DLuders

@ Ondra: If you have something to contribute to this topic, please do so. It bothers me that ~two-thirds of the AFOLs commenting (so far) are giving up on the "Challenge". PICTURES of possible creations may lend to IMAGINATION. I'm sure TLG is monitoring this topic to see whether a TECHNIC Limited Edition set could succeed (or not). This is a modest, conservative attempt by TLG to cater to Technic AFOLS, and could lead to BIGGER THINGS in the future. Do you want rare Technic parts to be offered again, in the colors you want? Now is your chance....

@ efferman: It's great that you are going to submit an entry! I know that you have been experimenting with the 9398 4x4 more than anybody else. I don't believe that additional axles will be allowed, but we'll have to wait for the official Challenge Rules (which may be released in less than 24 hours). The 9398's chassis "platform" could lend itself to many creations, such as a wheeled version of something like Sariel's Lego Technic Moon Rover, with scientific experiments and sampling arms on board:

Please note that "...build anything on top of it [the chassis]. Of course it doesn't need to look like a 4x4 Crawler. The LEGO Technic team is eager to see which models the fans will come up with and which functions you can add to this model." Consider Mahjqa's Stilzkin Bridge Launcher (pictured below). Of course it's HIS MOC, but why couldn't a 4WD, 4WS version be considered by TLG? After all, some real Bridge Launchers are wheeled vehicles. The 9398 chassis is only meant to be a PLATFORM for something "cool" -- everyone has 3 months to submit a good entry! It's been only one day since the nature of the Challenge has been revealed. There are MANY talented AFOLs on this forum who could design GREAT tops for the 9398 chassis -- you don't want some TFOL to win, don't you? C'mon, give it a try!

@ VFracingteam: With the (limited) Challenge information provided so far, it says "Just what you need is to keep the chassis and built anything on top of it....You can use any parts to go on top of the chassis, and LEGO Technic Team is even open to customize some parts for this small production run (e.g. the wheels or something else they still don't know - it's up to you!)." As mentioned earlier, TLG knows that its chassis DESIGN is durable and proven -- I would not think they would care if some/all of the chassis parts were recolored. "As criteria for the designers to select the 10 best models, you may think of: •Overall coolness •Design details •Belief that other people will want to buy your design •Great color schema •It is build-able with LEGO Technic elements •Well though functions •Model/age relationship •Copy of any 3rd party properties or trademark will be eliminated as a potential winner...." @ Conchas: Since you seem to have had some advance "inside information" about the 2012 Lego Technic Challenge, could you contact TLG Technic Designers and clarify some of the questions posed in this topic, in advance of the official Challenge Rules "announcement" coming on Technic.Lego.com ? Not all of the potential 9398 body shell designs need to be "serious". From the popular "Monster Jam" series:

Maybe the 9398's chassis can be recolored to make it either (1) more realistic, or (2) MORE COLORFUL to get more rare colors into circulation? Blue, Purple, Teal, and Green colors would be useful in other MOCs. Maybe one could SPRAY PAINT Technic parts to create the desired colors in the Challenge entry. I know that Mahjqa would like to have MORE TEAL parts.... COMPLETE LDD COLOR CHART from the Eurobricks Digital Designer Forum:

Maybe if he used a more-powerful 99499c01 PF L-motor (instead of a PF M-motor), it could overcome the friction....

The 8049 Tractor with Log Loader set is not available on Bricklink, but there are many possibilities on this German eBay webpage. According to Brickset, this set originally sold for £49.99 / US$59.99 (about 46.68 Euros), so the 49€ price seems reasonable. I would grab it!

xyzzzach had posted this of "the Army's SUGV (Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle) so here it is in Lego format. A normal [robotic] tank would spin out when reaching a cliff front twice the height of its tracks but this one pulls it way over, as you can see. Not the coolest or most complex but fun nevertheless." More recently, Legotechnicalities was inspired by xyzzzach's video and posted this of Lego Dual Worm Inline Gear Box design that he's planning on using on an improved SUGV version (photo-sequence Building Instructions on his (Dirttraxx) Brickshelf gallery):

In his , tank commander Zachariah Macasaet demonstrates his Lego Technic tank steering mechanism for an upcoming, large-scale tank. It uses double differentials:

The wheelbase of the Alfa Romeo GTV6 does seem to be a little long to me too:

mmknope posted this of Paul Boratko's Lego Technic Vampire GT model (red version), and narrated all of its features:

Sariel just posted this of "Sample engines that you can build and expand from my book":

Well done! I like how the new, lightweight Lego PF L-Motors are used here, the easy-access Battery Box, and the suspension is unique. At only 850 grams, it has GREAT climbing ability!

The "challenge" may be to "think outside of the box" -- what could be placed on top of that chassis that efferman shows above?

