The Upgrade Kits Thread

[unluckiness]

It’s ₱989 on Shopee. I was able to find a listing by sheer dumb luck because it doesn’t include the usual search terms most people would use. I gave it a shot and should arrive in a few days.

[Deformation Replenishment Accessories] Witwit Chess WK-01 SS86 Tongtianxiao Shoulder-Reducing Accessory Bag Integrated Deformation ABS Material (Only Accessory Sold, Excluding Toys) | Shopee Philippines

Buy [Deformation Replenishment Accessories] Witwit Chess WK-01 SS86 Tongtianxiao Shoulder-Reducing Accessory Bag Integrated Deformation ABS Material (Only Accessory Sold, Excluding Toys) online today! Brand: No Brand/No Registered Trademark Size: Below 8CM Model: Accessory Bag Commodity...

ph.shp.ee

The platform cancelled the order automatically since the seller didn;t send it out. I messaged them again since I really do want to get my hands on this.

 

[Superomegaprime]

I got DNA DK-73 in the other day, only put some parts on my 86 Devestator, while I got some 3D printed parts in a little while ago for him, I'm mixing and matching between the two, for example, the parts that attached to Dev's arms, I don't like the DNA ones because its doesn't suit the general look because its like falling off a cliff or rather the shape of the letter L, the drills are pretty cool looking, the only part I got a issue with, is for Scrapper, I need to sand it down a bit so that Scrappers legs can close together normally as it doesn't want to close properly with the part in, thou the main reason I bought the kit was for the hands, the other kits for the Constructicons have been uninteresting and made the worse part of him, his back, look even worse, so I never bothered with the kits until this one appeared on my radar, sure there's alterative heads in the kit but they are of Prowl, not Devi, so I not put them on!

 

[unluckiness]

The platform cancelled the order automatically since the seller didn;t send it out. I messaged them again since I really do want to get my hands on this.

They told me to go buy from another store lmao. No other listings though...

 

[Exatron]

I got DNA DK-73 in the other day, only put some parts on my 86 Devestator, while I got some 3D printed parts in a little while ago for him, I'm mixing and matching between the two, for example, the parts that attached to Dev's arms, I don't like the DNA ones because its doesn't suit the general look because its like falling off a cliff or rather the shape of the letter L, the drills are pretty cool looking, the only part I got a issue with, is for Scrapper, I need to sand it down a bit so that Scrappers legs can close together normally as it doesn't want to close properly with the part in, thou the main reason I bought the kit was for the hands, the other kits for the Constructicons have been uninteresting and made the worse part of him, his back, look even worse, so I never bothered with the kits until this one appeared on my radar, sure there's alterative heads in the kit but they are of Prowl, not Devi, so I not put them on!

I'm exactly the opposite. I wanted the upgrades for the individual bots, and I hated the huge bulge in the middle of his back. It's still not fantastic with the DNA kit, but I like it soooo much better than without it.

Meanwhile, the dedicated Devastator kit does absolutely nothing for me. That was an easy pass.

 

[Gizmoboy]

I canceled my Monstructor upgrade kit order. I realized I like the little bugger the way he is. That money will pay for some of my other preorders.

 

[Superomegaprime]

I'm exactly the opposite. I wanted the upgrades for the individual bots, and I hated the huge bulge in the middle of his back. It's still not fantastic with the DNA kit, but I like it soooo much better than without it.

Meanwhile, the dedicated Devastator kit does absolutely nothing for me. That was an easy pass.

I don't like the bulge in the middle either, honestly, much of that part could of been used to make a extra constructicon to resolve the issue of the combiner mode legs, its just that I'm keeping him in combined form, the separate bot upgrades are not worth the money as they do very little for them

 

[Sciflyer]

I'm sure that some are aware of this SS86 Astrotrain add-on kit from DNA: https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/product/dk-98-86-train-upgrade-kit-198825?variation=391797

So for almost $100, you can have an Astrotrain that still looks like that.

