LOSI LST XXL Conversion ideas

[mistercrash]

I want a new project and I'm thinking of a LST conversion. I have no experience with LSTs so I thought I would ask first and maybe get some feedback from LST owners. I did a lot of research on many forums and saw a lot of pictures. I also studied the Losi exploded views of the truck but all this is not like having the truck in front of me.

Here's some ideas I have. Tell me if it's possible.

- Can the two chassis side rails be straight? I was thinking of fabricating new rails that are straight making the middle of the chassis as narrow as possible. Why? because I'm also thinking of making a bigger, wider bottom (skid) plate that would stick out on either side to house lipos with either battery boxes or battery straps. This would bring the CG way down.

- With a chassis that is thinner in the middle, could the BL E-Revo tranny be used? Why? Because it's got a very effective and inexpensive slipper and I can easily stuff one of my 8th scale CDs in there which is made with LST parts. The output shafts of the tranny could have Mike's hardened steel drive cups on them to mate with the LST's CVD's.

I'm concerned about the steering components, it's hard to tel from pics or exploded views if my ideas can be done. There might be other issues that I don't know about.
I want to try to make a brushless LST that has a low CG and doesn't require to many custom parts. Two straight chassis rails and a bottom plate are easy to make. The rest I hope could be stock parts from other vehicles that are easy to get or replace if need be.

So thanks for any input on this, I need to know if my ideas are feasible. I don't want to buy a new truck and find out that what I want can't be done.

[TexasSP]

If you can custom make your own parts this can all be done. The steering would take some work to set up correctly but again, it can be done.

[mistercrash]

That's encouraging. Thanks.

[JThiessen]

I'm all for you joing the LST crowd. If you didn't see it - I'm doing the same conversion, and making my own chassis. Bondonutz just did one also (both of our threads are in the General Section). Linc has a thread somewhere here on his, and PinkPanda has one also..... I started out looking to use the Revo tranny also, but have now gone the route of a center diff. I have a brand new tranny if you want it (I think I paid about 40 for it).

We REALLY need a LOSI or LST/Muggy section on here. Seems that a majority of us are moving away from Traxxas based rigs now, and maybe its time this site reflects that a little more......

[nitrostarter]

Originally Posted by JThiessen

I'm all for you joing the LST crowd. If you didn't see it - I'm doing the same conversion, and making my own chassis. Bondonutz just did one also (both of our threads are in the General Section). Linc has a thread somewhere here on his, and PinkPanda has one also..... I started out looking to use the Revo tranny also, but have now gone the route of a center diff. I have a brand new tranny if you want it (I think I paid about 40 for it).

We REALLY need a LOSI or LST/Muggy section on here. Seems that a majority of us are moving away from Traxxas based rigs now, and maybe its time this site reflects that a little more......

Same notion here as well. Picked up a LST roller. converting to XXL. Maybe transmission deletion however I want to keep the MT abilities that go along with a transmission. I'll be starting a thread as well once I get stuff in the mail.

So you are basically looking to make a G-Maxx style chassis for the LST? Sounds great! Looking to make a racer or speed truck? Or just a low COG basher?

[brian015]

What you're describing sounds somewhat Muggy-like, with your bottom plate similar to the Muggy's. If so, you could use the Muggy steering parts that would mount right on your bottom plate. (I just converted a Muggy to brushless and love it)

[lincpimp]

I would go with muggy steering. You idea sounds pretty good, you will have to remake the plates that go between the bulks and the shock towers, as they interface with the top chassis plate. Sounds like it will be strong, but not sure if it will be any better than a muggy (with the better chassis plate).

I look forward to your project. My muggy does turn better than the lst due to the CD, but I really like the std lst for stunts and jumps. Different strokes for different folks, right!

[JThiessen]

Originally Posted by lincpimp

but I really like the std lst for stunts and jumps.

Do you think you can describe the "why" for that statement? Is it based on your feeling that the LST is a little more durable for those stunts and jumps? Or does its geometry give it something that makes it better for that? Just prodding for data......

[riverat1540]

We REALLY need a LOSI or LST/Muggy section on here. Seems that a majority of us are moving away from Traxxas based rigs now, and maybe its time this site reflects that a little more......

agreed!

[lincpimp]

Originally Posted by JThiessen

Do you think you can describe the "why" for that statement? Is it based on your feeling that the LST is a little more durable for those stunts and jumps? Or does its geometry give it something that makes it better for that? Just prodding for data......

I have narrowed that down to the lack of a center diff. The muggy is pretty much identical to the lst in the suspension dept. The lst chassis is stronger. And i like the layout of my lst better than the muggy, a bit more weight up front which suits my driving style better. Plus the higher cg makes driving more interesting.

I will say that I have never liked truggies, and the muggy is the only one out of about 6-8 truggies that I have owned that i will keep. Truggies may be good for racing but i only bash and they are a bit boring to me. I like an 1/8 buggy, but that feels completely different to a truggy.

The center diff makes wheelies a little harder to control, and I do not like in flight control as much with the cd. Plus braking is better IMO without the cd. Steering is not as good, but my bash area is not too tight, and I can always drift on power or brakes to turn a bit tighter.

I still like the muggy, and currently it is assembled so it gets played with more often.

[nitrostarter]

Originally Posted by lincpimp

The center diff makes wheelies a little harder to control, and I do not like in flight control as much with the cd. Plus braking is better IMO without the cd. Steering is not as good, but my bash area is not too tight, and I can always drift on power or brakes to turn a bit tighter.

I will have to second that idea. Experiencing front wheels unloading while in a wheelie is horrible and usually ends bad, for example.

The LST is a MT, its big, 4WD and tough! I much rather full time 4WD for bashing, crawling, traction, and fun!

[riverat1540]

I wonder how the muggy would be with the center diff locked, i wish i had saved the locker from my Cen gst.

[mistercrash]

Originally Posted by nitrostarter

Looking to make a racer or speed truck? Or just a low COG basher?

A low CG basher would be what I am hoping for. I raced for a lot of years, off road, onroad, 1/10, 1/8, nitro and electric. Right now I really like the fun I have with MTs but since the MT race class is dead around here, I only bash. But the racer in me loves to bash with a good handling MT. When it handles like a racer, it is just more enjoyable to me.

Originally Posted by lincpimp

you will have to remake the plates that go between the bulks and the shock towers, as they interface with the top chassis plate.

I planned on making new plates out of CF so no problem there. There might be a couple more parts that I would like to replicate in CF. It might not make the truck stronger but it might make it a little lighter.

Thanks for all the replies, I will look at the Muggy steering as a good option to what I hope to do. I just need more funding for this project. Might take a while.

[lincpimp]

Funding... Just sell a kidney. Or your balls, they go for at least 150k for a working pair.

[JThiessen]

Sperm bank.....