New KM on the way. Questions

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Preacher

Preacher

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Tomorrow, I'm ordering a new KM from ebay. I also want to order the 3 speed transmission kit at the same time. Since I'm new to Baja's I have a few questions: Can the conversion from single speed to 3 speed to done without removing the transmission completely? If the transmission needs to be removed, are there any good tutorials out there? I'm somewhat mechanically inclined, just need some guidance so I don't screw things up. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
hey there,, I have a 001 that I converted to a t1000 ,,, are u getting the 2 speed version,, the 002 2 speed?? pretty sure they don't make a 3 speed,, I think a company gtb does for the Baja's for like 240 bucks or so,, anyway,,, if u research,, a lot of problems with king motor 2 speeds,, on the site the cars are out of stock I c,, and if u look at buying the 2 speeds separate, right now they are marked down on clearance for 99 buck and say have no warranty due to one way bearing problems etc,, they are not reliable,,, most reviews ive read whether they were king motor, rovan , hpi Baja,, almost all transmission kits have there own issues of reliability ,, and most convert back to single speed,, as far as conversions go,,, the input shaft that is turned by the engine that goes into the transmission I believe would have to be changed,, thus,,, complete transmission tear down will be neaded,,, just look up Baja turtorials on you tube on the hpi Baja,, they pretty much have vid series step by step on there for a complete build.. of a Baja,,,,,,, which the km is based off of ..... ive wanted myself to get a 2 speed,, but any of the kits out there,, ive read on are just not reliable,, and pain to adjust, fix , etc,, and not really too useful if u plan on driving offroad.. would probably be fun for a while for speed runs,, till parts wear out,,
 
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Thanks for that information. When I checked with the seller on Ebay, all of his current vehicles had single speed transmission in them. There is a 3 speed kit available on Ebay for about $179. I was going to give that one a shot. I think that the experience will go a long way towards teaching me about Baja's.
 
if its a gtb,, they are 230 bucks at largescalerc,,, 2 speeds are 170 bucks ,, they carry the kits and the parts there for them,,, oneilbrothers racing sells a 2 speed obr/bbrc 2 speed kit, out of stock but was like 250 bucks,, they had choice of gear sets and choice to fit stock hpi or turtle racing clutch,,, otherwise not too many others kits out there, besides integy and king motor,, ddm still carries skunkworks 2 speed gears, but don't see anything else there,,, just be sure what ever u buy,, u can get parts for otherwise its a waste of money
 
The 3 speed kit is indeed made by GTB. It can be had on Ebay for $169. I was kinda encouraged to see that DGI Racing carries them (although they are out of stock).
 
go to largescalerc.com and look them up,, they are under 1/5th scale kits,, and have a separate link there for 2 and 3 speeds,, ive read the one way bearings are a big issue,, they are like 30 bucks a piece I think there,,,, does ebay have free shipping,, otherwise largescalerc will,, anything over 100 bucks
 
Pulled the trigger last night and got tracking number this morning. Can't wait until May 1. I'm cancelling all meetings so that I can sit and wait on the UPS man!!!
 
congrats , im sure u will have fun,, but expect to tinker etc,, check shock oil,, make sure bolts are tight,, and probably wanna check diff make sure its got some good silicone diff oil in it,,, mine wasn't full,,, and wasn't sure what grade or quality of oil it was,,, and go buy a killer rc kill switch,, 60 bucks, don't want runaways and go have fun, expect things to break,, and than replace with either hpi,, or the vast source of aftermarket available for these vehicles
 
I can't wait until Thursday (when it arrives). I have had both nitro and brushless Savages, so I'm used to tinkering. Truth be known, I send more time tinkering than I do driving. I'm ordering the Killer RC kill switch tomorrow. I'll figure out how to check the diffs when I get the buggy and change the diff fluid. I plan on giving it a once over and installing the kill switch before I take it out to run.
 
