Build Thread Littlemotor’s Tekno NB48 2.2 Build Thread! 😈

[WickedFog]

This build better get back on track or I'm going to start having withdrawals

 

[Littlemotor]

This build better get back on track or I'm going to start having withdrawals

So is this “Pro” (you’ve bumped your head-harrrrd ) builder!! It looks like those rack bearing retainer sleeves are supposed to arrive via USPS today!!! Also something ELSE already has, and I am freakin STOKED.

 

[WickedFog]

So is this “Pro” (you’ve bumped your head-harrrrd ) builder!! It looks like those rack bearing retainer sleeves are supposed to arrive via USPS today!!! Also something ELSE already has, and I am freakin STOKED.

I know what that is, and so am I

 

[Tr1f3ctaEch0]

So is this “Pro” (you’ve bumped your head-harrrrd ) builder!! It looks like those rack bearing retainer sleeves are supposed to arrive via USPS today!!! Also something ELSE already has, and I am freakin STOKED.

If your USPS is anything like some people’s on this forum they will arrive tomorrow
(But I hope they arive today. I want to see this build continue)

 

[332_RC]

If your USPS is anything like some people’s on this forum they will arrive tomorrow

Echo that Echo

 

[Littlemotor]

If your USPS is anything like some people’s on this forum they will arrive tomorrow
(But I hope they arive today. I want to see this build continue)

Believe me-mine are worse…

And I appreciate your interest brothaman-I’m back on it the second they arrive!!!

 

[Littlemotor]

FINALLY…..

Back at it..

 

[CertifiedMike]

FINALLY…..

Back at it..

View attachment 214852

Your UPS runs late huh?

 

[Littlemotor]

Your UPS runs late huh?

Amazon via USPS.. I do my best work on 3rd shift..

 

[Littlemotor]

Alright-so we’re back, like a vertebrae…

So these are what ALL of my other Tekno kits included-but not this one.. As @RustyUs and myself agree; they’re probably alright, but I just can’t do it.. A few days behind the proverbial 8-ball, so what else is new lol..

Get started with assembling the steering links.. T-Work’s Titanium turnbuckles, and reaming the ends. I DO apply a spot of Associated’s Green Slime here. Steering links see probably twice as much adjustment depending on various track conditions, and I don’t want to tear up the much smaller rod ends-as compared to my camber links..

Everyone hates doing diffs, turnbuckles, and shocks-but those are all my favorite parts to build in every kit I do.. This guy right here is likely my least favorite. It’s not really a pain in the balls, just kinda sucks to have to build I guess?

A spot of Green Slime on the retaining nuy O-ring for good measure.. Also Tekno is the ONLY manufacturer I’ve ever ran that does not offer an aluminum servo saver arm.. I’ve yet to break their plastic one. Never seen anyone else have a failure out of theirs either..

FWIW-I did smear it all over prior to install.

Just a mock-up so you guys can see before I apply loctite paste via a chopped toothpick exactly where I want it.

 

[Littlemotor]

Just a lil’ dip to getcha started..

I don’t go crazy here, just don’t want it all over the place, or consequently mixing with the O-ring grease..

Tekno calls for going all the way to coil bind here, then backing off (2) full turns. I’m no Pro driver, and like my servo’s, so I back it off another half turn.

Finally ready for the Ackerman plate. I suppose I could’ve done up to this point while I waited on my bearing sleeve retaining nuts to arrive, but it didn’t take 25min to get to this portion, soooooo…

The solution to the reason for this last 3day delay.. Avid Hybrid bearings installed, of course-and more Tony’s Screws..

Make tighten!!!!

 

[Littlemotor]

This makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I can sleep at night again with aluminum in there..

Shim stack for bumpsteer setting.. Again-going with the manual setup, and I’ll make changes as I see fit.

Yeah… so, I’m not excited about this.. Time to pull my usual anal retentive BS, and prepare to unfaaack this abortion.. We got this..

The plan.. Convert to flatheads and countersunk washers, and invert the entire party.

Because this is “less than ideal” IMO, and just flat out looks like freakin’ homemade shoes.

Comparison/mock-up.. MUCH more gooder.

However…. Ugggh.. Dammiiit..

The OG, and the new kid on the block.. Hmmm..

 

[Littlemotor]

Next up… Gonna need a haircut for sure, but it’s happnin’ now.. Nuthin’ to it.. Measured three times with the ol’ Mitutoyo’s, and ran a sacrificial nyloc over it as a guide for where I’m making the chop, as well as to clean up any burrs as I remove it. I’ll flip my cutoff wheel after, and dress the end accordingly.

The OG, the new kid, and the audible..

Not too shabby for an old guy..

Post surgery, prior to rehab with some dressing of the end with the back side of my cutoff wheel..

Cleaned up, and ready to install. OG for reference.. Yeahhhhhhh, buddy.

“Would ya just look at it?!?”…

I’m plenty happy with the results. Let’s wrap it up, and check it out assembled..

Yasssssssss. Now THAT is gonna be a winner.

