SandPiper 1:8 Scale Baja race buggy - 2WD Rear Engine by Black Crow

SandPiper 1:8 Scale Baja race buggy - 2WD Rear Engine 

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Are you new to Black Crow Prints? All the STL files are here free on Printables.com. A non printed parts list is below along with easy step by step assembly videos. Help is available, usually within 24hrs. You can contact me thru private message or comments on the makes and comments tab. File updates are always listed at the bottom of each description page. Ways you can help: Let me know when I make a mistake. Share your builds with friends on social media and subscribe to my YouTube channel. If you would like to help me provide these models free to others you can become a “My Club” member. No obligation implied and you will get no special treatment from me other than my appreciation. .. Now go build an adventure. 

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Introducing Sandpiper- Fun! That's what it is all about. The goal on this model was to design a fast, durable Scaled 2WD buggy that can corner and take mild jumps. I wanted it to be easier to build with fewer store bought parts than my other car models. This model has been GPS tested at 20MPH. 

Design: I knew hiding the battery was going to be a challenge so I leaned more towards function and durability than functional leg room. The rear suspension is an old design but strong. The design isn't used much in modern sand rails anymore. The strong design works well with 3D printing so I used it. … And it looks cool! The front wish bone suspension is more modern. The A frames are leaned back to absorb front impact and nose down landings. The body and frame are printed in different directions and layered for strength. The drivetrain is simple using a GT2 belt and gears with extra room for variations in manufacturer design. The biggest design flaw is finding tires. Regular 100mm - 106mm 4x4 tires work well and would be found on a Baja buggy. The Utah/Colorado sand tires are not as easy to find. They are all too big or too small. I have 3D printable tires that work well in sand or snow. They are not so good on anything else. Proline does makes dirt and carpet tires that are the right size. Having two sets of tires might be the way to go. 

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Options: 

Drivetrain -This build does not have many drivetrain options at this time. When speed is the goal the tire size, gear ratio and motor kv are a matched set. A taller tire, higher kv motor or smaller motor will cause electrical overload failure. However you can use a 3542 - 1000kv motor with tires that are less than 90mm.  I am working on a less power hungry 2S version for putting around. (young kids?) 

Tires- Must be less than 106mm in diameter. This model is designed to work with standard 4x4 tires. Most 4x4 tires labeled 100mm are actually 104-106mm. I have 3D printable tires for sand and snow along with snow skies for the front. If you find 100mm tires that will work well contact me and I will make a wheel to fit. The Morrigan has 2.2" wheels that work on this model. Thumper has an assortment of 1.9" Wheels that work on this model. 

Spoilers- Take them or leave them. A bodyRear without the uprights for the rear spoiler will be available soon in the Sandpiper Aftermarket shop- I am working on visual substitutes for the spoiler. Winter options will also be available. 

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History: Many VW Bugs were parted out to build a much lighter vehicle known as rail buggies, aka sand rail or dune buggy. VW Bugs have become rare out on the sand. For a short time they were replaced by the side by sides developed by the motor cycle companies. Thankfully the purpose built sand rails are taking over. Some are amazing!! Check out this water walker. This model is more of a vintage Baja race sand rail with a touch of dirt track styling. 

Just for the record-  The name SandPiper - In the 1980's cool names ended with the letters “er” like Blade Runner, Knight Rider, Bone Smasher, The Gambler, The Joker - You get the idea. They were cool names because they implied action!!  …The 1980's were all about Action! This is not the intention here. SandPiper is just the name of a boring little bird that eats sand crabs. The name SandPiper does NOT imply that it throws sand a great distance with tremendous force ; )

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Intro Video 

Assembly Video 1

Assembly Video 2

Assembly Video 3

Assembly Video 4

Assembly Video 5

Assembly Video 6

Weight- 2.4kg ( 5.3 lbs) with battery ready to run 

Dimensions :

length- 45cm (17.5inches)

width- 25cm (9.75 inches)

height- 18cm (7inches)

Wheel base 290mm  (11.4 inches)

Speed 20MPH (Scale speed 160MPH Weight 2713lbs)

Non Printed Parts: ( Links are US Amazon affiliate

Battery- 3S Hard Case 138 x 47 x 37 https://amzn.to/3zDhmgW or https://amzn.to/4eYCqkc

