Modified Power Wheels - Another Lightning McQueen build

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Another Lightning McQueen build

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Topic

VanillaXtract
Apprentice Modder

New Strawn
KS
USA
63 Posts

Posted - 08/11/2009 : 15:11:01

So my wife and children left for 5 weeks to visit family in CO. I figured this was the perfect time to acquire a ride-on for my 3.5 yr old because:
1. Don't have to worry about her complaining about me spending money.
2. I can take my time to tear it down and upgrade it without worrying about taking play time away from him

My brother found a 12V Lightning McQueen in decent shape for $50 in Orlando. The battery still holds a good charge from what I can tell, so I should be able to sell it on eBay and make back most of that money. I have already bought some switches, a terminal block, circuit breaker, LED's (white superflux from oznium, the rest from eBay), and I have 18 AWG wire left over from various other projects. My plan is to hook up headlights, side markers, tail lights, and exhaust lights. I am not sure if stock motors on a 12V can handle 18V, but I want to do a momentary button for 18V "NOS" shot. Feel free to chime in with any ideas you have for me and I will try to post plenty of pics.

After this billing cycle, I am buying a 12V 12AH for the main power, 12V 8AH for the accessories, and a 6V 12AH for the NOS button if I end up doing that. I am going to go ahead and get 12AH in case I make it a permanent 18V vehicle.

And yes I know McQueen doesn't have any lights in the movies, but my child loves bright things, so I am going to try not to dissappoint.

List of mods done:
Headlights, tail lights, side markers.
21T gear boxes
increased turning radius

12V Lightning McQueen
Monster Jam Grave Digger

Edited by - VanillaXtract on 09/08/2009 12:42:09

gseric69
Moderator

Red Lion
PA
USA

6315 Posts

Posted - 08/11/2009 : 15:20:55

Can't wait to see it all lit up. The 12V motors will 18V pretty well. If you want some extra security you can add some heat sinks to them.

36V Peg Perego Apache - Project: Super Power Police Jeep, 18V Metal Frame Jeep - Project: Sarge
Dragon/Craftsman Pickup Hybrid (WIP), 18V John Deere Off Road 4x4 (Gaucho, SOLD!)
12V Lil Jeep, 18V Turbo Sun Jammer Jeep, 12V Super 6 F150 Blue Thunder,
18V Lightning McQueen & 12V Lightning McQueen w/Duratrax Motors (Sold)
18V Green & Blue Ninja Quads w/19T's, 18V Dora Quad with 21T's
12V Harley Bat Bike w/Duratrax Motors, 12V Pink Harley (Future Trike)
Future Builds: 12V Xtreme Machine, 12V PW Fire Truck, 6V Wild Thing Super 6 & Mach 5
RIP: 12V Super 6 Suzuki Quad w/Seperate Brake pedal (Decommissioned/Parted)

VanillaXtract
Apprentice Modder

New Strawn
KS
USA

63 Posts

Posted - 08/15/2009 : 19:46:07

Here are some before pics. I should be able to get started on it this week.

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12V Lightning McQueen
Monster Jam Grave Digger

Edited by - VanillaXtract on 08/15/2009 19:48:00

gseric69
Moderator

Red Lion
PA
USA

6315 Posts

Posted - 08/15/2009 : 19:48:23

Maybe it's the pictures, but that thing looks mint.

klafon
Journeyman Modder

Shelby
OHIO
USA

102 Posts

Posted - 08/16/2009 : 04:15:17

I would love to find 1 in that kind a shape for $50. My son loves
Lightning Mcqueen, he doesn't miss anything with Lightning on it. He has to point out Lightning at the top of the page everytime I'm on MPW.
Good luck with the mods.

