Picking a truggy!
 

So I'm very torn on trying to pick a truggy to convert to electric. In that case I'm having a hard time choosing a buggy or truggy! I'd like to start with a roller or something cheap and go from there. I've watched some Jammin X1's and X2's on ebay but they always seem to go out of my price range fast.

Whats a good price on a 1/8th scale truggy roller? what kinda stuff should i be looking for?

So I've done a little looking and seen a few Mugen MBX5T's and Kyosho ST RR's, i know these are a little out dated, but that's OK with me I'm just looking for a entry into 1/8th scale truggy's. What's a fair price for a used nitro roller minus motor? $150?

MY vote is for a MBX5T. I saw a converted one for under $200- for sale on another forum site....which I almost bought as a back up to my converted truggy... I have one and it is built like a tank. Unless you are going to race a need a newer version, the older one is a good bet. Another option is a D8T....built well and inexpensive. Mike has the pieces here at RCM to convert both vehicles if needed as well

When you are looking, try to find one that has been converted already...cheaper in the long run. Because the mugen mbx5t is an older model, I stocked up on spare parts...now, there are still available on several sites, so no worries there.

The StRR is also well made, but harder to get parts . The D8T has parts readily available. Other good options are the Associate and Losi truggies

If you have not converted before, it is not hard if you just buy a roller. The hardest part is mounting the battery tray. If you buy a roller with out a conversion, here at RCM in the store are all the kits you need for a simple conversion.

Because brushless power has much more torque the nitro, you will need to change you diff oils a bit to cut down on tire ballooning as well as check your diffs for shimming as there can be no play in the diffs with electric power.

I have a D8T and it has been a great truck for me. Very durable and easy to work on.

I've seen them forsale for under $200 already converted and as a nitro roller with a bunch of parts.

Lately I've been noticing a lot of truggy roller for sale on other forums, maybe just becuase its winter and people are changing things up after the holidays.

Good luck,
Nick

I've played bit with converting already but not a fill size truggy. I've done a monster GT and a rc10gt to sc10gt with a e conversion.

I was also leaning towards the mbx5t , well if you ever come across any deals on a roller or converted let me know! I'd like to spend as little as possible but I'm willing to spend upwards of $200 for something more complete.

So I've spotted this in my price range? how low should i offer? what seems reasonable?
http://www.iamsee.com/photos/for_sale/_MBX5T%2001.JPG

I saw this same truggy as well...the money issue is up to you. Put it this way 20 months ago I bought my roller for 225- and it had a lot of spares and it was not converted. If you can wait to find a really cheap roller...say 150- shipped at most as you will spend another almost 80- to 100- for batt tray and motor mount

Yeah I understand, it's just the initial cost that's hard for me. So the least I can spend on the truggy now the better. Then once I have my platform I can slowly build it up and spend little at a time.
I've been looking at a few on eBay but I know those prices get pretty out of hand fast. I'm just looking for something that's functional and has decent tires lol

Also I was curious to see how the newer style forward cab bodies fit on the mbx5t?

@ Cerberus Are you going to be Racing with it?
If not or except for sparatic occasions with friends,

What about looking at say the losi Muggy? Rollers of them can be found cheap...
Sometimes a converted roller can be found on the bay for around $200ish...

I don't plan to race due to my work schedule but I do have a track locally and a track on my property that I built. So i do mainly plan on using a truggy for track use and rarely for bashing

Having just gone through this process I can say that while converting a car is easy, there is some thought and lots of little questions that you'll have to ask and have answered if you've never done it. I went against the grain and went with a dual battery configuration and have only gotten it running tonight but I'm completely happy with it. Can go from Mild, wild, and insane by changing the battery setup.

I've always been a fan of the Jammin (hong-nor) cars. The X2 should have parts for a while. I can still easily find parts for my X1cr and X1 CRT. www.nitrohouse.com has them galore (offshoot of OFNA the importer of Hong-Nor and Hobao RCs). The cars are tough as nails, and at the time of production top notch in handling too. Against today's stuff they'll be just as tough, but will probably lack the agility of modern designs. Designs seem to have moved towards a nose heavy design to increase steering response. Older 1/8th scales are rear biased.

I picked up my X1CR FTE buggy about 6 years ago for $150 used on ebay.

5 years ago I picked up my X1 CRT Pro on ebay for $450 minus engine and receiver. It came with new digital servos and all the other goodies. At the time though it was a new truck and still the flavor of the month so I paid nearly full price for it.

I like to keep all of my cars "in the family" so that parts sharing is a possibility. That more than anything has kept me going on rough days.

They have a brand new chassis comes as a roller.
I seen it in other rc store.
Can't recall the name but can check it out.
Think it was like 330 for it.
Not sure exactly what you looking for.

I'm really looking for a good truggy roller hopefully under $200 as my platform.

