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Old 07-31-2018, 07:16 AM   #21
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OK so I double checked the set screws in the wheel hexes. They are there. I didn't think the hex would have a threaded through hole and then only have a set screw in one size. I was tired from a long day of trailing and I guess that's why I didn't think to check out the other side of the hex for a set screw, but they are definitely there. Freaking newb! Don't worry, I filled out an ID10T form...




Another major annoyance of this truck is that the battery hold down is rounded for stick packs. 2S square packs, like this one from HobbyKing, doesn't fit. I assume people are trimming the radiuses off of the battery hold down to combat this. I will have to do that or just use my stick packs which I often do since they are lighter and have a lower center of gravity. That's stupid engineering. Who do they think they are with a stick pack battery tray - Tamiya?




Here's my wiring job. The receiver box, as I stated earlier, is so small. It won't hold many wires. It also puts a nasty bend on the wires from the servo and ESC. I curled up the antenna inside the box, closed it, and then zip tied the rest of the wires together on the outside. For me, this is about as clean as my wiring jobs get.

I love the HobbyWing installs an XT60 connector on their ESCs, but I wish they'd shorten the wires by at least 25%. I could easily fix this, but I'm lazy, as I've mentioned many times, and I avoid soldering as much as possible. I also wish HobbyWing installed bullet connectors on the motor wires. Bullet connectors aren't ideal, but they are better for testing before making the commitment to solder a motor to the ESC. In this case a soldering you must go.

I'm assuming there are some temporary connectors in the wire world that would hold the motor and ESC together so I'll have to snag some of those for situations like this. I know there are the double ended crimping connectors, but is there something less permanent and test worthy?




Here's the sick baby poop brown body out in nature. This organic color does, indeed, look better out in the wild. It grew on me...a little bit. I'm still astounded by the light weight of this body! That makes me question its durability, but I will give it a beating and see how it lasts.






The tires on this truck are much smaller than average these days so it gets hung up more than I expected. Larger tires will help that. The skid plate also has an odd bump on it to allow for low mounting of the transfer case. I think this could be an issue out on the trail. But I must say that the bumpers are well designed. That is after removing the stupid tire carrier and spare tire, of course. The bumpers are large and scale, but they are high and provide a lot of clearance. Approach and departure angles are good with these bumpers even with the small stock tires.



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Old 07-31-2018, 07:22 AM   #22
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I'm in search of new wheels and tires. I think this body will probably look best with black wheels, but most everything I own is shiny. Tires need to be a little larger than stock. Stock tires are just under 4.25" I believe. I think 4.5" would be perfect although I'm not sure they'll look as good. The stock compound isn't bad though. Tread is kinda ugly, but not bad for RTR tires.

I also need to buy some spacers. The stock servo saver has a large offset in it that servo horns do not have. The flatter servo horn messes up the steering geometry as can be seen in this photo. The panhard bar and drag link aren't parallel and they need to be for ideal geometry. I didn't notice any bump steer in my backyard test crawl, but I might as well fix it.

But look at all that clearance with with the well designed bumpers and the BTA steering! I do hope somebody comes up with an aftermarket tie rod. The stock wire is flimsy and non adjustable so mine has some toe out. I need to loosen the rod ends a couple of turns or "adjust" the tie rod with a pliers.

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Old 07-31-2018, 07:46 AM   #23
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Nice battery box...chop, chop.

Wiring looks plenty clean, Do you always solder motor wires to ESCs?

Don't hate on the color too much...same color as hpiguy's 1:1! Actually looks pretty good on a full size!
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Old 07-31-2018, 07:56 AM   #24
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I have been looking for some midsize tires as well so I know the issue.

The Pitbull Bersekers and RC4WD Goodyear All Terrains are what interest me the most currently. Proline BFG KO2s are a little taller than the stock HPI tires and look really good with the FJ body but give up a lot of aggressiveness in the tread. The Pitbull Rock Beast are a good standby but I think they are too wide for their height to look right. Everything else that is the right size is old compound RC4WD tires that no one cares about anymore.
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Old 07-31-2018, 08:33 AM   #25
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Nice battery box...chop, chop.