12v KFX Ninja
24v KFX Ninja
12v LIL Quad
12v LIL Quad
12v John Deere Gator
12v Grave Digger
12v Lightning Mcqueen
12v Firerock Jeep with Nitro button
12v Jeep Wrangler
12v Take along tunes Barbie Jeep
12v Polaris 700twin
12v Gaucho

rollndice83
Expert Modder

Lansdale
PA
USA

850 Posts

Posted - 08/16/2009 : 07:50:38

My son is the same way. Every time he watches a kid on here race around in a modified lightning he is all over it. I told him he had a corvette that is red like Lighting and he explained to me that it was completely different lol. Nice find for $50 and good luck

When 18V is to slow...Time to go to 50cc quads
88 Super 6Volt Corvette Project
90 Suzuki Quad Super6 on 12V
12V F-150
12V Suzuki 3-Wheeler(2WD Super6)Current Project
Lifted Fire Rescue Jeep(Upgrading to 21T 18V)
WildThing Super6 Volt
12V Harley(WIP)
Original 6V PW Hot Rod

ecoclean
Senior Modder

coopersburg
pa
USA

1184 Posts

Posted - 08/16/2009 : 08:05:48

looks like a good base to start from. red lights in the exhaust may give it the look of glowing exhaust tips.

3-Gaucho's 18v
Gaucho-Silver 18v (wip)
Driveway Racer X5
6x4x4 Gator - WIP
Yamaha Raptor 660r 18v
Eliminator 19t, 12v wip
Lifted Beach Rescue Jeep
X Machine - 21t 18v wip
JD Power Pull
Dial Corvette
Super BigFoot x 2
Barbie Vette

www.environmentallycleanoption.com

VanillaXtract
Apprentice Modder

New Strawn
KS
USA

63 Posts

Posted - 08/16/2009 : 14:59:55

Thanks. I am currently trying to put some headlights on it. I tried drilling small holes and gluing the LED's from the back. They don't seem to want to stay, so I may drill the hole out bigger and stick the LED through the front, if that makes sense?

Red in the exhaust tips is a good idea. I may rig up red in the exhaust, then when he hits the NOS, have those shut off and have blue ones come on.

For the most part it is mint. The underside of the front bumper and rear bumper look bad, nothing a little sanding won't fix. Also, the rear bumper sticker is mangled along with a couple of the tires (I actually think that is my fault) and one of the headlights. For $12, I can get most of the stickers from hobbymasters, but the bumper one is not included.

12V Lightning McQueen
Monster Jam Grave Digger

VanillaXtract
Apprentice Modder

New Strawn
KS
USA

63 Posts

Posted - 08/17/2009 : 15:27:24

Some new pics of the tear down. I have washed the main body but forgot to clean every other piece. I installed the headlights and took some close up pics. I have a feeling the angle is going to be off, but we will see.

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12V Lightning McQueen
Monster Jam Grave Digger

mjmbrown
Journeyman Modder

West Richland
WA
USA

380 Posts

Posted - 08/17/2009 : 22:17:17

totally jealous about the lightning mcqueen find, my son would give up half of our fleet just to have one mcqueen....gotta love the NOs energy drink for the late night modding. used the NOS power shots for fake NOS tanks under the hood of my gaucho build. my son tells people its super powered juice.

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
- Mario Andretti.

Current Fleet:
Gaucho 4.0
Gator-painted and bedliner
Kawasaki SuperShock
Super6 Blue Thunder
"RC" ToyStory Eliminator
(in progress)
Dora-single seat...soon to be a gift
Barbie--metal frame (rough)

VanillaXtract
Apprentice Modder

New Strawn
KS
USA

63 Posts

Posted - 08/18/2009 : 03:16:24

quote:
Originally posted by mjmbrown

totally jealous about the lightning mcqueen find, my son would give up half of our fleet just to have one mcqueen....gotta love the NOs energy drink for the late night modding. used the NOS power shots for fake NOS tanks under the hood of my gaucho build. my son tells people its super powered juice.

That's exactly what I plan on doing too! I want to strap it in the cabin, just gotta figure out with what.

12V Lightning McQueen
Monster Jam Grave Digger

mjmbrown
Journeyman Modder

West Richland
WA
USA

380 Posts

Posted - 08/18/2009 : 14:57:12

the little power shots fit in some billet aluminum flashlight mounts i had...if i get a chance i will post a pic....also a small fire extinguisher holder (car size) might be able to fit around a bigger bottle.

mjmbrown
Journeyman Modder

West Richland
WA
USA

380 Posts

Posted - 08/18/2009 : 14:59:08

something like these...http://www.evasivemotorsports.com/Merchant2/graphics/interior/sparco_extinguisher_mount.jpg

VanillaXtract
Apprentice Modder

New Strawn
KS
USA

63 Posts

Posted - 08/19/2009 : 15:15:26

That would be perfect except it is $80

12V Lightning McQueen
Monster Jam Grave Digger

VanillaXtract
Apprentice Modder

New Strawn
KS
USA

63 Posts

Posted - 08/25/2009 : 18:54:06

So i unplugged my shifter from the wiring harness and don't know how to rewire it. I wrote #'s on both, but didn't realize it can plug in upside down too. Can anyone help me?

