XX-4 restoration, road to the VONATS

[pumpkinfish]

Any of you guys have an easy front bulkhead mod? I have read about the B2/3 hinge pin brace, but there seems to be limited room. I like the brace in this eBay kit, but don't want to buy the whole thing for one piece. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Li-polymer-Battery-Conversion-Ready-Kit-Parts-for-TLR-Team-Losi-XX4-/310738029798?pt=Radio_Control_Parts_Accessories&hash=item48596e0ce6

So what are my options?

[alien3t]

to run the hinge pin brace fo a b2/3 had to file the arm down or something, other option was guys ran shock shafts and a nut on one side. other hop up was running shumacher fromt arms, stronger than the stock.

[slapshot1979]

I run the associated front brace and with some patient dremel work I think its a worth while mod. hold the front hinge pins firmly taking the strain off the bulkhead in a forward tire tap/crash.

[Brocklee]

Pm sent on belts

[pumpkinfish]

Finally have some progress. Still waiting on a some kind of a side belt. I did order the ToughRacing belts but it takes awhile for the Korea to US shipping. As we all know, until I get the belts, I can't do anything right now! I did build the various sub-assemblies so I can drop everything together once the belts hit the house. I have included the photos from the auction since I forgot to take pics of it when I got it. It was more rough than the photos portray and covered with so much hair, dirt and grime. At this point I have so many "new" parts this is like opening a box and building it for the first time, lol!

Condition received:









Disassembled and cleaned:









New parts (It's like Christmas!):







Sub-assemblies:



Body prepped for paint with liquid mask:

[rccars4sal]

WOW. It looks like youve got enough parts to support a racing effort!

[pumpkinfish]

I'm hoping to finally have belts in hand today or tomorrow to finish this project and get a test run or two before next weekend!

[Mark Westerfield]

What do you plan on running for motor and gearing?

[pumpkinfish]

Mark,

I have a Viper 10.5 in there with 86/25 gearing.

To all,

Do I need the rollers or not with the Tough Racing belts?

[Mark Westerfield]

I'm going to try using the belt rollers with trough racing belts in the next day or two.

[pumpkinfish]

I'll wait for your report before installing so I don't need to take it apart twice. The belt access is the only design "flaw" that sucks on this car!

[DerbyDan]

I'll wait for your report before installing so I don't need to take it apart twice. The belt access is the only design "flaw" that sucks on this car!

I agree - especially once all the electrics have been installed, I'm looking forward to seeing this one completed & looking forward to hearing how you get on running it

[pumpkinfish]

Anyone here run B4/B44 wheels on the XX4? I bought the B4 rear hexes, but it looks slightly narrow. If I didn't have so many damn AE wheel/tires I would buy the Losi wheels, lol!

Should be laying paint down tomorrow.

Mark, when you run the Tough Racing Belts with rollers, let me know what tension blocks and position you run them.

[Mark Westerfield]

I run B44 wheels on my XX4. You want to run AE #9890 the wider hex. (The #9925 is the narrow hex.)

The hex on the B44 series front wheels is deeper. The wheel will rub the steering spindle and cause binding if you don't use a wider hex on the front axles.

First I'm going to try running my car without the rollers, since the motor is limited to 10.5 turn, The belts might be fine with the limited power.

[pumpkinfish]

How do those 9890 compare to the J Concepts 2091 B4.1/B44.1 -hexes? That is what I used. Maybe you can measure your's with a caliper for me if you don't know the difference.