My B44 Build

[ace028]

Talked the wife into letting me buy a new buggy, so I choose a B44. I just ordered it last night, hope to have it by this weekend. I will post a detailed pics of the build. Any tips or suggestions for the build?

[Jnunu1]

Hi

I have just started my B44 - so far done diffs, slipper clutch and shocks.

All fine in following the manual. The only stupid thing I have done so far is using the wrong o-rings on the shock caps - should have used 6469 (shock cap o ring) but used the threaded collar o ring (7416). These are far too big and in hind-site I should have known - but as a noob i didnt realise until I came to do the threaded collers! So thats why all my shockfluid was leaking out!:rolleyes:

I would also recommend you print out the RRCI review for the car that is kept on this site in the Reviews and Articles section - some good tips there as well.

Good luck and I will follow your progress with interest!

[Big G]

I'd advise the metal front shock tower mount as the plastic one has a habit of stripping the threads. easy enough to upgrade later though.

shock tops with the screw bleeders will make doing the shocks a nice job :)

[ace028]

Where is the RRCI review? I didn't see it.

Thanks, I will be sure to post lots of pics.

Are you suppose to seal the edges of the CF parts with epoxy or CA?

With the car I also ordered the FT lipo retainer and some Jconcepts rulux wheels.

[Jnunu1]

Hi

Sorry - thought it was from this site, but I was wrong - click on this link and you will get it.

http://www.cmldistribution.co.uk/product/AS9060/files/B44%20Review%20in%20RRCi.pdf

Cheers

Jnu

[ace028]

Hey thanks for the link, I have saved it and will read it later.

Man, I checked the tracking number for the buggy and it says to expect it on the 10th!!! Man that sucks, I was hoping it would be here tomorrow. Oh well, it will give me time to work on my kyosho ultima I am restoring.

[ace028]

Ok, it got here a day early, here are some pics. I may not start assembling until saturday.

What sucks a little is that my rulux wheels are not the same shade of yellow. Looks like the rears were out in the sun. Should I return them to get the same shade?

And I got the FT lipo cradle.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01887.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01888.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01889.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01890.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01891.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01892.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01893.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01894.jpg

[PTRU]

Keep the kit tyres then you can come down to the Proline dirt arena and race.

Or you could sell them hole shots in demand at the moment.

[ace028]

Ok, I lied, I started on the diffs.

Are you suppose to sand and glue the edges of the carbon to keep it from delaminating?
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01895.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01896.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01897.jpg

[ace028]

Here is the slipper that I finished last night. Just need come thread lock for the CV shaft set screws.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01900.jpg

[GRIFF55]

Keep the kit tyres then you can come down to the Proline dirt arena and race.

Or you could sell them hole shots in demand at the moment.


I think he's from California Mr T, Bit of a round trip for PDA. ha ha:p
I saw a few sets of different shade relux wheels, shame as i like the colour of the fronts:(

[Jnunu1]

Hi

Not sure on the carbon glueing etc - i know the rrci article says so but i havnt seen that recommended elsewhere.

When you do the gearbox build (my next job on my build) will you be greasing the gears - it doesnt say to do so in the manual?

jnu

[ace028]

One thing that I have noticed about the kit is that the black "bluing" or powdercoat on the CVD's isn't very good, just the finish didn't turn out as nice as the CVD's on my T4 did, not a big deal, and I noticed that there is a very slight surface rust on them as well as the screws, its very very light but you can tell because it left faint brown marks on the bags and if you look close to the screws you can see it, it mostly rubs off. I think I will buy a screw kit later for it, maybe titanium or something.

[ace028]

I didn't put any grease in the gear box. Only what it said to in the manuel for the diffs.

[jamiekerr14]

I always round of CF edges and CA them.. Why not? It doesn't look any worse.. and does give the edges that slight but more protection specially front shock... few coats wont go a miss. I recommend doing.. it you have nothing to loose.. apart from maybe extra 20 mins on build time...

[ace028]

I like the color of the front wheels better, its more florescent and the rear are more just yellow. I know it don't really matter, but stuff like that bugs me a little. I may ask if they can send me a matching rear set and retun them.

[ace028]

Should I use epoxy instead of ca? I think its easier to work with and you can wipe it off if you get it where you don't want it. What do you think?

