Bumpers

[Spackle]

I can't locate a read bumper for the Firehammer MT. The only one I've seen so far is a custom aluminum plate that bolts on the back of the chassis and curves upwards. The rear of the F/MT has mounts/holes that are similar to the front bumper mounts but I have not seen any parts list that shows that a rear bumper has ever been made from the factory.

 

[csp1971]

I can't locate a read bumper for the Firehammer MT. The only one I've seen so far is a custom aluminum plate that bolts on the back of the chassis and curves upwards. The rear of the F/MT has mounts/holes that are similar to the front bumper mounts but I have not seen any parts list that shows that a rear bumper has ever been made from the factory.

Hi Spackle, welcome to the forum!

I believe you are correct, I have not ever seen a rear bumper for the FHMT. I think it is something you would have to either 1) design on your own or 2) adapt something from another brand that would work (like an FG) http://www.kingcobra.co.uk/news/products.php?category=Bling&sub=FG

Not sure if you are in the US or not, but I don't know of anyone that carries too many kingcobra parts.

 

[Spackle]

Thanks for the welcome! I am in the US, I just updated my profile.

Nice bling from Kingcobra! I need a bumper that will protect the FHMT. On my nitro vehicles I get them tumbling end over end on pavement, grass, hardpack. Every time out I break bumpers and supports but no serious damage. I have not done anything but break-in the FHMT so far and am not ready to go out and 'play' with it until I get the rear protected. I don't baby my vehicles

So how does the FHMT hold up to thrash and crash?

 

[csp1971]

Thanks for the welcome! I am in the US, I just updated my profile.

Nice bling from Kingcobra! I need a bumper that will protect the FHMT. On my nitro vehicles I get them tumbling end over end on pavement, grass, hardpack. Every time out I break bumpers and supports but no serious damage. I have not done anything but break-in the FHMT so far and am not ready to go out and 'play' with it until I get the rear protected. I don't baby my vehicles

So how does the FHMT hold up to thrash and crash?

A bit different than the nitro vehicles. You'll find that a 20+ pound vehicle taking a tumble is a bit more than a little 1/8 nitro. They don't take the blows as well as the smaller ones. In my own opinion, you should go with the following to beef up the FHMT:

1) killswitch at www.rckillswitch.com (this will prevent runaways, nothing more scary than your car running off at full speed and not being able to do anything)
2) eventually update the radio to a 2.4 ghz Futaba Pistol. No glitches like with FM
3) Alloy differential from Tower specifically for the Firehammer/MT, the stock is plastic. If this breaks, you will most likely demolish all of your gears in the diff. The alloy one will protect and will not flex.
4) steel pinion, the plastic one will strip: http://www.innovativehobby.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1015
5) Tuned Pipe, DDM pipe will make it rip, plus when you use a LSF as your coupon code, you get 5% off. You can also find their pipes on ebay and usually get a good deal (I paid 120 with free shipping as opposed to 160 bucks at their store).

Others will chime in here (slawhammer?)

 

[Spackle]

Csp,

Yeah, I figured most people aren't really bashing with the 1/5 scale stuff, or at least the Firehammer MT. And besides beefing up the rear, the flimsy roll-cage does not look like it will protect the engine on a serious tumble. So I will probably take it easy for a while, get used to this vehicle and go from there.

1, 2) Installed my Futaba radio system before first run.

3) I went to Tower and the only differential I see is an aluminum/composite one which I'm not sure is really any different that what is already on the vehicle. Do you have a part number?

4) Does going to the steel pinion cause more frequent stripping of the spur gear?

5) Sounds like a good upgrade after I have played with it for a while.

 

[Spackle]

DTX Alloy Diff

3) Nevermind, I found the DTX alloy diff on Tower.

Is the sleeve on this durable? Would it be better to get the Elcon steel case?

 

[csp1971]

Csp,

Yeah, I figured most people aren't really bashing with the 1/5 scale stuff, or at least the Firehammer MT. And besides beefing up the rear, the flimsy roll-cage does not look like it will protect the engine on a serious tumble. So I will probably take it easy for a while, get used to this vehicle and go from there.

1, 2) Installed my Futaba radio system before first run.

3) I went to Tower and the only differential I see is an aluminum/composite one which I'm not sure is really any different that what is already on the vehicle. Do you have a part number?

4) Does going to the steel pinion cause more frequent stripping of the spur gear?

5) Sounds like a good upgrade after I have played with it for a while.

Hey Spackle!

Here is the alloy diff case:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHUB2&P=7


You could strip either I guess. I have a steel pinion and a steel spur now so I don't strip anything. I would prefer to have steel pinion if I had to pick one over the other. The spur will give you a good weakpoint so any breakage won't be transferred to another part. Definitely see what happens after you play for awhile. The cage is actually pretty sturdy. I have had some pretty big bounces and flips from small jumps. I finally broke one last fall. It snapped pretty good but I had a hellacious flip. What is great about the FHMT is the cheap parts at Tower. Over the past couple years, I've stocked up on about every part for a spare!

Have fun!

 

[csp1971]

3) Nevermind, I found the DTX alloy diff on Tower.

Is the sleeve on this durable? Would it be better to get the Elcon steel case?

Absolutely get the Elcon Steel case....I have an aluminum one so I'm still at risk for large chunks of gravel.