Team Associated RC10T4/.1/.2/.3

[RustyUs]

I was able to find an original rebuild kit in my storage room. Just a heads up if you got some older parts laying around. Apparently Team Associated's v1 and v2 12mm shocks are a tab bit different in the shock seal/bushing area.

The v1 shock hat bushing/spacers (first picture) are larger than the v2 parts.

 

[RustyUs]

V2 12mm Shocks

After the RC8, and "4 series" platforms died off, I went another direction in the hobby. I never took much notice to the difference between the v1 and v2 12mm Factory Team shocks from Associated. The narrowing of the bottom shock seal was done for better "squish" I guess. I don't know. I never had issues with the old Factory Team shocks on my SC10.2FT & T4.2FT rides.

Anyway, I found out the V2 spring perches are taller. Looking at B5/T5/SC5 manuals, Associated foregoes the bleeder screw o-rings during shock building. Well, I added some o-rings to the bleeder screws as the recessed area of the caps keeps them nicely tucked away.

 

[RustyUs]

Bootie Time

Since I had a crap ton of balloons laying around...

 

[RustyUs]

Using the 3-hole pistons in the front, and 4-hole pistons in the rear... 27.5wt (313cSt) shock oil all around.

M3 screws, and M3 flanged nut needed for the aluminum shock bushings.

 

[Slick2500]

Where 'Round Here?

Every time I think I'm ready to do this shock upgrade, something is always missing to make 'em work. Now, it's the pistons. I bought them years ago... put them in a labeled easy to find box. Apparently, easy to find back then does not have the same meaning now.
View attachment 233877

If you buy new ones you will find the other ones right after you finish the build.

 

[RustyUs]

Done

Not happy with the springs touching the camber links. Angled rod ends to the rescue.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Done

Not happy with the springs touching the camber links. Angled rod ends to the rescue.
View attachment 235056
View attachment 235057

I need to find some of those in 5.8mm ball.
They didn't leave much room for travel here either!

 

[Slick2500]

Question. How much did those shocks set you back you think? I want some nicer shocks for my Holeshot but not sure if I want to spend more on the shocks than I did the entire truck

 

[RustyUs]

Question. How much did those shocks set you back you think? I want some nicer shocks for my Holeshot but not sure if I want to spend more on the shocks than I did the entire truck

Good question.

The problem with Team Associated and their truck shocks... they don't sell them in a complete sets anymore like they used to. I'm not talking about the MT10/Pro4 Factory Team shocks either... those are not "Team Associated" shocks .

Having most excellent shocks are one of the main reasons for me wanting to buy "race bred" kits to assemble & "bash". Factor in a RTR electronics rebuying/upgrades buying formula... I think a person gets more for their money buying a race bred kit vs. going the RTR route. No doubt... premium shocks come with a premium price.

Without figuring in shock shafts, and hardware.... $127.48-ish for front/rear set . That's about the going rate if you were to catch one of the chop shops on a good day. Heck, I can get a new set of 1/8 scale buggy shocks cheaper. I was not planning on using 12mm Factory Team shocks on my T4.3, but the pistons wearing down while using the blue RTR bodies rubbed me the wrong way. The release of the newest SC6/T6 platforms has come and gone... prime time for chop shop shock packages. The GHEA machined pistons are just icing on the cake for my off-road suspension tuning love.

 

[RustyUs]

I'm Such A Dude

I bought a set of T6.4 13mm "bigger bore" shocks off of eBay last week. They should be arriving shortly. What can I say, the price was most excellent... about forty dollars less than the 12mm set (in earlier post) I pieced together.

My T4.1 has been sitting in corner of house for the past thirteen(?) years. Plans were to bring T4.1 to life and use the new 13mm shocks to make things happen. Well, for whatever reason, I got a wild hair up my butt and put my T4.1 up for sale. I really didn't think someone would buy it. But, hey, it's on it's way to new owner and I hope it gives them joy.

What to do with the incoming set of shocks?
I sooo badly want Team Associated to release a proper length "5 series" stadium truck chassis.

 

[CertifiedMike]

I'm Such A Dude

I bought a set of T6.4 13mm "bigger bore" shocks off of eBay last week. They should be arriving shortly. What can I say, the price was most excellent... about forty dollars less than the 12mm set (in earlier post) I pieced together.
View attachment 237701
My T4.1 has been sitting in corner of house for the past thirteen(?) years. Plans were to bring T4.1 to life and use the new 13mm shocks to make things happen. Well, for whatever reason, I got a wild hair up my butt and put my T4.1 up for sale. I really didn't think someone would buy it. But, hey, it's on it's way to new owner and I hope it gives them joy.

