JP's Venture

[JpSonoma]

Being as I'm a diehard HPI fan I was looking forward to the Venture for quite a while. I bought one when they first hit the shelves. I threw in my own electronics but kept the stock motor.
Some SSD Assassins with Proline Hyrax's and STRC aluminum T-case were they only upgrades I did for a while. Great truck out of the box, I mostly just do trail driving with it but so far I really like the truck.

I recently bought a 3D printer to play with and I figured my RC habit was a great area to practice in.

I use smaller 3S lipos on my tuck so I really wanted to redesign a battery tray that worked for my batteries and re-located the battery as well. This also meant redesigning the rear cross member piece.





Prints turned out good (although the pictures seem to make them look rough). Surprisingly everything lined up and fit quite well on the first shot, even the pressed in hex nuts.








With battery installed.


New rear cross member printed and installed as well.


Installed my hot racing links too, now it's time to go hit the dirt again.


Got tired of using old RC tires as stands to keep my tires from flat spotting, so I ended up designing and printing some new stands for my trucks too.

[odomandr]

well done on the 3d designs. how does it feel with the relocated battery?

[JpSonoma]

Originally Posted by odomandr

well done on the 3d designs. how does it feel with the relocated battery?

Honestly, I haven't even driven it yet with the new battery location. The hurricane interrupted my RC time, hopefully I'll get it back out this weekend.

I don't imagine it will be a huge difference, my lipos are fairly light already.

[JpSonoma]

Its been a while since I've had the Venture out. Got a set of CVD's installed and got my hands on the inner wheelwell as well. Pretty straight forward, I relocated my battery so I was able to leave most of the portion between the rear wheels intact. Sprayed the inside black, the shot the outside and inside with Tamiyas flat clear.

I would like to get another HPI FJ body to do my own paint job but I haven't been able to find one anywhere. Even finding an SBK seems to be impossible, maybe this really is the end of HPI, sad face.

[M1tch]

Very nice. I have seen a few RTR's in the UK, but even spares are disappearing fast.

[soze]

venture looks great!

[carpetfuzz17]

Originally Posted by M1tch

Very nice. I have seen a few RTR's in the UK, but even spares are disappearing fast.

Spares are disappearing fast on this side of the pond also

[carpetfuzz17]

Nice design on the tray. What is it about the SBK that you are after? I have one I started building but have lost some interests in it.

[JpSonoma]

Originally Posted by carpetfuzz17

Nice design on the tray. What is it about the SBK that you are after? I have one I started building but have lost some interests in it.

I just like that it comes with all the hop-ups (CVD's, metal lower links, axle weights), a SBK would be all the spares I would ever need to keep this truck running should HPI close its doors.

[carpetfuzz17]

Originally Posted by JpSonoma

I just like that it comes with all the hop-ups (CVD's, metal lower links, axle weights), a SBK would be all the spares I would ever need to keep this truck running should HPI close its doors.

I understand that completely. I just decided to put my second Venture in the For Sale Section just for that reason. Easier to keep one running versus 2 at this point. They are awesome trucks though.

[Kartooo]

i bought one from this guy, only took a few days to get here !!
28 sold, more than 10 left.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/HPI-Racing-...72.m2749.l2649

[M1tch]

carpetfuzz. Why have you lost interest? I am so impressed with mine. I have had to put it on hold finishing the bady due to other important stuff. Real life sucks somethimes lol.

[JpSonoma]

Originally Posted by Kartooo

i bought one from this guy, only took a few days to get here !!
28 sold, more than 10 left.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/HPI-Racing-...72.m2749.l2649

Took your advice, ordered on a Friday showed up the following Tuesday. Plenty of spares now, lol

[M1tch]

I almost bought another, but just got a Redcat Gen8 Pack. Haven't started on it yet, but gone a bit crazy buying rc stuff this year. Got to be a little sensible for a while. Hoping to get out with the Venture this week. Also working on a lexan pick up body for it.