Like the seats, once the chest screws are removed, the top/bottom of the torso separates easily from the head end. The trunk portion will come off but as you can see, it's very easy to put the 2 round swivel joints back in when you're done.

NOTE: The bottom part is still attached by the 6th screw and also the bottom-most part which acts as the swivel is one of those permanent pressed joints which is a good thing because that holds the rigidity and the torso piece together along with the 5 replaced screws at the end of this process. Believe me, once complete, the torso is just as secure as original, except you can now pivot the windshield at this permanent joint (if you get my drift).

Step 4 shown below is a better angle of how the top end of the torso separates, enabling you to swivel the whole top torso portion around, exposing the secret 6th screw in the pic after this.

Here's the 6th screw. Take 'er out!

 

NOTE: This is the most delicate step in that when you are swiveling the top half of the torso around the ball joint for the hips will come out. CAREFUL because this are may get stress cracks if you are impatient. Take your time and see how the parts will move against each other.

Also, before actually separating and swiveling the 2 main torso pieces, take note of which orientation the hip ball joint piece is before removing it. I've shown what the hip ball joint looks like in the lower right portion of the pic.

 

You can do it!

After taking out the 6th screw, replacing the ball joint, and CAREFULLY swiveling the torso pieces back together, you can replace the trunk portion and seats/rear window. Then replace the 5 screws shown in the second sequence pic. NOTE: The longer of the 4 large screws goes in the 2 top holes (top meaning towards the head).

 

Now you can swivel the steering unit/windshield around 180, but carefully lift it over the stick shift which you can see dead center in the pic below. Easier to see if you have your Tracks right in front of you.

 

Also NOTE: I removed the legs and doors for clarity of the pics. I suggest doing this also because it'll make it a lot easier to 'operate'.

Now that I have the doors back on, you can see how the windshield now folds up against the rear window, making a clean looking back section. Also, Tracks waist is not cluttered anymore.

That's it. Now since this is my 2nd time doing it, I've learned a few pros and cons.

 

Pros:

1. Looks awesome IMO!

2. Posing of the legs is no longer hindered like it was before (although the dashboard does hinder backward upper leg movement). BUT the bulk of the kibble is now on Tracks back and not his behind.

3. No problem with transforming Tracks back and forth to car mode. The swivel joint which allows the steering column, windshield to rotate appears to be one of those permanent 'pressed-in' for lack of better terms-type of joints. Know what I'm trying to say here; anyways it's somewhat late and I think you get what I'm trying to say.

 

Cons:

1. You need to pop off one door to swivel the steering colum/windshield. Some may not like having to do this, but for me I don't care. I just like the robot mode better and that's just my opinion.

2. If you're not careful, a stress fracture may form where you must separate the two torso sections to reach the secret 6th screw.

3. My right side door is somewhat loose from poping it off so much. I pose mine in robot form and keep them in a glass display case. Usually transform them 3 times a year. I just like looking/staring at them like they are models anyway. So for someone who likes to play with theirs, I don't suggest this mod at all.

 

Pretty even with the pros/cons huh? Well, for me being a display collector with these things, the pros of the bot mode make up for all the cons together. JUST BE PATIENT AND CAREFUL for those of you with modeling skills or are hands-on kind of people.

 

Anyways, the final product, especially the swivel joint that is formed is as tough as any other Binaltech-type switcheroo/transformation step.

 

Thanks for the interest. I can say I enjoy mine and I guess that's all we can ask for in the end!!

 

Happy TFing! = )

The last pic I put the doors on the wrong way. Oopsie.

 

Not sure if I carified things or just scared the hell out of all of you. If you're mechanically inclined at all and you own a Tracks and are over the fact that you will 'void your warranty' but just don't care, then give it a swirl.

 

Post if anyone does this too and let everyone know what you think of the mod when you see the thing in front of you!

 

Later all! Sorry for overposting too!!

I kept trying to fold TRACKS' Doors, Windshield & roof together as a "Backpack", but couldn't see what was stopping the movement.

 

Thanks for Sharing your discovery. We need more Curious, Inventive Fans to be active on these Forums.

Hello JETFIRE-Alt:

 

Unless you like the doors/wings at his sides, kinda-like Samurai armor, try 'inverting' his doors so that the outer body panels face inward. You can kinda see this in the first few poses. This allows the doors to come flush with his sides when the door's 'elbow' links are pushed up as shown. >>I haven't had any chiping of paint because the doors will come into contact with the rear windshield which is plastic. (Then again, if you have the Alt version, chipping won't be a problem anyways)<<

 

Then the side mirrors can either be folded outwards/reversed or make a small gap between the rear window and front windshield and they kinda just tuck in there. This also allows unhindered arm movement.

 

I don't know why, but even when the doors are placed 'Samurai-style' as is originally shown in the manual, it looks better than stock. Maybe because the joints where the doors meet the windshield is now higher and on his hips as apposed to floating behind his legs. Just my thinking anyways.

 

Thanks for the feedback too!

 

KT

I did the mod as well, but am also having trouble rotating the Streering wheel/windshield assembly. It wiggles a little from side to side, but something is preventing it from rotating. Is there a tab or something else other then the screw that held it in place?