Preacher said:
I can't wait until Thursday (when it arrives). I have had both nitro and brushless Savages, so I'm used to tinkering. Truth be known, I send more time tinkering than I do driving. I'm ordering the Killer RC kill switch tomorrow. I'll figure out how to check the diffs when I get the buggy and change the diff fluid. I plan on giving it a once over and installing the kill switch before I take it out to run.
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Thats a good move buddy.
 
Preacher,
Good call on the @KillerRC switch...the GT3B that's coming with Dan's kits are pretty decent radio systems, but you'd have had problems with trying to use an "off brand" kill switch...I know this from wasted time and money myself. The post on the silicone oil in the diff is a great suggestion...I changed all my fluids out to Lucas silicone oil...shocks have petroleum fork oil in them from the factory...you'll get way more consistent damping with the silicone. As far as taking the transmission and and diff apart...YouTube bajas on a budget does a great vid series. Do it once, and you'll remember for the next time.
I also was advised to "boil" the plastics (high stress parts)...10 minutes in boiling water seemed to make it a lot more flexible. Maybe I'm crazy...
Loctite any screws going into metal...cycle the rx battery with a good charger...good tacky grease (Lucas Red n Tacky) in the transmission lighty over the gears and also in the axle boots...etc...etc... If you like to tinker, you're gonna love 1/5th scale...lol. Always something that could be made "better".
 
jaygreig said:
Preacher,
Good call on the @KillerRC switch...the GT3B that's coming with Dan's kits are pretty decent radio systems, but you'd have had problems with trying to use an "off brand" kill switch...I know this from wasted time and money myself. The post on the silicone oil in the diff is a great suggestion...I changed all my fluids out to Lucas silicone oil...shocks have petroleum fork oil in them from the factory...you'll get way more consistent damping with the silicone. As far as taking the transmission and and diff apart...YouTube bajas on a budget does a great vid series. Do it once, and you'll remember for the next time.
I also was advised to "boil" the plastics (high stress parts)...10 minutes in boiling water seemed to make it a lot more flexible. Maybe I'm crazy...
Loctite any screws going into metal...cycle the rx battery with a good charger...good tacky grease (Lucas Red n Tacky) in the transmission lighty over the gears and also in the axle boots...etc...etc... If you like to tinker, you're gonna love 1/5th scale...lol. Always something that could be made "better".
Click to expand...

You guys are fun and are going to cost me a lot of money!!! I keep hearing that the KM steering servo is junk and will need to be replaced. Do you guys have an suggestions on a good replacement servo and are there any surprises waiting during the replacement or is it a straight forward deal?
 
jaygreig, looks like you are only a few hours from me. I'm in Champaign, IL.
 
The KM steering servo has rounded edges, poses an issue when replacing. The radio box for the HPI Baja is about $20 and will give you the right mounting unless you're using a Savox servo.
The great thing about these kits is that a lot of the tinkering, betterment, and repairs can be done in your garage with fairly standard tools. I wouldn't go nuts with upgrade parts yet. If you want some advice from me, get it, go over it (ie loctite, diff and shock fluids) and then take it someplace where you can really run it (after break in). Run one or two times to get the feel for it, making adjustments as needed, putting your final touches on the radio settings (endpoints on both servos will help prolong the life of them).
The third or so time you take it out, get it in the air! Learn how it jumps (mostly tail heavy), run it WOT and literally TRY to break something! The first time I did this, I came home with no broken parts and a huge smile on my face. The investment in one of these behemoths is such that I've seen a lot of guys "baby" them...especially from the first run...if you think it's fragile and drive it as such, things will still eventually break and you'll be that much more disappointed. I have run mine to the wall since that first "break something" trip, and now know where the weak points are, and really what it's capable of. That was the best advice I had gotten when getting my first...haven't regretted it at all.

I used to get up to Champaign fairly often for ball games...haven't been in quite a while. I will also do my usual plug for Power Jam in Monon, IN. at the end of June. Five 1/5 scale tracks, and the largest "hobby shop" I have ever set foot in. I will say, with those guys being "purists", they aren't the biggest fans of the KMs. I have run with a buddy up there that was running his KM T1000A...I think they gave him a pass since his is about 60% after market parts, and 20% HPI parts at this point. He's a big one on having the latest and greatest parts for his. Probably also didn't hurt that he spent a few hundred dollars in the store before running...lol.
Well, managed another one of my long winded posts...I'll PM you my number for when you get your kit...I have an iPhone for FaceTime or Skype if you have any issues that you need an extra set of eyes for.
 
