Losi XXL Roll Cage? / How to make one?

[jpoprock]

I think it's strange that no one makes a roll cage for the XXl. A friend of mine emailed RC Solutions and asked if they were going make one, and they said they had no plans to. Then of course, if they did it would be nitro, and usually those won't fit an E-modded XXL without modding the roll cage itself. Plus there is no standard way of doing the E-conversion, so there really can't be a standard fit all cage.

I'm not sure what all is involved in making a roll bar/cage. What kind metal do you use for the bar? Do you just bend it how you want it, tap holes in the ends where you want it to attach, and yer done? Aside from welding, sanding, and painting it. BRO told me once kinda how he does it... as he mods a New Era roll bar by chopping off one of the legs, and welding on a new piece of metal that he bends up to fit. But he's already told me once how he did ... and that was 10,000 emails ago and I can't recall. He also said that you have to have a certain kind of welder... MIG? My neighbor has a welder as he restores old cars. It works well for Steel, but not alum. I'm not even sure that these New Era bars are alum, or steel?

I have an RC Solutions LST2 cage... but it doesn't fit my conversion... without hacking it up. But I'm not sure what kind of welder would work, plus, I'm assuming that the RCS cage is made of alum? Can you even weld alum?

It's so frustrating that I don't know very much about welding, routing, cutting, etc... because my RC tastes have now evolved to the point that I want something a certain way, I've gotta make it myself, and I don't know how! I have to rely on others, who have their own things going on. And some people don't like cutting up frames and parts for you, because of the time involved... and they aren't comfortable with charging you, so they just don't do it.

So, I'm at the point to where I want to get stuff done, i'm going to need to learn how to do it myself. I have welded before and I do pretty well with it. But I don't own a welder and I really don't know anything about them either.

J

[Bondonutz]

RC Solutions is aluminum and makes getting to the componants on the chassis a real chore, let alone for a conversion.

A mig welder for steel is much different than one for aluminum, fortunately I can do both with my Spool gun Miller at home by just changing gas and wire.

OBTW,
Actually I had to remove the leg to make it work w/the LST2 chassis because of where the Duder mount was mounted. Making the NE roll bar work with the XXL will be much easier. No, I haven't had time nor motovation to go out and mod the roll bar I already bought for you. Be patient will ya, It's going to be belated B-day present so hold your F'in horses would ya ? You impatient prick. You ruined the surprise with your belly acheing,happy now ?

[jpoprock]

Cool yer jets precious. That wasn't intended for u. I have like 3 Lst's, and those bars are $50 a pop, plus time spent modding them. I can't ask u to be my full time welding muse clear down in Florida! It would be nice to be able to do stuff like that, and not have to worry about when my busy friends can find the time to fullfill my whims! being self sufficiant is a GOOD thing!

However, yer kindness is much appreciated! If u come up to bash with me, you'll eat like a king, and I'll even get you a special snack =)

J

[Bondonutz]

Originally Posted by jpoprock

Cool yer jets precious. That wasn't intended for u. I have like 3 Lst's, and those bars are $50 a pop, plus time spent modding them. I can't ask u to be my full time welding muse clear down in Florida! It would be nice to be able to do stuff like that, and not have to worry about when my busy friends can find the time to fullfill my whims! being self sufficiant is a GOOD thing!

However, yer kindness is much appreciated! If u come up to bash with me, you'll eat like a king, and I'll even get you a special snack =)

J

Not upset at all, mearly breaking balls and giving you a hard time because you seemed do bummed and helpless asking for help. What better time to kick then when your down.
If all 3 you want modded are for XXL's it's really not much of a problem. I have 2 New Era bars waiting to be modded. I bought them w/the intention of modding and reselling to make a buck but there doesn't seem to be much of a demand except you ? I can hook you up if you send me a third, I'll bump them all at at once.
BTW, I think I'll pass on the special snack.(shutter to think what you mean)
Just have plenty of beer on hand, I'm a human sink for alcohol.

The rock crawler guys that make their own chassis using car brake line and M.A.P.P gas welding.You could build on that way,but beware brake line can have a coating that is toxic when heat is applied.

[Bondonutz]

They work just fine for the crawlers that just roll over while driving slowly, for a 14+ lb Monster Truck doing 40mph + and landing ugly while jumping it would literally crush a cage like that.