Normally I do not cover the release of items like Pit Kits or in this case Deluxe Pit Kits. But, with all rules comes exceptions, like when they include a cool new part, well, we dive right in and bring our readers the latest 411. But let’s start out explaining what a Deluxe Pit Kit is, what comes in the kit and what the cool new part is!
Before we dive into the Deluxe Pit Kit, You need to have a couple of tools on hand. If you have access to Lowe’s in your area, I highly recommend the Kobalt Electronics Tool Set (Part# 759897). This tool set comes will every imaginable small tool you would need for general slot car maintenance. For the Deluxe Pit Kit assembly we will use the #0 Phillips Tip screw driver and the 4.5 mm Socket Drive. As of this writing, Lowe’s no longer offers this tool set, but a similar set can found on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/XOOL-Electronics-Professional-Precision-Screwdriver/dp/B0854JMCSR/ref=dp_prsubs_2?pd_rd_i=B0854JMCSR&th=1
The image below shows all of the parts that come in the ThunderJet version of the Deluxe Pit Kit. You get all of the parts to assemble one ThunderJet chassis and the body that comes with the kit. This release has the 1970 Ford Mustang. The cool new part in the kit is the Metal Guide Pin, replacing the previous plastic part. This is a very welcome addition that will resolve the issues of bending and breakage the older plastic guide pins suffered.
The Deluxe Pit Kits are a combination model kit and slot car, that let’s the owner build their own car. This is a great introduction for new racers to learn how all of the parts go together and gives the experienced racer the opportunity to tweak and tune the car from the very beginning. The next several photos will go through the step by assembly of the ThunderJet Deluxe Pit Kit.
Step 1: The chassis comes with the axles, crown gear and rims already assembled. So we will start with installing the magnets. The blue magnet goes in the front slot and the white magnet in the rear. They are a snug fit, so make sure to press them completely into the sockets until the tops are flush and even with the top of the chassis frame.
Step 2: Next we will add the Commutator or Motor Brushes. These have a slot in the bottom and you want to align the slot with the raised section of the brush leaf spring. You can turn the brushes until they seat on the spring and look similar to the picture above. The raised, flattened area of the brush dome should run parallel to the magnets as shown.
Step 3: Carefully place the Gear Plate Assembly onto the chassis. Make sure your motor brushes remain in the slots. The brushes can easily move if the chassis is jostled or turned over during this step. If the Gear Plate Assembly does not seat easily to the chassis or you think the motor brushes moved, lightly hold the assembled parts together and turn the chassis over to see if the motor brushes are still aligned with the leaf springs and are seated properly. If not, turn the chassis back to an upright position and remove the Gear Plate Assembly, re-seat the motor brushes and place the Gear Plate Assembly back again. This may take a few tries for beginners. That’s okay, sometimes it takes experienced racers a few tries to get everything aligned properly.
Step 4: Once the gear plate assembly is properly in place, you can add the center Idler Gear.
Step 5: Next you can add the Gear Plate Clamp by snapping it in place to secure the idler gear and hold the gear plate assembly to the chassis.
Step 6: Tires are next. Make sure you have the Tires seated against the lip of the rim so they are not distorted. This prevents chattering or hopping when the car is raced.
Step 7: Now we will flip the chassis upside down and work on the bottom components. In this step we will add the Pick Up Shoe Springs. I like to use tweezers to place these on the chassis. It keeps the spring from launching out of my fingers and getting lost. Take your time with this step so you do not lose a spring.
Step 8: Next we will install the Pick Up Shoes. These are the parts that are the electrical contact between the chassis and the track. Carefully slide the end of the Pick Up Shoe into the slot of the electrical component of the chassis. Once in the slot, guide the Pick Up Shoe over the pick up spring and secure the front of the Pick Up Shoe to the plastic tab in the front of the chassis. Repeat this process for the second Pick Up Shoe. Once the shoes are in place, make sure they move freely and are not tight or bound. Also check to make sure the pick up spring is still under the Pick Up Shoe. The Pick Up Shoe should bounce back into the “up” position easily, If the Pick Up Shoe is tight or bound in one position, carefully remove and reinstall it.
Step 9: Now we mount the body to the chassis. Start by installing the Rear Body Screw in the rear body screw post of the Mustang body. Turn it just enough to get the Body Screw started in the post. Next slide the rear of the chassis into the Mustang body with the rear notch of the chassis going under the Body Screw, Once in place, take the new Metal Guide Pin/Body Screw, using a 4.5 mm socket, and thread into the front body post and secure it down lightly. Make sure not to over-tighten the screws. Tighten them just enough so the body does not wobble.
Your finished ThunderJet Deluxe Pit Kit should look like this.
Follow the guide above to oil the chassis before your breaking in sessions and racing.
Now that we completed the assembly of the Mustang ThunderJet Deluxe Pit Kit, let’s take a look at some details about this new metal guide pin. It is an all steel unit that has a 4 mm (5/32nds of an inch) long pin length. The hex collar is 4.5 mm in diameter and less than 2 mm thick. I ran several tests on various types of track and the performance was excellent. The guide pin nor the collar did not snag on sectional track joints and routed tracks saw no issues in performance. The new metal guide pin is longer than a legacy guide pin and does bottom out on the original Aurora Pin and Clip style track with the more shallow slot (See pictures below).
The new Metal Guide Pin in original Aurora Pin and Clip style track. The pin does hit the bottom of the slot and the collar is about 1/16 of inch above the slot surface. Racers using the older Aurora track will need to file off a bit of the new Metal Guide Pin for use on that style track.
The new Metal Guide Pin works perfectly with the newer style tracks with the deeper slots and has plenty of clearance. Pictured is the Auto World/AFX style track.
The back of the packaging has a complete break down of all the parts along with an assembly diagram.
The Deluxe Pit Kits are a great idea and gives the new and the experienced racer the chance to turn some wrenches and get into the building of the cars they race. One last note about the new Metal Guide Pin, all new Auto World ThunderJet releases will include the metal guide pin as the standard part moving forward.