Project Bandit43

[ahr43]

Long wanted to build a TRX Bandit. I'm a buggy guy at heart. This popped up on Ebay as a new slider for parts. I'm a sucker for a slider. Figgered if I was ever going to do it, this would be the time.

Not exactly sure how this build will go. Kinda winging it. Inventorying parts to see what's there. If nothing else, the TRX basher stash will get cleaned out. Cheers. -AC

 

[luke66]

Bandit Baby! Love them Traxxas 2WDs. You're gonna love it.

 

[Tunedfrog]

Gonna be a fun one.
Always wanted a Bandit roller.

 

[ahr43]

O.K., Luke. Two thumbs up. Trusting you to keep me honest. Don't let me do anything dumb. . .

-AC

 

[9x19]

Looks like a fun project... My Raptor started life as a bare LCG chassis plate and some Drag Slash arms.

 

[ahr43]

First parts order arrived earlier in the week. STRC aluminum shock towers installed. FR tower went on easy. RR tower a bit more work to get what I wanted.

Rebuilt a pair of long shocks out of the basher box for the front. Two-hole pistons, no internal limiters and, get this, even used TRX clear silicone shock fluid. Think its ~30wt? Been new-in-the-package for a long time. Time to see how it works out.

Re-built all steel gear tranny with 32P pinion/spur combo, again out of the basher box. Eventually may go to RPM tranny cases to get the aluminum motor plate. For now, this works.

Still a slider but more parts on order that'll get her closer to a roller. Cheers. -AC

 

[ahr43]

Got the RR shocks sorted out today. Ended up with XX-L shock bodies swapping in a long (L) shock shaft. 3-hole pistons. Silver FR springs at the RR. TRX clear shock fluid. No internal limiters. Seems a suitable fit. Referring to the 1999 owner manual, Bandit RR shocks get a XX-L shock body with X-L shock shaft. Only had a pair of longs in the basher box so that's what she got.

More parts in the supply pipeline. -AC

 

[ahr43]

Got the rear driveline in place. Still a slider. Slapped on a set of tires to see how she fits and sits.

Ordered in two driveshaft assemblies. Went with the Drag Slash option for a rear driveline. The Drag Slash'es are a bit longer than the stock shafts for more spline engagement and a bit larger in diameter as well. Makes for a beefy driveline. At full droop there was just a hint of outer knuckle rub on the RR A-arm. Moving the hub carriers up to the lower hole assured clearance. May have to reset the shocks and/or camber links later. Shall wait and see.

Fit up a pair of STRC 12mm AL set screw hexes to cap off the driveline. Going with P-L Hole Shots as spec tire for this project. Getting a pair of Hole Shot 2WD buggy fronts on tomorrow's order. Cheers. -AC

 

[ahr43]

Installed a pair of STRC AL caster blocks to the front end. Slipped on some 12mm nylon hexes as an option to the standard pin-spin axle. Replaced the OEM steering blocks with another pair of 5x8mm with ball bearings already installed. That way didn't have to muck about with the E-clips and bushings that came with the blocks on the chassis. Thought I had a pair of RPM HD 5x11's in the basher box but was mistaken. Got lots of 5x8's though and this buggy will be lightly loaded grass track scrambles (no jumps) and drag racing, so smaller is lighter.

FR buggy tires and wheels just to check sit and fit. Still need glue. JConcepts 'Tactic' 2.2 buggy FR chromes and P-L Hole Shot 2WD buggy fronts.

Needs a steering servo to move this project from slider to roller. Got a couple of servos on the wish list. Still thinking on that purchase.

Thanks for following along. Cheers. -AC

 

[ahr43]

Almost. Need to fit the steering servo and she'll qualify as roller complete. WoodiE keeps auto-pinging me to update my build thread. Making me feel guilty for not keeping up with it. Been RCing outside. Waiting for a rainy stretch to keep me in the workshop to finish this little buggy.

Finally got the RR tires re-mounted to a pair of chromes. All four Hole Shots glued now. At last. Got a JCconcepts Bandit body awaiting trim, fit and paint. Will run without a RR wing. Fitting a JC narrow FR wing instead. That's the plan anyway. A lot of the Bandit vids watched on YT like to blow over backwards on a straight run. Taking the download off the RR and putting it up FR may help.

Thanks for looking in. Cheers. -AC

 

[ahr43]

At last! A proper roller. Steering servo install keeping the front wheels from flopping about seals the deal.

ProTek PTK-100SS cored motor digital metal gear speed servo. Average specs 4.8v/6.0v: 0.10sec operating speed; 151 oz-in dynamic torque.

Next up: radio receiver and antenna pipe (faux) to finish out the radio system install. Suppose sometime soon best trim down the body to make sure everything will fit under it. -AC

 

[9x19]

Your wheels don't match, 2 demerits.



Looks like a great start though.

 

[luke66]

That's a 2WD buggy thing @9x19 .....

 

[Greywolf74]

I love those wheels you have on the rear!

 

[ahr43]

Your wheels don't match, 2 demerits.



Looks like a great start though.

Yeah, drop and give me 10. O.K. done that. Tough to find chromies for the tire selection. TRX Rustler RR's. JConcepts FR's. And at that the JC's are drag racing wheels and to save weight have a v-e-r-y narrow 12mm hex. They even come with a disclaimer on the tire bag regarding chroming weaking the wheel. First time seeing that. Probably be all right for backyard grass track use (he says fingers crossed). No jumps or bumps.

1/10 Ebug is all about racing. And the old saying, "If it don't go chrome it" carries over from the 1950s.

Thanks for looking in commenting guys. -AC

 

[Tunedfrog]

Man that's looking awesome and I love the wheels.

 

[WickedFog]

Sweet build man. The only thing I would do differently is slap some of these sweet ass CVD axles on it.
https://www.amainhobbies.com/exotek...axxas-slash-2wd-exo2060/p1371424#tab-feedback

 

[ahr43]

Thanks, Kev. I'll wait list those CVD's. Starting with TRX HD shaft set to see how they play out. Had to raise the RR bearing carriers to the optional holes to ensure adequate DS clearance. TRX HD half-shafts cleared, but a ran a bit close to the lower A-arms for my liking. Pine needles and grass clippings on my back yard track tend to jam the driveline if clearances are too close. -AC

 

[luke66]

Those have mixed reviews...
TRX HD shafts are solid, if you wanna go 3/4S, then Tekno M6 Driveshafts are tops.

 

[WickedFog]

Those have mixed reviews...
TRX HD shafts are solid, if you wanna go 3/4S, then Tekno M6 Driveshafts are tops.

They have mixed reviews on a drag car. But on a little lightweight Bandit they should be solid.