, good going forward though. Still need to try and pretty it up with a few of the original panels. Seems ebay bargains are the best way to grow my collection unless after a specific part. Got my eye on the 42037 Off Road Buggy now

That's what I've already been doing off ebay, just got a new set to get me started then a few extra bits. It looks like for the useful suspension bits: shocks, ball joints, arms, hubs etc I either need to buy a truck kit or buy parts individuality in which case it's hard to figure out what bits to get. Managed to find a basic stubless beam steering rack and differential as mini kits. I remember the steering in my 8860 was very fragile and the old style diff doesn't look up to running the newer high torque motors. Already been on a spending spree and have loads of new parts to play with so will see what I can do with them before spending more. Edit: I see you can order replacement parts direct from lego.com. Probably the best way for me to go, already got an idea of some parts I want. Will build up a list and put in an order sometime.

Thanks to my niece I am getting back into lego having not used much since the 90's so studless beams are all very new to me. I still have loads of vintage technic stuff the prize set been the 8860 car, all the parts are mixed up now so would struggle to fully build it again. Just bought the 42095 power functions remote racer and a few other bits and pieces on ebay (extra studless beams, steering rack, servo motor, balloon wheels and differential) to update my collection. Went for a studless set over the 76112 Batmobile as I already have a lot of the old studded parts. Loving the new construction options the studless parts bring but will keep mixing with old parts in my own builds. Not so bothered about looking realistic or clean, just like experimenting with different wheel setups etc. I find the old studded parts better for random embellishment with classic lego bits which my niece enjoys. Edit: I'm envious of all the elaborate suspension setups posted on here. Don't think I can manage much more than the setup used on the 8860 with the parts I have. Is there any cheaper way of getting started with the custom hubs, ball joints etc rather than buying another expensive kit like the 42099?