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SigEp
Journeyman Modder
San Ramon
CA
USA
100 Posts |
 Posted - 11/12/2010 : 09:42:19
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Picked up a Power Wheels Handy Manny Tot Rod yesterday for $10. Might have paid $10 too much... But it seems in pretty good condition. Plastic isn't faded and the electronics are working with exception to the dead battery.
The outside stickers are shot, so I need to see if I can find a new set of those for not too much.
Couple of ideas I have for it are:
1. Maybe just keep it stock, but switch out the battery for a 6v with higher ah.
2. Upgrade to 12v to make it a little faster.
3. Upgrade to 12v, paint it, and add some strobes to turn it into a mini police car.
Ideas? Anyone know where I can get a sticker set for cheap?
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It's no longer a toy...
Kid Trax Fire Truck - Red
Kid Trax Fire Truck - Yellow
12v Police Tot Rod
Gaucho Grande |
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Podiesdad
Expert Modder
Palmyra
Wi.
USA
714 Posts |
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SigEp
Journeyman Modder
San Ramon
CA
USA
100 Posts |
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Podiesdad
Expert Modder
Palmyra
Wi.
USA
714 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2010 : 10:58:04
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| Glad to help. I've passed on 2 of those Tot-rod things, 1 for $5 and 1 for free. I'm curious to see what you can do with it. |
GAUCHO GRANDE-3 H2s-GRAVE DIGGER-KIDTRAX FIRETRUCK-BLUE THUNDER-2 LAMBOS-MIGHTY MAC-GATOR-2 BEETLES-ETC-ETC-SOME OF THESE RUN, MOST DON'T....YET
"Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads." |
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hypo21
Journeyman Modder
Bangor
PA
USA
477 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2010 : 12:05:10
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Actually, so am I. I am with Podiesdad on this one. Have passed them up, not for free, woudl never pass up free.  , but am interested in what you do with it. keep us posted. |
Getting there... This is just too addicting. Love it. |
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SigEp
Journeyman Modder
San Ramon
CA
USA
100 Posts |
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Miami Hurricane
Journeyman Modder
Coral Springs
Florida
USA
199 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2010 : 14:27:18
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| I've been looking for one of these for a friend's son who turns 1 this weekend, but people down here in S. Fla are CRAZY! One guy wants $100 for his and won't budge much on the price and another won't go below $45! I'd pay about $20 for one with a working battery. |
Jeep Hurricane - Blue
Jeep Hurricane - Green
Cat Skid Steer Loader
Peg Perego John Deere Buck (18v) |
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blake711
Advanced Modder
Skiatook
OK
USA
2622 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2010 : 14:41:05
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| 20 with working battery and charger is realistic in good condition. If I had a small enough kid I would probably do it. My youngest 21 months wants to ride the big stuff like big sis so it would be a waste for me now. I would still like a get set gocart to mod. |
Please sign up at new version of forum at http://forum.modifiedpowerwheels.com/
complexity is the enemy of reliability |
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Miami Hurricane
Journeyman Modder
Coral Springs
Florida
USA
199 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2010 : 16:29:21
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| I was about to buy one of those get set go carts a few days ago for $20, but somebody beat me to it. |
Jeep Hurricane - Blue
Jeep Hurricane - Green
Cat Skid Steer Loader
Peg Perego John Deere Buck (18v) |
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SigEp
Journeyman Modder
San Ramon
CA
USA
100 Posts |
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jparthum
Senior Modder
(77627) Nederland
Texas
USA
2272 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2010 : 17:34:42
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My 2yo's get-set-go kart is his favorite. This car's drive-train may be pretty similar, does it have a 'live' axle (both back wheels turn)? If so, then it's a workhorse! My son does better with the push-button throttle, than a foot pedal. And the wide steering wheel on the GSG Kart gives hime more steering leverage, but also makes it very hard to get in and out of. This one looks very easy to mount and dismount...?
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(pics link to threads)
Fast, Reliable, and Cheap... Pick any two.
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SigEp
Journeyman Modder
San Ramon
CA
USA
100 Posts |
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SigEp
Journeyman Modder
San Ramon
CA
USA
100 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2010 : 10:58:12
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Ok, got a Gruber 12v 12ah battery. I have a 4 - 3 LED strobe set on order as well as some inline fuses. Once that stuff comes in, I'm going to do the cutting and drilling, then strip everything and paint.
I also ordered some clear vinyl sticker sheets that I can "supposedly" print stickers with an inkjet printer. I'm hoping to make some specialized decals to match our local police cars.
Here's the inspiration:
82.17 KB |
It's no longer a toy...
