captian_insano
New Member
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- 4
Time to start another thread! Like I had mentioned briefly in my other build thread, I recently picked up a used but in good condition factory black HPI low cg chassis and roll bar. Despite the website saying it doesn’t fit X models, I have a spare (if not very grubby and missing bits) X 4.1 roller chassis, so I figured I’d give it a red hot go and see whats what!
The aforementioned low cg chassis:
Step 1 was to tear down the beater roller and clean it up, absolutely filthy:
As you can see, it is missing a couple shocks, the rear bumper, brake linkage and radio lid were robbed for the Truckzilla for the time being until I order a couple X style radio boxes and another linkage, needs brakes for sure and maintenance.
Shocks I'm not worried about as I have a new set of A720 big bores and a set of six A712, Ill probably be using the big bores, if I happen to come across an HPI suspension conversion, I may switch to the A712’s just for looks, I like the purple and silver shocks and the look of more shocks, and the kit only lets you use 6 anyways, 2 in the front, but thats a future wish:
The chassis kit didnt include the needed low cg engine plate unfortunately, I tried asking the seller if they had it but its a Japanese ebay reseller and they do massive amounts of sales so asking about it went no where really, so instead I got an Integy purple Savage X plate, for the time being:
I also had picked up a fairly good shape F4.1 for this roller not long after I got it, seems to have decent pinch but it needed everything clutch and flywheel related, got all the bits to do that but forgot to get a screw for the end to hold the clutchbell on, so I’ll need to look in the stash to see if I have something that’ll work or order one up:
I got the rear bulkhead all cleaned up, and mounted new control arms and knuckles. I had the old but unused suspension from the last parts Savage X SS kit I had used to make the Truckzilla but swapped on the aluminum arms and knuckles, so those went on this, they have adjustable upper arms to boot!
It was at about this point I noticed things did not want to fit together, and I initially thought it was because somehow, Savage X bulkheads put the diff input at a different angle or spot and it hit the engine plate. It wasn’t until looking at the pictures on HPI’s website that I realized the low ch plate has a cut out in the back to clear the input cup, not just extra clearance down the middle for the chassis. DOH!
I then discovered Gazzmann’s thread on asking if anyone had a low cg mount from a few years back, and seeing the solution of just cutting a factory plate and support, and drilling and tapping an extra screw for support, so for the time being, the drive cup is removed and its front wheel drive! The original engine plate will donate themselves to be modified in the future. For now, I cleaned up the transmission, radio box, installed some Amazon servos for throttle/brake and steering duty, used them a few times and been happy with them so far for the price! 35kg for steering and 25kg for throttle action:
That’s all for now, need to get the front end cleaned up and swap on with the other a- arms and knuckles. Progress will probably be slow on this one, some recent unexpected changes at work, along with other expenditures recently (a healthy addiction to RC parts being a part of the problem lol) means I need to pinch some pennies for a while, I had ordered most of this a while ago and it just took ages to come in and collect. List of things needed still for this are:
-New fuel tank, I had robbed the one from this truck to go on my first savage when it leaked bad.
-Rear bumper, was missing initially when I got it.
-Radio box, really just need the lid but theres a good deal whole boxes on ebay so probably will get a few to put in multiple trucks.
-Brake linkage from the transmission, was robbed for Truckzilla so need that for this now, or to put back on from Truckzilla and new one goes on there.
-Usual fuel lines and various bits of hardware, like the clutch bell screw and whatnot
-Wheels and tires, have the factory X style ones but not a big fan of them really, Id love a set of Nubz for these but theres only been a single 2 pack on ebay of them and they want a pretty penny for that, got some amazon Chamoo random 17mm hub, 140mm diameter truggy style ones for my Revo, may get another set for this too, either in white or maybe with black wheels and keep the theme all black and purple’d out.
-Body, I have the stock X 4.1 GT2 body that came with the X SS kit as well, its basically new minus a blemish from the body post trying to poke a hole in it while shipping but otherwise in nearly as new shape, not sure what else Id go with, I like those GT2 bodies actually, and I think if you buy a clear one it comes with a duckbill wing to bolt on so maybe that, but open to suggestions!
-Gotta figure out the engine plate, will probably just modify the stock one and put it on and this Integy can go to Truckzilla or the stash for now.
-Brakes, they’re well past time to be changed, are the newer red fibreglass ones still the best overall, or the older stainless steel ones?
I did also see the website says it needs a pullstart and I can see why, I don’t think I can get a rotostart wand on the backplate as is but Ill have to try and see sometime. Need to get this engine fired up too and see if it’s gonna run, may need to order up a piston/sleeve, I see they are still out there so thats nice. For the time being, a bit more cleaning and putting back together is all this thing will probably see! If you know of, or have a low cg engine plate you willing to part with, hit me up, I am interested in getting one.
