My First E-Dune Runner

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Today I scored some used stock losi wheels and tires while at the track. I had wanted a set of these b/c I have heard they perform fairly well and the tread life is good. To my surprise they are actually taller than the stock tires which means they are much taller than the rovans I'm running.

But the biggest surprise is their weight. All the weights I'm listing are wheel/tire all mounted up and ready to run. The front rovan weighs 14 oz, the stock front weighs 17 oz, and the losi weights 22 oz. That's an extra half pound per tire! I'm a firm believer in reducing weight to increase the power/weight ratio when it's easy to do so and wheel/tire combos is one of those places. So I'll be dismantling the losis to see where all that weight is.
 
A couple changes are on deck in the near future:

1. put the belt drive back in but I'm not going to take it any further. I know I order more belts and pulleys to improve the design for others to attempt but that's not a priority. The next things are

2. The hex adapters to run losi and hpi wheels pushes the wheels out and makes the track wider. This is good for somethings and bad for others. It adds additional stress to the suspension components. I'm going to mill the hex off on the outside and use the inside hex to narrow the track back to stock. I'll just do this for the front for now.

3. strengthen the suspension arm hinge pin area. I suspect this is a common weak point of the arms and I found out first hand. I'm thinking bout sleeving this area to add strength.
 
Deluge said:
I believe the Losi wheels are a bit more reinforced than the HPI wheels. More webbing, etc. Could be why they're heavier.
Click to expand...
I think you are right. I did take one apart the losi wheel this morning and the foam inside is 5 ounces itself. I need to take apart a stock wheel and the rovan to compare.
 
Here is what I'm talking about when I mentioned milling off the outer hex on the adapters. I checked the wheel clearance before I did this to be sure it would clear. I still need a way to either thread (a die I do not have) or use a spacer to take up the space between the nut and wheel. If anyone knows the thread and pitch of this please let me know and I'll see if I can get the die to cut them. I don't like the sleeve idea but that might be my only immediate option. I will only be doing this to the front adapters for now.

8115004348_4488060f4b_z.jpg
 
Thanks, I'll subtract that off the price of the mill as it continues to pay for itself ;)
 
One side done. The spacer doesn't protrude out nearly as far as I thought it would. It looks beefy, but I'd still rather have more threads.

8116074617_7c49e99e82_z.jpg
 
Next up is helping the front suspension arms to stay on the car. My last outing the hinge pin pulled through the front of the suspension arm from a front end landing that was quite hard. My theory is to add an additional connecting point between the hinge pin and the suspension arm. This should help spread the force the hing pin puts on the suspension arm.

This is what I came up with. The hinge pin passes through the piece of black delrin and the delrin is connected to the arm droop screw hole.

8117913084_a87b480796_z.jpg


The delrin is also flush against the inner brace so the force will be against the control arm and not just the screw holding it on.

8117903203_764548e79f_z.jpg


I would have preferred aluminum but I didn't have any 1/2" thick pieces laying around. Also the aluminum may give it too much strength and instead of the control arm breaking the pin bends. Well this is all just theory until I get it on the track and test it out.
 
RCDAD said:
Looks good. Very innovative.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I hope it works.

So is the control arms a common breaking point on the DR, particularly the hinge pin location? Are there any other areas I should know about while I have it torn apart?
 
Amazing Service from http://www.rcpitstop.net!!!

I ordered 2 sets of front suspension arms, 1 set of rears, front steering and camber links yesterday morning from RCPITSTOP http://www.rcpitstop.net All the parts were at my door this afternoon!!!! You cannot beat RCPITSTOP and RCDAD service!!
 
Good to hear!

Another month or so and shipping starts to slow down as the holidays approach. :)
 
mulepic said:
Here is what I'm talking about when I mentioned milling off the outer hex on the adapters. I checked the wheel clearance before I did this to be sure it would clear. I still need a way to either thread (a die I do not have) or use a spacer to take up the space between the nut and wheel. If anyone knows the thread and pitch of this please let me know and I'll see if I can get the die to cut them. I don't like the sleeve idea but that might be my only immediate option. I will only be doing this to the front adapters for now.
8115004348_4488060f4b_z.jpg
Click to expand...
Pitch info...

http://www.redcatrampageforum.com/showthread.php?t=6337&page=4
 
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