Leaderboard

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.

Have a late one and get it done 👍😁

No RC’s today but the last of my Xmas pressies from the wife

Couldn't resist to immediately fixing the pipe insulation on 1 wheel. The dry run looks very promising about the ballooning effect. This is the ballooning with the old foam at max speed of my Rustler: It is still ballooning with the pipe insulation as tire insert, but a lot less. I also made a comparison with the original Rustler wheel, my son's original Bugsta wheels and my son's newer carnage wheels on the Bugsta. They balloon even more than the new ones. Material abuse accomplished!

And here's a couple of pics of Outlaw #1, henceforth known as O1, out in the mire.

And it has arrived. 👍

Pipe Insulation! Might have nothing to do with RC at first. But if cut in proper slices it is perfect as tire inserts. And the best is, that it is made of closed cell foam. It will repel any water and not soak up. My guess is that it is somewhat medium stiffness. But clearly stiffer than the original foam inserts. Hopefully no more ballooning. I will report after the first spin.

Hmm what do we have here??? 🤔

Anyone who's going to be stupid with a drone isn't going register them!

Gotta say i am really enjoying this build, i was tempted to build out of page sequence like skip to the body then drop back but sticking to the plans and enjoying it. Seems a well designed kit, does not have the vile play on the steering like some tamiya kits (cc01) I may consider the yellow bus or the Dynahead next, but not right away, or maybe a lunchbox

A bit more done, front stub axles and hinge blocks fitted, still not decided where ESC will live

Those vids are mental lol🤣

Ah thank you very much that's reassuring! I have just purchased one, so looking forward to getting the truck back up and running! Thank you 🍻

I agree that people should follow the rules however many won't

Custom sticker for back of HG bruiser, as stock ones say Toyato

This arrived yesterday from @Davy Crockett Been after one for a while so just had to grab it.

Hi, So I have bought my son a Stampede Bigfoot for Christmas, and now I'm thinking it might be better if I had an rc car too! Go figure huh. The following are just the thoughts I am having around this. I could get something similar to the Stampede like the Granite but I'm thinking I want 4 wheel drive and possibly brushless but not essential. I think waterproof is a bonus. We have a very large field next to us and it means we could use it more often. I like the look of the trucks, but the only buggies I really like are quite a bit more. I could stick with an upgraded Traxxas. I think I prefer the 1:8 scale. I would prefer to buy a brand which is known for being better quality. It would be nice to have something a bit different to the Stampede so if my son prefers the car he could drive that too. I presume some other Dads have gone through this type of thing even if they have had different thoughts. Willing to hear any comments. Thanks. David

seemingly they make not bad crawler/trail trucks 🍻

He’s a good bloke that.... He even upgraded the shipping FOC because RM suck ass at the moment 👍

Noice... Adrian sort you out I see... Can't beat m2c imo...

Yes, grit getting in there can be a problem. I tend to use mine on grass if l can.

i was looking at the Dynahead kit as it is a bit longer build

its coming on tho Jack and looking good so far what about a hobbywing 1060 brushed esc its waterproof so doesnt need protected from water

That would be better, 3D printed stuff is ok for smaller scale but for you the above is what I'd recommend.

Nice surprise Axial....30+ quid isn't cheap for this tiny shell but there's multiple decals and livery in the set which will deffo add some easy options when it comes to finishing [emoji41] Sent from my Nokia 2.4 using Tapatalk

Having received my new Crawler kit the fun can now begin. I have masked the body ready for spraying (my first ever attempt) so hope goes well with paint spraying tomorrow. I've decided build will include... Runcam Split 3 Nano HD FPV Camera Kakute F722 Mini Flight Controller Matek GPS Module & Compass VTX unsure at the moment Receiver Spektrum SPM4650 Quicrun 1025 ESC 3S Lipo

True we had a guy flying with us couple of years ago owned a syma dji clone thing wasnt a good flyer so we used to tell him to use safe mode with RTH just incase but he kept wandering out further and further til he lost connection and it flew off lol we always use a spotter as most of us FPV

Skate park sesh this morning, car felt pretty good until I finish breaking my front bumper... And my axle mud guards fell off, cable ties broke. But the fenders did well Kept inside pretty clean

Lexan has pros and cons. One con is of course, detail, but there's ways around it. Bit pros are weight and cost.

Many thanks guys so you also recommend balancing charge to so its as simple as that great that you so much.

Just had a quick Google and the Savox 0250 looks a popular choice. The Traxxas offering has around 1.5kg of torque, the Savox has 5kg so much better. If you type "Micro Servo MG" into eBay you'll find some dirt cheap options. Not sure how good they are but on paper they look like they'd do the job.

Making some progress on the weathering and rusting of the Dodgy '46 Power Wagon build... Coming along rather nicely. I'm sure the badge will trigger some folks but make a lot of Ford and Chevy guys smile...

I done a Savage XS shell years ago with it, looks the absolute nuts in the sunlight 👍

thats cool to know

For the kids a mini Z and a firelap mini

Diff felt too loose for me so dropped in some grease, box it all back together 😊top cover had hole already so aerial had an exit Stopped over at ikea for some batterys an had a test session, main thing it runs as should just not a speed demon currently 😅 next run be with freshly charged batts an hopefully get some footage. Have a new 370 motor somewhere from ftx blaze moons ago that defo be going in..

Took mine out for a lil bit today, not that much fun in the wet to be honest.

A few bits arrived from Scorched RC 😀 The parts I was most interested in were the bearings that replace the brass bushings on the steering posts, why ARRMA use bushing I have no idea. Also got some Titanium screws for the front splitter, Carbon Tower to Tower brace and some inner fenders.

Manage to load Mission Planner (Ardurover) and going through the setup was all new to me so slow process but anyhow got steering and motor working then after short time bench testing motor packed up so I've ordered upgraded motor with alloy gearbox and props but might be couple weeks before they turn up.

Stevenage

Another mod I had to do was to fit hinges to the canopy, I found each time I was pulling the canopy off I was pulling the wire out from the control board.

Nearly all the wires are now in place ready to be soldered to the flight controller, just got headlights and ESC to wires to go.

And to end off the today I've fitted the VTX antenna, Matek GPS and LED that will be connected to the flight controller so I can set it as Red flashing beacon on the canopy

My 1st attempt at painting and didn't turn out too bad and since posting picture I've cleaned up the edges of paint work

For dunces like me on all things fpv related, can you walk me through the set up - not the actual technical fandangatory but very (very) high level!? I'm ok with the camera bit, that's obvious. That then plugs into the flight controller right? Do you need this because you plan to drive the rig a really long way away? GPS module; yep, why? What's a VTX? SPM4650 is a specific drone RX? What's the overall plan @tourerjim? I'm dead keen to learn . Thanks vm

Look forward to the finished photos in 2024.

Please don't laugh but.... After 4 years since building this, I am now finally doing this. 😂

Pop one of those shocks off and measure it from ball end to ball end pop a reply here, I will then measure up my spare Vaterra oil sprung front shocks and see if they could be an ideal fit. if so i will mail you for a address and get them shipped to you No charge. that way your going to have a nice set of oil front enders hopefuly adjustable full alloy vaterra front shocks are 6.5 cm from center of top hole to center of bottom hole, if need be i can also throw in a tube of team losi 35w shock oil to help you and lad along.