Hey everyone! just have to share -- I finally got my Hustlers back into service! I was having a number of issues with them and finally found some solutions. First, the motor kept shifting causing the Ernst gearing to bind. The second issue was electrical pickup issues. So here are the fixes:
I screwed the motor in place keeping it from shifting and binding the gears. I was able to set the correct gap between the gears and the worm using shims so no more binding.



Second, the rigid frame of the hustlers keeps the wheels from maintaining good contact over even the slightest dip. I finally figured out how to solve this -- a power truck from an old Athearn 6 axle diesel. I gutted the gears so it would roll freely (it is the dummy unit used to house the decoder and for extra electrical pickup). I trimmed the axle cover to allow the wheels more movement. I soldered a wire across the axles to keep them from falling out as you can see in the picture. I also had to grind away the side frames a bit to give the wheel axles some space.


A little acrylic caulk to hold the truck in place and viola! Runs fantastic! I have no more binding and electrical issues.

Now I need to find another 6 axle truck so I can experiment with adding a motor to power another hustler project.

Congrats on the fixes, they are neat little critters!

Nice work. I think I have an Ernst regearing kit somewhere that I set aside for my hustler. The solution to the electrical pickup is noteworthy.