Wiring looks plenty clean, Do you always solder motor wires to ESCs?

Don't hate on the color too much...same color as hpiguy's 1:1! Actually looks pretty good on a full size!
No, I don't always solder motors to the ESCs. I often keep the bullets. They are efficient enough for high turn, brushed crawler motors. And it makes for easy changes if and when the motor or ESC burns out.

The color looks better in person, and it has grown on me. The real color looks more sand-like though from my recollection.

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I have been looking for some midsize tires as well so I know the issue.

The Pitbull Bersekers and RC4WD Goodyear All Terrains are what interest me the most currently. Proline BFG KO2s are a little taller than the stock HPI tires and look really good with the FJ body but give up a lot of aggressiveness in the tread. The Pitbull Rock Beast are a good standby but I think they are too wide for their height to look right. Everything else that is the right size is old compound RC4WD tires that no one cares about anymore.
I like the Braven Ironsides, but they are too small at 4.19". The Berserkers look too wide from the pictures I've seen. I'm not the biggest fan of KO2s. I think they look nice, but that all terrain tread, including the above Pitbull tires I mentioned, probably won't do well here.

We have tons of tire options at the extreme small and extreme large side. We need more middle of the road options.

Berserkers might be the way to go. I just have to look at more photos of them to ensure they aren't too wide and mud bogger looking.
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Old 07-31-2018, 08:33 AM   #26
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Look up the new VP tires..... close@ 4.65”




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Old 07-31-2018, 08:50 AM   #27
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I like the Braven Ironsides, but they are too small at 4.19". The Berserkers look too wide from the pictures I've seen. I'm not the biggest fan of KO2s. I think they look nice, but that all terrain tread, including the above Pitbull tires I mentioned, probably won't do well here.

We have tons of tire options at the extreme small and extreme large side. We need more middle of the road options.

Berserkers might be the way to go. I just have to look at more photos of them to ensure they aren't too wide and mud bogger looking.
Must be a visual thing because the specs say the Beserker is nearly identical to the PL KO2 in dimensions (4.35 x 1.42 for the KO2, 4.35 x 1.45 for the PB). I'm trying to hold out for the next 40-50% off Pitbull sale before buying a set.

OG PL Swampers could be a option too but they aren't any bigger than the stock tires. TCS Crawlers does have them for 40% off though.

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Look up the new VP tires..... close@ 4.65”
I have high hopes for the Vanquish tires but aren't that much smaller than most XL 1.9s.

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Old 07-31-2018, 08:58 AM   #28
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Agreed, but they are gummy, a number of folks are amazed by them


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Old 07-31-2018, 09:21 AM   #29
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For the battery tray mod. No need to cut. Flip the top open all the way and take the screws out that hold the curved pieces on. On the servo horn offset, now you know why I am still running the stock one . On the bigger tires needed, now you know why I am running the Pro-line Ambush body to clear 4.75" tires. Enjoy!
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Old 07-31-2018, 11:40 AM   #30
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I tried the original PL TSL Super Swamper (4.3" OD) tires, and they rub the fenders when turning. I like the FJ body, but I feel they would've done better to make it a little less scale, in regard to the wheel openings, so that at least a 4.5" - 4.75" tire would fit, especially with a 12.3" wheelbase. If it had been designed with a 10.9" wheelbase, for instance, then tires ranging from 4.0" - 4.25" would suffice for clearance, but, in my opinion, a 12.3" wb demands taller tires, unless you stick to well-groomed park trails.
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Old 07-31-2018, 11:44 AM   #31
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Look up the new VP tires..... close@ 4.65”

Hang up and Drive
They look good, but they are too tall for the Venture body IMO.

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Must be a visual thing because the specs say the Beserker is nearly identical to the PL KO2 in dimensions (4.35 x 1.42 for the KO2, 4.35 x 1.45 for the PB). I'm trying to hold out for the next 40-50% off Pitbull sale before buying a set.

