42004 B model Mods

[Saberwing40k]

So I finally opened my 42004 set, and built the B model, so that I would have the mini turntable. Something immediately jumped out at me, and that was the fact that there was no mechanism to control the bucket tilt, aside from moving the thing yourself. I looked at the sizeable pile of spare parts, and thought, why couldn't I modify it to include that mechanism? This mod is incredibly easy, and as mentioned before, only uses the parts left over from building the B model. I'm actually kind of shocked that Lego did not do this originally, as it's very simple, and would not have required any additional parts.

Well, enough of my blabbering, let's get to building!

Start with the B model:

Then, remove the following parts: the bevel gear from the steering control, the 2 L liftarm from one of the steering arms, and the bush above it, and remove the side of the bucket linkage with the axle joiner, as shown.

Then, pull the following parts out of the pile of extras: A 9L beam, and a 7L axle. everything else should be easily recognizable.

Now, assemble as shown in the pictures:

Now, knock out the 4L axle holding the arm to the chassis:

And remove the piece from between the arms. (It's a liftarm with both an axle and a pinhole.) Put that piece on the empty steering arm.

Put the arm back together, and thread the 7L axle through as shown.

Now attach the arm piece, which you built a couple of steps ago. ( I actually made a mistake with this, the liftarm holding the two pieces together should be facing the other way.)

Now add the control knob, which should be fairly easy to make.

Now put the bucket linkage back together.

And you are done! So, do you like this?

Edit: Booyah! 300th post!

Edited March 3, 2013 by Saberwing40k

[Someonenamedjon]

Nice! It makes it look more realistic.