Starting my first redcat build....

[andrew_deaton]

Hey yall, Ive been out of this hobby for a long time and I finally dug out my old axial ax10 and started fixing it but it doesn't entertain me like the scale crawlers do.

So tomorrow I'm picking up a used rtr redcat gen 8 with a few upgrades (says the seller). Im going to do my best to show my progress through out the build and ask any questions on this one page.

My plan is to build a 4 door jk as best I can. Will post pics tomorrow after I pick up

[andrew_deaton]

Finally picked it up today. It has an RC4WD 540 35T motor and a Hobbywing 1080 esc.

It also came with an overdrive front axle gear but I'm very unsure about it.





New battery and charger will be here Tuesday so I can test it out.
Im planning on ordering a Flysky FS-GT5 radio and receiver so I'll be able to run lights and a winch eventually

[kincer]

The Gen 8 is a pretty decent rig for the price, a few pretty easy mods make it even better. Quite a few good videos on Youtube about the mods and also quite a few good threads on here as well. The 1080 is a great esc, not sure why they went with a 540 motor though. I'd probably go with one of the Holmes Hobbies 550 Trailmaster motors in the future, only around $20 but a much better motor for it.

[andrew_deaton]

Got my charger and batteries in today.




Took it out (in the dark) for my first test drive and I love this thing. It surprised me how capable it is.
Next on the list to order is a radio, body and skid plate.

Anyone have any suggestions on some must do or should do mods right off the bat?

[andrew_deaton]

Got all my parts in yesterday so here we go.

Body came disassembled and was a major pain in the a** to assemble with no instructions lol.



Mock up fit with no inner fenders and no rear shocks because there isnt enough clearance for them.



Lots and lots of trimming the inner fenders and some other stuff to fit the body. Then moved the battery tray back to clear the floor.



This part broke my heart alittle but I'm thinking of getting a scale cooler and maybe some jerry cans to cover the holes.



And there we go for now.







Next of order is a body mount cross member because I have no front mount at the moment and also a front bumper. I havent found a rear that i like so I'm planning to build a metal one that i like to match.

[tuxstang]

Looks like your pics are private, can't see any on your last post.

[Fierce RC Pete]

Welcome and enjoy. Looking forward to seeing the pics.

[andrew_deaton]

Originally Posted by tuxstang

Looks like your pics are private, can't see any on your last post.

Try it now. I think I fixed it my bad

[tuxstang]

That's better with pics visible

Good job. I'm debating into installing a rear cantilever suspension on mine (looks like XtraSpeed cantilever kit for TRX4 fits with minimal tinkering) , those shock towers are massive and protrude high in a bed.
By moving the battery tray to the back, you're removing the transmission brace on the passenger side, it's now only fixed to the driver side frame rail ... you may encounter some flexing. Maybe you should re-create the brace between the transmission and the skid on the passenger side that was done by the battery tray.

[andrew_deaton]

Originally Posted by tuxstang

That's better with pics visible

Good job. I'm debating into installing a rear cantilever suspension on mine (looks like XtraSpeed cantilever kit for TRX4 fits with minimal tinkering) , those shock towers are massive and protrude high in a bed.
By moving the battery tray to the back, you're removing the transmission brace on the passenger side, it's now only fixed to the driver side frame rail ... you may encounter some flexing. Maybe you should re-create the brace between the transmission and the skid on the passenger side that was done by the battery tray.

Yeah I was looking at that. I think I can maybe make a brace to the other side of the frame for that but I dont think I'm going to worry about it to much yet. If it breaks I can upgrade to an aluminum or brass housing

[andrew_deaton]

Got a couple more parts in today. front bumper and aluminium cross member/body mount things. haha. I needed one for the front to make a front body mount. I need longer body mount posts now.



Some minor trimming to use stock bolt holes and its mounted. I feel like it sticks out to far but I hope once I add a winch it will look better.

[bbolden516]

That rig your building looks awesome, the starter rig didn't look bad but I totally get wanting to build your own, will be following this build for sure

[andrew_deaton]

Originally Posted by bbolden516

That rig your building looks awesome, the starter rig didn't look bad but I totally get wanting to build your own, will be following this build for sure

Thanks I'm really excited to get back into this. Surprises will be coming this weekend.

[Nogman]

Smaller body on the gen 8 should be great. Love mine, but some of the downfalls of it (imo) seem to be related to how massive the scout body is.

[andrew_deaton]

"Light" update lol. Small but powerful in looks i think



Alittle messy.



Nothing I cant get too carried away with a hot glue gun fixing.







Does Anyone have any ideas/advice on a rear bumper? I have a huge gap and the frame sticks out some from the body. My initial plan was to build a bumper to cover the fame but that will be way to big.
Next idea was to build or buy a bumper to sit on top of the frame and turn the fame into a trailer hitch that sits below the bumper?
Other plan i thought of while gluing the wires down was maybe cut the frame back to the straight section and have some long mounting posts but id rather not do that unless i have to.

[Nogman]

Not sure what exact direction you wanna go with the rear but it seems kind of like the problem i was having in the front. I used a piece of 3/4"x1/8" angle, drilled where the stock bumper bolts went through. Its cut with a bit of taper on each side. Then just welded a bent piece of 3/16" solid round to it. Tight and simple. Maybe not everyones cup o tea, but i liked it.

[andrew_deaton]

Got my rc4wd winch and controller in the mail today.



It bolted right to the holes already drilled in the bumper so it was fairly easy to install and I am running it off the 3 position switch on my remote.



Next I still dont have enough weight in the front to compensate for the battery tray being moved so I added some stick on wheel weights to the inside of each front wheel.





Now it seems to be weighted exactly where I want it. I think next I'm going to get the servo relocation bracket.

[andrew_deaton]

Rear bumper crisis has been solved for now.

I used the factory redcat bumper which was 7 1/2 inches long. I cut the ends off and brought it down to 7 inches. cut the mounting posts off the back and drilled 2 holes in the bottom that light up with the bolt holes in the stock bumper mount. I think it will work out just fine for now.



I plan to put a plate over the frame and make act as a trailer hitch and I'll cover the hitch in the redcat bumper with maybe a license plate.

Also here is fridays surprise.



My dad won one of these from his snap on guy but the dealer didnt bring it friday so it might be next friday ill post pics of the actual car.

[andrew_deaton]

Here is the snap on car.



Also I am taking the gen8 to my first ever comp tomorrow and I will try and get lots of pics and post some results.

[Wazukie]

Maybe I missed it, but what body is that? Great looking build by the way!