Aftershock HCR Chassis needs modified just to use it! This blows...

[olds97_lss]

I have to modify the brand new chassis just to install my engine?!?!?

I just bought a Hard Core Racing titanium chassis as my stock one is really tweaked and cracked in a few places. So, I'm sitting here chomping at the bit waiting for the UPS guy to show up, I get it, then get to it. I quickly tear down the chassis in about 30 minutes and then sit and compare stock to HCR. It has holes to make it lighter, nice, it's more rigid, also nice, the millwork looks pretty clean (as it should for a $115 chassis plate), the little holes for the wires to go through aren't like stock... ok, no problem, I'll make something to keep the wires from getting chewed... eh... I got it for $28 at a sale at stormer... so I'm ok with these issues...

Then I notice the pull starter/backplate hole is significantly different. Huh... grab my engine and try to lay it on the chassis... huh... IT DOESN'T FIT!!!!!!!!! With all the pretty mill work on the chassis to make it lighter, they didn't make it like a stock chassis. The hole doesn't appear to support a pull starter or an after market engine? That's my only guess. It requires a very thin mount roto start. Or, you have to raise the entire engine 1/4"+ inch.

Guys, am I missing something or am I really about to take a dremel to my nice new chassis plate!?!?! Which, if I do, with all the cut outs they did to make it light, it will be extra weak in that area. Which is why I went with the stupid thing in the first place! My stock one is cracked right between the engine/trans.

Here's some photo's to show what I mean. I marked where the engine hole is on the stock chassis with a marker.

http://home.comcast.net/~98gmarquee/pics/aftershock/2008-0125-HCRChassisUnderStock.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~98gmarquee/pics/aftershock/2008-0125-HCRChassisOverStock.jpg

And of course, the tweakedness of my original chassis... guess this is why I had issues getting the new chassis rails to fit ?

http://home.comcast.net/~98gmarquee/pics/aftershock/2008-0125-ChassisTweaked01.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~98gmarquee/pics/aftershock/2008-0125-ChassisTweaked02.jpg

 

[jon2]

Didn't you get an Aftershock? Do you know if the chassis is the same?

 

[neobart]

Chassis plates are the same for all the LST based trucks.

That blow Olds.

 

[olds97_lss]

Yeah... it blows.

After about 5 minutes of sitting there and mathing out shipping cost and annoyance cost... I took a dremel to it. At first I tried to just dremel out a dent/pocket in the chassis for it to fit, but after getting it to be paper thin, the starter housing on my LRP and OS21 I have still rubbed. Then I thought about putting washer on the engine mount... then I decided to just say f it and I cut out the chunk that was in the way. If it cracks, I'll get the losi hard anno'd chassis I was going to get in the first place.

Oh well... at least it was only $28:

 

[Lessen]

That really sucks man. I hate piss poor products.

 

[NCNitro]

That does suck, I hope they do a better job on their quad parts.

 

[olds97_lss]

It really is too bad. It's about 4 times as rigid as the stock chassis. Now I'm having a hard time figuring out where to drill holes for my roll bar... It used to mount where they cut out holes to lighten...

I'll think of something... stupid brain.

 

[jon2]

Man why do you call HCT and complain? Maybe they will rectify themselves and give you a new one?

 

[olds97_lss]

I don't know... It's too late now. I have the truck all together and I've already cut the chassis.

I figure if it holds up at least as long as the stocker I'm not really out any more $ than I would have been replacing with stock. At least I can say I have "most of" a HCR chassis...

Not really complaining anymore. Just informing so others don't make the same mistake.

 

[jon2]

You should at least ask them if the chassis was made so that it would only accept the HCR parts for it.

 

[olds97_lss]

I sent them an email last night asking what and why. If they respond, I'll post accordingly.

 

[jon2]

I hope that they help you out.Please keep us updated..

 

[stariondriver]

ever get a response form them? i am shopping fo a chassis upgrade too..

 

[olds97_lss]

You know... I don't recall. I want to say they did and the response was that it was designed to work with the original RTR engine.

I just dug through my emails, this is what Jen said:

Sorry to hear you are having a problem with the chassis. The problem is that chassis is made for the LST Losi truck. It was not meant to fit the Aftershock or the LST2. If you bought it direct you can send it back for a credit. If you purchased it from a dealer you have to return it to the store and let them know you bought the wrong chassis. If you have any other questions feel free to contact us at the numbers listed below.

I don't have a copy of what I sent... but I'm fairly certain I described the issue was that I couldn't use an after market engine on the chassis, not that the chassis didn't work on the truck... either way, it's old news.

Considering it only cost me $28... I think I can live with it as it is. I just wouldn't spend retail on it ($115) to limit me to using an engine with the same footprint as stock.