Hey, I recently bought a 8043 set and after putting it together started looking for modifications because I was unhappy with the range of motion and and such and found your modifications. I have used your modifications, and then added a few of my own. I extended the track bed, modified the roof on the cab so a Technic mini-figure could sit in the seat, added a "thumb" over the dipper to be able to pick things up, added a switch so the lights can be turned off to save power for the motors, and swapped around some of the boom, arm, dipper and rotate controllers to where the remotes work the same as the controls in the real thing (I ran one of these for a few years). I am much happier with the model now, I just wish I could figure out the gearing to make the tracks turn a little faster.

Have you tried www.bricklink.com ?

Hi juergen,excellent mod!I'm embarking to execute your mod on mine. However, saw your parts list at brickstore & not sure how to purchase these parts. I'm in Singapore.

great mods well done. i do think that the bucket looks to small and the one in set should be kept but overall an excellent set made even better. i want one .

Very cool mods. I think the XL motor as a lift motor is a good idea. What was lego thinking with that loader bucket on a excavator? I too have made similar mods to this set, but I put the drive motors down below the turn table. I also came up with a different joystick method, I don't think it works as well as that one. Anyway, Great mods. 5/5

Matt, you can check my mod (http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/263386). It is not so advanced as Jurgen's, but may be helpful for you. It uses only standard battery boxes. Maybe when you see these two mods together, you will be able to create something interesting :).

The standard batterybox is bigger & heavier than the rechargeable battery, you'll have to adapt the model.

Excellent modification, your guide would be better if it shown what different bits you added or changed and where you put them etc, also like others the rechargable battery pack is way too expensive so will have to use the standard one, question is is the std one the same size as the mod one? i.e. will it fit into the same place and be able to change batterys easily? Thanks.....Matt

If you send an email to info@jurgenstechniccorner.com, then I'll try to answer your questions.

Hi, i hope you andestand my english. Sry im german and my english is very bad. I downloaded you instructions of model 8043 but i can follow the steps. Can you write in german too to me perhaps to desripe the things you use step by step of your modifikation. i need it more detailed. i hope you answer me best regards also you can write to me a email

Hi Jurgen, Love this mod, I got 8043 for my birthday, and loved the challenge of putting your mod together mostly from parts from other models I have. As Billy says I also don’t have a rechargeable battery pack so had to fit the standard Lego one in. I also have many buckets but none seemed to be the same as the one you used. I have also made your RC cars thanks for the time you put into presenting your creations very appreciated.

very cool

All you need is the 8043 and all the parts on the parts list on my website www.jurgenstechniccorner.com.

Hey Jurgen I'm going to buy the 8043.I downloaded the part list from your website.I undestand that I need to buy the parts that don't have an image.Do I need to buy more parts ? if yes,pls specify. Thanks Micha

Great ideas. I just got all the parts needed and built it, with the exception of the rechargable battery pack, that alone was going to be more than the rest of the parts! I now have to decide whether to just buy it for find a way to make the current battery pack fit. I have to say, while there were a few confusing spots in the directions, I am very glad you took the time to make it so easy to take a model lego, in my opinion, missed the mark on and made it fantastic. Not having to shift gears to use the functions is great, especially since the thing never shifted very well in the first place. I am loving the remote control setup you recommended too. Thanks for the great work!

I will study the exact contruction late, but only from reading the motivation of making th model say to me: This is exact what I am thinking of some LeGO models. You're my brother in mind! Cool. I am new to this community and I will later introduce my designs, which are based on exact the same motivations! As I wasn't able to convice my wife to make this set my christmas present it will take some time until I can ckech this here out. Sorry ;-)

Many thanks for the instructions and the parts list!! Finally I got the rechargeable battery box and I'm very very happy with this set. Very good job man!! Thanks so much and happy new year! ;)

Hi Ralf, Yes, there is a parts list on the "instructions"-page of my website http://www.jurgenstechniccorner.com. Please scoll down and you'll find it together with the building instructions. It's a brickstore file. If you have more questions, you can mail me at info@jurgenstechniccorner.com. Here's the direct link for the parts list: http://www.jurgenstechniccorner.com/instructions/8043%20Parts%20list.bsx

hey Jurgen, do you have a part list to built it like that? I looked at your homepage but i didn´t find it :( i have not so many parts so i have to buy many little parts that you need to built it.

oh yeah, is a very good

I'm working on a parts complete parts list now. It should be ready this week.

