Ultimate Ultima build project.....

[Brandon G]

Ok, first off, have you ever felt you have gotten yourself in over your head on a certain project(s)?

I have. I got my hands on a very good condition Turbo Ultima a while ago, and have been searching for parts since then to get it where I want it. It holds a warm place in my heart cause that is the car I first started racing with. This was the start of my Ultima collection.

Picked up a Ultima Pro XL in new condition, with the intent on replacing the only weak point of the car, the tranny. So, I will be installing a new A&L lethal weapon into it just to make me feel better.

I was searching for one of the original Ultimas because I like the scale realness of the car. On my search for one of these (never wanted to pay the coin for a NIB or new built) I ended up with 4 in a "package deal"! One Ultima Pro that is new condition, and 3 other stock Ultimas, all used. So I decided I would make an OE Ultima out of 1, a Joel Johnson replica out of the other, and sell the last with as many good parts that I had left.

I have amassed a lot of parts, bodies, and motors, etc. to actually start and hopefully finish these cars. So begins this thread of my start to finish of this group of buggies.

I will get some pics of what I have to work with tonite after I get home, wifey permitting!

I will also update this thread periodically as progress is made.

Hope you like!

[mikedealer]

cant wait to see, love the ultimas myself.. the tranny was kinda crappy and gears are hard to find, but the A&L works great for me. before ya go crazy (like i did) and try and find original replacement runner parts, let me know because alot of new kyosho stuff, along with the ST-15 parts from Tower fit, and stuff can be adapted etc. i know what fits well at this point. i might have a bunch of extra red shock collars (unbroken) lol. ill look tonight.

[RichieRich]

Yeah, I'm really interested to see your builds too. The Turbo Ultima was my first race buggy. For a while, I knew every hop-up, every mod, everything inside out about that chassis. Can't wait to see pics!

I'm also planning an Ultima build too but I'm still far away from starting a thread. Maybe you'll give me some ideas.

[Brandon G]

Pics of the Turbo Ultima.

I have the same running gear installed that I used to run bitd, minus a receiver and a battery pack (that I have, just not installed yet) . It's pretty clean and has been run, but not very much.

[Brandon G]

Ultima Pro...

The previous owner did not run this car at all, but managed to paint the yellow wheels black. Anyway, I plan on installing the aluminum wheels with paddles for a desert buggy look. I need to find a body for her that would compliment the look, so any suggestions would be appreciated!

It came with a Losi Revolution mod motor, but I plan on putting in the Kyosho motor instead.

[Brandon G]

Ultima Pro XL...

This car hasn't been run at all either. I plan on swapping out this tranny for the A&L and taking the one I removed and installing it in the Joel Johnson replica, since it has a ball diff.

Body needs to be final sanded and clearanced. I would really like to get a set of the red/green/yellow decals and put them on a black body.

[Brandon G]

Joel Johnson replica...

I have everything I need to replicate this car minus the chassis and shock towers. I plan on making my own towers out of the fiberglass sheet shown. I have the correct ESC and servo, but still seek the Novak receiver.

This car is slightly used and looks worse in the pics than it really is. It is a good candidate for the conversion since it came with the shocks....

[Brandon G]

Original Ultima...

OK, this car looks rough. It is missing some stuff, but I have most of what I need to put her back to stock. It has minimal use, but it looks otherwise. Actually all it needs is a good cleaning and it would help drastically. The shocks are in really good shape and the collars are uncracked!

I may opt to install Kyosho gold shocks, since the graphite towers will be available off of the JJ replica car. I have a set of rear golds, but need to find a pair of fronts to do this though. OR just leave the red ones on it. What would you do?

[Brandon G]

Last and certailly least is Ugly Betty...

I will use parts I have left from the other builds along with some of the spares I have as well to get this back to decent condition. She will go for sale after I'm done to help fund the others. It has an interesting front bumper and a home brew fix for the front a arms.... One snapped, so previous owner decided to cut out aluminum plate and screw it to the bottom of both front arms. Seems like a lot of work to get out of buying a new set of arms?

All 4 of the shock collars are snapped on this sucker.

[aconsola]

The original ultima was my first electric RC. Thus far I have resisted the urge to restore one as I have absolutely nothing kyosho currently, But with seeing build threads like this one I am starting to reconsider. I'm surprised more of the shock collars were not cracked, I remember using a lot of zip ties on those little red shocks BITD

[scr8p]

post whore.

j/k

it's amazing. i used to see nip trinity ultima chassis' on ebay all of the time a couple years ago. they've just dried up i guess.

[minimini]

the shell you are using is the optima one ??........

[Brandon G]

the shell you are using is the optima one ??........

I am assuming you are referring to the J.J. replica?

It is a Kyosho Tomahawk body.

[vwjuice]

Where did you get those trannies? Are they an ebay only thing or can you still get them new?

[Brandon G]

All you need to do is call Daryl at Factory Works and throw him some cash, and you will have one on your doorstep!