I'm not really looking for the latest and greatest as I'm not racing, but at the same time I do want something that's a little more up to date and will perform fairly well on the track.

I have been looking at a couple jammin crts for a while but I haven't really looked hard enough because they usually go out of my price range

HPI has one out that is already elctric.
I seen it listed as only 440 rtr.
Comes with a flux system on it.

Hotbodies d8t for 340 by the way.

you can pick up 8t v1 and mbx5t's sparatically on the bay around low 200's

there is an mbx5t on the bay as a roller for $125 right now with 4hrs left.
Losi 8ight T 2.0 Brushless roller for $350 and 1 for $330

Thats with just a quick couple second look...:smile:

I actually planned on bidding on that mbx5t on the bay. Unfortunately my phone never gave me the notification it was ending as I was in a seminar all day and totally forgot. Oh well, something else will show up!

So i have a mugen mbx5t prospec lined up, but I also have my eye on a mugen mbx with a msr truggy conversion.

What do u guys think? Pull the trigger on the prospec or go for the coversion? I know the prospec will be need few $$$ to get me going. But to my understanding the msr is going to be quite a bit older?

Pull the trigger on the mbx5t pro. I think this will be a safe bet as you are correct on the msr..

I've converted a 6T and I love it :) The 5T prospec has some extras (Ti and alu parts) on it compared to a regular 5T. :


PROSPEC STANDARD PARTS

B0104 Fuel Filter S
E0101 Front Upper Plate
E0102 Center Diff. Mount Plate
E0117 Titanium Rear Upper Arm
E0118 Rear Lower Arm Support
E0119 Front Lower Arm Support
E0123 Lower Arm Shaft
E0124 Rear Lower Arm Shaft S
E0125 Rear Lower Arm Mount
E0126 Al. Rear Upright
E0139 Al. Front Tension Rod
E0140 Al. Rear Tension Rod
E0301 Radio Plate
E0311 Servo Saver Plate 5mm
E0522 Front Damper Stay 5mm
E0523 Rear Damper Stay 5mm
E0703 One-Piece Engine Mount
E0818 Titanium Steering Rod 76 (φ4)
E0819 Titanium Turn Buckle Rod 47

Do not do the MBX conversion. I almost went down that route and it adds a ton of stress points to the A-Arms and hub assemblies.

It uses extenders to extend the wheel base, and its a short chassis which means you'll have a hell of a time keeping the nose on the ground. And with brushless you'll ave no luck at all wheeling it around on 4 wheels.

Get the prospec or go with another decent truggy. The conversion is just a headache.

Well its paid for! I bought the mugen mbx5t prosec and now just have to wait for it to arrive!

Any pointers or areas I should address when i tear into this thing? I already plan on going through the different and drive train when it arrives. Then swap the center differential for the slipperential I've been patently waiting to use.

I also would like to run a newer style forward cab truggy body, do I have to get extended body post or anything? Also which ones do I look for that would fit?

Now it comes time for the fun conversion part.

If you have all the conversion parts from the RCM store, it's a snap. I believe some are using the bulldog bodies on their mugens...I think the front posts are ok, but what I do when I need body posts is buy traxxas mounts...can't remember which one at the moment...one of these anyway.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...unts&search=Go

I added a front bumper to help with protecting the front lower a arms which I have broken due to driver error on 3 occasions. Other than that mine has been bomb proof. Depending what size motor you are using you will prob have to shim up center diff for motor clearance. Make sure to shim diffs correctly.

Here is a pic of mine all done...

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/DSC02944.jpg


since this pic a yr + ago, I have blacked out all my wires, added a rx box, added a front bumper and am now using a spektrum radio, so no lg.antenna

So i have a castle Mamba monster and a castle 1512 1.5y 1800kv ready for the truggy, is that goin to be a good combo on 5 and 6s? Now all I need is to wait and order my rcm stuff!!

I have ran the 1512 2.5d neu on a emaxx.
It was crazy on 6s.
Hard to keep front tires on ground with center diff.
I not sure what weight you are running but try to keep it light as can.
I was only about 8lbs ready to run on maxx.

The 1512 is normally considered a buggy motor not a truggy motor.

I'm running a Tekin 2000kv motor on 4s and it has plenty of power.

Nick

I am using the 1520 on 5s and it rips in my truggy. Sooo much torque.

Congrats

So am I going to have any problems running the 1512 1.5y 1800kv if i gear it conservatively? Its what I have and didn't budget for a different motor cuz I though it would work OK...

Geared accordingly you should not have any problem...
Just pay attention to your temps...

I have a Toro 2560kv Brushless system on 6s lipo (Turnigy Nano's 45-50c somewhere in there, To lazy to go check right now) that had been running in my E-revo (sold the Revo, Steped up to a muggy) for a good portion of the year Never had any problems Geared accordingly and my temps were great

I say run it Balls to Walls geared accordingly and you should be great...

Just remember You need to update with some Vids when done...