FG Baja 4WD Good/Bad?

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hamster huey

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I am looking for something different to run with my Rampages. I started checking these out. How to they compare to the Ramp. So far I noticed belt drive, somewhat open diffs and short shock range of travel. They look stiff on the suspension. Are the diffs viscous? Are the shocks fluid filled? Anyone know what needs to be beefed up on these? Or what else is different from the Rampage?


http://www.davesmotors.com/s.nl/c.885035/n.1/it.A/id.6108/.f
 
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Id ask Moo, im pretty sure he had one. If I remember right, Moo sold his and got a Rampage. I will say if you have to have something other than a Rampage I would look into an MCD, or a Nutech.
 
I love my fg monster beetle but fg made such a stupid mistake when they released there 4wd.


1st off it will always be the 20 year design that they have just rejigged to switch from 2wd to 4wd instead of completely starting from scratch and doing it properly.


Also being belt driven i feel this is a weakness in itself but have not seen a belt failure first hand.


you can buy a conversion kit for about £260 so you can make a 2wd 4wd and know one person who's done it and are very pleased with the results.


The main running gear of the fg is very good - cable tie the front upper and lower arms so they don't keep stripping the threads out of the hubs, alloy hubs are a good investment though and alloy engine mounts really need to be added otherwise the car keeps going out of mesh.


Only real bind i find with the fg is it shakes apart and im forever losing grub scews and screws plus the design means you have to take alot of the car apart to do simple maintenance.


But all told, the fg is loads of fun and puts a huge smile on your face - as with all models it has its good and bad points.


i prefer this 4wd version :


http://www.modelsport.co.uk/?CallFunction=ShowSpecification&ItemID=33787
 
What about the thunderbolt II. It has :3 viscous planetary diffs with spider gears and steel helical cut rings and pinions, all steel drivetrain, alloy chassis braces, shock towers and hinge pin holders, CNC steering knuckles, 6mm shock shafts, 8mm turnbuckles, a genuine CY 26cc engine, a 2.4Ghz OEM radio with independent EPA, a beautifully painted body, preinstalled electronics.
 
Think thats called the ftx punisher over in the uk - very new release and i personally don't know of anyone who's got one - think it nutech that make them who took over from smartech - who are a good company so it may well certainly be worth a look.


http://www.modelsport.co.uk/?CallFunction=ShowSpecification&ItemID=34677


Have you considered the FS racing monster truck ??


its the clone of the MCD truck - my mates got one (FS) and its awesome !!
 
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Once you go 4wd, you don't go back. Some version of the TB2 will be my next RC unless I can talk the wife into an MCD :D
 
I have 2 rampages now, and Im on my second 5bss (sold the first one). I am going to convert the 5bss to a 5tss. I am considering something different for my 5th 1/5. I prefer 4wd stadium truck/buggy size tires for my driving style. I do like the way that MTs jump but I like the responsiveness of less rotating mass.
 
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I'm keeping my ramp MT but am seriously considering the nutech (either fuego or MT) These so far seem great but there is no history of parts support like the ramp has; however a reputalble dealer (Scott with Vancouver Hobbies) has picked these up. So far they (Nutech) are talking the talk and in testing seem to be walking the walk but I want to see an official release. I waited for a year and then pulled the trigger on the Ramp MT V2 roller which was a good move for me and may wait for the nutech for 6 months to see what if any problems arise.
 
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Ive also considered making my own Largescale car. For the price of a Nutech TB2 Pro kit, I could buy all the equipment needed to make my own. I miss welding and working with my hands. So it might just be the thing I need :)
 
hamster huey said:
Pwaicon you had a belt Comp right? Mooman?
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I have the FG Baja 4wd Comp and it has been a great buggy. I can’t really comment on the RTR version, I don’t know how well the plastic holds up compared to mine which is all alloy. I know a lot of people don’t like the belt drive system they prefer the shaft drive instead but I have found the belt drive is super efficient. My FG Baja has had some minor issue, nothing major, and I can tell you I have no doubts about the belts durability. I can honestly say that my FG Baja Comp is far superior to my Rampage in both build quality and durability but then again it better be for 3 times the price. I try to never recommend a car as everyone has different tastes; all I can do is give my experience with a particular RC. I will say though, I do not regret buying my FG Baja Comp it is a great buggy.


I also have the Nutech TBII Pro Race buggy and when it is released is should have a price tag of around $1300 and come in a kit form w/o an engine (the RTR is about $849) about at half the price of the FG Comp and a little less than the FG 4wd RTR version. So far the prototype I have been testing has proven to be a very nice buggy with some minor issues that Nutech will address before its release date. I have had a Smartech Titan (the predecessor of Nutech’s line of 5th scale RC’S) for at least 2yrs now and it has been one of my favorite RC’S to date. It had its issues and lacked the support it needed to really take off in the US, but Nutech took the design improved it and is giving it the support it deserves.


It is hard trying to narrow car choices down, I like them all and would own them all if I could. As it is I already have 9 large scale RC’S and know I should stop but something tells me I will pick up another one sooner rather than later. ;) That’s right I am an rc-aholic. :D
 
Thanks Pwaicon, I saw most of your vids and post with the step by step build of the comp. Its very nice. After you put the 2 speed on I really wanted one! There is support for FG but barely any for the new Nutech. With the new Nutechs out I will wait and see what kind of support/availability they get. Pipeous what are your thoughts? Ive been following you guys on the Nutech forum. By the way I still want to keep my Rampages going. I have no reason yet not to continue ownership. Parts/aftermarket support keeps getting better.
 
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