12V Lightning McQueen
Monster Jam Grave Digger

gseric69
Moderator

Red Lion
PA
USA

6315 Posts

Posted - 08/25/2009 : 20:00:38

Acutally the shifter makes it easy. To the left of the upper switch, it says WHITE, and below the lower switch is says RED. The connector that has a wire jumping the two terminals of one end (usually White, sometimes Black or Orange) goes on that with the Jumpered end facing where it says WHITE. The wires coming off the opposite end of that connector lead to the second connector, which is installed in the same position as the first (with the wires coming off of the first connector facing the same way as the second).

And just incase I've been as clear as mud, here's a picture

VanillaXtract
Apprentice Modder

New Strawn
KS
USA

63 Posts

Posted - 08/26/2009 : 01:34:00

Thanks for the help. I understand, but the markings make no sense on why they labeled it white or red.

12V Lightning McQueen
Monster Jam Grave Digger

gseric69
Moderator

Red Lion
PA
USA

6315 Posts

Posted - 08/26/2009 : 06:45:25

quote:
Originally posted by VanillaXtract

Thanks for the help. I understand, but the markings make no sense on why they labeled it white or red.

Originally the wires were white and red where the markings were. They just reuse the same mold for the shifter, even though the wire colors don't always match them anymore.

Divinar
Moderator

San Jose 95123
CA
USA

3057 Posts

Posted - 08/26/2009 : 09:26:55

quote:
Originally posted by gseric69

And just in case I've been as clear as mud, here's a picture

Worth a thousand words. And then some.

Escalade (Rubber tires, LED lights, Key switch, Remote Kill, wings. Wings?)
Lil Wrangler (2WD, 12v, Lights), Dora Jeep (Super-6 @ 12v, lights), Jeep Enforcer turned Aftershock (18v, WIP),
Grape Gaucho A151 (24v, scooter controller, WIP)
~~KFX Quad (Remote Kill)~~, ~~Crushmeister! (Silverado)~~, ~~Limited Edition Jeep (Stock)~~
~~Kawasaki Mojave 250 (Stock)~~, ~~PP Gator (Lights)~~, ~~Home Depot Loader~~, ~~Lightning McQueen (Stock)~~

VanillaXtract
Apprentice Modder

New Strawn
KS
USA

63 Posts

Posted - 08/30/2009 : 14:45:30

Okay I hooked up my switch the way you said. However when I have the switch thrown all the way back (as in the pic), it is reverse. So from front, middle, and back throttle positions I get slow reverse, slow forward, fast forward. The throttle is front to back fast forward, slow forward, slow reverse. What did I do wrong? Here are some pics of my wiring.

Since the one pic isn't too clear, the bottom switch, the top left is a single red and the bottom left is a single black.

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12V Lightning McQueen
Monster Jam Grave Digger

Edited by - VanillaXtract on 08/30/2009 14:51:53

gseric69
Moderator

Red Lion
PA
USA

6315 Posts

Posted - 08/31/2009 : 06:16:49

You know what, that's my fault. I forgot the McQueen Shifter has the wiring reversed due to the orientation of the shifter. The way to connect it that I told you was for a Jeep configuration. What you need to do is just completely rotate the connectors so the Orange Loop wire is 180 degrees from where it currently is installed.

VanillaXtract
Apprentice Modder

New Strawn
KS
USA

63 Posts

Posted - 09/02/2009 : 05:34:22

I should've been able to figure that out on my own. I feel like a 'tard

12V Lightning McQueen
Monster Jam Grave Digger

VanillaXtract
Apprentice Modder

New Strawn
KS
USA

63 Posts

Posted - 09/08/2009 : 00:08:06

It's been awhile since an actual update, but here is some pics of my lights. The wiring still needs to be taped down, but I think it looks decent for being my first real creative project.