[Mike Hudson]

You shouldn't need to apply thread lock anywhere on the car

I've never used anything else for sealing the cf edges as ca has always worked fine for me

greasing the gears is personal preference some do some don't, I've always ran mine dry

as for the slight rust on cvds & screws maybe giving them a bath in some wd40 for a few hours will remove it

[ace028]

I was only going to use thread lock because the manuel said to, so do you recomend against using it? I think if the screws are tight that should be good enough right?


Also, is the kit suppose to come with the updated shock caps? Or is that optional? I think I will build the shocks last as I am going to order some losi shock oil, not sure that the kit oil is the best setup. I was going to use Tebos setup, what do you recomend for oil and setups as a base setting? I am not going to race because I haven't found a track yet, but I would like it to be set up ready to race for once I find a track.

[Mike Hudson]

If you use threadlock you'll most likely never get the screws out again without stripping them or great difficulty, they shouldn't come loose if you build it all properly, never had a problem with screws in mine in 2 years of running it without the stuff :)

The new shock caps arn't standard just an optional part & I'd suggest you stick to associated shock oil as losi oils are abit different ie: ae 30wt & losi 30wt won't feel the same! Setup the car as per the manual & when you find a track you can race on find out what setups the drivers there are using to help you as can't give a good starting setup without knowing where your going to race.

[ace028]

Here I finished the steering assenbly and the front knuckles. The knuckles feel a little tighter then they should but I don't think there is anything I could do about it unless i took off material, I mean they aren't like tight, but they will hold the position I put them in when I move them if that makes since. I think they will loosen up after some use, they are very smooth and solid though. No play, just a little tight.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01902.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01903.jpg

[Big G]

I've never thread locked any of my screws on the car. the CV joint grub screws have never come out during racing. I tend to strip them down if they have picked up a lot of dirt and regrease them. I did try some durango style boots, but they isn't enough clearance between the wishbone and it pops the boot off instantly. didn't really want to superglue them on.

[ace028]

Here are the new nut drivers I ordered, and some pics comparing them to the other tools. They kind of match my other dynamite drivers, sort of, at least they are same brand.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01905.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01906.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01907.jpg

[ace028]

Here are some updates, I think this is all for today, wife is getting jelous about the time I spend on my rc stuff lol.

I decided to say screw sealing the edges, I can do it later, but I will get the towers for sure. I made a mess with the screws by building it out of order so tomorrow I will have to sort through the screws and get it all organized to what goes where, and clean my desk off, it will be nice to work on it fresh in the morning instead of when I am tired after work. I'm really liking how its going though. AE did a nice job on the kit, things fit very good!!! No slop anywhere!!

May go check out a track tomorrow, its like 35 miles, but I guess its a hour drive. Hope the people are nice there. I have been to a few RC shops that you really don't feel welcome which is a shame.


http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01908.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01909.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01910.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01911.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01912.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01913.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01914.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01915.jpg

[Big G]

I think you need to fit the lipo tray before the rear centre bit. It was ages ago I fitted mine mind...

[GRIFF55]

Just take the slipper assembly out and it should drop in. (isn't it?)
Looking good, keep the pics coming:D

[ace028]

thanks, I think I noticed that last night, I'm glad you reminded me lol.

[ace028]

Yep, just slid the slipper out and it dropped right in, thanks!

[ace028]

Quick question, are the tire foam inserts that come with the kit tires the correct ones? They seem too big for the front tires?

[jamiekerr14]

You have to trim the foam at 45 degreee angle on the outer edge.. have a brief search on here.. you will find a few answers matey:)

[ace028]

I not really finding much on the inserts. Some people cut the rear in half?

Some updates.
This should make it easier.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01916.jpg

Battery retainers installed, note the funky looking velcro body holder things don't work with the lipo retainers.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01917.jpg

Servo Mounts installed so they are accounted for.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01919.jpg

First part that don't really look like it fits too well, I think I will invest in the aluminum one soon.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01920.jpg

[Big G]

you need to cut a tiny bit out. will take pic and attach in 2 mins

http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad212/Dizzie20vt/Random/IMG_1216.jpg

[ace028]

Found the local track, bout a hour drive, but its huge, big jumps, looks kinda bumpy in some sections because they run a lot of 1/8 stuff, but they have a 1/10 4wd class so hopefully I will be able to join in on the fun!!!


http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01924.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01925.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01926.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01927.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01928.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01929.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01930.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01931.jpg

[ace028]

Here is the track I will hopefully be running on, some really nice guys out there, one guy has a durango buggy, I have never seen one before, I don't even know how many guys run those in the states over here, but he was tearing the track up with it, was first place till a mishap, needless to say, I want a durango now lol.
Here is the link to the track.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX88NFATG2U&feature=player_embedded#

[ace028]

Started on the shocks. Got the pistions on the shafts, and here is how I installed the ball into the shock ends so I don't hurt my fingers or mar the balls with pliers.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01933.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01934.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01935.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01936.jpg

[B44&501xRacerEX]

Looks good so far Ace! :thumbsup:
Everytime I work on my B44 it's just so easy to work on.
A friend of mine gave me some allen drivers so I usually dont strip screws anymore. Also the screws are easier to remove as well.