The aforementioned low cg chassis:
Step 1 was to tear down the beater roller and clean it up, absolutely filthy:
As you can see, it is missing a couple shocks, the rear bumper, brake linkage and radio lid were robbed for the Truckzilla for the time being until I order a couple X style radio boxes and another linkage, needs brakes for sure and maintenance.
Shocks I'm not worried about as I have a new set of A720 big bores and a set of six A712, Ill probably be using the big bores, if I happen to come across an HPI suspension conversion, I may switch to the A712’s just for looks, I like the purple and silver shocks and the look of more shocks, and the kit only lets you use 6 anyways, 2 in the front, but thats a future wish:
The chassis kit didnt include the needed low cg engine plate unfortunately, I tried asking the seller if they had it but its a Japanese ebay reseller and they do massive amounts of sales so asking about it went no where really, so instead I got an Integy purple Savage X plate, for the time being:
I also had picked up a fairly good shape F4.1 for this roller not long after I got it, seems to have decent pinch but it needed everything clutch and flywheel related, got all the bits to do that but forgot to get a screw for the end to hold the clutchbell on, so I’ll need to look in the stash to see if I have something that’ll work or order one up:
I got the rear bulkhead all cleaned up, and mounted new control arms and knuckles. I had the old but unused suspension from the last parts Savage X SS kit I had used to make the Truckzilla but swapped on the aluminum arms and knuckles, so those went on this, they have adjustable upper arms to boot!
It was at about this point I noticed things did not want to fit together, and I initially thought it was because somehow, Savage X bulkheads put the diff input at a different angle or spot and it hit the engine plate. It wasn’t until looking at the pictures on HPI’s website that I realized the low ch plate has a cut out in the back to clear the input cup, not just extra clearance down the middle for the chassis. DOH!
I then discovered Gazzmann’s thread on asking if anyone had a low cg mount from a few years back, and seeing the solution of just cutting a factory plate and support, and drilling and tapping an extra screw for support, so for the time being, the drive cup is removed and its front wheel drive! The original engine plate will donate themselves to be modified in the future. For now, I cleaned up the transmission, radio box, installed some Amazon servos for throttle/brake and steering duty, used them a few times and been happy with them so far for the price! 35kg for steering and 25kg for throttle action:
That’s all for now, need to get the front end cleaned up and swap on with the other a- arms and knuckles. Progress will probably be slow on this one, some recent unexpected changes at work, along with other expenditures recently (a healthy addiction to RC parts being a part of the problem lol) means I need to pinch some pennies for a while, I had ordered most of this a while ago and it just took ages to come in and collect. List of things needed still for this are:
-New fuel tank, I had robbed the one from this truck to go on my first savage when it leaked bad.
-Rear bumper, was missing initially when I got it.
-Radio box, really just need the lid but theres a good deal whole boxes on ebay so probably will get a few to put in multiple trucks.
-Brake linkage from the transmission, was robbed for Truckzilla so need that for this now, or to put back on from Truckzilla and new one goes on there.
-Usual fuel lines and various bits of hardware, like the clutch bell screw and whatnot
-Wheels and tires, have the factory X style ones but not a big fan of them really, Id love a set of Nubz for these but theres only been a single 2 pack on ebay of them and they want a pretty penny for that, got some amazon Chamoo random 17mm hub, 140mm diameter truggy style ones for my Revo, may get another set for this too, either in white or maybe with black wheels and keep the theme all black and purple’d out.
-Body, I have the stock X 4.1 GT2 body that came with the X SS kit as well, its basically new minus a blemish from the body post trying to poke a hole in it while shipping but otherwise in nearly as new shape, not sure what else Id go with, I like those GT2 bodies actually, and I think if you buy a clear one it comes with a duckbill wing to bolt on so maybe that, but open to suggestions!
-Gotta figure out the engine plate, will probably just modify the stock one and put it on and this Integy can go to Truckzilla or the stash for now.
-Brakes, they’re well past time to be changed, are the newer red fibreglass ones still the best overall, or the older stainless steel ones?
I did also see the website says it needs a pullstart and I can see why, I don’t think I can get a rotostart wand on the backplate as is but Ill have to try and see sometime. Need to get this engine fired up too and see if it’s gonna run, may need to order up a piston/sleeve, I see they are still out there so thats nice. For the time being, a bit more cleaning and putting back together is all this thing will probably see! If you know of, or have a low cg engine plate you willing to part with, hit me up, I am interested in getting one.
