Losi XX Kinwald Trinity build

[Lavigna]

Here goes what should be an over the top build. It's not meant to be a replica, or even entirely era accurate. I just want to build what I think is the coolest XX.

I was forced to sell my very special NIB XX Kinwald build earlier this year. I've really missed it, and I started looking through my boxes to see what it would take to build up a new XX. Something even better. With what I found in my stash and what I have bought over the last couple of months, I have nearly everything I need to build this little monster.

Parts I still need:

Trinity XX rear hubs
Trinity XX shock spacers
Front arms (Graphite or RPM)
Wing buttons and mounts

I think I am going to use this Protoform "Ripper" body. I like the lines on it, especially how they bulge out in front of the rear tires. There aren't many pictures of this body available. If you have any, please post them here.

One thing that is going to make this XX a bit different is that I will be using a "L" length chassis. This is a bit longer than the standard "STD" length CR/Kinwald chassis. I like the idea of a bit longer and lower buggy. I know there is a XXL body made specifically for the longer chassis, but I think the Ripper body will fit it well. This chassis is brand new and has the typical cool graphite swirl to it. The underside lettering is good and crisp and it should make a good foundation for the build.

I am starting with the transmission. The MK1 motor plate will be sent out for anodizing. I think I am going to use the Barracuda Ti outdrives, however the hand polished MIP Lite Drives are hard to resist...

Lots more to come. Questions and comments are always welcome. Thanks.

[romulus22]

Seems corny but I always like how the Losi graphite parts had the white print letting you know it was a graphite part. I had to outfit my only Losi car with some graphite parts just cause I think it looks cooler.

I’ll be watching this build. I like how well you take your pictures of your builds.

[Lavigna]

^ Romulus 22 - I totally agree with you about the GRAPHITE lettering. I think it looks so cool. Thanks for the comments.

When I deide to build a certain car, I will typically start filling up a bag or box with all of the parts that may go towards that build. Here is my XX box so far. Beside the above listed pieces, I hope to have everything else that I need within the next 2 weeks.

I decided to do a little modification to the rear shock tower. I removed the outermost holes, as well as the little wing mount hole ears. I was tempted to cut out the center triangles like Kinwald used to do, but I didn't want to lose the nice silver GRAPHITE lettering.

More to come soon.

[GoMachV]

I think I recognize that cardboard box

[jb7778]

Excited to see this one come together!

[Faux4x4]

Are the MIP lite drives any good for modern brushless power and do they work on the retrofit XX gearbox?

[Lavigna]

^ GoMachV - I bet! I don't remember what came in it. A buggy body likely.

^ Faux4x4 - I don't have any first hand knowledge on the MIP lite drives usability, however I would imagine they would be somewhat durable. They are made of hardened steel.

I got the shocks built up. I am using the newer threaded bodies as I much prefer their look, especially when combined with the Trinity collars. I am also using the internal springs for the first time. I am hoping this helps with the long and low look I have planned for this buggy.

[Lavigna]

Well, I made a dumb mistake. I know Kinwald used to run a custom kingpin steering setup in his XX buggy, similar to the XXT. For some reason I always thought he used a XXT carrier and then carved it down. So that is what I did. However I realized the XXT carrier has a much shorter pivot point, which would have greatly shortened the front width.

Turns out he actually used a LOSA1121 XX carrier. Here are pictures of my shaved XXT carriers. At least they can still be used on a truck build. I have now ordered the correct ones and will try again once they arrive.

[Lavigna]

I received the correct front carriers and spindles, but now I have decided not to shave them down. I think I actually prefer the look of the stock setup, so I will stick with that for now.

One of the biggest highlights of this build is the Trinity front bulkhead. There are always slight color differences between the different Trinity pieces. This really bugs me! The pictures make it look better, but the difference in the shades of blue can vary a lot. For example the bulkhead and the front hex units are have a very different shade. I am considering having all of the Trinity pieces re-anodized together so that they all match. Since I am already sending out the motor plate, I figured it may be a good idea. I'm not sure though...

One of my most prized RC pieces is this NIP Trinity bulkhead. I don't have plans to open it anytime soon, but I was able to find another one to use on this build. It certainly didn't come cheap!

I am using gold Ti coated hinge pins in all areas. I thought I had all the correct sizes, but I was missing about half. They are now ordered. The outer fronts are a little too long, and will be replaced, but are OK for now. Gold e-clips all around as well.

I wasn't planning to use RPM front arms but they were actually easier to find than a new set of correct Graphite Losi units. I didn't like how they looked in photos, but in person they seem nice. Thoughts?

[Essejay]

Hello,
I know this body, it is a Ripper X-CR.





Nice parts , I'm sure we will see a very beautiful car in the end of this post.

Have a nice week-end,

Essejay

[Lavigna]

^ Essajay - Yes, the body is a Protoform Ripper X-CR #1513. You don't see many of them. If you get a chance to take your buggy down and take a proper picture, I'd like to see it. Looks like nice paintwork.

The front end is coming together. I love the sparkles in the Trinity front tower. I am using Losi titanium ballstuds and Lunsford titanium and anodized aluminum hardware through out the buggy. The Losi titanium ballstuds are such nice pieces. It's a shame they have gotten so expensive. Finding an aftermarket 4.3 ball stud with short 4-40 threads is nearly impossible.

I was planning to use Trinity shock stand offs, however I forgot that they use metric threads (very odd), and my Lunsford screws are standard.

I have these very sweet Fantom stand offs, but I don't know if I like the silver color on this build. Still undecided on which way to go.

[Dom79]

Very nice collection of parts, love the color scheme.

Looking forward to the finished build.

[Lavigna]

The front end continues. I decided to use the MIP steering kit. You can see the huge difference in the size of the bearings used between stock and MIP. It also does away with the servo saver. I am also using the RPM center link.

[Nige55]

Just wow. Absolute Losi porn. Following this for sure

[Essejay]

Hello Lavigna,

Sorry for my late feedback.

Please find here a few pictures of the body.
Sorry for the quality of the pictures, the weather is awful today and I'm living in an old house with very small windows...

Have a nice day!

Seb