Strap's SMT10 build

[strap624]

Just got my chassis in:


I've got the Jconcepts tribute wheels and Firestorm tires at home.
It's getting a Hobbywing Sc8 Esc and a Rc gear shop 3900kv sensorless motor running 2s. (the motor on the recommendation of user Jato the ripper)

I also have a Savox SA-1231sg with 444 oz/in of torque going in it.
Also got a vanquish steering link for it.

I'll have to do the steel tranny gears if they go out too.

[strap624]

Getting the tires mounted up:

[strap624]

I want to get some kind of light kit for this. Maybe a front light bar to go in the bumper here:

[JatoTheRipper]

Photos aren't showing for me.

[strap624]

I think I got them fixed. Finished up the build. It was my first time playing with a brushless setup. Holy moly it takes off fast. Easily pops wheelies and darn near backflips.

[strap624]

Some observations initially:

So on only 2s the rear driveshaft is already starting to twist in the 112 degree heat here in Phoenix today.

The jconcepts wheels and tires are great.

The stock steering linkage doesn't seem to need to be upgraded, it works fine and I'm afraid other things may break if I installed the vanquish link. My servo selection was probably overkill. Something between 300-350 oz/in would probably have been fine.

For $25 the motor performs better than I expected. The hobbywing sc8 esc seems good and runs cool.

So for now ill need to get some upgraded driveshafts and some steel tyranny gears for good measure.

[JatoTheRipper]

Photos show now! Are you working on your RCs while working at a car dealership?

The SMT10 is awesome. The one issue is that it's overpriced and severely underbuilt. In stock form (dreadfully slow and tiny 2.2 tires) it's fine. Add in brushless power and/or larger tires and you are going to break parts. Add in both, like you did, and you're going to blow the transmission, driveshafts, and probably axles.

Servo overkill is never a bad thing. Servos can overheat or break gears if you under spec those when you buy them.

Do you plan on jumping this truck? If so you might want to look at metal axle inserts (Boom Racing, BeefTubes, RCBros Burly Tubes). They will prevent broken axle housings and bent axles. Or you could go with metal axle housings, but I didn't do that because I didn't want the extra weight.

I'm glad you like that motor. I love mine!

[strap624]

I'm a sales guy at a "car dealership" but we sell handicap accessible vans, I get all my stuff shipped to the office lol.

I jumped it a bit last night, maybe 2' high max, about 40 times. No issues. Flipped it several times no damage. The rear driveshaft is still holding up to pulling wheelies on pavement. But it's visibly twisted. The front shaft looks pristine.

I've got to reprogram the ESC, the brakes are wayy to touchy and the truck does a front flip if I'm not easy on the brakes.

I'm still searching for a light kit. Here in Phoenix when it's 114 degrees during the day, the only time to go outside is in the dark. It looks like axial already has a molded in mount for lights right on the chassis. Looks like the lights from a wraith would screw right on. Ebay has some light bars for $20 too.

I'm going to order some shafts and the hot racing gear set. I'm really liking this setup, I almost bought a clodbuster because I always wanted one, but I'm glad I went this route. The clod would have set me back $1300+ to get it close to this.

[JatoTheRipper]

Sounds like an awesome job!

The SMT10 is an extremely fun truck once you get it built the way Axial should have released it. If you're not going with huge air you might be fine without lots of upgrades.

Traxxas used to sell a light kit for their Grave Digger when they had it. I believe it was just the front two red headlights. What other lights are you looking for?

My stock driveshafts twisted, but before it got bad the outer, female end split. That allowed the splined, male shaft to spin internally. A zip tie around the outside fixed it. I got Traxxas T-Maxx shafts to install. Lots of people recommended them. Light, strong, durable, cheap, and widely available.

[strap624]

Do you know the part # of the maxx shafts? I'd rather keep the rig lightweight than to put another 1/4lb+ of steel on it. I saw the guy who did the traxxas grave digger headlights, but i'd like something functional. I found this on ebay: XP 5-LED Aluminum Light Bar Kit (88mm) by RC Pit Products RPP29272 US Seller

[JatoTheRipper]

I haven't not installed them yet, but this is the info I was given and I trust it:

Use 2 females with a male floating inbetween just like the axial drive shafts, you will have to cut them to length.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXSP55&P=7

You have to get the yokes too.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXDDS6&P=7

[Rjohn929]

Don't waste your time with the Traxxas shafts. Get some MIPS's. I tried them in my Iron Outlaw (a little heavier then my SMT) and they last two throttle pulls before the rear twisted and snapped. I have never had good luck with plastic shafts at all. The two females with a male in between does make them a little stronger but they are still weak.

[ROWDY RACING]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

I haven't not installed them yet, but this is the info I was given and I trust it:

Use 2 females with a male floating inbetween just like the axial drive shafts, you will have to cut them to length.
TowerHobbies.com | Traxxas Half Shafts Long T-Maxx (2)

You have to get the yokes too.
TowerHobbies.com | Traxxas Diff Output Yokes w/Screw Yoke Pins 2.5 (2)

Or Revo shafts will hold up just fine unless you go from wfo forward to wfo reverse too many times...

[strap624]

I was eyeballing the revo shafts after seeing people put them on the Wraith.

[strap624]

Got a Light bar for it. It fit on pretty good.

[strap624]

I installed the hot racing steel gear set and I've got the MIP driveshafts on order. The truck is down right now, I mysteriously lost the lower spring perch on both front shocks. I guess they fell off after a couple rollovers the truck did. Unfortunately the local hobby shop didn't carry them.

I took the rear diff cover off and I already see wear on the ring gear. I imagine those will need to be replaced soon as well. I think I will also eventually put one of the Jconcepts truck bodies on this.

[JatoTheRipper]

That light looks PERFECT there! Nice find!

With those big tires you're going to eat driveline parts.

[strap624]

looks like photobucket screwed me too

[Rjohn929]

Don't worry, it's everyone.

[strap624]

Anyways, My MIP driveshafts came in today!