Unfortunately you don't get a build thread with all the progress pics, but at least you get the specifications and after pictures which is at least 50% of the fun. I remember seeing another Rep on this forum hence the title.
I was lucky to stumble on a decent deal for a used, but never ran Vekta and jumped all in. It actually came with most of the mechanical upgrades listed below. I knew it wouldn't be the fastest or lightest or best handling truck out there, but it looks much cooler and it can 3-wheel on high traction asphalt due to the torque. Sorry in advance if converting a big bore gas truck to electric triggers you.
Specifications:
44-46lbs depending on batteries
Kraken Vekta.5 LSE Pro (I believe an older specimen that came with more aluminum parts)
Kraken Optional Lightweight chassis
Kraken Big bore transmission (I chopped it up to mount the motor, sorry)
Kraken Trepador tires
Kraken Front sway bar
Kraken aluminum servo mounts, steering and brake
Bonehead RC carbon fiber chassis plates
Bonehead RC front shock tower
Vertigo chassis brace
Vertigo bell crank brace
WFO RC 70mm motor mount
Hobbywing EzRun Max4 ESC, QS-8 anti-spark plugs
Hobbywing EzRun 70125 560KV Motor, 24/50 gearing
Primal RC 130kg servo and horn for steering (need some large bulk capacitance on receiver)
Kraken TS-555HV for mechanical brake
aaaaaand some extra velcro straps for preventing the heavy as poop rear axle from slamming the shock pistons
I will be using CNHL 6s 9500mAh x2 for a total of 12s. I anticipate runtime will be short...the 8s packs I'm using now are in the 6000mAh range and ain't it. Maiden voyage went well considering I have no impulse control and wanted to test it in the middle of a work at home day. I did lose a pin on the center driveshaft due to it not having the thread and screw on the other side for retaining, but that is one of many strange things about buying this used truck that I won't bother getting in to.
I managed to get it in near final shape after sorting all the issues from the previous owner's assembly. I had to do quite a bit of work to the transmission plate by milling a flat surface where 2 bearings flange out and cutting off the 3 clutch mount posts. I wanted to try to modify it minimally so as to not completely ruin the ability to convert it back to gas, but I passed the point of return for the main transmission plate. Also had to mill some slotted holes to mount the WFO RC motor mount and allow for gear mesh adjustment. I really like this motor mount because it supports the motor from the bottom. I'm not super proud of the workmanship, but it worked.
EDIT: Forgot to mention I made the ESC and battery plate out of 5mm carbon fiber. I used the stock fuel tank mounts to mount it to the chassis plates and the ESC mounts rigidly with 4 screws. Battery dimensions with how I set it up is roughly 100mm width x 75mm height x 200mm+ length. Hard to find 6s lipos that are around the 50mm width so it's a tight fit. I couldn't find a better way to mount the lipos without the plate hitting suspension parts. The CNHL lipos should fit snuggly, but I would have to do something clever to fit 6s2p lipos or anything over 10000mAh.
Right now the main issue is a leaky, and probably empty, front diff. A rear shock also seems leaky. One big concern I have, until proven otherwise, is the set screws holding the pinion on the rotor shaft. Hard to believe almost 50lbs rest on 2 little set screws. Another thing I'll have to watch is the entire motor mount moving due to how the holes line up with existing holes in the chassis. 2 of the slots I milled collided with existing gas engine motor mount slots. Maybe they'll release an electric vekta in the future and I can buy that chassis. Other than that, she seems to be in rigid form until I crash it.
Any upgrades that I will likely need? Aluminum diff case? What spares should I stock up on? Rod ends? I want breakage points.
I will gladly post a video of my dogs chasing it when I fix the last couple issues and have confidence in my mechanical brake setup so that I always remain in control. This thing will rip, probably too hard considering its weight. I think I may have to dumb it down to 70% throttle EPA which will also help keep temps down and run times up. So far no indication that it will get hot.
Last couple pictures are a size comparison to a 1/8 short course truck, 5" racing quadcopter, 13" racing quadcopter (WIP), and a FPV speed plane (WIP).
I was lucky to stumble on a decent deal for a used, but never ran Vekta and jumped all in. It actually came with most of the mechanical upgrades listed below. I knew it wouldn't be the fastest or lightest or best handling truck out there, but it looks much cooler and it can 3-wheel on high traction asphalt due to the torque. Sorry in advance if converting a big bore gas truck to electric triggers you.
Specifications:
44-46lbs depending on batteries
Kraken Vekta.5 LSE Pro (I believe an older specimen that came with more aluminum parts)
Kraken Optional Lightweight chassis
Kraken Big bore transmission (I chopped it up to mount the motor, sorry)
Kraken Trepador tires
Kraken Front sway bar
Kraken aluminum servo mounts, steering and brake
Bonehead RC carbon fiber chassis plates
Bonehead RC front shock tower
Vertigo chassis brace
Vertigo bell crank brace
WFO RC 70mm motor mount
Hobbywing EzRun Max4 ESC, QS-8 anti-spark plugs
Hobbywing EzRun 70125 560KV Motor, 24/50 gearing
Primal RC 130kg servo and horn for steering (need some large bulk capacitance on receiver)
Kraken TS-555HV for mechanical brake
aaaaaand some extra velcro straps for preventing the heavy as poop rear axle from slamming the shock pistons
I will be using CNHL 6s 9500mAh x2 for a total of 12s. I anticipate runtime will be short...the 8s packs I'm using now are in the 6000mAh range and ain't it. Maiden voyage went well considering I have no impulse control and wanted to test it in the middle of a work at home day. I did lose a pin on the center driveshaft due to it not having the thread and screw on the other side for retaining, but that is one of many strange things about buying this used truck that I won't bother getting in to.
I managed to get it in near final shape after sorting all the issues from the previous owner's assembly. I had to do quite a bit of work to the transmission plate by milling a flat surface where 2 bearings flange out and cutting off the 3 clutch mount posts. I wanted to try to modify it minimally so as to not completely ruin the ability to convert it back to gas, but I passed the point of return for the main transmission plate. Also had to mill some slotted holes to mount the WFO RC motor mount and allow for gear mesh adjustment. I really like this motor mount because it supports the motor from the bottom. I'm not super proud of the workmanship, but it worked.
EDIT: Forgot to mention I made the ESC and battery plate out of 5mm carbon fiber. I used the stock fuel tank mounts to mount it to the chassis plates and the ESC mounts rigidly with 4 screws. Battery dimensions with how I set it up is roughly 100mm width x 75mm height x 200mm+ length. Hard to find 6s lipos that are around the 50mm width so it's a tight fit. I couldn't find a better way to mount the lipos without the plate hitting suspension parts. The CNHL lipos should fit snuggly, but I would have to do something clever to fit 6s2p lipos or anything over 10000mAh.
Right now the main issue is a leaky, and probably empty, front diff. A rear shock also seems leaky. One big concern I have, until proven otherwise, is the set screws holding the pinion on the rotor shaft. Hard to believe almost 50lbs rest on 2 little set screws. Another thing I'll have to watch is the entire motor mount moving due to how the holes line up with existing holes in the chassis. 2 of the slots I milled collided with existing gas engine motor mount slots. Maybe they'll release an electric vekta in the future and I can buy that chassis. Other than that, she seems to be in rigid form until I crash it.
Any upgrades that I will likely need? Aluminum diff case? What spares should I stock up on? Rod ends? I want breakage points.
I will gladly post a video of my dogs chasing it when I fix the last couple issues and have confidence in my mechanical brake setup so that I always remain in control. This thing will rip, probably too hard considering its weight. I think I may have to dumb it down to 70% throttle EPA which will also help keep temps down and run times up. So far no indication that it will get hot.
Last couple pictures are a size comparison to a 1/8 short course truck, 5" racing quadcopter, 13" racing quadcopter (WIP), and a FPV speed plane (WIP).
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