Dune Racer, steering mod

[TomcoPDR]

Not sure what the best section to post this under.

Anybody got one of these Dune Racer power wheels?

Anyways, bought 2 for friend's little girls for their Christmas.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/IMG_2923_zpsc6f86e21.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/DSCF1019_zpsf063cfab.jpg

I was so embrassed how badly they perform in terms of steering (can't even use the term "understeer") the girls were just bumping into walls to straighten the cars out in the warehouse... And being a responsible automotive personel, that's not how I wanna raise someone else's daughters to learn how to drive in this city thinking bumping into shit is the norm.

To begin with, the assembly was kinda ANNOYING, though I understand, not much the manufacturer/design could do, in order for these to fit in a box. But I definitely would not recommend any single moms attempting to put this together by herself.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/IMG_2925_zps1a30f427.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/DSCF1017_zps278064c2.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/DSCF1016_zpsab26540e.jpg



So I got the car in possession for storage space from the friend, initially I started taking apart the entire the subframe to see how I could make the steering better... Considered full custom welded independent (automotive like) suspension, ball joint steering links, etc...
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/DSCF1052_zpsd7b575b2.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/DSCF1056_zps1a3384c2.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/DSCF1057_zpsc761533f.jpg



This is where you parents luck out, I did all the time consuming work... Just cause I'm short on time, in the end, I just came up with a quick, 10-15 mins simple steering mod, that'll get ur punk ass brats rolling style again.

Just 2 simple things you can do, to improve the steering on these. (DISCLAIMER: You are modding your vehicle at your and your child's own risk, the manufacturer nor myself take no liability or responsiblity of what you choose to do to your property)

- Shave off some of the steering plastic in steering colum limiter factory design
- Add spacer to factory steering link

First is simple, as pictured, just shave off some of the plastic in the steering colum limiter. Just shave off a little bit at a time (put steering wheel back on, try to see how far you can steer, etc... you don't wanna shave off too much to make that area weak though)
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/DSCF1065_zpsa1f072e2.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/DSCF1067_zpsc0744894.jpg


WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OFF (you'll understand why later)... flip the car up (perfect if you have motorcycle hoist/stand)... The second mod, is to add a space nut BEHIND the steering link, because at factory, when ur just bolting the steer-link to the steering shaft, the bolt tightens up against the bend, which restricts your pivoting distance.

For myself, because I'm not a Beyond baller, and I had to mod 2 vehicles, I saved money by grinding down just 1 nut, and made it into 2 pieces (modding 2 cars)... but try to find the thinnest nut as you can.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/DSCF1060_zps9a670769.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/DSCF1059_zps957735b0.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/DSCF1061_zpsf8cf0ef2.jpg

This picture below is when I was modding the car where the subframe was OFF, so lots of access. (inserting own spacer first, then make sure u put some grease in there, then put the steering link, then the outer nut)... it sucks cuz the threads aren't long enough, so please make this mod at ur own discretion and just keep an eye on tightening the outer nut after each use/play.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/DSCF1062_zpsb1185f42.jpg

This photo below is the second vehicle, after testing the 2 difference, but without removing the subframe... so eariler that's why I said to leave the steering wheel and nut removed, because now you can push the steering shaft up a bit, to get your spacer in.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/IMG_3025.jpg


This is how the steering looks, factory and modded.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/DSCF1073_zps3a4bf0d9.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/DSCF1071_zpse972cffc.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/DSCF1074_zps0042732b.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/DSCF1072_zpsfc9837ad.jpg

Continues...

[TomcoPDR]

Road testing.

To make sure the mod was effective, I isolated testing conditions with markers, then steered before acceleration.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/IMG_3023.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/Tomcompany/Dune%20Racer/IMG_3024.jpg


Here's left steer, factory car.
BNKN-KnuHhs

Here's left steer, modded
cHTkoRNudKU

Right steer, factory
UT2Kan1dfoc

Right steer, modded
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[Unknown303]

:rofl: This is awesome! Nice post.

[Cos]

.

[78si]

Did you have to adjust the nitrous?:dunno:

[sumguy777]

"I wanna raise someone else's daughters to learn how to drive in this city thinking bumping into shit is the norm" :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: my co worker just gave me a dirty look i cant stop laughing.

[spikerS]

Originally posted by Cos
I was wondering where the girls got those things. Nice on ya tom

You kidding? The girls like "uncle Tomco" more than they like us.

[TomcoPDR]

Originally posted by 78si
Did you have to adjust the nitrous?:dunno:

Though blow off valves would be good, but IMO, turn signals could be more essential.