Build Thread Losi XXX-SCT Resto and Upgrade Build

[WickedFog]

Figured I might as well start this thread. I have the Tekno kit taking priority over this one, but in my down time with that, I've been working on this.

Parts so far that I have accumulated over the past year or so (some still in transit):

I may have forgotten a few, but I think that's it.

Here is the breakdown:
• Doner chassis (thanks @Mrgoodwrench35)
• JConcepts Illuzion "Ford Raptor SVT SCT-R" Body
• Various wheels from DE Racing (black/white, front/rear)
• Losi front wheels (hey, they came with the DE Racing wheels)
• JConcepts Choppers (thanks for suggesting them @Littlemotor)
• Hobbywing Quickrun combo with the 10BL120 ESC and 3660 3700kv motor
• FastEddy bearing kit
• Screw kit
• Losi battery strap
• Losi body mount set
• Losi front shock tower
• Losi gear cover and plug
• Losi front and rear a-arms
• Pro-Line copy of the inboard spindle set (to use 4wd wheels on the front)
• Losi front and rear sway bar set
• STRC blue anodized threaded aluminum shock bodies
• STRC rear lower shock mounts
• Aluminum servo mount
• Losi steering assembly kit
• Losi rod ends/balls
• Skull mud flaps
• Carbon front and rear suspension braces
• Losi wheel hex set
• Various spares and extras

 

[WickedFog]

The plan for this build was originally to build up a 2WD SCT for Breydon to take to the local track and have fun with it.

For paint, this was the original design, but I am probably going to use this on the Tekno and do something different on this one.

The new design will definitely be white, blue, and green. Maybe just a color change to the above design, maybe something completely different.

I'll post some updates in this post once I figure something out.

 

[WickedFog]

First up was to strip everything down and clean everything up.

The transmission looked great. Gears are in perfect condition, bearings all worked fine, with no grittiness, and the diff felt smooth, but light of grease. The outdrives are in good shape too.

As I dismantled everything, I was checking parts for damage. I found one link that had the plastic rod end bent, so I ordered some replacements.

The chassis looked fine, except the right rear nerf bar mounting hole is a tad bit bugered up. No biggie. But the underside looked like this truck didn't see much bashing action. Even the screws were in great shape.

Once everything was torn down and the plastic bits went through a wash cycle in the old kitchen sink, I started removing the gooey stuff. This involves a wooden scraper, WD40 to loosen the glue, Super Clean to remove the WD40, and alcohol to remove the Super Clean residue.

The metal bits were given a soak in paint thinner, with a quick dip in Super Clean degreaser, followed by the shock parts going through the same treatment, both metal and plastic bits.

 

[WickedFog]

First up on the assembly bench is the diff, and a quick check of the now-clean transmission components (STILL waiting on the screw kit).

Everything cleaned up great, so the diff assembly was a breeze. A little green slime on the outdrives and o-rings behind the sun gear, followed by some Mobil 1 synthetic grease on the gears had the diff moving nice and smooth. I used some 600 grit on a 1-2-3 block to smooth out the top of the diff housing to make sure this sealed up good. It didn't take much.

 

[WickedFog]

Next up is the shocks. These shocks were really grimy inside. I disassembled everything except the pistons from the shafts. No need to mess with the e-clips on those.

@Mrgoodwrench35 must have added some limiters, as these aren't shown in the exploded view. We'll be bashing this a bit, so for now, we'll be running these without the limiters.

These Losi shocks don't have a top cap, just the lower cap/seal assembly which just snaps together.

After a dunk in Super Clean to find out it wasn't touching this grimy shock fluid, I decided to give everything a quick dip in the paint thinner, follwed by a dip in the Super Clean, followed by alcohol. Ready for reassembly.

More Green Slime on the seals and spacer

Reassembly begins.

The STRC shock bodies are super sexy, and the pre-load adjuster rings with o-rings thread onto the body nice and smooth. Some damn fine machining on these shock bodies I must say. I put a dab of Green Slime on the o-ring before threading them on to help keep from galding the o-ring, though the threads on the body are completely free of any sharp edges at all.

From there it was time to add some fluids. I had the Tekno fluids on the bench, and they probably aren't correct, but ya gotta start somewhere. I'll adjust later.