What to do with the incoming set of shocks?
I sooo badly want Team Associated to release a proper length "5 series" stadium truck chassis.

They are awesome shocks! AE has made great shocks forever now! Even original RC10 were silky smooth.
Lucky you finding a deal too!!!

I think that AE mini stadium SWB truck in 4WD would be absolutely awesome on a track!!! Sure, a handful to drive but on a track with 6 same trucks, I bet would be a BLAST to race

I'm sure the new owners will be happy! That was a nice looking truck and a great price too!

Hopefully AE will release your replacement truck soon!!!

 

[RustyUs]

Okay, so I bought some new shocks that I don't need. More enticing news... someone lowered the price on a set of turnbuckles that I don't need.

 

[RustyUs]

Okay, so I bought some new shocks that I don't need. More enticing news... someone lowered the price on a set of turnbuckles that I don't need.
View attachment 238135

That postal service black hole I keep hearing about... I located it. It's between NJ and PA. This puts me in a bad mood. Still waiting for the darn turnbuckles. They were the motivation to start a T4.4FT build.

 

[DavidB1126]

That postal service black hole I keep hearing about... I located it. It's between NJ and PA. This puts me in a bad mood. Still waiting for the darn turnbuckles. They were the motivation to start a T4.4FT build.
View attachment 239715

NJs USPS sucks that's why. Had multiple packages go through there. Same old issues. Takes days for stuff to move out of there.

NJs USPS distribution center:

 

[RustyUs]

Another Round Please

Let's see if second time is a charm...

Stock 4-40 turnbuckles are cheap but bend way too easy. The stock steel 3mm turnbuckles that come on the T6.1/SC6.1 seemed to have been the answer. (pics from 2018)

 

[RustyUs]

That postal service black hole I keep hearing about... I located it. It's between NJ and PA. This puts me in a bad mood. Still waiting for the darn turnbuckles. They were the motivation to start a T4.4FT build.
View attachment 239715

NJs USPS sucks that's why. Had multiple packages go through there. Same old issues. Takes days for stuff to move out of there.

NJs USPS distribution center:

The long-lost turnbuckles did finally show up. Back when I got a refund, I said I will gladly pay for them if they ever show. I ask for PayPal info to send the dude the money... he said, "It's all good. Just leave me positive feedback."

 

[RustyUs]

Shock Pistons & "Slop"

I didn't take notice on the recently built new shocks I had did for the T4.3, but after taking my T4.2FT shocks apart for cleaning/rebuild, I noticed that the pistons had a lot of vertical play in them. At least enough for me to be concerned. I put a 3x6x0.5mm plastic washer in between the piston and e-clip. Not sure how it'll play out, but I'm happy knowing the slop is gone.

 

[RustyUs]

Shock Pistons & "Slop"

I didn't take notice on the recently built new shocks I had did for the T4.3, but after taking my T4.2FT shocks apart for cleaning/rebuild, I noticed that the pistons had a lot of vertical play in them. At least enough for me to be concerned. I put a 3x6x0.5mm plastic washer in between the piston and e-clip. Not sure how it'll play out, but I'm happy knowing the slop is gone. View attachment 245194
View attachment 245195
View attachment 245196

After two full sessions of handle the rough stuff, I'm calling the e-clips secure. I was afraid the washers/shims were too thick. As my barberused to say, "Back in the groove."

 

[RustyUs]

Spur Gear Meltdown

I can't remember that last time I had to change the spur gear on the truck. Threadlocker decided to give up, and/or motor got jarred? I do know pinion gear was loose. It happens. Years ago, somebody was giving away Arrma spur gears for peanuts so, I bought a bunch of them because Associated slipper pads fit perfectly.

LOL. "We Are Radio Control"... that must have been an old slogan.

 

[Alex34]

I'm looking for some helps guys. I have the RC10T4.2 RTR version, and I broke the plastic bottom caps on the shocks. I cannot find any replacements for them.

I also converted a lot of the parts over to the T4.2FT parts over the years. So the shock towers, arms, buckles, etc. are all of the upgraded T4.2FT / SC10 stuff. So I could change the shocks to the 12mm Big Bore shocks that came with the T4.2FT / SC10, if only I could find them.

Now I read some of the previous posts on here regarding shocks, and am I correct in assuming that some of the shocks from the newer R10T models could fit on my T4.2??

I would love ro find some replacements for my shocks, preferably AE shocks or better. Any help you guys could give would be greatly appreciated.