BUT, we seem to be back in business with the blogging and so I guess I’ll update a bit on what’s been going on and what projects I’m working on!
BAJA 5B to 5SC conversion: This ‘little’ project has taken on a life of it’s own! And, as is the case with many projects that we as hobbiests take on (remember – I’m a hobbies FIRST and a writer second!) has become somewhat cumbersome and slightly expensive! But, I digress….. My original intent was (and actually still is) to convert my Baja 5 B to a Baja 5 SC by adding the SC parts and a short course body. Sounds simple, doesn’t it?? Well, the problem with THAT was that all of the part numbers weren’t initially released by HPI – remember, they’re rolling out a new model and they have a LOT of things to do. BUT, the information finally became available so I called my local Hobbytown here in Kansas City and had good friend Eric Jones order the parts necessary to do the conversion. In addition, I ordered a RC Prototypes Tripp TT body (not true SC but it covers the wheels and is VERY durable). About 2 weeks into this project, I realize that I don’t have any wheels and tires to fit the new ‘incarnation’ of the 5 B so that set off a whole new round of buying, selling and trading to get what I need.

The bottom line to all of this is that I have the truck it’s self assembled, wheels and tires on the way and my good friend Mark Smith (who lives 190 or so miles away from me) has the body and is beginning to get paint applied. He even asked me if I have a Wagner painting system that he can borrow….. I’m hopefull to have everything together to show you in a few weeks; I really think that this whole project will be worth it BUT, if I were to be starting it today, I’d probably do it a bit differently starting with selling my 5 B and buying a 5 SC/SS kit… But, be that as it may, we’re off and running with this project and even managed to install my JetPro down exit track pipe on the ‘new’ truck!

So, here’s a couple of pictures to get you going (not the greatest but theres only ONE Walter Sidas – my hero!) and a bit of an idea where I’ve been and what I’ve accomplished.

So, that’s where I’m at as of today; I’ll have more pictures and information as the week/weekend progresses.

AND, hopefully I’ll get some tires mounted so it looks a bit more like a truck!

AND, a special thanks to Tony Phalen for the manual information he got for me – these things are a LOT easier to assemble when you have a book to go by!