Torro M16 chassis + AHHQ M3A1 upper

[MonsieurTox]

Hey guys,

More than a decade ago I bought the Torro M16 (I think when it was released for the first time).
While the chassis and the parts while quite OK, it was a 27mhz transmitter/receiver and the operating range was quite... deceiving.
However I started to detail it. Then it was shelved... I was not into 1/16 stuff at this time.

M3A1_1.jpg (1.01 MiB) Viewed 142 times

This year one of my Christmas gift was a AHHQ M3A1 Halftrack so why not using it on top of the Torro chassis ?

Of course the plan is also to replace the old TX/RX with 2.4ghz stuff.

Well, the conversion can work but need some modification because the Torro M16 is too long or the AHHQ M3A1 is too short... Anyway it can work with some slight compromise.

I chose to do a M3A1 with the winch, I could have left the winch and frame of the Torro M16 but the one in the AHHQ kit is obviously more detailed so I used it.
There's also the option of the M3 with the front roller in the kit.

M3A1_2.jpg (1.94 MiB) Viewed 142 times

You can see the problem here, a 3mm gap.

M3A1_3.jpg (634.92 KiB) Viewed 142 times

It's easy to fix it by cutting 3mm off the rear of the chassis but you also have to move the cross frame by 3mm.

I had to creat an opening into the wall of the driving compartment to make room for the gearbox. It's not that visible and will be even less visible once the driver will be on the seat and the browning will be installed on top.

M3A1_4.jpg (882.75 KiB) Viewed 142 times

M3A1_5.jpg (707.94 KiB) Viewed 142 times

[PainlessWolf]

M. Tox!
Always cool to see a Conversion like this. I have the Torro M16 and one of my To-Dos is to get better electronics for it from Clark (perhaps).
Following along!
regards and Happy New Year!
Painless

[Kaczor]

This is exactly the conversion I'm planning. I'll be watching with interest.

[jarndice]

M. Tox!
Always cool to see a Conversion like this. I have the Torro M16 and one of my To-Dos is to get better electronics for it from Clark (perhaps).
Following along!
regards and Happy New Year!
Painless

Elmod make an M16 control board, it involves very little work to convert it from the Torro analog board,
It fits in exactly the same space as the existing one,
Sound is vastly improved as is the range, Mine cost almost as much as the Half Track but I reckon it was money well spent,
Happy New Year my friend and to the Mate and those Greyhounds,
Shaun.

[PainlessWolf]

Shaun!
A slight Thread Hi-Jack to wish You and Yours a Very Happy New Year! Be Safe (as can be in these Times).
regards always,
Painless, Grifter, Luke and Luna

[MonsieurTox]

M. Tox!
Always cool to see a Conversion like this. I have the Torro M16 and one of my To-Dos is to get better electronics for it from Clark (perhaps).
Following along!
regards and Happy New Year!
Painless

Happy New Year, Painless!
Happy New Year everyone!

[MonsieurTox]

M. Tox!
Always cool to see a Conversion like this. I have the Torro M16 and one of my To-Dos is to get better electronics for it from Clark (perhaps).
Following along!
regards and Happy New Year!
Painless

Elmod make an M16 control board, it involves very little work to convert it from the Torro analog board,
It fits in exactly the same space as the existing one,
Sound is vastly improved as is the range, Mine cost almost as much as the Half Track but I reckon it was money well spent,
Happy New Year my friend and to the Mate and those Greyhounds,
Shaun.

Happy New Year Shaun!
Yeah the Elmod seems to be a good option, however it's too pricey for me, I'd like to keep it as cheap as possible.
I already bought the elrctronics.
I had a 2.4ghz Flysky transmitter that I'm using for the DUKW, I just bought another receiver so I can let the other one inside the DUKW and this new one in the Halftrack.

I bought 2 motor controllers, one is the very cheap small one you can find on Aliexpress, it doesn't work very well, I also bought another one which is OK.

You can't put the electronics where they are on the M16 because the M3A1 has a lower floor (looks like the M16 has an extra metal floor plate that support the guns).

So for now, I think I can hide all the electronics elsewhere, under the engine hood, inside the fuel tanks etc... But I'm not sure about the battery. I don't want to use LIPO for safety reasons. I bought a small 7.2v battery, the original had a higher voltage, the M3A1 is very slow with 7.2v. And the battery is too big to hide it. I think I'm going to buy the same as the Torro one but it's quite visible under the chassis...

[jarndice]

M Tox Bonne Annee,
Shaun.

[MonsieurTox]

M Tox Bonne Annee,
Shaun.

Merci mon ami !

[Kaczor]

There's no point in buying an expensive Elmod designed specifically for the M16. In this case, even a cheap WPL electronics with truck sounds, which also controls the lights and, if desired, a winch, will suffice.