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jaygreig said:
The KM steering servo has rounded edges, poses an issue when replacing. The radio box for the HPI Baja is about $20 and will give you the right mounting unless you're using a Savox servo.
The great thing about these kits is that a lot of the tinkering, betterment, and repairs can be done in your garage with fairly standard tools. I wouldn't go nuts with upgrade parts yet. If you want some advice from me, get it, go over it (ie loctite, diff and shock fluids) and then take it someplace where you can really run it (after break in). Run one or two times to get the feel for it, making adjustments as needed, putting your final touches on the radio settings (endpoints on both servos will help prolong the life of them).
The third or so time you take it out, get it in the air! Learn how it jumps (mostly tail heavy), run it WOT and literally TRY to break something! The first time I did this, I came home with no broken parts and a huge smile on my face. The investment in one of these behemoths is such that I've seen a lot of guys "baby" them...especially from the first run...if you think it's fragile and drive it as such, things will still eventually break and you'll be that much more disappointed. I have run mine to the wall since that first "break something" trip, and now know where the weak points are, and really what it's capable of. That was the best advice I had gotten when getting my first...haven't regretted it at all.

I used to get up to Champaign fairly often for ball games...haven't been in quite a while. I will also do my usual plug for Power Jam in Monon, IN. at the end of June. Five 1/5 scale tracks, and the largest "hobby shop" I have ever set foot in. I will say, with those guys being "purists", they aren't the biggest fans of the KMs. I have run with a buddy up there that was running his KM T1000A...I think they gave him a pass since his is about 60% after market parts, and 20% HPI parts at this point. He's a big one on having the latest and greatest parts for his. Probably also didn't hurt that he spent a few hundred dollars in the store before running...lol.
Well, managed another one of my long winded posts...I'll PM you my number for when you get your kit...I have an iPhone for FaceTime or Skype if you have any issues that you need an extra set of eyes for.
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I sure appreciate it. I read all of the controversy about clones, but the great thing about America is that we can so as we choose. My money couldn't be stretch for an HPI Baja (daughter getting married and it's expensive) so I went with what my money could afford. I never run at tracks, so I don't care at all about being banned.
 
heck I just bought a turtle racing quick diff for mine from ddm on there deal of the day,,, upgraded rest of my buggy, now truck,, so tranny is next,, some black magic gears,, a kraken layshaft,, probably a hpi Baja diff,,, than install my flm inner drive cups to that,, should be bullet proof than,, than next probably a gizmo rc full mod,, or a obr full mod ,, than I may get rid of my jetpro v3,, unless my buddy buys a king motor, than may save for him, want a victory big bore or pro pipe for it,, and expect to be spending money money money, especially when u get the bug like I have,, and get use to hobby shops thinking you are the devil when u say 1/5th scale,,,, thus waiting for parts,, 3 to 4 days when u order online
 
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Funny how that is huh? I seem to get the same thing at most Hobby Shops...I have had people tell me it's because of the "elitist" attitude of 1/5th scalers...I haven't found that to be true at all...what gave me the interest was watching a YouTube video by Squirrel about the long term cost of ownership. He did a great layout of the approximate costs of owning nitro, electric, and gas. Long run, gas was cheaper (even counting all the crazy upgrades we do). The thing that really hooked me on it, was the first time I saw a friend of mine running his...it was love at first sight...lol.
 
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Welcome to 5th scale! Just wait and see, you'll soon be hooked on DDM's Deal of the Day and your truck will be made om from after market parts rather than KM parts. This is true for the HPI owners as well so it has nothing to do with "inferior quality" (which is bull) of KM.

Another shop you might enjoy is Gizmomotors. While mostly aimed 5th scale boats they still carry well priced parts for the HPI Baja. A ball bearing modified 990 carb for $36 is a great example. :)
 
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