Tony's Build Log - Arrma 1/8 Kraton 4WD EXB Extreme

[Tony]

Following from my previous Mad Bull Build Log, I thought I'd do the same post for my new project - the build log for Arrma 1/8 Kraton 4WD EXB Extreme !

 

A lot of research was done to find my next RC after I sold the Traxxas Revo 3.3 recently as I found out it was becoming difficult (and frustrating) to be able to get it running smoothly due to my deafness and I had to keep asking someone to 'listen' for the engine tune to get it running perfectly.  And it was not very practical to do this because if I went off to find a huge field and drive this truck myself, who do I ask? Hence the decision was made to sell it to fund an electric RC. Shame, really as I do like Nitro once it's running perfectly but in the long run, it was frustrating for me personally.

 

Anyway, after a research, I narrowed down to this two RCs, which were:

 

* Traxxas E-Revo 2.0 Brushless VXL-6S

* Arrma 1/8 KRATON 6S V5 4WD BLX

 

Both of them looked good and I was leaning toward the E-Revo 2 until @.AJ.  chimed in and mentioned about the Arrma 1/8 Kraton 4WD EXB Extreme Bash Roller where I could configure it to my needs in terms of electronics and that gave me the idea of choosing what I wanted. Perfect! Then @m4inbrain chimed in as well and agreed this would be the best choice. That was enough for me to sway my decisions to the EXB.

 

After comparing with three different stores, offering the kit of electronics as a bundle deals, I put this list together to purchase. They are:

 

Kraton 4WD EXB Extreme Basher Roller

Hobbywing EZRUN MAX8 with 2200kv motor combo - EC5 connector

Etronix 30.3kg Servo

Overlander D100 v2 100W charger

2 x Overlander EC5 Charge leads

ESC Connector EC5 installation

2 x Gens Ace Soft case S3 11.1 LiPo 5000mAh 50C EC5

Ikonnik ET3 3 Channel 2.4GHz Transmitter and Receiver

POS Rear Bumper 

 

I am aware the Ikonnik ET3 is cheapo one, but I am more of a stick guy, than a steer wheel guy. All of my past RCs are sticks, so I'm not sure about migrating over to wheel. So I thought I'd start cheap, see how I get on and then decide on a decent system based on what I'm comfortable with in the future.

 

All of the parts has been ordered, with the bulk of the order arriving today (literally in the next 45 mins by DPD) and the other bits arriving Monday with one part on back order (the POS Rear Bumper).

 

 

With all Build Log, I will take photos as I go along with putting this together. And the first set of photos will arrive soon once I get the box. 

 

I hope you will enjoy my journey.  

Edited September 19, 2022 by Tony
typo

[Tony]

And it has arrived. 👍

 

[Fat Freddy]

Looking forward to seeing this develop😊👍

[Tony]

The EXB box plus the Hobbywing Ezrun bundle, servo, Overlander charger and charging leads. 

 

[Tony]

The EXB itself... It's huge! 😂 

 

 

To compare... Here's it is sitting next to Mad Bull and also Absima Thunder Buggy

 

[Tony]

I'm starting to agree with @m4inbrain about the M-Line centre guard & mudguards - it needs to be fitted if I want to keep the internal less dirty. This EXB has mudguards on the front but nothing on rear, which is odd. So that could be my next thing to purchase if I can justify the delivery cost! 😂

 

https://www.modellbau-metz.com/rc-modellbau/mline-hd---sparset---centermudguard-+-mudguards-stabile

[m4inbrain]

If you look around on facebook (owners groups etc), there's a few people 3d printing them and flogging them in the UK. 

 

They look.. more homemade. They'll probably still do the job, but, you know. 

[Tony]

Thanks, I've requested to join their group to take a look.

[Tony]

@m4inbrain  @.AJ. I also got the ARA709031 Shim pack - does it mean I have to fit it or it's just spares?

[Tony]

Does anyone know what this is? No label, no part number, no mention about it in the manual. 

 

 

[BashingBrian]

They are spare shock pistons.. 😁

[Tony]

2 minutes ago, BashingBrian said:

They are spare shock pistons.. 😁

 

Ohhhh, of course!! Thanks. 😂

[Tony]

20 hours ago, Tony said:

and the other bits arriving Monday

 

Woohoo, just got an email from Royal Mail, saying that it's arriving today and not tomorrow.

 

Radio gears and batteries.  

[Tony]

That was quick between getting the email and having it delivered! Perks of living close to the Royal Mail sorting office. 👍

 

 

[Tony]

And here they are to complete my set up.

 

 

[.AJ.]

Whoop! You will be doing backflips by the end of the day 😂 

[Tony]

Right! Let's get this build started! 

 

 

[Tony]

Putting together the Ezrun 4274 brushless motor with the bracket. 

 

 

[m4inbrain]

Controversial opinion: after losing pinions on both my X-Maxx and my neighbours 30dnt, i'm apprehensive towards blue loc. 

 

At the very least, make sure it cures for at least 24-48 hours before you even roll it (rolling it rotates the motor too, obviously). Might not be necessarily on this particular system, but better be safe than sorry. May i ask what kind of pinion you bought?

[Tony]

Thanks. I haven't had any issue with this on my Mad Bull. So we'll see! 😊

 

I'm using the stock pinion which is 12t that came with the EXB. 

[mydoddy69]

Nice one fella your be up and running in no time wished I’d of known you wanted those rear guards sooner I just made an order from there we could have doubled up oh well next time maybe 👍👍

 

 

[Tony]

Next... Mounting the ESC. No side screw mounts from the ESC so will go with double sided tape and cable tie to hold it securely. 

 

But first, as discussed elsewhere, the 'lip' on the ESC mount needs to be removed due to the servo mount. Bit annoying but not a show stopper. 

[Tony]

9 minutes ago, mydoddy69 said:

Nice one fella your be up and running in no time wished I’d of known you wanted those rear guards sooner I just made an order from there we could have doubled up oh well next time maybe 👍👍

 

 

 

Ah well, nevermind! But thanks.

 

I've gone with the cheap option of 3D printed (TPU material, not PLA) mudguards. Will see how I get on with it. 

[Tony]

That's the ESC sorted. Had to figure out the best way to mount it and have the power switch mounted as well. Think this will do for now. 

 

 

Now, the cappack, bit annoying about this as I would have to cut the wire cover in order to install it. But, is this really needed? The ESC says it supports 6S but the manual says I need to install it if I use 6S batteries and that if the ESC goes more than 85c 'often'. 

 

I'm thinking to leave it and do some test runs, see how I get on. 

 

But here's where I would install if I had to do it. 

 

Edited December 20, 2020 by Tony

[Tony]

Next... The radio receiver. 

 

Due to the tight space, I had to remove the battery mount which is screwed to the receiver mount box. Then I can thread the aerial easily.