I mean c’mon.. Just better, that’s all there is to it.. Much happier with that.

 

[Littlemotor]

Duuuuuuuuuude… Well worth the trouble IMO.

Yeah-you too losers can kick rocks! Outta here!!!

New bag time FINALLY-jeeeeezus..

It’s about to get goooooood boys..

Mo spares…

She’s gettin’ fat!!

Steering posts… I know what that means…

I actually spaced out for about 9sec, and located a couple m4x12’s.. I caught it quick, but I don’t hide shiit if I screw up.. It’s real life y’all.. Wiped em clean, and loctite’d the proper m4x10’s..

 

[Littlemotor]

As with most top tier, race grade 1/8 buggy, and truggy kits-the steering posts are keyed into the pocket milling of the 7075 chassis. I swear though-the Tekno joints are just ULTRA pimp-O-licious in my humble opinion.. A good amount of Loctite 248 paste, and put some pretty serious asss into it. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen other builders/racers/builders have these back off.. That will absolutely destroy your chassis at a minimum. Then you get to fight with them everytime you tear down for routine maintenance until you buy a $100+ chassis because you were an idiot..

Oooooooooo baby!!!!! NitroPro or NOTHING!!!!1!!!1!1!1!1!!!1

Absolutely KILLER performance, and hands down, the best warranty in the bidnesss..

Performance.. And unlike most servo manufacturers; these numbers aren’t inflated, exaggerated, or a flat out LIE..

Peep that warranty y’all…

And not a servo on the planet that looks this good in my book…

 

[Littlemotor]

Nix’d the socket head cap screws, and M3 steel flat washers from the kit in favor of Tony’s flatheads, and some killer gloss black countersunk washers from Team Brood. They’re big in the 1/10 carpet stuff.

I am the last of a dying breed for sure.. As I mentioned before-I actually like my servo’s, and I still run the servo grommets. These locators are just shy of 2mm tall, and lock your servo in place when not running the grommets. You CAN just put the gorilla grip on your driver, and it’d be fine, but y’all know the dealio.. Let’s take care of this shiit too-why not..

I could use a file here, but I’ve got a steady hand, and I’ve been doing this kind of shiit in my line of work for decades.. Honestly feel like I’ve got a better chance of tearing it up, or leaving terrible marks with a small file than my dremel, and death wheel..

Like brand new money..

Servo tray, and front chassis brace are Siamese twins. Works killer too. Aluminum braces are for 20yr old designs, and heavy AF RTR’s with ridiculous batteries.

 

[Littlemotor]

I’m definitely diggin’ seeing it come together.. I think it’s really easy to go overboard with colored poop everywhere.. Yeah-it may match, but it can get too “busy” for my taste.. I’ve been mixing up the gloss black Team Brood washers where I want it “all business”, and just a bit of well placed “pop” from the Ultimate Racing blue anodized countersunk washers in very specific locations. Same with the two blue nuts in the upper wing mount location. I’m very happy with the steel black coated nuts in the bottom wing mount location. Plus’s they’re steel-and I much prefer to have SOME steel holding that thing secure. There will still be plenty of blue-I can assure you of that..

Steering top plate, and front body mount..

A bit of Loctite for the two M4’s that go into the upper portion of the CNC steering posts..

Steering links mating up with the necessary steel flat washers to the carbon fiber steering plates.

Yeah buddy….

Rear clip going in finally.. We are out here!!!

Threadlocker for the redundant fasteners in the C block. Love they do this..

 

[Littlemotor]

Rear clip almost buttoned up with the last fastener into the C block..

Mack daddy rear chassis brace.. A LOT of guys don’t run this in low traction situations, blown out tracks, etc.. Yeah-nah; I’m not that guy.. I swapped out the kit socket head cap screw for the diffcase brace receiver, and am running another flathead from Tony’s, along with an Ultimate Racing blue countersunk washers to set it off just the right amount. I think my other vehicles look killer with this setup, so been lookin’ forward to doing it on this nitro buggy..

Looooooove it…

A pair of M4’s from the bottom, and the rear clip is donezo..

Time to picture whore it up!!!

 

[Littlemotor]

Helllllllyeah… More to follow, but I’m glad it is finally starting to at least LOOK like I’m making some decent progress with it..

The majority of the time tonight was spent modificatin’ random stuff that most folks either wouldn’t care about, or just wouldn’t think to fool with.. I like doing that kind of stuff if I see something that I feel like there’s a better way to do IMO..

Super stoked with it thus far, and it’s only gonna get better. It’s for sure gonna come together quick, fast, and in a big dammiit hurry from here on out now.. We are in the short rows with this one fosho boys.. Thanks for all the interest, comments, kind words, and just simply followin’ along through my nonsense. It’s appreciated, and hope it helps out with your own badasss builds!

Now I’m taking my old asss to bed-to hell with ice cream at 6:15am..

 

[332_RC]

Excellent man! That's a beautiful build. Blue paste is the stuff! I didn't know that about the steering post pockets. Great details! I do the same thing- digital calipers- check- custom cut stuff.