1/8 scale buggy and sand

[jnev]

I was wondering if anyone here has driven a 1/8 scale buggy in sand, like at the beach. I am wondering because I am still undecided with what rc car to buy and don't know whether to spend a lot of extra money for an e-maxx or e-revo, or just go for an a lot cheaper rc like converting an xtermiantor which I can get for very cheap. I will be driving in sand a lot and jumping and definately need 4wd. With any of these rc's, I would be using the Mamba Monster Max.

So basically, I just need to know if anyone has had experience with a 1/8 scale buggy in fairly deep sand like at teh beach and how it does. There aren't any paddles for them as far as I know.

Thanks

[Sylvester]

Imo, buggies arent meant for loose sand, and bl motors hate sand. If you must drive in sand, a revo or maxx would be better, just make sure the rear endbell bearing and front are sealed tight.

[jnev]

How can you tighten it to be completely sure sand won't get in? Put silicone or something on the outside of the motors where there is an opening?

[Sylvester]

Well if your running a feiagao/wanderer motor, you put electrical tape on the rear, and you should make a tight motor bracket so it is sealed on ok, you can put some silicone on the wires comin from the back.

[jnev]

Oh, okay, I see. Thanks. I have pretty much decided that I will be running the Mamba Monster Max, so I won't really know if there are any openings until it comes out. Do you know if there are on the Mamba Max?

A little off topic, but how do you like you Factory Team b4. I was considering it a little while ago with teh 5700 like what you have. Also, how is it in terms of durability.

Thanks

If you are going to be running in the sand, stay away from buggies and try to go with a truck as light as you are willing to live with. Maybe an emaxx with beefed up drivetrain. If you don't already have them, go with rubber sealed bearings. They don't stop the sand, but will prolong your runtime before things start to give out. I get all of my bearings from Avid. They are $1 each and are a deal. As for keeping the sand out, it's almost impossible. Sand is amazing, it gets everywhere. You can seal the motor and I've had pretty good luck with that, but it's everything else that you have to worry about. Just about everything that is sealed with a rubber gasket will let at least a grain or two through. The longer you run, the better the chances of failure of some part due to sand. You can also expect accelerated wear of your suspension arms around the hinge pins.

Just go with something that will be cheap to fix. A factory team really isn't meant for bashing, it's meant for racing. At the risk of getting flamed, I'll go as far as to say that the FT version will break more easily than the standard version. If you are interested, I have an RC10T4 that I'm thinking about selling with a pair of maxamps 3S 4000mAh battery packs (brand spankin' new). BTW, I have all kinds of spare parts for it too.

[Sylvester]

The B4 is a very nimble buggy. With the MM5700 i have in it, it flies and just keeps going! I crashed into a curb around full throttle straight with my arm/shocktower and left without a scratch.

BTW, i dont think there will be an opening in the mmm, maybe only the front bearing.

[jnev]

Wow, so many options, it is just getting more and mroe frustrating, :035: , lol. Then there is also the option of converting a jato 3.3 with paddles which I can get brand new for about $380usd. I would sell the engine for about $110 or hopefully more if I can.

So, since the buggy wouldn't be too good of a chioce in sand, here are the options I am deciding between now:

1) converted jato 3.3 (Mamba Max 5700 3s lipo)
2) e-revo (MMM)
3) e-maxx (MMM)

This goes from cheapest to most expensive. Boy, I'll have a hard time picking between these, lol.

[coolhandcountry]

Yep it is a hard decision. So many choices. You could build a 3.3 version of the emaxx.

[Sylvester]

2) all the way! In between price, and good durability. A jato would be no better than the buggy.

The Revo with a gorillamaxx kit would be nice.

[neweuser]

For sand, I would personally go with a Revo. You get the ground clearance, less weight, and cheaper to upgrade if needed. Any thing with little ground clearance on a beach is not very good IMO.
And actually, gorillamaxx revo would still be low, I would stick to stock chassis for beach running. .02

Ya know, you're right about the ride height. The conversion just looks so cool.

[BrianG]

I agree; the Jato is just as low, maybe even lower than a buggy. You could get wheel adaptors to use buggy wheels to raise it a bit though. Personally, I'd say any lightweight, high clearance vehicle that is easy to work on (because you'll be tearing it apart to clean it often).

[jnev]

Okay, thanks for the help. So i am for the most part set on the revo. I'll just need to ask mike or someone else to make the battery mounts and motor mount.

As of right now, I'll be purchasing:
1) MRC Superbrain 989 and probably the Hyperion LBA10 Balancer ($190)
2) Revo (I think I found one, but can't buy it just yet, have to weight a few weeks :019: )
3) Motor/battery mount(s)
4) Mamba Monster Max once it comes out
5) Batteries: nimh, but hopefully lipo
6) New remote control: MX-3s probably with 2 recievers (1 for my rc18)

#6 will be quite a bit later though, and this project will only be finished around summer. Am I missing anything?