Page 1 of 1

Torro M16 chassis + AHHQ M3A1 upper

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2025 2:47 pm
by 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
M3A1_1.jpg (1.01 MiB) Viewed 147 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
M3A1_2.jpg (1.94 MiB) Viewed 147 times
You can see the problem here, a 3mm gap.
M3A1_3.jpg
M3A1_3.jpg (634.92 KiB) Viewed 147 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
M3A1_4.jpg (882.75 KiB) Viewed 147 times
M3A1_5.jpg
M3A1_5.jpg (707.94 KiB) Viewed 147 times

Re: Torro M16 chassis + AHHQ M3A1 upper

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2025 3:29 pm
by 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

Re: Torro M16 chassis + AHHQ M3A1 upper

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2025 4:42 pm
by Kaczor
This is exactly the conversion I'm planning. I'll be watching with interest.

Re: Torro M16 chassis + AHHQ M3A1 upper

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2025 5:21 pm
by jarndice
PainlessWolf wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 3:29 pm 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.

Re: Torro M16 chassis + AHHQ M3A1 upper

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2025 6:27 pm
by 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

Re: Torro M16 chassis + AHHQ M3A1 upper

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2025 9:01 pm
by MonsieurTox
PainlessWolf wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 3:29 pm 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!

Re: Torro M16 chassis + AHHQ M3A1 upper

Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2025 9:12 pm
by MonsieurTox
jarndice wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 5:21 pm
PainlessWolf wrote: Wed Dec 31, 2025 3:29 pm 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...

Re: Torro M16 chassis + AHHQ M3A1 upper

Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2026 12:03 am
by jarndice
M Tox Bonne Annee,
Shaun.

Re: Torro M16 chassis + AHHQ M3A1 upper

Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2026 1:49 am
by MonsieurTox
jarndice wrote: Thu Jan 01, 2026 12:03 am M Tox Bonne Annee,
Shaun.
Merci mon ami !

Re: Torro M16 chassis + AHHQ M3A1 upper

Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2026 10:59 am
by 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.