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Whiskers wrote:Thanks for the thoughts so far. Not sure what I'm going to do. I'd like to get another 4 WD, to take the weight off the ZX-R. I'm thinking about building a backyard track, something in the realm of 75 x 50 feet. No cartoon style supercross jumps, but I still like the durability of the ZX-R.

After some minor mods, I've got the ZX-R to the point it doesn't trap small pebbles in the front gearbox, and groove the outside of the belt. And I have enough crucial parts, that unless I do something stupid, it should stay running for a good long time.

Academy has a pretty sweet shaftdriven 4X4 buggy.
Price/quality is really good (I had the old tourer version).
should be perfect for backyards, and club level

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I can only repeat what I said before: the academy 4WD buggy is a lot of bang for the money.

The dark impact is cool looking but the drive train is far from as efficient and I don't think the plastic is glass fiber reinforced.

Kyosho Lazer ZX-5!!!! I have one (with many options of course) and I am really happy with it, bomb blast! They are about to release a RTR version of it, buy it eyes closed

Hot Bodies just released its new 4WD buggy also by the way.
But I think that and the ZX5 are way more expensive than what you look for.
If it's for your backyard track a second hander is probably your best deal.

somebody makes a TC3/shaft conversion kit to make it a 4wd off road buggy, a little expensive but if you have or can find a cheap tc3 it would be pretty cool
http://www.rcproductdesigns.com/kit.htm

as far as whats better, shaft/belt, i always prefered the belt, it was always snappier and responded better to braking and acceleration i felt personally, and i drove touring cars for a long time. i never liked the shaft driven 4wd, but just a personal opinion and driving style i guess.

i must say though that shafts seem to get a little more "momentum" while driving, meaning braking and idle seemed a little off, but steering/braking during turns was easier than a belt, i seemed to "slide or roll" less. It was such a minor thing to notice but may be worth mentioning and im sure will be more noticeable in a off-road setup.

For a great value basher nothing comes anywhere near a Dark Impact/Keen Hawk. Price makes even the Academy Sport seem expensive. There are a few niggles though, the odd 0.5 module gear size and the rear wishbone mounts being moulded into the gearbox. read Jimmy Storeys review here http://www.oople.com/rc/photos/reviewkeenhawk/ There's also plenty of info on other forums about the problems of running high power motors in them (rear diff made of toffee, etc)

You could also look at 'upgrading' the ZX-R with parts from the Lazer ZX. It came with a sealed drivetrain, the top deck was split in two so a stiffening spine/belt cover went up the middle.

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Whiskers wrote: Not sure what I'm going to do. I'd like to get another 4 WD, to take the weight off the ZX-R.....

Have a look at the ZX5

TC3's are great, I have one converted to rally .... but its not a off-road car

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