 

[unluckiness]

To be fair I dunno what exactly they could have done, but maybe they should have sat this one out.

 

[The Mighty Mollusk]

The best thing they could've done would just be a lighter and a can of gasoline. But gas is pretty expensive right now, so.......

 

[Sciflyer]

I don't know what else they could have done, either, except nothing. I understand wanting to try to improve that Astrotrain, but at some point in the design process, DNA probably should have just faced the music and stopped. Nothing integrates well: they've got slippers adding...height, I guess? Panels for arms, a way-too-big rifle, and a huge trailer for Astrotrain to haul around, just like the WFC version.

 

[The Mighty Mollusk]

The original toy had a hilariously oversized rifle too, especially for a toy with such tiny stubby arms, so I get that part.

 

[unluckiness]

The only way I can see an upgrade kit working are redesigned limbs, which would probably cost nearly as much to design and manufacture as an entirely new Astrotrain and still leaves the terrible torso.

With the upgrade kit, Astrotrain still has Shaggy proportions but he's wearing a jacket several sizes too big.

DNA probably should have just faced the music and stopped.

You can see the point the designer gave up with the shuttle. All it got is a small gap filler thsat partsforms and doesn't even fill up the entire gap.

 

[The Predaking]

So forgive this slightly off topic question, but is there a place to buy 3rd party accessories kits? Like weapon packs and stuff like that?

 

[Superomegaprime]

So forgive this slightly off topic question, but is there a place to buy 3rd party accessories kits? Like weapon packs and stuff like that?

The three places I recommend are:

Ebay
tfsafari
aliexpress

Of course it depends what sort of accessories and upgrades you are after

 

[unluckiness]

Depends on what you want and where you are.
China cracked down on eBay, so the pickings there are slim. Most online retailers sell DNA kits. For the 3D Print stuff and smaller scale kits, I believe AliExpress is the go-to for US. TF Safari stocks some and is more of a traditional e-retailer but doesn't get all of the 3D print parts.

 

[The Predaking]

Thanks! I will check that out!

 

[unluckiness]

Tried taking out the pins in Magnus’ shoulders to see how feasible the kit would be. Not too bad. Broke the pin punch kit i bought for the purpose but the job got done. Needed my own hammer since the watch hammer was useless and pliers to pull the loose pin out. I suggest removing the torso block from the hips and using the arm removal feature to minimize damage and inconvenience. Place the part to hammer on a folded up towel when you hammer. Watch pin punch kit helped although it broke after the first shoulder and i used the removed pin to push out the second. The red shoulder flaps also need to be removed but the pins there are really short so it should be easy compared to the long ones.

 

[Superomegaprime]

Tried taking out the pins in Magnus’ shoulders to see how feasible the kit would be. Not too bad. Broke the pin punch kit i bought for the purpose but the job got done. Needed my own hammer since the watch hammer was useless and pliers to pull the loose pin out. I suggest removing the torso block from the hips and using the arm removal feature to minimize damage and inconvenience. Place the part to hammer on a folded up towel when you hammer. Watch pin punch kit helped although it broke after the first shoulder and i used the removed pin to push out the second.
View attachment 39427

Magnus has been disarmed, clearly he cannot battle the Decepticons any longer!

I'm not a fan of removing pins, I done it only once on CW Optimus, I could never get the pin back in fully after I done the swap, so I will not attempt to do that again

 

[Rhinox]

Was forced to ship my BBTS pile of loot. netted me two DNA kits. one to turn my blue Grimmy into Godzilla and the Star Optimus kit.

Both are fantastic bits of kit. Love the new hands for Star Convoy (sorry, I can only say Star Optimus for so long). Way better than the hands for the Ark and for Armada Prime (both big disappointments)
The sword is magnificent and huge and awesome. The shiny chest and head crest look great and all are easy to install.

 

[unluckiness]

Ordered the Magnus kit from an online retailer. Looks like there's no option on local shopping platforms. Almost twice the cost after shipping which sucks but eh, it's still not too bad.