what about a 4wd baja? calling all baja guys!
 

look at this


http://cgi.ebay.com/2011-UPGRADE-4WD...73274378127544

ok the body is trash, but has anyone seen a 4wd kit for the baja?
do you think mikes kit will fit on it with the 4wd kit?

if so i can see this being my next project because the one thing that has held me back from getting a baja has been the fact that its 2wd

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...Fw-7UfCQ_3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...BNFwFchQ_3.jpg

Someone needs to do a similiar conversion kit for the real "Baja". I know I've seen a couple of "at home" versions similiar to this.

I'm not particularly fond of the belt system. When working on my nitro 4-tec conversion, making the belts tight enough so they don't skip on the pulleys adds a lot of drag to the system, which results in lost power.

i only use belt in onroad, and i think if they arent set up right they do cause alot of drag

im not saying that this system on the baja will be all that great but i can say this, my serpent 1/8 has alot less drag in the belt drive than my 4tec did, but then again i think that the 4tec had one of the worst belt drives setups in the world too.

I think if the pulleys were a little bigger it might be a better idea.

What do you guys think about chain drive? I remember when i was in Jr High I had a Kyosho Rocky and a Kyosho Optima that were both chain drive, seemed to work fine.

This is what I plan on getting within the next month.
http://www.nutechracingusa.com/kalee...wd15scale.aspx
There are more pics of that truck on the website listed.
I have read that FLM makes some parts for that model too.
I plan on installing my Neu 2220 (550 kv) and CC HV 160 12s setup into the Kalee package.

Mm,that kalee looks nice! Is it a clone with added parts or is it all
built in house?--Josh

i still have an optima as well as a twinforce, both are chain drives but chains are not smooth and if you get a rock in the chain they lock up

i looked at the kalee to, do it share alot with the baja or is going to be trouble to find parts for?

4 X 4 all the way.
 

I agree with you SemiPro. I have not purchased a Baja 5b for the same reason. I want a true 4X4 version. It seems that RCM has put a lot of work into an "E"-conversion so why not get a good 4X4 conversion going as well. This would make teh 5b a truly awsome vehicle to own. I just do not like 2wd R/C vehicles either.

I think you're going to have problems using Mike's baja kit with that belt drive system. It may be as simple as drilling a couple holes into the rcm side plates, but I doubt it. Probably going to have to mill down something here, add spacers there, hope it lines up... You know the drill. Parts of the 4wd belt system appear to attach to the side plate, and other parts to the engine and clutch. Exploded views would help you see what you're getting into.

The Kalee looks like it has a wider chassis, so I'm doubting mikes kit will fit. Lots of pics of it can be found here tho http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_9374797/tm.htm

Wonder why we have not seen something like a scaled up 1/8 buggy/truggy... Sorta like the redcat 1/5 scale. I would go with something like that to covert over a 5b.

Belt that are not enclosed cause alot of issues offroad. 2 pair of hypoid bevels and a center bearing supported shaft would be a much better way to transfer power.

The baja layout is mainly to get the gas engine in a suitable location given its dimensions and weight. We realy need a dedicated E-chassis that could use all or art of the baja suspension as that appears to be the big benifit over the other 5th scale stuff out there. Would not bee too hard, a large U channel chassis with milled suspension attachement points that bolt in. It has been a while since I had my ex baja apart, is the rear diff seperate from the rear suspension attachment points?

I had planned to make a buggy that used the XTM XLB buggy body. Would not be as long as the baja, but close. Was going to use muggy/lst parts, custom shock towers and a 4-6" wide al channel with 1.5" tall sides as the chassis. Narrow and strong. Planned to run a center diff/spool with a side or top mounted motor just like the rcm conversion parts for 1/8 buggies. Being long the motor and center drive could be closer to the rear and the batteries would be at the front. 4wd of course. Need to mock it up again so you can see what I am thinking...

Oh I know what you're thinking. I've had the same idea in my head for awhile, only difference is I have a bunch of maxx parts and a 1520 to put to use.

My only issue with maxx parts is the relative lack of strength. Howver if you were to make your oven metal bulks, use rpm arms with the hd front knuckels and a true track rear szetup and something like an 1/8 buggy steering setup you would have a light weight suspension. Couple that to a carbon fibre chassis (U shape and thick-ish) and you may be able to keep the weight way down.

I had planned to use 40 series wheels/tires for the rear, and the lpr truggy tires and wheels for the front to give the narrow/wide buggy look. The boddy of the XLB is boxy, and I think it would look good that way.

I have some extruded alum U-channel that'll do the job and still be light. All stock plastic for now, and probably only 2wd unless I feel like making a long front dogbone. Might try to make my own front bulk if I keep it 2wd, never liked the lower hinge pin support on the maxx. Plan on shortening it up about 3 inches (5b buggy body) and using either a buggy or a savage bellcrank setup. 3905 Emaxx trans converted to use a Revo mount, all mounted as low as possible and in the rear. Idk about tires yet, kinda like your idea with truggy up front. We'll see, this is just a spare parts (besides body) street and grass basher. Still have to start work on the custom chassis for my other maxx first, that truck is my "real" basher.

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

Making a 1/8 scale wider while stretching it is a must. On my stetted erevo (5b length) rpm 1/2 offset wheels weren't quite enough. Another 1/2" per side with extended hexes like brains wouldve been perfect. For my spare parts maxx build I plan on welding extensions to the pillow balls and tie rods instead of buying extended hexes though.

The "rail design" is meaningless. All the gear was planned to be mounted in the center of the buggy, the transmission is longitudinal, and the suspension geometry is based on 2wd.

To me it's like "I like the B4, so I'm going to make it 4wd because it'd be awesome" when it's the absolute WRONG vehicle for it.

Kershaw designs had a setup with longer pillow balls to widen the maxx suspension.

I think that with 1/8 components a 1/5 size vehicle can be made that stays well under 20lbs. A 1717 or 1527 motor on 8s lipo (40c packs, 4000mah or so to keep the weight down) and motor brakes with 4wd would be fine.

I may weld up some tubular arms to widen the lst setup. Just need to find a suitable cv axle that I can buse it off. Would use al c hubs and knuckles on the front and al carriers on the rear. Lst shocks seem fine. Or use the baja ones.

As I was building mine, I thought it would weigh in at 17-18 lbs. But with Baja wheels and tires and 8s 5000mah batteries, it runs at 18.9 lbs now. Under 20 lbs, yes, but it would be difficult to get it a lot lighter.

Wheels and tires are one of the main things that add alot of weight to a vehicle. I do agree that they look great, but I would likely just run 40 series on the back and truggy on the front. You can drop a pound or more just by swapping wheels/tires.

I would also run lighter batts, and just have 2 sets if I wanted longer runtime. With the 40c lipos I am sure that 4000mah or slightly less will do.

The HCR kit for the 1.5 maxx was my inspiration and the Kershaw kit is tempting, but I won't buy it. The build is the fun for me, I want to build as much as possible with this one and save some cash too.

My Erevo ended up weighing in at 15.5lbs, baja 5t body, brake line rollcage, mmm2200 combo, 5s 6000 25c, LST (lighter 2nd gen design) tires on RPM stablemaxx. And that was with stock, not aluminum tierods, pushrods, etc. Plus the chassis was heavier than it needed to be because of my lack of certain tools and the bolted together design I had to use. Probably could've gotten it under 15lbs though, the 5t body weighed about a pound.