My MT...Work in progress...

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

evildomain

Well-Known Member
Messages
315
Reaction score
0
Ok, I've gotten some things done on my MT. The truck isn't running


yet but that hasn't stopped me from getting started on some of the


upgrading.


First off, I lowered the body mounts(pretty easy). I ordered a new


Pro-line Desert Rat body before the truck even arrived. I'm going to


attempt painting it this week. My first time doing something like that


so please don't blast me if it comes out looking like crap...lol


My buddy Steve was going to get it painted for me and flip the bill


but I really wanted to try it myself. Maybe I should have thought that


through? I really appreciate the offer anyway.


I installed some Pro-line Desperado wheels(rears) all around with Hostile


Racing MXT's(rears). The tires are not screwed on yet since I don't have


the foams but should be arriving this week. Also waiting on the HPI baja


rear hex hubs.


Next up was the dual steering upgrade. I thought it was going to be


a direct bolt-on kit but I was wrong, again. Some holes had to be drilled


and you have to align it right. No big deal but did take some time. I used


two HS-5745mg servos and had to mod the Hitec alloy horn to get enough


servo arm movement. Steering moves real quick now. Throttle servo will


be a Traxxas 2075 waterproof digital.


Installed my Spektrum Telemetry system with the RPM, temp and voltage


sensors. I made an aluminum bracket for the RPM sensor and mounted it


using an existing hex screw on the throttle servo aluminum base(pictured).


RPM sensor will be triggered by the main center diff gear, worked well. The


temp sensor is wrapped around the engine head which should give an


accurate engine temperature reading. The voltage will be read directly from


the battery instead of the receiver. This will help me avoid any of those


famous Spektrum brown-outs. The Telemetry module is velcro mounted


atop the receiver box easily accessible in case I need to remove it for


whatever reason. I'll probably wrap the module with a balloon to protect


it from any water damage.


My most important upgrade is the Pico kill switch. I was not going to run


the truck until I had one installed. Couldn't risk a runaway and possibly


hurting someone. I thought I had picked up a modded kill switch at a great


price($19) only to find out I was wrong, yet again. It was the standard


unmodded switch. Thanks to the help from a couple guys on HBF I was able


to mod it myself and save a few bucks in the process. I waterproofed it and


mounted the switch beside the stock engine kill button(pictured).


I'll be using the HPI High Response clutch pads with DDM 7500rpm spring.


The engine has a 28.5cc headkit installed and that clutch should get power


to the wheels pretty easily. Sprint77 is modding an HPI SS tuned pipe so


it has better low end torque while still being tucked away under the body.


In the meantime Flint Man donated a stock gutted can for me to use until


the tuned pipe is ready. He wouldn't even let me pay for shipping. I


appreciate the help and thanks again Flint Man.


Next upgrade will be some drive cup sleeves to help keep the drive cups


intact.


After that will be some metal frame braces for the front and rear similar to


the ones Fastlane made for his truck. They look good and fall within my


skill level, I hope?


My RC budget was depleted a month ago so I'm getting these upgrades


done by selling off my leftover parts from when I was into nitro trucks and


heli's. They were just collecting dust anyway.


I'll update this post as the upgrades slowly continue. I want to thank


everyone here who has helped me out with advice and their build posts.


Without your help I would not know any the things needed to get these


upgrades and modifications done right. YOU GUYS ROCK!


resized1d.jpg



resized2f.jpg



resized3.jpg
 
In case ya don't know the RPM sensor can be zip tied to the spark plug wire and it will read the engine rpms through it.
 
Obeast44 said:
In case ya don't know the RPM sensor can be zip tied to the spark plug wire and it will read the engine rpms through it.
Since the RPM sensor is optical how would it get triggered from electrical


pulses if it's connected to the spark plug wire? That would probably make it


hard to set the gear ratio on the module for MPH readings?
 
pipeous said:
It looks too clean, go get it dirty!! Nice job so far. I like the braided lines
Tell me about it. Can't wait to get it filthy:D.


I'd like to give the truck a stealth look. Painting or under coating the frame


black but don't know how to change the color of all the aluminum parts.


Getting them re-anodized seems like it might be too expensive.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
fastlane said:
nice truck man. those braided lines are sweet.
Thanks Fastlane. Working on the body right now, cutting out the design. Hope to start painting later tonight or tomorrow. Wish me luck:D
 
Evildomain said:
Since the RPM sensor is optical how would it get triggered from electrical
pulses if it's connected to the spark plug wire? That would probably make it


hard to set the gear ratio on the module for MPH readings?
I don't know how or why it works but ive read from several posts that it does. Heres one, part way down the page. http://www.hpibajaforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44878&page=2
 
Last edited by a moderator:
zielkeracing said:
Very nice job! Looks great! You will love those tires - awesome job.
Thanks Zielk,


Since I don't do any racing my main reason for buying Hostile's is longevity.


I wanted tires that would last a while, get good traction over different


types of terrain plus they look pretty cool...lol
 
fastlane said:
yeah hostile makes a hell of a tire.
When they say "Hard Compound" they really mean it...lol


I don't see these MXT's wearing out anytime soon. That's


great for my wallet. :D
 
Got the Traxxas 2075 digital waterproof servo installed.


It was pretty easy and fit like a glove. :D


Definitely a lot quicker than what I had on there. Matches


the blue alloy too... :)


1034213resized.jpg
 
I like that 2075 servo just wish it was a metal geared servo instead of plastic, I have a couple of em on my cars
 
flint mann said:
I like that 2075 servo just wish it was a metal geared servo instead of plastic, I have a couple of em on my cars
It doesn't seem to see much stress during use so metal gears shouldn't


be necessary, right?
 
i didnt know u can use the desperado wheels for 5t tires ...are those mxt or mx only??i just wanna make sure.i like how it looks..
 
badboy2 said:
i didnt know u can use the desperado wheels for 5t tires ...are those mxt or mx only??i just wanna make sure.i like how it looks..
Those are MXT rears all around on Pro-Line Desperado rears with


Pro-line #6303-00 blue foams. The tires and foams fit real well on


the Desperados wheels.
 
I bet the 2075 holds well to that if you set EPA. I like them too but they strip quick when used for 1/8 buggy steering. don't worry about stripping though because the gears are cheap and easy to replace. Just pray it doesn't fail when you need brakes.
 
Back
Top