1/8th truggy conversion - simple one?
 

Hey all,

So I'm looking for a nitro to electric conversion project and have settled on a truggy, mostly based on handling aspects, but also partly due to looks. I'd like to take on a 1/8th scale conversion, as I'm used to running 1/10th scale and would rather not go smaller.

Any recommendations on a suitable 1/8th scale truggy that would be relatively easy to convert over to electric? While I'm definitely mechanically inclined (the first thing I do with most new cars is strip them down and rebuild to figure out how everything works), I don't have access/time to fabricate a ton of parts. Something that's easier on the pocketbook doesn't hurt either, but having said that, I'm not one to sacrifice quality for price. The CRT seems like a popular choice, but any other suggestions?

Thanks!

Chris

ecoli,

I've done a couple of truggies. The first was a Losi Muggy, but I didn't like the way it handled and it was too heavy for racing. It was more of a basher than a racer. I now have a Losi 8ight T and it is a very nice truck. It handles the rough stuff very well and has lots of steering. I believe it to be at least on par with the other leaders out there.

I have a friend that has a CRT and it is a nice handling truck, but the parts seem to wear faster than they do on other makes, especially around the hinge pins. This might be something that has changed, but that was my experience. If I had it to do over again, I'd take a harder look at the Mugen MBX5T and the new X-Ray XT8. Both are also nice trucks. I suppose that when you get into the caliber of vehicles such as the MBX5T, XT8, and 8ight T, it's really a matter of preference.

If you want something easy, just pick a model that Mike (RC Monster) makes a mount for. Then it's just a matter of wiring everything up...well, not quite that easy, but close. I believe that Mike is now making mounts for both the 8ight T and the CRT.

its a matter of what you are going to use it for if you are going for bashing you do not need as nice and adustable of a truck but the opisite can be said if you are a racer

I would actually go for an LSP or CRT, just because so many people have used those rc's for conversions, you'll be able to get lots of ideas, on how to mount everything, etc. Mike also has a motor mount made for both.

the LSP (hotbodies truggy) is a very popular truggy conversion around here. Also it is pretty cheap compared to most other higher end truggys. Most guys here have only good things to say about this truggy and lots of people like it and convert it.

I'm not trying to offend anyone, but I think that the reason that the LSP is so popular is because it is so inexpensive. Again, I don't want to offend anyone, but you do get what you pay for.

yes you are right it is not the highest quality truggy like the eight of 777 or anything, but by all means it is not a bad truck. I am just saying for the money it seems to be pretty decent.

I only mentioned the trucks that I did because he said that he is "not one to sacrifice quality for price."

Really, it all depends on what you want it for. If you just want a bashing truck, then you have all sorts of options. The Monster GT is a good tough truck (although not a racer) and I converted mine in a couple of hours using nothing but aluminum angle and plate with my drill press and hack saw.

I have found that bashers don't really need to be tougher. I've found that race trucks need to be tougher. If you break a part on a basher, you just stop for a couple of minutes and fix what broke. With a race truck, it has to be able to withstand the rigors of all out racing and NOT break (as easily anyway).

You'll also want to consider the availability and price of replacement parts. My jaw just about dropped when I found out that a complete set of arms for my 8ight was over $30, when it's half that for my Sportwerks vehicle. The up side is that I haven't broken any arms, yet.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Definitely some food for thought. I probably should have been more specific and stated that most of my driving is bashing. While I do hit the track, it's more for fun than for competition (i.e., a place where there's nice groomed jumps and banked curves for go fast, go high action!).

Having said that, I do enjoy spending more time driving than repairing broken parts (upgrading is another story!), hence my reason why I'm willing to drop some cash on this project for a decent, durable set-up.

Thanks again!

Chris

ecoli,

As I said, I've had both the Muggy and the 8ight T. The Muggy was more of a basher and the 8ight T is setup as a racer. The 8ight is tougher than the Muggy was, but it comes at a price.