Front Springs

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Chief409

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Can't get to the buggy to measure this right now, so does anyone know what size the front springs are. Front springs for a 5B are 23X133mm. Redcat doesn't state the size.
 
I ordered a set of stock HPI 5b front springs from DDM. I had a chance to check out a 5b today and if they are not a exact fit, they're close enough. And for $13.50, not a huge investment like billet pieces. $22 for a gas cap, $25 for a carb vent filter. I can see the HPI and Losi guys paying those prices, but me I'm just a Ol Desert Rat running a 'Cat. The tank cap and the vent filter are the only bling I've ever ordered, 'cuz the buggy needed it. I prefer to spend my $$ on "Go Fast" mods, like a OBR Prostock 30.5 and a OBR Full Race kit with a 2mm stroker crank for the stock 2 bolt rebuild. With Fast Eddy Ceramic crankshaft bearings.

Stay tuned...
 
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The front springs are 114mm tall and the inner diameter is 23mm. The rears are 124mm long.
 
I went ahead and ordered a set of the black 5B front springs at DDM. I looked at Losi 5 springs however they appear to be 32mm dia. Later I'll try the 5B rear springs after I check out the 5B kit assembly manual, curious about the 2 springs per side, but the extra length in the back is good, I had to use plenty of preload on the back to level the buggy with the stock springs. I'll try 30W shock fluid in the front to start (I just happen to have 2 bottles sitting on the bench), and 40W in the rear shocks. Nice thing is HPI has 3 different types of springs, soft, stock (black) and hard. The black front springs are much softer then the stock DR springs. I checked that out yesterday on a 5B at the LHS.
 
Yep the losi's are a much larger diameter and take some modifications to get them to fit. But I like them and some day I'll probably make a shock body to fit them.

8291848892_c55f2f7b43_z.jpg
 
I need to measure the OD and length of the 5B rear shock body. If the OD/length of the DR shock is the same, the the sleeve which joins the upper and lower 5B rear springs can be used. I'd use 5B shocks, but HPI uses M4 machine screws, Red Cat uses M5 machine screws to mount shocks.
 
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All this is reminding me of turning my Slash 4X4 into a SCT track monster. All that's Slash is 3 diffs, the Rx box and the driveline. And the stock body, wheels and tires that go on for the Traxxas RC runs when TORC shows up for the final race of the season at the fairgrounds. But there are LOT's more parts available for any 1/10 SCT build then 1/5.
 
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Gonna try the 5B rear springs, and use the lower set only as I didn't locate the spacer between the springs yet. If the lower spring only isn't enough I'll order the spacer.

Also, don't buy a fancy billet gas cap, the filler on a Red Cat tank is 35mm, the others are MUCH larger. RC Pit Stop has aluminum tank caps for Red Cat's if you want "Bling".
 
Chief409 said:
I ordered a set of stock HPI 5b front springs from DDM. I had a chance to check out a 5b today and if they are not a exact fit, they're close enough. And for $13.50, not a huge investment like billet pieces. $22 for a gas cap, $25 for a carb vent filter. I can see the HPI and Losi guys paying those prices, but me I'm just a Ol Desert Rat running a 'Cat. The tank cap and the vent filter are the only bling I've ever ordered, 'cuz the buggy needed it. I prefer to spend my $$ on "Go Fast" mods, like a OBR Prostock 30.5 and a OBR Full Race kit with a 2mm stroker crank for the stock 2 bolt rebuild. With Fast Eddy Ceramic crankshaft bearings.Stay tuned...
Click to expand...
The Baja front springs are a great fit for the MT/DR rear shocks.

The longer section of the Baja rear shock is a fit for the MT/DR front shock.

The all come in different rates so you can fine tune your suspension for your needs.
 
RCDAD said:
The Baja front springs are a great fit for the MT/DR rear shocks.The longer section of the Baja rear shock is a fit for the MT/DR front shock.

The all come in different rates so you can fine tune your suspension for your needs.
Click to expand...
Wish I had known that.
 
I put the rear Baja 5b stock springs on the front, front on the rear. The springs on the rear are longer then the stock DR rear springs, and required less then half the amount of preload to level the truck vs stock. 30W fluid in the front 40W in the rear. MUCH more suspension travel now, but still stiff. Nice thing is now I know there is lighter, or stiffer rate springs available if the suspension requires more tuning. But first would be different weight shock fluid of course.

All this came about after I viewed the 1st video from the GoPro I mounted on the DR. It was banging across the dirt, the front suspension hardly moved.

 
That is a really cool vid. I like that you can hardly hear the engine. Lets you hear more of the car. The suspension might be a little stiff but was doing its job. If you were jumping the stiffer springs would come into play more.
 
All part of tuning for where you're running. I shot the vid on a relatively smooth stretch with one or two small (for the DR) jumps. Other places are lots rougher with dirt bike ruts and bigger jumps, one place is an old BMX track, and a stiff suspension doesn't handle it well. It travels like a stone skipping across the water. Very unpredictable handling.

Just part of the FUN FACTOR! :)
 
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Great vid! Not many buggy's have the deck space to mount a GoPro. As soon as I get some mods completed, I'll mount the camera on the Photo Buggy and get some dirt action posted.
 
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About 4 min into the vid u can c the nieghbor came out and stood there and stared at me. He wasnt happy. Then the other day he came out and yelled at me for running it mid afternoon. I asked him if he yells at the gardeners when they mow the lawn at 8am. He said no and the streets arent made for rcs. Btw all the other neighbors were out with their kids watching the rc run up and down the street that day. None of them complained. Kne of the dads even came up to me and checked out the dr with his infant lol oh well theres always one that doesn't like it
 
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