After having discovered the Chinese 1/12 scaled D90 MN-90 and, more forced than by choice, soon targeted some technical upgrades, we decided that we should try to convert one of our short-wheelbase “90” Defender bodies into a “110” long version of it. The smart and easy design of the chassis should not be an issue to extend, while all mechanical components could easily be re-used, with a slight extension of the rear prop-shaft ! The plastic body would be the hardest part to work on. Cutting it right, of course, but also adding the missing length panels and glue, or weld, them ? To answer that question, first, you must know that MN-90 body are made of ABS plastic.
To discover how to work on this plastic material, just visit the dedicated web-page about ABS plastic welding on our website.
Cutting the spare body
Of course, this part requires a bit of fore-thinking, as there are many ways of cutting to insert new panels. But only a few ways will give you a better result, and save time in finishing the future body lines.
Keeping the roof stripes aligned with the new roof length. Keeping the lateral sliding-windows at the right place. Adding two rear doors. Locating the alpine window at the right place. All this will require smart cutting…
Think twice, cut once. Better than the contrary…
Chassis frame build
People do it in different ways: some are using the original untouched 90 frame, only extending the rod bars to the new wheelbase, some are cutting a D90 frame and tinker it patching, gluing, to make it longer. I chose the clean approach, which requires more work and tools. I build a new frame from an 1.5mm aluminium plate.
It took me around 2h maximum in total from raw plate stage to the ready-to-build 110 wheelbase frame.
I add 3.5cm in the middle section of the frame and 2cm at the back. Front obviously remains identical to the original, since the Defender 90 and 110 frames are same from the front up to the gearbox anchoring. So are the model versions.
You can notice that the design was made slightly thicker than original on the sides of the frame. This gives extra durability and extra space if tinkering some fixing point is needed.
Some black paint and it looks ready to be assembled ! Very happy with the outcome and little effort to get there.
KYOSHO - Rocky 4WD 1/10 