Dragons Hobbies Forum

Radio Control and Models => General RC => Topic started by: Tyco Bandit King on May 11, 2012, 13:54:13

Title: New Bright 9.6v 1997 F150: hobby conversion
Post by: Tyco Bandit King on May 11, 2012, 13:54:13
Most of you at some point have probably owned one of these 9.6v trucks made by new bright with hi/lo gears. Back in their day they were cheap but a lot of fun being able to wheelie and tackle mud pits. I had several versions of the trucks as a kid and think they were one of the coolest little trucks out there. The best years of them were from 1996-1999 before they started using under powered motors.

I thought it would be nice to have one I would once again be excited to drive so I took a solid chassis and started the hobby conversion. Mounting the electronics was the easy part, mounting the steering servo took a bit of careful cutting to ensure the steering was aligned and very strong. I used a metal gear servo so I wouldn't have to replace it twice and fit the stock servo arm onto the hobby arm for the correct steering, it worked well.

Specs:

FM radio

Mamba Micro Pro speed control

Futaba metal gear servo

Stock motor


It can use either a 1650mah 7.4v lipo in the stock battery tray and will run a little more powerful than stock.

If I use a 2100mah 11.1v lipo I mount it under the body, It will wheelie from a stand still in high or low and is much faster than stock.


The body on this truck was originally a faded red. I used to have the same 9.6v black F150 back in 1997 so I took all the lights, windows and roll bar off, sanded it down and gave it a nice paint job. It took several times to get it right but using just a spray can in a cold garage it came out much better than the stock paint, love it. This truck is a total blast to drive and I think out of my entire collection it gets driven the most now. Its sooooo cool have proportional steering and throttle after years of single speed.

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/4runnerhouse/59adb9f0.jpg)

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/4runnerhouse/1b7a0292.jpg)

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/4runnerhouse/cec719a1.jpg)

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/4runnerhouse/b6686a22.jpg)

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/4runnerhouse/fecf0ab0.jpg)

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/4runnerhouse/b6927980.jpg)
Title: Re: New Bright 9.6v 1997 F150: hobby conversion
Post by: czstycor/c on May 11, 2012, 14:16:40
those are sweet trucks!
Title: Re: New Bright 9.6v 1997 F150: hobby conversion
Post by: Brushlesspower on July 03, 2012, 23:59:47
Hitec-55 servo works very well with Tycos and Nikko cars.
Title: Re: New Bright 9.6v 1997 F150: hobby conversion
Post by: poptart on July 09, 2012, 19:10:28
Man that paint came out great for a spray can!!!,,,spray cans can be a PITA to work with in the cold especially on plastic bodys.
Title: Re: New Bright 9.6v 1997 F150: hobby conversion
Post by: Tyco Bandit King on July 09, 2012, 20:27:40
I think i had to repaint it 4 times to get it right. It was about 45 in the garage and i was shocked how well it came out, just takes a lot of sanding and patience.
Title: Re: New Bright 9.6v 1997 F150: hobby conversion
Post by: jeffescortlx on July 28, 2012, 12:05:47
I've got a very similar truck that I did a hobby conversion to also.
My new bright has a different front suspension setup, but gear box and body is the same.
I put a "Rocket 400" 3-7.2v motor in, running on the 9.6 pack.
Low gear is perfect for running in the grass, pulls willys like champ and has tourq like a 540 motor.
High gear is too fast. Does like 35mph, lol

Gear box is still holding up after about 5 battery packs.
Title: Re: New Bright 9.6v 1997 F150: hobby conversion
Post by: Dragon on July 29, 2012, 07:48:45
Do you have any pics of the new steering servo setup?
Title: Re: New Bright 9.6v 1997 F150: hobby conversion
Post by: Tyco Bandit King on August 09, 2012, 12:04:32
Yeah these trucks are waaaay too much fun, this one is the 1st generation chassis of these trucks and they actually started out as a dual motor 4wd from 93-95 then in 96 went to 2wd. In 97 they went to the suspension you probably have used all the way until the trucks turned ugly and underpowered around 00-01. I actually just converted one of the 4wd trucks to a hobby car and wow it takes off hard and flies through the grass. I will post a page for it and a video soon.

Title: Re: New Bright 9.6v 1997 F150: hobby conversion
Post by: Tyco Bandit King on August 09, 2012, 20:31:30
Here are some pictures of the servo setup on the 4wd version, they mount the same except 2wd is easier because it doesnt have the gearbox cuting it close.

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/4runnerhouse/0bb12329.jpg)

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/4runnerhouse/aab2daef.jpg)

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/4runnerhouse/f8f3e0e5.jpg)

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc484/4runnerhouse/1f461e05.jpg)
Title: Re: New Bright 9.6v 1997 F150: hobby conversion
Post by: jeffescortlx on September 01, 2012, 19:54:19
Cool to see a 4wd model. I've got a total of 3, but all 2wd.
Title: Re: New Bright 9.6v 1997 F150: hobby conversion
Post by: Tyco Bandit King on September 01, 2012, 23:32:29
Yeah i love this chassis, i think my 2wd hobby truck is the one of the most fun trucks to drive