Recall (from my pictures below) that the 9398's stock tires (the 54120 "Tire 94.8 x 44R Balloon") WILL FIT on the 22969 "Power Puller" wheels, so this may be a GREAT CHANCE to get those rare Power Puller wheels back into circulation! The TLG did indicate that "The intent is not really to make big profit from this special model...", so maybe the Challenge entry could include the 32298 Power Puller TIRES too! Lego Technic 22969 "Power Puller" Wheels on Two Left Tires / Normal Lego 44772+54120 Wheel+Tire Combination on Right Two Examples: Lego Unimog 92912 Tire on 44772 Wheel / Lego 9398 Crawler with 4 Shiny Lego 22969 Power Puller Wheels & 54120 Tires / Stock Black Lego 44772 Wheel + 54120 Tire in Middle:

@ Danilat: You could send me an e-mail (at LudersDG@MSN.com ), and I'll send a Eurobricks Private Message (PM) to Pat-Ard with your exact message wording. You can even write it in German so that nothing is lost in translation.

How about a functional offroad firefighting truck? Lego Pneumatic nozzle?

"You can use any parts to go on top of the chassis, and LEGO Technic Team is even open to customize some parts for this small production run (e.g. the wheels or something else they still don't know - it's up to you!)." How about the Chromebricks.com chromed wheels like Paul Boratko (Crowkillers) likes to use on his MOCs, or other chromed parts that Bricksonwheels likes to use on his MOCs?

If The Lego Group is only going to sell 20,000 of the "Limited Edition" using "Direct to Consumer" channels, it is likely that it will be mostly AFOLs (with some money in their pocket) will be the ones purchasing this set. There was no mention about setting a USD $199.99 maximum price "set point", so one could possibly add additional Power Functions motors, gearing, and parts on the "body shell" to make it "special". Maybe one could utilize TLG's licenses for past Lego themes (to make it more appealing to fans of other Lego themes)?

Don't dismiss participating in this Challenge yet. What about adding studless "accessories" in the spirit of CP5670's Annihilator (from Blakbird's Brickshelf gallery)?

To help with the discussion here, he are the transcribed words from Conchas' TechnicBRICKS YOU DESIGN IT - THEY MAKE IT article: "And yes! It is like the rumors we have heard since the London Toyfair last January, which later I got to know in more detail. In a few sentences, lets see what is it all about: •You're challenged to create your own LEGO Technic model based on the 9398 4x4 Crawler flagship released this year. Just what you need is to keep the chassis and built anything on top of it. Of course it doesn't need to look like a 4x4 Crawler. •The LEGO Technic team is eager to see which models the fans will come up with and which functions you can add to this model. •You don't have to buy the original Crawler, to make and submit your design to the Challenge. You can even submit just a drawing or a sketch about your idea. Don't need to build it in real bricks. Then if this becomes the wining idea, it's the job of the LEGO designers to "brickform" your idea. •The winning design is finalized with a LEGO Technic Designer. •The new set will become available in the summer of 2013 as a 20.000 units Limited Edition along with the new 2013 flagship release and it will be available through D2C (Direct 2 Consumer) channels. •You can use any parts to go on top of the chassis, and LEGO Technic Team is even open to customize some parts for this small production run (e.g. the wheels or something else they still don't know - it's up to you!). The intent is not really to make big profit from this special model, but to engage with the LEGO Technic fans community. Hence the small production will allow to create such fancy elements (if it turns to be the case). •It is not yet clear for me whether you can submit only one, or several models. •On the 1st of October the Campaign will start and you can upload your design at technic.LEGO.com until 31.Dec (11:59 PM). The sooner you'll do it, the better chances to get an higher number of votes or supporters to your design. This is important as you will see below. •Then after returning from holidays, the Technic team will pick top 100 fan voted models and select the best 10, that will follow to the "Go-vote" campaign with the fans. •On 2013 CW2-3, the "Go-vote" campaign will start and the winner announcement should happen on the 22nd of February. •If will be followed by the design of the final model according to LEGO Technic design frame rules and the pre-order campaign should start on 1st July 2013. •On 1st of August 2013 the sales will start through D2C As criteria for the designers to select the 10 best models, you may think of: •Overall coolness •Design details •Belief that other people will want to buy your design •Great color schema •It is build-able with LEGO Technic elements •Well though functions •Model/age relationship •Copy of any 3rd party properties or trademark will be eliminated as a potential winner.... And here are the main keywords for you to read shortly. •Something Special!... How could we make a Technic model special? •... a product to life we cannot do in a standard retail product. •How can we make it special is something we will find out during the competition. Set free you imagination, and take your chance!" Using Conchas' YouTube video posted above, below is when Niels Hendrik talks about the 2012 Legp Technic Challenge details (Conchas' ):

There is this previous Eurobricks topic about George Staples' Lego Technic Suspension Tutorial which may be helpful. Here is his , but there are many accompanying pictures in that previous topic.

@ wolfgang0524: Welcome to Eurobricks! You can find plenty of the black 4459 "Part 4459 Technic, Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise WITHOUT Center Slots" parts on Bricklink.

Sunsky/ sunmint1 posted these two YouTube videos of his Lego Technic "9398 MOD with [Power Functions] XL Motor version 2 -- Gear ratio 35:9 (near to 4:1). Motor axis at the same height as the original 9398 module. Shock absorber connection point is 1 stud higher than the original, and soft (black) shock absorber was used between the body and the module, for better tire grip (but not satisfactory for body pose). Dual [PF] receivers (one receiver for each XL motor) - old ones (not V2). I am satisfied with the XL module 2.0 itself but NOT with the shock absorber choice. With harder shock absorbers, the connection point should be adjusted." shows the performance of the modification, and shows the step-by-step Building Instructions.