With these shocks, you fill them from the bottom, and the cap/seal assembly threads have a groove to bleed excess fluid. So fill them just full enough that the cap will push out a dab of excess when ya screw them in. About 5mm from the top or so.

Screw the caps in slowly, and let the excess bleed out.

Pre-loads glided into rough position.

i installed the rod ends. I have no idea what the stock length should be for the shafts, but the ends were bottomed out which is typical of these older kits, so I just made sure the fronts were equal and the rear were equal. Turned out that threading the ends all the way on was dead nuts with each shock believe it or not.

Final assembly. Nice and smooth, and purdy to boot.

 

[Warby]

You've certainly got 2 cool builds on the go.

 

[WickedFog]

Yes sir. They are both fun kits to tinker on!

 

[Littlemotor]

I’m actually pretty stoked to see this one come together man!! Glad the JCon “Choppers” pass the sniff test!!! Gonna be the siiiiiickest XXX-SCT around big homie!!

Annnnnnd, just to letcha know-it’s Chopper approved!!! @Warby knows what I’m talkin’ bout down there!

 

[WickedFog]

I’m actually pretty stoked to see this one come together man!! Glad the JCon “Choppers” pass the sniff test!!! Gonna be the siiiiiickest XXX-SCT around big homie!!

Annnnnnd, just to letcha know-it’s Chopper approved!!! @Warby knows what I’m talkin’ bout down there!

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I hope it lives up to my expectations. I love 2wd bugs, but this will be our first SCT. I have driven a couple Slashes, one nitro and one electric, and I actually loved driving them. But for whatever reason I never owned one.

 

[Chubaka]

I hope it lives up to my expectations. I love 2wd bugs, but this will be our first SCT. I have driven a couple Slashes, one nitro and one electric, and I actually loved driving them. But for whatever reason I never owned one.

A nitro slash would look great where the jato sat. great choice on the aluminum bling. Can't wait to see the outcome.

 

[WickedFog]

A nitro slash would look great where the jato sat. great choice on the aluminum bling. Can't wait to see the outcome.

The Rotisserie was custom made for the Jato. I doubt a Slash would mount to it without modifications (if that's what you are referring to). But anyway, it went with the Jato. The guy it went to was drooling over it anyway, so I couldn't separate them

 

[Tunedfrog]

That's gonna be a bad arse ride.

 

[9x19]

Coming along really well... I still have a soft spot for 2wd RCs.

 

[Chubaka]

Coming along really well... I still have a soft spot for 2wd RCs.

Me too. It's called soft squishy mud.

 

[luke66]

Yay old Losi build!!!!!!

 

[Lukedavis]

This looks amazing so far! I can't wait to see it in all its glory!

 

[WickedFog]

Screws should be here tomorrow, I hope. But I have a Tekno to build first. Then this goes back on the bench. All needed parts are here otherwise.

 

[WickedFog]

Screw kit arrived from Tony's Screws and as I was going through things, I found out yep... I got screwed by Tony's Screws.

First up, the transmission screws that are supposed to be 1-1/4" are only 1-1/8". They only thread into the motor plate, so they won't work.

Then there are the washers, which are needed on the transmission screws to keep the screws from getting into the slipper assembly. They are too big to sit in the pockets they go in. So these won't work..

Then there are two 7/8" long 8-32's that go in the rear bumper mount assembly. Yeah, these won't work either.

But fortunately the original screws are in good shape. So I'll just use those.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Bummer! Glad the other screws are usable! Maybe you got metric washers insted of SAE? Those 'fit in pocket' screws and washers are a pain sometimes.

 

[WickedFog]

Bummer! Glad the other screws are usable! Maybe you got metric washers insted of SAE? Those 'fit in pocket' screws and washers are a pain sometimes.

Nah. It's just a small OD 4-40 flat washer that it needs. Kinda hard to find.

But anyway. Work continues.

I went back and finished the transmission.

I'm not sure why one bearing in the Fast Eddy bearing kit is only sealed on one side, but ok. I'll put that seal facing outward of course.

Input shaft assembly going in.

Bearing installed in idler gear.

Diff installed. This transmission is in great condition for how old it is.

All lubed up and ready for some action.

I didn't get a pic, but make sure to put the one internal screw into the motor plate before assembling the halves. The far left top screw was just installed temporarily because it goes through the rear shock tower.

Transmission is finito.