How does a converted LST2 work as a basher?

[R00ST]

I was set on a brushless revo as my all purpose basher but then got to thinking...about how an lst2? I have heard they are absolute beasts as far as durability.

How does the MMM power this turck? I have heard they are really heavy..anyone have a converted weight? Would 4s on the 2200 mamba push this alright or would I really have to gear down and run 5s/6s to get any kind of speed?

[mistercrash]

My LST XXL conversion is very close to 14 pounds ready to run with a couple 3S 5800 mah lipos and the big stock tires. 5 or 6S is best for this truck. 4S is ok for some but I find it a bit lame on 4S. The E-Revo does very well on 4S, it's 3 pounds lighter hovering at the 10 pound mark. Some use the MMM with the 2200 motor, others like me prefer a little more grunt by running Neu 1521 or CC 1520. I've seen people run the CC 1717. I run the Neu 1520 1Y. If I had to do it again, I would try the CC 1520.
The only recurring problems I've had with the LST are the steering knuckles (can be replaced by aluminum ones) the steering turnbuckles ( I replaced those with 5 mm Lunsford ones, problem solved) The front shock shafts ( I made my own 5 mm thick shock shafts, problem solved) and the rear diff ( I put 70% punch control on the MMM, problem solved).
Up to now, for my LST, the best bashing tires and wheels I tried are Proline 40 series Mashers, mounted on Losi 420 series dish wheels and Racers Edge two stage Maxx inserts with and extra layer of foam to over stuff the tires.

The LST is not a speed machine, it is a real Monster Truck and is more comfortable at 45 mph max or less. I gear for 38 to 40. If you crave speed runs then the E-Revo Brushless is better. The LST is a true basher but less of a racer. The handling is good but always real monster truck like. The ERBE is a true racer and also a good basher but more fragile. The handling is amazing, more Truggy like than monster truck. No matter what is said, the ERBE is a 4S vehicle. Anything higher than 4S and you start breaking drive train parts very often.

Hope this helps.

[JERRY2KONE]

That was one of the most informative posts I have ever read on the comparison between two vehicles. Great post and fair comparison. Thank you for that report.

[brian015]

My converted Muggy is just under 12 lbs (with Badlands MT tires). It runs great on 4s (with MMM2200 combo) geared for 40mph. As far as I'm concerned, it does everything my ERBE did, only tougher and easier to work on.


















I think mistercrash should get a Muggy

[Bondonutz]

4s & 2200 is a great combo for the LST2, you will not likely break anything drivetrain related and plenty of power for good times bashing.
Personally I'm was a little happier with the 1518 and 5s but that was after driving with 4s&2200 for over a year ?

Revo needs heavy mods for anything over 4s for sure, But does handle much better.

[TexasSP]

I had my LST2 on 6s with the 2200. The RPM's were too high. On that motor I would go 5s and gear 40-45.

Personally, on the LST2 I think a lower KV motor on 6s geared 40ish is the best bet. It handled well for me at high speeds, but that really isn't fun in that truck. I would get the 1518 or better yet the 1520 for it. The 1717 is a nice motor, but limited on pinions due to the 6mm shaft and is a best to fit properly.

All in all I think the LST2 is the best basher hands down. Good handling (unlike the savage) and extremely durable (unlike the revo).

Like was said, if you plan on doing speed runs then the revo is the better bet, but be warned, you will shread parts left and right.

Of course if you want something a little smaller and cheaper, the 4x4 slash with masher 2k's is a great little basher. Cheaper to set up and very durable. Nice thing about it is with a quick tire change and shock adjustment you can change it's performance quite a bit. Throw some paddles on it and have a nice sand rail, throw some street tires on and have a decent speed machine, throw the track tires on it and have a fun short course racer.

[R00ST]

Thanks for all the info everyone.

I was originally set on the slash as a DO-ALL vehicle (speed runs, offroad etc etc) but am worried its offroad ability is hampered by its lower COG and limited suspension travel (what makes it a great short-course or road carving vehicle).

Also, I was planning on throwing some beefy tires on but have heard anything above m2ks (and sometimes even m2k's or badlands) are killing driveshafts. I was planning on getting one and trying to do some mods to the arms/shafts to get another few MM's out of the suspension travel but sounds like its already tearing up driveshafts so increasing the output angle is only going to worsen things. Not to mention if I did decide to run cvds (which I heard break easily too) that severely limits suspension travel, almost less than stock in some cases.

Do you have a slash 4x4? It does sound like the perfect all purpose truck (minus heavy/rocky offroad as the ground clearance and suspension travel are just not there) but I am worried at the durability of the drive line at anything above 2s power.

[junkman]

I have all three, a slash 4x4, erevo, and a converted lst2. I normally treat my stuff pretty well, with the exception of the 4x4. I have beat the absolute t-total crap out of it, and still running strong. It has been a loner truck, skate park truck, just abused and have fun. I think I've broke 1 hub carrier, a couple shocks, and thats about it. It is pretty much bone stock, always ran on 3s. It does have a blitz body on it, it's wider and tougher and I think that has saved it a lot. It has sold probably 5 others ones just from the durability, and how it runs out of the box. The converted lst2, I have had no problems with since completion. Run it on 5s with mmm, and a medusa 36/80/2000. It is a big heavy truck, impresses the buddies with rolling backflips, guessing geared for around 40 or so. It has a ton of aftermarket stuff on it, rpm arms, carbon chassis, hard anod skids, anod shocks. I probably have more tied up in it than any other truck I have. I don't really "bash" it, and def cringe when it goes cartwheeling across the yard, but yet to break anything on it. I still like the e-revo, but really don't use it too much anymore. Run it on 4s, mmm, medusa 36/70/2200. It handles pretty well, much lighter than the lst, but I have broken some parts on it. A couple shafts, went through several diffs, but I don't shim them or anything, just pop them in, It is kind of a pain to change diff in, but a loosened slipper would probable work wonders. I guess it boils down to how much you want to spend really, you can get some serious money tied up in an lst when you figure $100 for mount and single speed, then a battery box. Its gonna take some good power and good batteries moreso than the others. Parts aren't as readily available, and are more costly as well.

[TexasSP]

I don't own the slash 4x4 but have several friends that do and I have driven them. I would have never thought of beating the revo the way you can a slash and quite frankly theirs have held up just as good as my LST2.

The thing about it is that it's much lighter than the LST2, less than half the weight. You can use less expensive brushless systems and batteries for it, and the parts are generally cheaper. For must purposes in my experience in RC, lighter is better.

I don't know for sure but I would bet that with a jato shaft upgrade you could run standard MT wheels and tires (I wouldn't try 40 series though as they even have a tough time on the bigger trucks without the right power system).

It's also much easier to get parts support locally for a slash since the truck is so popular. In my experience everything for the LST2 had to be ordered online.

I am with junkman, if I had a loaner vehicle it would be the 4x4.