[ace028]

Ok, pretty much finished, just need to glue the tires and paint the body and get the electronics in. It sucked bleading those shocks!!! I think they are good, but I think I will invest in the ones with a bleeder screw or the aluminum ones, the plastic ones on my t4 started leaking after one run on the track, then put the aluminum ones on and no leaky.

What size is the wheel nuts? I don't think I have the right size in the driver set I just bought (go figure), I will use the plastic molded one with the kit for now.

Here are the pics, more to come once body and other stuff gets done, but that will be a few weeks probably. I will start a new thread for my kyosho once I get it in the mail, can't wait!!!!

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01937.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01938.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01939.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01940.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01941.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01942.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01943.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01944.jpg

[ace028]

Well, never heard anything back from amain or jconcepts about my faded rear rims, so I am just going to run them, you almost cant really tell.

I just ordered carbon fiber battery straps, and some tire glue, and alumunum front tower holder brace. I also got a 5/64 tool that I needed, also I ordered some losi front tire inserts and some proline rear inserts. when I had my xxx-4 with losi tires the inserts just went in, they didn't seem like they were too big, so I will compare them when I get them. I was going to order a 11/32 hex driver, but it was out of stock at amain that matched the other ones that I got. Oh I also ordered a spektrum SPMSS6010 servo, looks pretty good, digital, 100in/oz of torque and .14 speed at 6v for 39.99. Hope it was a good choice. Can't wait to hit the track. I will post some updates once I get the items. Man that stuff adds up really fast!!!

[ace028]

Here are some pics. Here is a pic of my fleet, and one of my few boats
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01965.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01966.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01967.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC01968.jpg

[jiffy]

looks great, I want one :)

[B44&501xRacerEX]

Huh so you do have a lazer FS already...to compare the B44 to?

I love this class so much I got a third one.:thumbsup:

Not only that my B44 is loaded with new parts, and a new undertray
has already been painted. I just have to cut it out and install it.

[ace028]

yeah I got the B44 and was on ebay and saw the zx5 FS and it was such a good deal that I bought it lol.

[rc_dan]

sweet build, any ideas for the shell ?

[ace028]

thanks, I found one guys paint scheme in the photo section I liked, but I haven't really decided on paint scheme.

I may get a scoopless body from jconcepts. I will run factory body for now though.

[ace028]

Well here are some updates, got my order from amainhobbies. Some of the stuff is for my other projects. I will post more pics of some of the various items once I install them. You can see that there is a large difference in the front and rear foam inserts, I think the rear will need to be cut down a little bit, i'm glad I didn't glue the tires yet with the foam that came with them.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC02145.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC02146.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC02147.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC02148.jpg

[Big G]

4mm locknuts on a B44?

[ace028]

Those are for my ZX-5 and other project.

[ace028]

Some more pics
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC02149.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC02152.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC02153.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC02154.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC02155.jpg

[ace028]

Jconcepts body
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC02187.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC02188.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC02189.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC02190.jpg

[ace028]

Layed some paint, first time using liquid mask, I used rattle cans, what do you think?
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC02215.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC02216.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC02217.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee192/ace028/AE%20B44/DSC02218.jpg

[jamiekerr14]

Good job! that's impressive for rattle cans.. must have taken your time-Which is key.. as most rush the paint job.. haha good work-Get it on the track ASAP! Hurts my eyes being that new lol

[Garry Driffill]

What a beautiful racing machine ;)

[ace028]

Thanks guys, I was planning on taking it out today, but its raining. Maybe tomorrow. I only had 3 colors, and I saw the liquid mask and thought I would try it out, I think if I had a better brush to paint the mask on with it would have turned out better that way it could have been more even because some of it was hard to peel off because it was too thin. If I had a airbrush and a few more colors I think I can do better, but it is my best body I have painted, this is my 4th one with rattle cans.