In another section (see MT Fundamentals), described are ways to set up a proper H.O. Monster Truck course for a more realistic Monster racing event. Here we'll look at ways to get your Marchon Monster through such a treacherous course.

    The heart of any slot operated Monster Truck is the pick-up system. After all, it is this drop arm style system which enables your Monster to do what it does best... drive OVER things!!!

    While the stock p.u. system of your Marchon truck may be 'adequate' for the factory set, improvements could be had. But once removed from this 'controlled' environment, a Marchon truck becomes a fish out of water.

    What do I mean by controlled environment? In this case, we go back to the track/course.

     In Marchon's set, the track obstacles are fixed, mostly even across the top, and will never change. While this may be fine for a toy race set, realistic racing on a track of your own design spells trouble. No longer are things fixed or even. Your truck is now hitting bumps, holes (such as between cars), and driving at angles Marchon never intended.

    When dealing with slot Monster Trucks, the word to remember is "loose". The more 'free' your p.u. is, the more 'wild' your truck can get w/o loosing contact with the track.

     One thing you'll want is to get "more drop in your arm". This will allow your truck to 'fly' higher, enabling you to hit obstacles harder... and quicker... w/o pulling the guide pin out of the slot.

    This modification is a simple matter of sanding or shaving down the "arm stop" at the rear of the p.u. arm (dia. 1). Don't shave TOO much or the arm will drop below the electrical contacts.

    Another thing to watch when increasing the amount of drop in the p.u. arm is arm angle vs. guide pin location. Place your truck on a piece of test track and, looking from the side, lift your truck straight up. Depending on the amount of added drop you've achieved, the guide pin may de-slot (or come very close) before you reach the arm's maximum swing. If this looks like a problem, the guide pin must be moved forward. This is done by replacing the pin.

    Remove the stock pin and super glue a T-jet pin backwards to the arm deck as shown (dia. 2). It is best if you can find a T-jet 'backup' pin (the long red or white ones). This pin is much longer and can be easily cut down for even better adjustment.

    Now, turn your truck upside-down, take hold of the front of the p.u. arm, and move it from side to side. You'll notice it is fairly tight and does not move much. This may sound good. However, should your truck get the least bit sideways, it will fight the arm and (due to physics) the weight of the truck will pull the arm out of the slot. What you'll want is some side movement (play) in the arm.

    For this, slightly shave (elongate) the p.u. mounting holes in the chassis (dia. 3). This will allow your truck the added freedom to do what IT wants with time to recover before ripping the arm out of the slot.

     BE CAREFUL and shave very little. Shaving the mounting holes a little will translate to a lot of movement at the other end of the arm. You'll want only about 1/8" movement each side off center (1/4" side to side swing at the front of the p.u. arm).

    Also, DO NOT destroy the hole holding tabs (tight area at the bottom of each hole) or the p.u. arm will not clip back on and/or stay in place.

     With these modifications in place (whither racing on stock Marchon Monster Truck track or a track of your own design), you should notice a marked improvement in the performance of your Marchon Monster.