The Baja was designed from the ground up to be 2wd. I feel like it's more than inferior for 4wd. If you want 4wd and 1/5 scale why not just an FG modelsport or something similar? Why waste all that money and parts for and inferior system?

I used to get little rocks destroy my belts on my TC just running on the street. I would hate to see what happens to those belts bashing through dirt and gravel. Also like you said Brian belts can be very inefficient. Still I love the idea of $wd 1/5th scal and brushless. Maybe check out something from the very expensive MCD range.

How?
 

How would you figure even in the least that the 5b would be a bad 4X4? First off it is a rail style buggy, which in the world of a 1:1 are in a lot of cases 4X4. The 5b is in my eyes the best looking 1/5th scale R/C buggy being made, and with the way it is built can take a lot of punishment. So why would anyone want to go for an inferior design as an alternative. Converting any vehicle from 2wd to 4wd creates a less efficiant power curve, but the trade offs in basic handling are usually well worth the effort. If you put a 5b 2wd up against a 5b 4wd with the exact same powerplant, which one do you think will prevail? I would take the 4X4 any day.

I really dont care for the "look" of the 4x4 FG models. I already have a HPI 5T and really like the looks of that so thats why I'm choosing the Kalee. I would rather buy a HPI 4x4 baja but those dont exist. I really dont think that using a Emaxx drive train and Proline 40's tires makes it a 1/5 scale model. Sure the wheel base will be long, but the overall parts will still be 1/8 scale. Thats another reason why I'm choosing to go this way.

Redcat will be releasing a 1/5 scale BL buggy this spring. There is a post on it somewhere on this site. That has the centerdrive shaft setup. Looks cool, but I perefer teh looks of the Kalee.

i agree, i perfer the look and style of the baja to most of the other 1/5's on the market, as for useing a 1/8 and turning it into a 1/5 i thought about it but there isnt a 1/8 on the market that will stand up to 10-12hp for long, add in bigger tires and the 1/8 diffs will fail even faster

thats very true.
I'm not worried about making the BL work, I work at a Tool and Die shop so we all kinds of CNC machining. I think the belt will work just fine.
Just need some time and cash to start/finsh this project. haha

Not sure what 1:1 rail type cars you are talking about, but i have never in my life seen one that was 4x4. I agree with Supra on this one, the Baja is kind of an inferior design for 4x4, it seems really nose heavy when jumping and would probably only be worse with more weight in the front end from the drivetrain.

If you want a 4x4 Baja "looking" buggy then why dont you guys buy this: http://www.redcatracing.com/RC-Cars/...Rampage-DR-4X4 Dont worry, it is not a clone, it just looks similar to a baja.

Kinda like this?

http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/y..._0662Small.jpg

http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/y..._0663Small.jpg

http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/y..._0666Small.jpg

:wink:

Brian,

Got pics of how you mounted the rear of the Baja rollcage?

Yep:

http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/show...t=26979&page=5

If you scale up an 1/8 scale truck, it won't weigh as much as a Baja - so you won't need 10-12hp through it. This past summer I built and tested this:

http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26979

It weighs 19lb with batteries. I run it on 8s geared for 50mph and have logged nearly 5hp through it:

http://www.rc-monster.com/forum/show...t=26979&page=7


I've had no problem with the Muggy/LST drivetrain with this weight and power.

thats a cool build.
I'm going for more of a Monster truck type build.
I really like the large tires. I know that large tires are hard on everything, but thats teh style I like. My 2wd BL 5T weighs 30lbs ready to run. It does have 8.5 tall tires too.
Its cool to have more then one style of truck running around. I've just grown tired of the XXL stuff (I currenlty have 2 BL XXL's).

I was planning on taking a mbx5T and stretching it to a 5th scale size. Making the longer chassis is simple enough as well as having longer center drive shafts can be had as well. My only hesitation was the a-arms not being wide enough. I felt that the stock 5T arms would not be wide enough for my liking. Another 1" wide 2" over all would be perfect. In saying that, if someone could cut some quality plastic arms to those specs...then you would have something.

The truck then would be fairly light and even on 6s it would go fairly well..

Just my 2 cents worth

My solution:

http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/y..._4282Small.jpg

Pro-line hex extenders - so far, they have held up to many tumbles and cartwheels without problem.



Edit: They're 23mm hexes, so with a wrap or two of aluminum tape, they fit the Baja 24mm wheels perfectly.

Phatdad rc is going to be making plastic boxed in arms that are 1pm wider on each side than stock.they are the boxed in type found on 1:1 rigs.--Josh