Bonjour Jurgen, je trouve tes modifications exceptionelles, as tu une liste des pieces necessaires pour la faire et ou une notice. Merci

Hi Max, Yes, I noticed that the link was wrong, and it was fixed yesterday. So you can download all the parts.

Hello Jurgen, great mod. Congratulations. I just downloaded your instructions. Please note there´s a little problem with the download links on your homepage. When trying to get part 3 the link directs you again to part 2. Maybe you can change this. Other users should know that anyhow it´s possible to get it now by changing the last digit in the address-line (f. ex. change the ...202.pdf manually to ...203.pdf) and you get part 3. Keep on tuning. Thanks a lot. Best regards Max.

A parts-list of the required extra parts is planned for november.

Amazing! Very nice work! I want to try it! Could you take the time and make a detailed extra part list? Because I do not have extra parts and would like to know what to buy and some pictures are not sharp. It would be a big help! You could work for LEGO :)

This is the best MOD what i've ever seen! When i get the excavator, i'll rebuild this MOD!! A partlist will be very helpfully. Greets Daniel

This is totaly awesome!! A parts list for this mod would be great so you could see what to get hold of to build this modded version :)

Hi Routemaster, I was planning to rebuild them only to make the parts lists, not to modify them, because IMO, the model works well. What problem do you have with the track-drive?

Jurgen, I just read on Eurobricks you will rebuild the original 8043 and your mod for a partslist. Could you try to find a better solution for the drive of the tracks? It's all okay when the excavator drives straight but a real pain when just one track drive is needed to turn the excavator. Mostly the track drive from the one with the longer gear train. Would be really nice to read a comment of your thoughts here.

Bonjour JURGEN, Bravo pour cette adaptation du set 8043. Je l'ai réalisé grace à tes instructions et le résultat est fantastique. Cette machine est devenu très agréable à utiliser. Une petite remarque si tu permets, les commandes de la pelleteuse ne sont pas en phase avec une machine réelle mais il est très facile de modifier les branchements pour qu'elles le soient. Encore BRAVO

Brilliant, And the joystick control, i have to copy that one....

Many thanks for the instructions of the 8043 MOD. Finally I got the rechargeable battery box and I'm very happy with this set now. Still thinking about swaping the position of the battery box and the single RC receiver because of the cable between RC receiver unit and battery box. Thanks again for all your efforts, Ralph

These are some brilliant modifications, you really made the model better than the original, I love the improved functions, great job

Propably it would be possible. I would not recommend it, for 3 reasons: (1) the 8878 is much lighter than the regular batterybox and the back of the upperstructure is quite heavy already (2) The 8878 is much smaller. The normal battery-box would have to be placed a bit higher to fit. (3) The 8878 performs better than normal alkaline batteries, cause it gives a more constant voltage. You'll understand that I won't make a 8043-mod with the normal battery-box. I might make a parts list for this mod though.

Thanks a lot for your answer which is very useful : now I can see which stuff I'll have to buy ! I know you already made a great job with your mods and building instructions but I think a complete list of parts which are not in the original set could be a great enhancement that could encourage people to try it. As an exemple, I do not have so much studless stuff and I would like to know if I'll have enought of them before beginning to follow your intructions. Just one more question. Is it possible to try your mods although I would like to keep the original box for batteries ?

I don't have a parts list. The most importand additions are: 1x XL-motor 1x M-motor 1x PF-Receiver 1x 8878 rechargeable battery 2x PF-lights The rest is pretty standard stuff: 8z, 16z and 24z gears, some extra liftarms, axles, connectors, that kinda stuff. Hope it was helpfull.

I would like to try your mod but, before, I would like to know if you made a list of pieces which are not supplied with the original set. Are there a lot of it ?

Fantastic mod, I definably have to try this when I get the excavator