4wd Baja 5e based on stretched truggy chassis

[othello]

Third video while running on grass.

This was its first run on this type of surface. Still not pushing the car to its limit due to running it without body. You can actually hear the long centershaft rubbing against metal especially when i release throttle to neutral. The aluminium tube copes well with torque as it doesn't twist, but is to thin and starts to swing. i can actually bend it with my fingers. Using a thicker aluminum tube or even better a steel tube should cure this problem.

Since i made this video i have already performed 7 further test runs. Even with 9s1p A123 i had a lot of fun while running on grass: motor temperature remains absolutely uncritical even when pushing the car on higher grass. With 9s1p runtime dropped to 7 minute plus while pushing the car hardly on my wood track. 10s1p A123 seems to be more then enough power and top speed is perfect for a smaller track: Motor temperature is higher though as i did not adjust the pinion. With 11s1p A123 i have all the power i need to goof around. Motor temperature will reach higher levels as with 9s1p or 10s1p A123 as more power is generated with higher voltage (witout changing pinion).

@killajb
I think every company featuring a 1:8 truggy could easely acomplish something similar with a more factory build finish ;-)

@rootar
Hard to say. I really would like to drive a real Baja. 2wd is fun to drive at times. I'm glad that hpi has built a baja as it is superbly looking when compared to other big rc-cars.

@magman:
Your question was the initial spark to get this project rolling.

@D8Driver
It is definitively more stable than my 1:8 truggy, Buggy or truck. Very easy and predictable to drive. With a 1:8 Buggy you have a lot more to do behind your transmitter.

@BitHed
Chassis length does help. Still needs more shock travel on the rear axle as tires are smaller than the original Baja ones. I think you can see on the video that the chassis is sometimes bottoming out on the rear axle.

[Maciolus]

Great project! I am jealous ;)

Where have you found those CVD's?

Are there any 24mm hex adapters avalible?

...i havent seen the HPI ones for the Savage 5T yet but they should be out soon...just wondering what time lag HPI will put on them...Shouldnt be TOO long because I reckon they are aiming for the XL to 5T crowd...Keep y'all posted...

[othello]

Body is now painted and stickers are applied. I'm not 100% convinced with the result. I might change sticker positions.





@Maciolus
I lenghtened an original center CVD by cutting it in two halves. Added length with an aluminium tube which is glued onto the two cvd halves. A steel tube would have been a better choice since my aluminum tube is to thin and starts to swing under load.

...the look reminds me of the Tamiya Dark Impact..looks good though...would look great with some bigger knobblier tires too..

[othello]

Yep, with body those tires look somewhat to small. Although handling with truggy tires was perfect. Won't be easy to find good performing light wheight tires with bigger diameter fitting a wheel with the right hex.

[othello]

I shot 2 new videos this evening (filming while driving). Still running on truggy tires as they give good performance.

video on a small forest track
video on grass

I even managed to drift it on asphalt but the flash card was already full.