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I traded a member for this DS nearly one year ago. The car appears exactly as I received it as I have not touched it since the trade. I am also working with a member on another DS trade which should arrive very soon.

I plan to make one runner and keep the other for spare parts. I have a truck load of RC10s, CEs, RC10Ts and 10Ls but this is my first DS. Fred the cat does not appear nearly as excited as I am about the build

THE look on the cats face matches most the guys wives here !!!! Glad im not married !!!!! DON

THUNDERSTRIKE1 wrote:THE look on the cats face matches most the guys wives here !!!! Glad im not married !!!!! DON

HAHAHA that was funny....i knew ive seen that look before!


knucklebuster, nice DS. IS that a light grey powdercoating?

Nice, looking forward to this build. I have recently found out how cool the DS is.

Too funny I've got it good... my wife understands that my toys keep me out of trouble

Lobo, the chassis was painted. I've already stripped the paint and will now remove the anno for a natural aluminum finish.

bigmd, I am looking forward to running the DS. I am excited about the huge selection of HPI and other bodies for the DS as compared to those available for the pan cars

Me too I have a build thread. Still waiting on parts. Lobo is a wealth of knowledge

knucklebuster wrote:Too funny I've got it good... my wife understands that my toys keep me out of trouble

Lobo, the chassis was painted. I've already stripped the paint and will now remove the anno for a natural aluminum finish.

bigmd, I am looking forward to running the DS. I am excited about the huge selection of HPI and other bodies for the DS as compared to those available for the pan cars

RC keeps me out of trouble and the wife knows it for sure...but i still get that look when i start talking about RC cars

The raw aluminum chassis is gonna look nice...ive been wanting to do a polished chassis for a DS but have been hesitant. im looking fwd to seeing end result of your chassis.

bigmd wrote:Me too I have a build thread. Still waiting on parts. Lobo is a wealth of knowledge

Thanks for the kind words bigmd...

My gf thinks they are kids toys.

Lobo, I don't actually polish the aluminum. I usually strip and sand. I just finished the initial strip and cleaned up with a Scotchbrite. Looks good from my house I will post up pictures asap.

bigmd, we play with kids toys. Make sure your gf knows she is lucky to have a big kid as it could be much, much worse

I gotcha Scotchbrite is sweet...i did a pipe and header for a NDS and it makes all the difference. Same with the cup ends....


Oh by the way, your right, HPI has a very nice and detailed assortment of car bodies and they fit the DS (once you set it for short wheelbase). if you convert the front axle hubs you'll be able to swap out the original DS wheels for some HPI wheels and fresh rubber.

I received the second DS on trade with szac. Pretty stoked on the condition... thanks bro!

Lobo, both cars had the carriers and blocks updated to allow for HPI rims. I believe one is the SC10, not sure on the other set up. I made some progress on the chassis and will start the rebuild.

What weight oil does AE recommend? Springs? I am probably going with black all around, or black front silver back.

Congrats on the DS...that is a really cool looking car.

That's great the carriers are there, having extra choice of wheels and rubber is great. As far as the oil...i start with what associated uses in there kits...30WT...then you move from there. Springs? i like the NTC3 Silver springs, which are stiffer, but thats just personal preference.

The raw chassis looks sweet!

Lobo, thanks for the info re oil and springs. The shocks seemed a bit firm on the oval DS but I realized all four shocks had bladders installed. The bladders, coupled with the RPM spring retainers loading the springs made for a very stiff suspension. I will remove the bladder and probably return the original AE spring retainers if the suspension is too stiff.

I decided to sand out some scuffs on the bottom of the chassis before reassembly. I pulled out the jitterbug sander (recently returned after being on loan) and learned that it was barely functional. The pad was all but gone and the motor was trying to tear itself loose. Last time that guy borrows my tools

I began to reassemble the car now sitting as a roller. Not much work to do between the two cars except cleaning up the chassis.

I removed the shock bladders and the RPM shock retainers. The old style have about 1mm of clearance below the shock body when the chassis bottoms out. The suspension feels right with 30 weight oil, black front/gold rear springs.

I need to pick up crush tubes for the rear carriers. I may also try the T4 hex adapters for the rear as they appear to have a flange that rests on the bearing race. I am in the process of stealing electronics off another car and will be running soon

Lookin good!
but dont forget to flip your spur gear!