Motor- 3548 Brushless 1100kv https://amzn.to/3W37J2q or https://amzn.to/4dlKTNb

Motor Wire Extensions- https://amzn.to/4eJs0lm 

Motor wire adapters- 4mm male to 3.5mm female https://amzn.to/3S3VP7h 

ESC- 70amp to 120 Amp 1) https://amzn.to/3NPJ8y1  2) https://amzn.to/3PJ6DJI

Servo- Steering 25kg waterproof https://amzn.to/4cVPt2r 

Tires- 100mm - Important tires are less than 106mm https://amzn.to/3Y3gJab 

Diff Gears- Only using gears https://amzn.to/4f6D39k or https://amzn.to/4upjqjk

GT2 48T Gear- Only using the 48T gear, Cheaper as set https://amzn.to/4feFdnk 

GT2 16T Gear- Only need one- Cheaper as set https://amzn.to/3WoigXp 

GT2 Belt 150mm x 6mm https://amzn.to/47VUwhq or https://amzn.to/3Ni3j3A 

Drive Shafts- dogbone 63mm https://amzn.to/4bJ4BOT Same as Volcano S30 08061

Tie Rods- (need 8 ends) https://amzn.to/4gVJ75m or https://amzn.to/3TWCUfs 

Axle pins- (Need 2 pins) https://amzn.to/3zvgfA9 

Drive stub axle cup- https://amzn.to/3XM10up 

Shocks- 80mm https://amzn.to/3S9PxCX or https://amzn.to/3EUUAnC 

Zip ties- (holds battery in) https://amzn.to/3zEIRGY 

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Supports:

No supports needed EVER!  Supports are built into the Model. 

(Because of the built in supports and fine detailed areas a 0.4 nozzle or Adaptive slicer must be used) 

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Printer Settings:

0.4 nozzle (no bigger because of built in supports)

.2 layer Hight (no bigger) 

Infill:

Body  - 2 outer layers with 5% infill 

Roll bars and suspension:  

4 outer layers with 40% infill or 2 layers with 80% infill

Motor mount and all other parts 2 layer 15% infill

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Hardware:

Bearings:

10x15x4 Need 8 total ( Diff above should come with 2)   https://amzn.to/4cPEnfx 

5x11x4 Need 7 bearings https://amzn.to/3VTBK68  

M3 treaded rod two parts 25mm long ( You can cut this from two 30mm screws) 

Screws: (screws are regular machine thread screws)

M2

4mm - 16

6mm - 48

8mm - 38

10mm - 4

12mm - 12

16mm - 38

18mm - 4

20mm - 6

25mm - 2

(12mm - 16mm) Wheels 32

M3

Nuts - 20

Nylock Nuts - 24

8mm - 6

10mm - 4

12mm - 20

14mm - 10

16mm - 10

18mm - 14

20mm - 28

25mm - 4

30mm - 8

40mm - 2

M4

Nylock Nuts - 2 (Axle Wheel nuts)

M5

Washers

4 Regular M5 Washers  

1 Thin M5 or #10 Washer 

screw M5 -16mm - 2 

M6

6mm - 1 (optional grease plug)

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Update -Oct 7-2024 - 24BeltCover. A prototype version was mistakenly uploaded. The newer version is more forgiving to set screw hole vibration. 

Update -Oct 24 2024 - 14SplindleL 15SpindleR new version has hole all the way through for stronger 40mm screw setup - old version in retired parts 

Update- Oct 25 2024 - Added BeltCovers to requested parts listing that tighten belts by raising the saddle bearings. part 710 and 711 https://www.printables.com/model/396992-requested-and-retired-parts 

Update -Feb 14 2026 - Made looser belt cover standard "common" and tight as an option in this listing. Now you have several options. two options here and more in requested parts. 

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 Parts that have broken on test models 

1 ) internal diff gears (spider gears) 2) hit a tree hard for the third time - front frame and front body  3) broke a dog bone. Broke the pin out. 

 License- Some file sharing platforms are taking files off sites and placing them on their sites without the knowledge of the designer. I am not OK with that. These models are updated here with the feedback given here. I intend to keep the home of this model here. This is the reason for the strict license of this model. I am not concerned with hobbyists sharing and remixing parts of this model, Enjoy