So, in the above picture, 1 or 2 motors turn a spur-gear on one side of the Baja that rotates a shaft that has a pinion-gear attached to it on the other side of the Baja that then turns that actual spur-gear of the Baja? And the bearings on that shaft sure do look small, and it looks like there's just one bearing on the left-side by the pinion-gear...

Anyway, I agree with what has already been said, that contraption above is just a total mess, with completely unnecessary components, parts and layout...and it will probably bend on the very first impact, or maybe even during installation, heh!

I happened to be in my lhs when a guy brought this in so I snapped a few pics. Its a King Motors clone with every (king motors) aluminum part installed, running really tall rear tires. Proline moab XL's on 23mm adapters I think, alot taller than stock either way. Thats a 2215 1Y in there powered by a hobbywing 150, he's got 2 6s in parrallel. :slap: Claims he's seen 38mph on radar and it has more in it, but was limited by space at the time. Also told me a 5b body won't fit, it'll hit the gear on the jackshaft. No mech brakes on this one, don't know if its possible with this kit. I do know he bought the car from Dan setup like this, but with a MMM. He's hoping the hobbywing won't go up in flames like the MMM did. :lol: Yes I explained why neither would survive very long and what he needed to do. He then mentioned Dan told him a 1/5 esc was coming from hobbywing that would solve the problem. Anyway on to the pics.

Edit: Chadworks, there are two bearings supporting the shaft, one on each side. They go in from the gear side, I guess that way the gear helps hold them in place? Dan told him the dual motor setup had synching issues so it was scrapped. But he kept the shaft so you can't run a 5b body without cutting it for gear clearance.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...2/IMG_0467.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...2/IMG_0468.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...2/IMG_0470.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k3...2/IMG_0473.jpg

I did not think I could be any less impressed but these new pics did it. It looks like pure crap. So the dual motor idea did not work so instead of redesigning the mount he just hacks that together. And best yet the 5B bodies don't work on it?! What's the point?

Total garbage, I can't wait to see Mike's conversion put that pile to shame.

Overdriven wrote: "He then mentioned Dan told him a 1/5 esc was coming from hobbywing that would solve the problem."

That's the blind leading the blind alright.. Kershaw "designs" I think I could do better with finger paint. He might want to rename his operation, something like "Rube Goldberg RC" maybe.

A freakin jackshaft? And why do the 'metal' gears look suspiciously like aluminum?
No interest in 5th scales personally, but man the HPI deserves better than that.

That thing is disgraceful, no other word. It really lools like he pulled the gears from a Walmart toy.... thanks for the laugh Mr. Dan!

That's pretty much why I posted it. Its hard to tell what you're getting into from the pics I've seen of the kit so far. From what I can tell, the spur(?) gear on the left side will hit the body, don't know about the right side. I didn't get into it much, was more concerned with trying to point this guy in a better direction as far as electronics are concerned. I'm still wondering how anyone could sell this kit powered by 6s on a MMM though, especially without mechanical brakes. And if it isn't clear on the pics, the mount doesn't tie into the rear of the car at all on the left side, only the right.

Hmmm, I see a bent chassis in his future... :grrrrrr:

Yet another reason to keep my 5B and 5T as they are with the whipper snipper motors. These brushless Baja conversions have been an ongoing tease for yrs now, and so far all that's available is either c#ap or "coming soon.... if ever...."

This was the first thing I noticed when I saw at the pics...I mean, his mount goes right to that hole in the chassis, and there is absolutely no excuse for not simply making a tapped hole in the mount for a screw to tie the chassis to the mount. It's right friggin there!!! Why in the hell didn't he make a simple mount for the hole in the chassis that's right there! Just doesn't make sense.

http://pics.offroadextremes.com/rc/kd_crap1.jpg

And here as well...

http://pics.offroadextremes.com/rc/kd_crap2.jpg

http://pics.offroadextremes.com/rc/kd_crap3.jpg

Maybe I just like things, especially things on such large vehicles, to be braced well when they are going to be under great forces...I don't know, maybe it's just me.

It's not just you... :no: :lol:

I am also highly suspect of what grade aluminum he is using and the whole thing looks to be water jet cut as well. I would want my tolerances a little tighter. It's also clear that in the pieces he gave no consideration to the forces of impact as I see several break points.

Pretty Sad, wonder if Chris Fine had a hand in the design ?

^^^ lol @ Bondo. I agree with the bracing issues, a few simple changes to the side plates wouldve provided provisions for more bracing. I particularly like how the side plates are like a pedestal where they meet the bottom plate. Look at the left side under the motor pinion to see what I mean. Supposedly it's been through some tumbles though and has held up so far. Who knows how bad those tumbles were. I'm no expert in machining, but I'd say it was water jet cut also. The edges don't show that "machined" look and there are no signs of any additional operations performed to clean up the edges.

Edit: If anyone wants to post these images elsewhere in this or any other forum you have my permission. I didn't want to start a new thread so I just put it here.

I think Chris Fine would have incorporate some kind of motor clamps like he does for the LST conversions.... Still on the same level of crapsmanship. :whistle:

^Dont forget the bottle-top to protect the rear of the motor shaft...

Im highly un-impressed also; KD used to make some alright stuff and had a pretty good reputation ( rc-monster in a shed as I put it ), but lately Im not enthused at all- he ony seems to design his stuff & then get someone else to machine it, using the cheapest materials possible to increase profit margins. :no: