Suits - Arrma Kraton EXB 8S

[Suits]

So, after being left a bit frustrated by the supply issues facing the Kraton 4S platform, I did the only sensible thing and picked up a Kraton EXB.

 

The actual tale of the tape was that a few of us went to Arc Raceway in Essex last weekend and whilst I had a great time with my 8th scale tracks, it was clear that my two buddies were king of the circuit with their X-Maxx's.

 

With that memory fresh, my mate spotted a lightly used Kraton EXB on a Facebook group and sent me the advert.

 

After a brief chat with the seller, I left work and jumped in the car.

 

The truck came with a Hobbywing Max 5 800kv motor combo, Savox large scale servo and Sanwa radio and receiver. 

 

When I arrived the truck was as advertised, the gentleman was cool and the price was good.

 

After the details were sorted and paid, I loaded the box (and postage box) into the back of the car.

 

 

 

Banana for scale.

 

Unreal how big these things are when you're not used to them.

 

Got it home, checked it over, lots of red wine, then started to play about with it.

 

It had all been put together very well,  however, it was geared up quite high, or higher than I'd like to run anyway, the 65 series motor mount was already fitted, with the 39T spur gear and a 39T pinion.

 

This was how the truck was as I got it home (minus the shell and wheels).

 

 

 

 

 

 

I then proceeded to clean things and slowly remove bit's to get the motor and servo.

 

Got the motor and ESC out, removed the 39T pinion and had a good look about, everything moves freely, smooth and how you'd expect/want.

 

The previous owner said he'd had it out three times, and to be honest it seems that way.

 

I've ordered a 30T pinion, so I'll see how that does with the 39T spur.

 

Got a couple of the Gens Ace 8000mAh 100C 4S cells on the way as well to get the hefty girl on the move.

 

Hoping to get her out soon to see what all the fuss is about .....

 

 

 

Edited September 28, 2022 by Suits

[Kpowell911]

Looks in incredible condition 

 

However, arent these really weird where the high theyre geared the cooler they run? Im sure I read 39/39 will run cooler and better than 30/39?

 

Sounds mad, but sure I read that, may have been @.AJ. or @mydoddy69 Or id had too many beers

[Suits]

Yes mate, I read exactly the same thing in AJ’s thread.

 

Interesting stuff.

 

Will see how I get on and adjust accordingly.

[.AJ.]

Loads recommend stupid gearing with fans, where everything is on the limit of smoking itself for some reason, guess it’s a Arrma thing 

 

When I ran 30/39 with the 1050kv Leopard even the battery wires were heating up to a level I wasn’t happy with 

[Suits]

I ordered some bits from Modelsport on Friday and it showed up Saturday. Once again incredible service.

 

 

I have some rear mudguards on my Notorious and I like them, so I picked up the appropriate POS application. Also big shout to @.AJ.  who sent me a link for the front stone guards.

 

When it comes to gearing, I have two extra pinions, which now gives me 24T, 30T and 39T options. I'm going to start off with the 30T.

 

Also picked up one of those Hobbywing program boxes as I now have two HW systems and might be handy to have in the bag when out and about.

 

Batteries look great, I went for the cases Gens Ace 8000mAh 100C 4S packs, which should do me well in the Kraton.

 

 

[Suits]

Got a bit of a problem.

 

After a bit of a re-build and changing the pinion from a 39T to a 30T one, the motor has slightly shifted its position further toward the middle of the truck.

 

This appears to have caused the motor to foul on the steering ackerman when turning left.

 

Whilst the motor cables aren't ideal, they're not the problem here, (I can rotate the motor to completely rule them out) it's the rear of the motor housing completely blocking anything other than the first 10 degrees of left turn.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions ??

 

 

 

[Tug]

Bigger spur or shorter motor. 

[.AJ.]

I was warned about this with a big 58113 motor, so I’ve got a M2C steering rack on mine which has the appropriate clearance for the bigger motor 👍 

[.AJ.]

I’ve seen some people just shave some of the plastic off the stock rack to gain clearance 👍 

[Suits]

56 minutes ago, Tug said:

Bigger spur or shorter motor. 

 

Yeah, I was hoping to get something with what I have to hand to be honest - but they are both valid solutions.

 

At very least I could just gear it up again to move the motor out but I'm sure I can work something out having asked around etc..

[Suits]

8 minutes ago, .AJ. said:

I was warned about this with a big 58113 motor, so I’ve got a M2C steering rack on mine which has the appropriate clearance for the bigger motor 👍 

 

Yeah, seems like it's a thing doesn't it.

 

Cool, well I'm in no rush so I might order one of those from M2C.

 

At a very push, I could just Dremel out like you say.

I'm hopefully having looked about and asked about I can keep this set-up and get it working.

[.AJ.]

Badtouch Breakers stock M2C parts in the UK and they are priced really well

 

https://badtouchbreakers.com/collections/kraton-8s

[BashingBrian]

I don't think the M2C steering part is all that good tbh, I had to shim mine quite a bit and it had more slop than the stock part 😩

 

On another note, I posted this on another forum..

 

So, my Outcast has less steering left vs the right, the turning circle is huge whilst turning left..!!
Although when on the bench my wheels turn equal distance left and right, all the endpoints are set and it's all centered correctly, recently fitted the Vitavon servo saver hoping to cure my issue yet the car still has more steering turning right, it has an upgraded 70kg servo fitted too.
This is a RTR version with the M2C steering upgrade amongst other upgrades...

Has anyone had this happen and if so, how did you fix it.??
Send help.!!

 

 

 

Edited August 30, 2022 by BashingBrian

[Suits]

14 hours ago, BashingBrian said:

I don't think the M2C steering part is all that good tbh, I had to shim mine quite a bit and it had more slop than the stock part 😩

 

Hey man, thanks for giving me your experience with that part.

 

My current plan is to try and Dremel out the steering rack and see what that gives me, it's cheap part and if I can get a good result with it, it'll be a bonus.

 

If it breaks, or doesn't work out I will then look at the more expensive options like the M2C solution but I think it's worth giving it a try.

[Suits]

So,  I finally took the Kraton out over the weekend.

 

It was simply a test run to see if it held together after the rebuild and adjustments that I made with the motor, gearing and steering.

 

In short it was fine, didn't catch fire and ran pretty well.

 

The steering servo (Savox SW-0241) was woefully bad though, turning circles were silly and maneuverability was painful. So that was an area I HAD to improve ASAP.

 

After barging into AJ's thread and quizzing him about suitable servos, I picked up a 65kg Power HD servo which will hopefully give me more ability in that department. 

 

 

I also managed to successfully trim the steering rack with a Dremel and smooth it off enough to clear the motor. It's tight but clears it, I'll just keep an eye on it after use and adjust if needed.

 

If it does fail, or cause issues I'll pick up the M2C part but if it works/lasts that's a bonus.

 

***Last pic is the steering at it worst/closest point of the travel.