Kid Trax Fire Truck - Red
Kid Trax Fire Truck - Yellow
12v Police Tot Rod
Gaucho Grande |
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GR40 LSC
New Member
Midlothian
VA
USA
36 Posts |
Posted - 11/17/2010 : 19:35:57
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I have a tot rod that the grand parents gave my son before I started modding PWs for him. I have a 12v 7ah battery that fits nicely under the seat without cutting anything. I found that the 12 volt mod was nice when he was small because I could use the handle and actually walk at a good pace behind it. He is a fan of his bigger PWs now, but he still takes the car for a spin every now and then.
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SigEp
Journeyman Modder
San Ramon
CA
USA
100 Posts |
Posted - 11/22/2010 : 09:53:01
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This weekend I cleaned out the gearboxes on the firetruck and re-greased them, so I figured I'd do the tot rod as well.
Here's the before:
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I cleaned it all out and re-greased it with white lithium grease.
The only tricky part was getting the wheels back on the axle. The tot rod has these little locking washers that hold each of the wheels on the end of the axle. Taking them off, you kind of have to wiggle them with some plyers which loosens them. Putting them back on, I found that they were too loose. So I tapped them with a hammer before re-installing them and that tightened them right up.
They're probably designed for one time use. I need to see if I can find them at a local hardware store. I also need to find a tool to make them easier to remove. That was really a pain... |
It's no longer a toy...
Kid Trax Fire Truck - Red
Kid Trax Fire Truck - Yellow
12v Police Tot Rod
Gaucho Grande |
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SigEp
Journeyman Modder
San Ramon
CA
USA
100 Posts |
Posted - 11/22/2010 : 09:58:31
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quote:
I have a 12v 7ah battery that fits nicely under the seat without cutting anything.
I found that the 12v 7ah would fit well, but was looking for a little more run time. So I did some minor fabrication and fit in a 12v 12ah... Sometimes you just need to Tool Time it!
In the rear drivers side part of the battery compartment, there is a rectangular colum that goes up the corner. I found that if I just cut the top off it at the same level as the bottom of the battery compartment, the 12v 12ah fits just perfect. I'll add some velcro to keep it in place, but with the seat there, it shouldn't move much.
Here's a couple pics:
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80.59 KB |
It's no longer a toy...
Kid Trax Fire Truck - Red
Kid Trax Fire Truck - Yellow
12v Police Tot Rod
Gaucho Grande |
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SigEp
Journeyman Modder
San Ramon
CA
USA
100 Posts |
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SigEp
Journeyman Modder
San Ramon
CA
USA
100 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2010 : 19:30:19
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So I did a basic wire job today (including a 30A fuse on the positive) to get it working. My niece and nephew are coming over on Friday and she's the perfect age to test it out.
I did a pre test with a 40 lb sack of salt pellets and discovered a very important thing. With all the extra weight at the rear (big @$$ battery), there is 0 traction up front. When I would turn it with the guide pole off the back, it would just slide strait.
So...I pulled the front wheels off (Thanks by the way to the great posts on how to remove the locking push nuts. The paint can opener is genious and I didn't damage either of them. Popped them each with a hammer and re-used them) and added rubber tread to both. I'll post some pictures on Monday.
Huge difference! Doesn't turn on a dime, but turns as well as it ever did. This thing really jumps forward! But the rear tires spin just enough to prevent whiplash. And at full speed, it's a perfect walking pace. |
It's no longer a toy...
Kid Trax Fire Truck - Red
Kid Trax Fire Truck - Yellow
12v Police Tot Rod
Gaucho Grande |
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jparthum
Senior Modder
(77627) Nederland
Texas
USA
2272 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2010 : 07:11:00
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Nice job!
That does like the same gearbox that's in the 'Get-Set-Go Kart' - they seem to take to 12V like were originally designed for it.  |
(pics link to threads)
Fast, Reliable, and Cheap... Pick any two.
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blake711
Advanced Modder
Skiatook
OK
USA
2622 Posts |
Posted - 11/25/2010 : 09:55:26
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When I saw your remote charging posts. I thought it was push buttons at first like a kill switch. There is an idea now add kill switches to front bumper or make it reverse them vehicle.
Looks good. Where did you get the terminals for the remote charger? |
Please sign up at new version of forum at http://forum.modifiedpowerwheels.com/
complexity is the enemy of reliability |
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SigEp
Journeyman Modder
San Ramon
CA
USA
100 Posts |
Posted - 11/26/2010 : 09:24:15
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| I got the charging posts from an auto parts place called CarQuest. Other people on this forum use plug in charging ports which are more safe for kids. I went this route because they're cheaper (about $3) and they work with just about any charger. |
It's no longer a toy...
Kid Trax Fire Truck - Red
Kid Trax Fire Truck - Yellow
12v Police Tot Rod
Gaucho Grande |
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SigEp
Journeyman Modder
San Ramon
CA
USA
100 Posts |
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Tot Rod
Forum Locked
