FMS Atlas 6X6 Power Wagon

[Xraycer]

While perusing upgrade parts for my SCX24 Deadbolt, I can't across the 1/18 FMS Atlas 6X6. Such a cool looking power wagon trail truck!
I went on YT to see if there are any reviews. Yes, there are! After many positive reviews and just seeing how cool this thing crawl, I went ahead and placed an order via Amazon. Through the magic of Amazon, I got my new toy in 2 days! It came in a very cool durable foam box!

 

[Doom!]

I was eyeballin' those, cool score!

 

[Tunedfrog]

Great looking rigs.

 

[Xraycer]

It comes fully assembled and ready to run once you add 4 AAA to the remote. The smallish remote actually feels and operates pretty decently.
The truck looks great, in person! The flip open cab to access the battery is a really neat design. A strong magnet keeps the cab secure one closed. The downside of this design is that the cab only goes up to about 45°, due to the front bumper. Not a huge deal, but it makes getting to the battery a bit tricky. A USB charger is included, along with firmer shock springs.
Nice, bright led lights. The spare tire is an actual useable tire. The 2 chrome exhaust covers, under the cab is actually made of metal.

Wheels are plastic, but are actually beadlocks. Tires contains no foam, but are fairly soft. Beadlocks will allow for easily adding weights should it needs it.
The Atlas runs loud, but the 6X6, soft tires, and heavy front weight distribution makes this rig a surprisingly exceptional crawler. It's maiden run was on my newly discovered home crawl course. It crushed this course, whereas my 1/10's and my 1/24 Deadbolt really struggles.
A full crawl report will be in the Crawl Chronicles later tonight.

 

[WickedFog]

I was looking at those. Awesome to see someone actually bought one. They are great looking trucks.

 

[Xraycer]

I was looking at those. Awesome to see someone actually bought one. They are great looking trucks.

I'll take a look at it, but I saw that the Atlas' wheels is a hex hub. It would be great if since parts could be interchangeable with the SCX24!

It would also be great if someone could figure out how to get more top speed out of this rig. I didn't watch it yet, but I did saw a review of someone converting the Atlas to 6 wheel steering. Nothing I'm interested in, but it would just be neat to see how they did it.

 

[WickedFog]

I'll take a look at it, but I saw that the Atlas' wheels is a hex hub. It would be great if since parts could be interchangeable with the SCX24!

It would also be great if someone could figure out how to get more top speed out of this rig. I didn't watch it yet, but I did saw a review of someone converting the Atlas to 6 wheel steering. Nothing I'm interested in, but it would just be neat to see how they did it.

If the servo is axle mounted, then all it takes is 2 more front axles with servos and a radio with 4ws capability, like the Flysky GT5. Oh, and a setvo Y adapter.

 

[Xraycer]

If the servo is axle mounted, then all it takes is 2 more front axles with servos and a radio with 4ws capability, like the Flysky GT5. Oh, and a setvo Y adapter.

Sounds like too much work for my lazy self .......also, I'm not a fan of rear wheel steering.

Since these Atlas' are fairly inexpensive, and I'm really, really liking 'em, I'm thinking about getting the red one and converting it to a wooden flat bed with wooden rails.

 

[Doom!]

I'm thinking about getting the red one and converting it to a wooden flat bed with wooden rails.

That would be cool.

 

[WickedFog]

Crap. I'm gonna have to get one now.

 

[Xraycer]

Played a little with the silver marker.

 

[WickedFog]

Get you a propane torch and heat up those heat shields to blue them up That truck is screaming for a rusty weathered look.

 

[Doom!]

@Xraycer Your coloring skills are quite impressive, you have successfully stayed in the lines. Looks good, a little detail really helps get rid of that "toy" feel.

 

[Xraycer]

Get you a propane torch and heat up those heat shields to blue them up That truck is screaming for a rusty weathered look.

Man, I wished I had weathering skills

@Xraycer Your coloring skills are quite impressive, you have successfully stayed in the lines. Looks good, a little detail really helps get rid of that "toy" feel.

I'm not gonna lie, I did strayed outside the lines. I covered it up, in the photos, with photoshop

 

[Xraycer]

Not sure what got into me last night, but I spent about 8hrs modding last night! I'm typically lazy about modding, since I lack patience and attention span.
It started with some wheel swapping between the Atlas and the Deadbolt, then it progressed into an Atlas project. I'm quite satisfied of the new details/mods. Not done yet, so hopefully I'll keep at it.
First up. I played with the silver paint marker some more.

I hated the vertical rack on the roll bars, do I did away with it.

 

[Xraycer]

I like the stock bumper, but it doesn't permit the cab to raise up very high. This makes accessing the battery kind of a pain. So, I made a simple bar bumper using a plastic clothes hanger.

Lastly. The included FMS battery is an odd, proprietary design and additional ones are $10 a pop. I have four 650mah 2s from my rc planes, so I wanted to use these. Of course, it didn't fit into the battery tray. So, I diy a simple tray. That trough with the red bands is the stock tray.

 

[Doom!]

It's good when inspiration hits! I think modding micros is less intimidating. Little things can make such a big difference.

 

[WickedFog]

Would a 71x25x14mm battery fit in that stock battery box?

Looking awesome man!

 

[Xraycer]

The inside box dimensions are 50mm x 16mm. The included battery is 50 x 20 x 15.
Here's an 850mah on the new holder. I shook this thing around pretty good, and the battery stayed in place just fine. Also, a pic of how much farther the can can open up with the new bumper.

 

[WickedFog]

Awesome! That is a helluva difference. Wonder why they didn't redesign that bumper just a bit to make it open like that