Team Associated Trophy Rat!!! And DB10 Buggy!!!

[HumboldtEF]

I just ordered the Trophy Rat, I had another little bonus card to pay for most of it. I came at this from a different angle, I'd been wanting a cool retro looking 2wd buggy like the Proline Pro 2 Buggy which pops up now and then marked way up or even a re-released Turbo Scorpion which is still available but I'd prefer newer tech if possible. Anyway that meant I was only after 3 things 2WD, a decent body and somewhat new (Why are all modern buggy bodies so damn ugly) and this is one of the few "buggy like" (more on the chassis side) rigs that doesn't make me want to gag.

One thing I've read is that since its a rehashed platform there are a lot of upgrades readily available, though not for everything.

I can see its a bit of a contentious rig though

 

[durok]

I just ordered the Trophy Rat, I had another little bonus card to pay for most of it. I came at this from a different angle, I'd been wanting a cool retro looking 2wd buggy like the Proline Pro 2 Buggy which pops up now and then marked way up or even a re-released Turbo Scorpion which is still available but I'd prefer newer tech if possible. Anyway that meant I was only after 3 things 2WD, a decent body and somewhat new (Why are all modern buggy bodies so damn ugly) and this is one of the few "buggy like" (more on the chassis side) rigs that doesn't make me want to gag.

One thing I've read is that since its a rehashed platform there are a lot of upgrades readily available, though not for everything.

I can see its a bit of a contentious rig though

Contentious or not - just get out there and ENJOY it! "thumbsup"

I just picked up a Nomad DB8 to satisfy my long-dormant desires for a fast, great handling basher rig - got Pro-Line Badlands MX28 2.8" pre-mounted on 17mm F-11 wheels coming (today?) and T-Bone Racing bumpers, as well as a new cheapie servo to try out - the DS3225MG 25KG waterproof model, roughly 350oz-in for $25 (!)...

Gonna rip the body panels off and repaint them, especially since they screwed up and sent me the green/red/white/blue one (YUCK!) instead of the tan version I ordered...

Pics and (hopefully) video to come soon...

Cool thing is that it's almost exactly the same dimensions (wheelbase/track width) as my Bomber!

The cage is nearly identical, as well.

(stock pic of what I wanted):

(what I got):

 

[HumboldtEF]

Nice I had my eye on the Nomad a while back, though I ended up getting a Arrma Senton 6S. Though that beast tends to devour its tires every few runs which lead me to wanting a lightweight buggy that wont need as much attention and wont consume tires.

The Nomad is another one of the few examples of a new-ish buggy that doesnt look terrible, I quite like the looks actually. Good luck on the new paint job "thumbsup"

 

[durok]

I was seriously considering the Senton 6S before choosing the buggy... I decided I preferred the fact that it didn't have the large flexible Lexan body that short course trucks have by design.

Went ahead and ordered the replacement clear bodyset on fleaBay, gonna do it up right.

 

[durok]

Damn, just got inside from doing a late-evening run on 4S this time, solid 20min on 3600mAh...

I am shocked at how hard it launches, can only keep the throttle pegged for a couple seconds before slamming on the brakes.

This was again in the business park behind my apartment... on very clean concrete (finally dry from the deluges we've had).

And I see what you mean about tires - even though they are a copy of the General Grabber tire - which isn't a very aggressive tread pattern - they've got quite a bit of noticeable wear!

Better get on the dirt ASAP, but Central Texas has finally got a ton of rain to end a long dry spell, and I'm not really wanting to get it muddy...

Looks like my Pro-Lines won't be here 'til Monday, so I will try and find a reasonable dry area tomorrow and get some more 4S and 3S runtime on the correct terrain for a buggy!

 

[STANG KILLA SS]

yep. somebody needs to make a nice RWD Solid axle baja truck chassis.

Losi Baja Rey with the front shafts removed.

and dont forget the Metal Concepts CNC gull wing arms :shock:

 

[Shinchu]

nearly cool enough to make me sell my yeti.
or just pull the front shafts and convert it to a RWD truck lol

 

[Jim85IROC]

I really have no use for a Nomad, but I kinda really want one. For now I think I'll let my HK Desert Fox fill that niche for a vehicle that falls short as both a crawler and a basher.

 

[Brake Weight]

Does anyone still have this thing? Wonder how it’s held up as for reliability and retaining fun factor? For some reason I want one, or at least the look. I may just fit a body to one of my SCT chassis and call it done.

 

[HumboldtEF]

Does anyone still have this thing? Wonder how it’s held up as for reliability and retaining fun factor? For some reason I want one, or at least the look. I may just fit a body to one of my SCT chassis and call it done.

I've got one, Its held up pretty good. The only breakage has been 2 bearings in the knuckles up front. I was looking it over the other day and noticed a ton of slop but it was a few bearings that had blown apart, they are pretty small. Oh and I also busted the servo saver, but that was totally my fault for crashing it into a tree lol.

I love how it drives its very lightweight, jumps great most of my other trucks dont and make me feel a bit uncomfortable.

The body has got a bit hammered but most go fasts seem to do that. Do a wheelie and theres nothing to protect the rear of the body but I can live with that.

The inside wheel likes to spin in corners as it lifts so I added their rear sway bar which helps a little.

Stock tires are not to my liking, they dont really work well on any surface I've driven on. I swapped them out for some pin type tires.

I swapped in a Castle SW4 ESC to get a bit more adjustment on braking though the stock ESC isnt bad. I also put in a Savox servo for no real reason other than to try it out, stock works fine.

 

[Brake Weight]

Interesting. Have you tried to repack the ball diff to see if it’ll tighten up?

 

[HumboldtEF]

Interesting. Have you tried to repack the ball diff to see if it’ll tighten up?

I haven't, I'm not as familiar with ball diffs I only had 1 other RC with one (which I've replaced with a spool).
I don't think I even opened it up to check out the Trophy rats ball diff.

Isn't another method to just tighten up the screw holding the ball diff assembly it all together?

Also this "Diff out" is typically only on very tight and slow sections, But I'm no racer and I'm not running any actual tracks so take that with a grain of salt I suppose.

 

[Brake Weight]

I’m not sure either on the particulars. I’ve got a couple of Losi Minis and one has a spool the other a tightened ball diff. The ECX Amps I got for my kids I packed tight with grease and those tightened up significantly. I recently scored a Duratrax Evader for shipping cost so I tore it down and replaced bushings with bearings and packed that diff a lot. It tightened up a great deal more. The Associated SC10 I have I never opened up because it’s SAE and I don’t have any decent tools that are. Kinda sorry on my part to never get any wrenches but I don’t wanna for just one of many.

 

[altd896]

I got one but haven't driven it as much as I thought I would....binned it pretty hard a couple of times the times I have driven it.
Has held up fine to my bunky a** driving so far.
Is a fun little truck to blast around with.

Coming from U4RC trucks I'm constantly surprised every time I pick it up of how light it is considering I run the same 3s 2200mah lipos in both.

Trophy Rat & Reflex both come with gear diffs not ball diffs, might just need heavier fluid

 

[HumboldtEF]

Trophy Rat & Reflex both come with gear diffs not ball diffs, might just need heavier fluid

Oh nice, that I know how to tune.