Can I turn my Smartech Hurricane / Titan into a desert race truck

[keith5611]

Here is what I want to do: Turn a Smartech Hurricane / Titan into an HPI 5T clone by changing the wheelbase out approx 570mm, fit an HPI 5T body to it, and use HPI wheels and tires.

The issues I need help on are:
1. Since the front and rear drive shaft are not the same length could I use two of the longer ones to stretch the wheelbase? If so would this get me close enough to the 570mm wheelbase goal so that the axles/wheels location match the HPI 5T body?
2. To extend the wheelbase would it be feasible to make a new chassis from stock aluminum plate with the longer wheelbase or cut the original chassis in half and insert an extension plate?
3. For running the HPI wheels and tires I know I need an adapter. I started a new post on this already and am awaiting a reply.

 

[Shiny]

He what I think:

1) Will maser the difference and add it to the total length.
2) If the write aluminum is available then yes. Better that making an extension (that will be a week point).
3) Their are 2 adapters available in the market.
AMS: http://www.davesmotors.com/s.nl/c.885035/n.1/it.A/id.2865/.f
RamTech: http://www.largescalerc.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1190

 

[mooman007uk]

I'd make a chassis outta 1 piece for off road, or you could cut and add a piece if you get it welded you just have to make sure you use alluminum of at least the same grade.
1 piece would be stiffer.

 

[pwaicon]

Well I wouldn’t call it a clone. I would call it the TitanXL Dessert Racing Truck or HurricaneC5 DRT. I would go with the one piece chassis. I would get a sheet of 6061 T6 and use that to make your new chassis, this is what I did for my FS on road car. You could even use 7075 T6, but that would be more expensive, but I think the 6061 T6 would do the job with no problem. It sounds like a great project, I have actually been playing around with the ideal of making a 4wd sand rail based on the Titan’s drive train. If and when you decided to go with this build you will have to start a build thread so we can all follow your progress. Good luck!!

http://www.discountsteel.com/index.cfm/go/main.product/category/Aluminum.htm

http://www.onlinemetalsupply.com/

 

[mooman007uk]

here's a 60mm longer marder chassis, I've seen longer tiatan ones somewhere in blue but cant find it right nowhttp://www.alu-tec.de/assets/s2dmain.html?http://www.alu-tec.de/

 

[marvo]

Anything can be done with enough time and money.

 

[Shiny]

God luck with the build.
Hope it all goes will.