OG PL Swampers could be a option too but they aren't any bigger than the stock tires. TCS Crawlers does have them for 40% off though.

I have high hopes for the Vanquish tires but aren't that much smaller than most XL 1.9s.
I think I'm convinced to try the Berserkers. Not that I need another set of tires and possibly wheels floating around the house.

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For the battery tray mod. No need to cut. Flip the top open all the way and take the screws out that hold the curved pieces on. On the servo horn offset, now you know why I am still running the stock one . On the bigger tires needed, now you know why I am running the Pro-line Ambush body to clear 4.75" tires. Enjoy!
Another DOH! Didn't realize the hold down wasn't one solid piece. Thanks!
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Old 08-01-2018, 06:49 AM   #32
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No more DOH!'s hopefully.

I ordered a few upgrades yesterday. SSD knuckle weights, SSD C-hubs, and 1.9 Pitbull Braven Berserker tars. I was going to order some colorful VP Machete wheels, but they are out of stock everywhere so I was out of luck. OOS = SOL I plan to use some other unused wheels I have at home. I am a wheel and tire whore. I swear they follow me home...

In the meantime I had some unused Fanquish wheels and Fauxline tires sitting around at home so I decided to mate those and mount them on the Venture.

Poser shots because I am an aspiring model (not really).

The tires and stance from the wheels is really close to stock. I wasn't sure if I'd like this truck with shiny wheels, but I think it looks good.









I hate when my D-rings take Viagra. Keep it down!




Here's a little video with the new wheels and tars showing the approach angle of this truck more than anything. The cast aluminum diff covers do seem to really grab onto things and stop you dead though. That's why I reverse in this video.

Overall, these axles seem to grab onto a low of things, but I keep reminding myself that these tires are also smaller than I run on most of my trucks. It's something I'll keep in mind when comparing this truck to others.

20180731_195817

Here's a photo showing the height of the cement slab that I climbed in the above video. In terms of scale this is a huge obstacle for this truck.

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Old 08-01-2018, 08:00 AM   #33
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I am a wheel and tire whore. I swear they follow me home...


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In the meantime I had some unused Fanquish wheels and Fauxline tires sitting around at home so I decided to mate those and mount them on the Venture...I wasn't sure if I'd like this truck with shiny wheels, but I think it looks good.
I concur with your assessment.

What, no video climbing the MOAS (mother of all stumps)? WTH??
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Old 08-01-2018, 08:05 AM   #34
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I concur with your assessment.

What, no video climbing the MOAS (mother of all stumps)? WTH??
Thanks!

Ah you caught me. I thought about taking video of the stump climb, but I didn't. This truck kinda struggles there unless you get your tires in the perfect place. This truck is a belly dragger for sure and I'm not sure if it's all tires or if there are other factors involved.

I did fail to mention that this truck has torque twist - somewhere about the same amount as an SCX10 II.
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Old 08-01-2018, 09:40 AM   #35
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I concur with your assessment.

What, no video climbing the MOAS (mother of all stumps)? WTH??
Yeah where's the stumpy challenge?
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Old 08-01-2018, 12:48 PM   #36
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I ordered a few upgrades yesterday. SSD knuckle weights, SSD C-hubs, and 1.9 Pitbull Braven Berserker tars.

The tires and stance from the wheels is really close to stock. I wasn't sure if I'd like this truck with shiny wheels, but I think it looks good.

The cast aluminum diff covers do seem to really grab onto things and stop you dead though. That's why I reverse in this video.

Overall, these axles seem to grab onto a low of things, but I keep reminding myself that these tires are also smaller than I run on most of my trucks. It's something I'll keep in mind when comparing this truck to others.
Keep the tires smaller like that, the stock tires are fugly imo, but I'm glad they're not so tall like every crawler that comes out these days has huge tires.

Shiny wheels look great, Proline 4.3" TSLs would be good optional tire, but I really like the Berserkers.

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This truck is a belly dragger for sure and I'm not sure if it's all tires or if there are other factors involved.

