Bulk Upgrade

[giftacrylic]

I am a basher and need stronger bulks (and diffs), the shock towers shear off at the bulkheads.

Would the Fastlane Combo or the Fastlane Maxx bulks with Integy diifs serve me better? (considering strength and weight)

What gears used in the Combo Bulks?

Will the RPM arms work in these bulks?

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Sneeck]

Great Assembly bulk's, they have 3 nice features over the fast lane one's;

-Front brace has 3 screw's

-Rear has an extra brace for turnbuckle's

-Bulk's have an extra hole to get to the lower shock tower screw's.

Strength wise you won't notice anything unless you throw it off a building. Both are very very strong.
I've no idea what diff's can be used w/ the flm combo. RPM might need a bit of sanding on the inside to get them to fit smoothly but they do work.

[coolhandcountry]

If you get the $120 combo bulks they take stock gears. If you step up the hybirds. They used a different diffs. I ran the flm bulks with rpm arms. IT was a real tough setup. I never had a problem with the bulkheads. My motor was stronger than my spider gears. The combo bulks supposed to be lighter than the bulkhead and seperate diff.

Originally posted by giftacrylic
I am a basher and need stronger bulks (and diffs), the shock towers shear off at the bulkheads.

Does this happen on the rear bulks when you flip over? That's what I get after coming off a jump if I don't land on all fours. Drives me nuts.

I'm trying to stay away from aluminum (weight reasons) but think I'll go w/ Integy's for the rear only.

[giftacrylic]

That is what happens, come down from a jump and land on the rear and SNAP, playtime over.

Originally posted by giftacrylic
That is what happens, come down from a jump and land on the rear and SNAP, playtime over.

I've considered a roll cage if it would prevent damage to bulks, shock towers, and bodies as a reasonable alternative to converting all those parts to aluminum.

I believe the RC Solutions roll cage is 7oz and the aluminum upgrade to all those parts is probably about the same or more.

$100+ for the roll cage (https://securehost59.hrwebservices.n...=7&CID=TRAXXAS)

A little more than that for the all aluminum upgrade.

The big trade off w/ a roll cage when compared w/ aluminum upgrades would be the maintenance on internal stuff. I'm sure there are other trade offs I've not considered.

Unfortunately there's no cage like that for a g-maxx chassis. :-(

[Serum]

Hi Post!

FLM makes two types of the bulkless conversion, one for 1/8th diffs and one for stock sized diffs.

The three screws Sneeck is mentioning for the GA's are an overkill imo.. BUT the FLM's have got 2 screws for the brace, 3 for the diffcase, and have got a subtile design, over the massive and heavy weight GA's (those GA's are one big block of aluminum compared to those FLM's.



the FLM's also have got the option to hold the turnbuckles and they also fit the lowest hole in the shocktowers.

So far for the 'three strong points for GA' your mentioning Sicco.. ;)

[Sneeck]

Overkill may be, but I like it. Weight doesn't matter on my machine lol.

[JOHNNYMAXXIMA]

Originally posted by Serum

FLM makes two types of the bulkless conversion, one for 1/8th diffs and one for stock sized diffs.

Are these the ones you are talking about Serum?

[Papa]

The Bulkheads are the backbone of the entire chassis,drivetrain and suspension. These products offer the near bulletproof strength necassarry to support these systems. Both should be available from Mike and UE.

Bulkhead Bulkless

My choice was The VBS towered, an engineering marvel.Keep in mind the VBS is a limited production item and supply is dependent on production cycles. Basic economics principals do apply.;)

[Serum]

Yes Johny, those are the ones.

@papa; backbone maybe, but those FLM bulkhead are more than strong enough allready.. (and lighter than those heavy weight champs GA produces..)

I'm still running stock plastic bulkheads, but would like something stronger (or a better design) w/o adding weight.

I came across a package of Dace rear bulkheads at the LHS. I was shocked at how much those things weigh. Couldn't imagine having those front *and* rear. If I go aluminum for the bulks it'll be for the rear only (to eliminate the shock tower shearing problem) and probably the lightest aluminum bulks available (Integy, I believe).

At the moment I'm testing out RPM bulk braces to see if having a bulk w/ less twisting will help solve the issue. My theory is that w/ the stock bulkhead braces I'm getting lots of flex and this is adding to the stress on other components, but everything ties back to the bulkheads...and that's what is breaking.

I ran last Saturday w/ the RPM's in place, no breakage. Will give it a couple more Saturdays. ;-)

[Papa]

@Serum I have never had the chance to put the GA bulks on a scale. So I have no basis for weight comparison with the FLM. I think that the7075 material hardness rating is more than double that of 6061.
However,UE claims there bulkess system is "...Four Times stronger than the strongest competitor on the market today ...50 grams lighter than the lightest competitor on the market today..."

For the hardcore Basher I believe strength is King and weight savings can be found elseware. The weight -vs- strength equation does create an interesting conundrum.;)

[Serum]

That and the 'out of stock' status of the vbs, made me buy the 1/8th FLM's..

Trust me, if you crash your maxx at 45mph, the '4 times stronger than all the others' isn't strong enough anymore.. something will die, and if it's a 35 dollar bulkhead or a 150 dollar and up a-arms/upper/cvd..?

If you don't want it to brake, you should get 1/10 leopard replica..

Not matter how tough it is, something will be deformed.

[Papa]

It sounds like the trick is not to crash:L: . or is that bash...

Is it the the Shock tower, the screws or the bulk that is breaking?

With my sons (he is 8) stock emaxx, his stock bulks with rpm brace received a small crack 'fixed with CA', after a full on nose plant off the lipp of the ramp at the skate park. Concrete ouch! :M: Eventually he will get stock bulks for a replacement.

He snapped a body mount. We raised the new RPM body mounts up a bit seems to cushion the blow and provide abit of flex when he ends up upside down.

His latest trick is to run full speed into the big ol' oak tree. The roots send him in a nice flip that usually lands it on the rubber. Cool:L: No carnage yet:eek:

If you want to play your gonna pay.

If you have a five dollar head wear a five dollar helmet.