Volt's Imported Pajero

[VoltSCX]

I've wanted a CC01 Pajero for a while now, probably around 10 years at least. It was one of my dream rigs when I was younger and just getting into crawling, along with the TF2 and original Honcho. I've been looking around off and on for one for the last couple of years, but they're always too far away or too expensive. A few weeks ago I decided to try a different approach and look on Buyee for one overseas in hopes that they might be cheaper. It took a little bit of digging, but today I finally bit the bullet and bought this one. It's a little rough, but the price was right and it's my favorite color, so I'm not complaining lol. Hopefully it shows up in a couple months, I believe it took around 1-2 months the last time I bought something off of there. I can't wait to start working on it!

 

[VoltSCX]

Just paid for shipping, should be here in a week or two.

 

[VoltSCX]

While I was out grabbing another rig off Marketplace (new build thread incoming) today a box showed up. I definitely wasn't expecting it to show up this soon lmao (not that I'm complaining).

It didn't come with a remote, not that I expected it to, but it did have an old Futaba receiver in it. I dug through my box of older Futaba radios but none of them were the right frequency, so I just robbed a Spektrum system from one of my other rigs as a 'temporary' solution. I also took off the front bumper thingy.

Everything seemed to be there, aside from the battery retainer and a missing steering knuckle screw. I'm hoping to make some upgrades to the front end soon so hopefully that won't be an issue for too long. I also fixed the headlights since they weren't working when I first tested the truck. Found a broken wire and put it back together and they came right on.

Everything works! Other than the missing bolt everything seems to work just fine with no issues at all. I drove it around the room a little to test it and it was great. I'm hoping to grab a new set of bolts, shocks, and maybe figure out a locker setup of some sort as well. For now though I decided to try to clean it up a bit while I plan the build. I tried my best but there's still some crud on there that won't come off. I'll have to try some different methods later. Still came out fairly nice though!

Overall I'm glad I went the route of buying it from a Japanese auction and getting it shipped over here, it was like half the price of what the eBay resellers are charging for these. I can't wait to get some new parts for it and eventually get it out on the trail!

 

[hnoroian]

That’s a nice buy.

As far as new Tx/Rx I’ve given a run down on the Meus radios for the last few outings and it’s pretty full featured for 8chsnnels, unbelievable for $35.

 

[VoltSCX]

That’s a nice buy.

As far as new Tx/Rx I’ve given a run down on the Meus radios for the last few outings and it’s pretty full featured for 8chsnnels, unbelievable for $35.

Honestly I might try it out, I've heard a lot of good things and it looks pretty sweet. For this one I'll probably go Flysky since the reciever is cheaper but I do have a build that I'd like to try out the Meus system on.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

That's super fast shipping for something coming from Japan!

 

[VoltSCX]

That's super fast shipping for something coming from Japan!

Yeah, I ended up paying for the fastest shipping since Japan Post was down and it was only a couple bucks more than the only other option. Super expensive, but it's here.

 

[Gula]

That’s a nice buy.

As far as new Tx/Rx I’ve given a run down on the Meus radios for the last few outings and it’s pretty full featured for 8chsnnels, unbelievable for $35.

The only thing that kept me from buying these is they do not have model memory, and you have to bind it each time you swutch models.....pita, imho. Otherwise, I would too!

 

[Gula]

I've found some nice deals on ebay from Japanese sellers, with free shipping. Did you buy it off there or another site?

 

[hnoroian]

Got them from Amazon. As annoying as “rebinding” you don’t have to access the Rx to do so, I put it in my head like it was selecting a

 

[hnoroian]

Model from memory.

 

[VoltSCX]

I've found some nice deals on ebay from Japanese sellers, with free shipping. Did you buy it off there or another site?

I got it off of Buyee, they allow you to buy stuff off of Yahoo Auctions and Mercari and then ship it to the US. I got this one off of Mercari.

 

[Gula]

Neat! Time to googlefoo...

 

[VoltSCX]

Swapped over the electronics for some more modern ones. I stole the servo from a Redcat I had lying around as a temporary replacement, I'm planning on grabbing a nicer one later. I also swapped out the old motor and ESC for a Firma 2-in-1/DX3 that I had lying around, which I paired with a Spektrum 80t. Not my favorite setup but it actually works fairly well on 3s, so I'll probably leave it this way for now.

I have some nice suspension parts on the way, should be here sometime soon. Can't wait to put em on and see how it performs.

 

[VoltSCX]

Picked up some nice new Yeah Racing conversion kits, one being a steering rack and the other being a 4 link conversion for the rear.

Somehow one of the lower links snapped at the threads while I was adjusting the rod ends, which sucked. I managed to find a couple of spare Twin Hammers front suspension links that fit well enough, so I ended up using those. I did have to use the YR rod ends for the chassis mounts so they would clear.

I also noticed that the suspension was a little bit droopy, so I went through and rebuilt the shocks (two of which had the front and rear rod end and spring swapped around, which explained the odd stance). Handles and looks much better now.

I've got more parts on the way, and I'm planning on grabbing a set of RC4WD BFG KM 1.9s since I'm planning on using on of the og wheels as a spare and the tires would match. I am curious though, does anyone have a fix for the steering angle issue? Even with the new steering rack I still can't get this thing to turn right, and I'm not sure how to fix it. Also if anyone has recommendations for nice budget shocks or wheels lmk, I'm looking around to see what I can find. Thanks!

 

[Gula]

I went on ebay and got myself the option no1 shocks for $20-24ish iirc. Steering angle issue? Explain, please...! You mean the slop, even after an alloy install? Turn right, in the right direction? Not functioning?
Bump steer?
Tamiya did these wrong with these hideous 1.9s...May I suggest the nice plethora of 1.55 and just keep the tire diameter.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

Some of those steering kits have so much slop that they're not worth it. The steering system on this truck is pretty sucky.

Also, those 4-link kits tend to hang below the chassis and create more snag points.

@OSRC is the CC-01 master. I'm sure he can help you with the lack of steering throw if anyone can.

 

[VoltSCX]

I went on ebay and got myself the option no1 shocks for $20-24ish iirc. Steering angle issue? Explain, please...! You mean the slop, even after an alloy install? Turn right, in the right direction? Not functioning?
Bump steer?
Tamiya did these wrong with these hideous 1.9s...May I suggest the nice plethora of 1.55 and just keep the tire diameter.

Whenever I try to turn right the system starts to bind up and the servo mount just twists, but I don't have that issue turning left. There also isn't a whole lot of slop left with the new steering rack, which I was hoping would fix the issue.

The only reason I'm going with 1.9s is because I've found that there's way more options with wheels/tires, although I might switch over to 1.55s later down the line. I just can't find many good looking budget options for 1.55 wheels.

 

[VoltSCX]

Some of those steering kits have so much slop that they're not worth it. The steering system on this truck is pretty sucky.

Also, those 4-link kits tend to hang below the chassis and create more snag points.

Yeah, it still has a little slop but it's wayyyyy better than the old and worn stock plastic setup.

I noticed that when installing it, although there are also a lot of snag points in the middle on both setups. I'm planning on picking up a center skidplate to see if that helps.

 

[OSRC]

CC01 master? lol. Don't know about that, but I've built my share that's for sure. Always good to see another Pajero, I recently picked up the black chrome version. Not scale, but looks fantastic.

The steering links will catch on the skid at times and jam things up, especially at full droop. Can see in the pic below where a little trimming goes a long way. Also with a few aftermarket setups, the screw heads will hit as the rack moves. Loosen the skid and see if that frees things up - chances are you'll see it hitting something down there.