I did fail to mention that this truck has torque twist - somewhere about the same amount as an SCX10 II.
Smaller tires do that, different lines and driving approach, I like a good truck but when the big ol tires just walk everything, pretty boring. That's one reason I sold my Wraith and all 2.2 tire stuff.

Stock diff covers are cool, but not sure why they didn't make them thicker and slightly ramped at the bottom like SSD covers for the Ascender.
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Old 08-01-2018, 01:27 PM   #37
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I like a good truck but when the big ol tires just walk everything, pretty boring. That's one reason I sold my Wraith and all 2.2 tire stuff.
Take a 2.2 rig to Yosemite or Big Bear and tell me it'll walk "everything"
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Old 08-03-2018, 08:25 AM   #38
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Around 3:00 PM on Tuesday I ordered SSD brass knuckles and C-hubs from AMain via eBay. Yesterday around noon they were delivered! Fast shipping! So last night I had something to do to this truck when I got home.

Before I installed the upgrades I took the truck out for the ever popular stump crawl. The day started out sunny, then around noon we got a monsoon for a few minutes and then it stopped and the sun came out just that quickly. This weather is insane. Mother Nature lost her mind. So when I got home it was sunny. I took my Venture outside, plugged in a battery, turned the truck on and when I set it on the ground it started raining. Hmmph!

Well as I was saying, time to install some SSD goodness on the Venture.

There's nothing like new parts!




Here's the stock stuff. Let's get rid of it because stock stuff stanks!




Here's the SSD C-hub on the left next to the HPI part on the right. I like that SSD gets rid of the bump stops.




I installed the SSD C-hub and when the heads of the screws were hanging off it looked funny to me. That made my dim bulb flicker and I remembered that these hubs came with a hardware bag. A quick internet searched showed me that SSD's photos show these hubs being held on with set screws. Set screws?! Well SSD makes great stuff and at this point I've never had an issue with their products so I'll trust their engineering.




Here you can see the length of the stock button head screw versus SSD's set screws. The set screws are a little shorter, but that is offset by the SSD hub being thinner than the stock, plastic part.




Here you can see the difference in thickness between the SSD hub and the stock hub that I mentioned above.




And the C-hubs, or "chubs" as some people love to call them, are installed. Very clean looking install with the set screws!

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Old 08-03-2018, 09:09 AM   #39
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Nice depictions! I appreciate how you always detail everything out for the discerning viewer.
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Old 08-03-2018, 09:24 AM   #40
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I forgot to mention that I thought the SSD C-hubs were universal, but they are not. They have caster built into them. I found this out after installing one side and having to remove it.

C-hubs are looking good and that should strengthen the axle to handle the added weight from the brass knuckles.

The stock, plastic knuckles weigh 3 grams each. The SSD knuckles weight 60 grams each. Nice!

The knuckles also include hardware to hold the steering plates on. The included hardware is shorter than the stock hardware because it's screwing into metal instead of plastic.

Passenger side steering knuckle assembly. Brass is ugly, but SSD's gunmetal brass is beautiful. It's so shiny. And I'm not sure if this is on purpose or if it's just the machining, but the knuckles look like they have scale welds around the outside. Very cool. Beautiful part! Too bad it will mostly be hidden behind the wheel.




One pro tip. Install, but don't tighten the two top screws until after you insert the top hat. The top hat will help locate the top plate to where it needs to be.




Knuckle installed - just because you need to see this pretty part shine again.




Plenty of clearance with this wheel and tire combo.




And just like that both sides are complete.




What's this? Mmm leftovers! SSD graciously included an extra grub screw which is nice since those buggers often hide.




Overall, I'm very happy with the fit and finish of these parts. SSD, IMO, doesn't get the credit they deserve. They are certainly a top tier RC company.

The knuckles definitely help crawling performance. The climb up onto my cement slab porch was much easier. The front tires pulled the rear up much easier with the added traction from the knuckles.

Downhills are a little tougher and I think I need just a slight bit of weight in the rear for better balance. HPI's brass tubes should do the trick when...if...they are released.

Other than that this truck needs CVDs and decent tires and I'll be set for a while.
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