Dogbreath Racing
05-11-2008, 09:40 PM
Ok we started this project with an EXOTEK Tek18 graphite chassis conversion.
This kit includes the graphite chassis, graphite top plate, alloy motor mount, alloy front kickup plate, alloy battery stands, alloy steering crank, and hardware to mount those items to the chassis. Needed to complete: RC18B/T/MT Kit.
While I was shopping at Exotek I also picked up the new gear cover set. This is more than just alloy bling, this serves to keep all the debris out of your gears. A MUST for off-roaders.
The chassis is very nicely done and the engineering really shows, the batteries have been moved aft to provide better weight distribution for off-road running. The motor has been moved forward with the Spur gear mounted in the center of the chassis and the servo relocated to the opposite side and coupled with the new steering provides a much smoother operation without a lot of the slop found on the stock RC18.
NOTICE: This kit is designed for serious offroad racers, and assemly should only be attemted by EXPERIENCED modelers, there is alot of finishing and fitting work to putting this kit together properly. If you are new to R/C or a street basher then this kit is not for you, there are other chassis sets that are less expensive and easier to build.
I started by finishing the chassis, by this I mean I took my Dremel and a carbide bit and removed all the sharp edges left on the chassis by the CNC machine, I payed special attention and really smoothed the battery slots (I don't want the sharp graphite edges cutting through the battery shrink wrap). I then sealed the entire chassis edges with CA, this will help prevent splintering and edge seperation later down the road.
http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/765/img0641zg4.jpg
As I stated above, you need a complete RC18 kit to complete this conversion.....unless you replace almost everything else on the truck as well.....looks like we have a near complete NEW build.
I added every alloy option available to make this DREAM RC18T/MT very stought and very BLING! Every once in a while we can afford to do something like this....this one is my time......
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/8909/img0665ae3.jpg
OK at this point the chassis has been finished and the battery stands, motor mount, and kickup have been installed.
All the screws provided in the Exotek kits are hex head (just so you know) Nice quality too! While not complete in this picture, the TEK18 uses a new motor mount design, it is very easy to adjust gear mesh with just one (1) screw.
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/561/img0668hm5.jpg
Now we on to the alloy gear cases.....this caused me grief....I had to take my dremel and remove some material from the bottom of the rear case to get it to fit properly (This is included in the instructions for stock cases) eeeeewwww I hate grinding brand new shiney alloy! I believe this is because the Exotek chassis does not have a notch cut in the back of the chassis for the case like the stock chassis, this would require a second 3D cut to the chassis during production and significantly increase the price of the chassis. Since the kit was designed for use with the stock plastic cases...no biggie about grinding one of them....but I went alloy and thats a different matter.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3469/img0670ts5.jpg
NOTE: EXOTEK does NOT reccomend alloy arms or shock towers be used on this kit....will have to ask them why....
....just wanted everyone to know that before I go on...with the full alloy hopup conversion
...OK, everyone keeping up?
Now we move on and install the Arms (this took me quite a while to get correct, there was alot of fitting work done to get the arms to move freely....again I stress...for EXPERIENCED modelers only!). We also installed the C-Hubs, Steering Blocks, Rear Hubs, the rest of the Motor Mount and Gear Covers, bearings, motor, turnbuckles, Steel diff gears, Sup diff outdrives, and drive shafts....It was here I made a goof in my ordering and found I had the wrong CVDs for this build, I will get the right ones, but for now I will use the stock FT dogbones
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1539/img0676dl2.jpg
This kit includes the graphite chassis, graphite top plate, alloy motor mount, alloy front kickup plate, alloy battery stands, alloy steering crank, and hardware to mount those items to the chassis. Needed to complete: RC18B/T/MT Kit.
While I was shopping at Exotek I also picked up the new gear cover set. This is more than just alloy bling, this serves to keep all the debris out of your gears. A MUST for off-roaders.
The chassis is very nicely done and the engineering really shows, the batteries have been moved aft to provide better weight distribution for off-road running. The motor has been moved forward with the Spur gear mounted in the center of the chassis and the servo relocated to the opposite side and coupled with the new steering provides a much smoother operation without a lot of the slop found on the stock RC18.
NOTICE: This kit is designed for serious offroad racers, and assemly should only be attemted by EXPERIENCED modelers, there is alot of finishing and fitting work to putting this kit together properly. If you are new to R/C or a street basher then this kit is not for you, there are other chassis sets that are less expensive and easier to build.
I started by finishing the chassis, by this I mean I took my Dremel and a carbide bit and removed all the sharp edges left on the chassis by the CNC machine, I payed special attention and really smoothed the battery slots (I don't want the sharp graphite edges cutting through the battery shrink wrap). I then sealed the entire chassis edges with CA, this will help prevent splintering and edge seperation later down the road.
http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/765/img0641zg4.jpg
As I stated above, you need a complete RC18 kit to complete this conversion.....unless you replace almost everything else on the truck as well.....looks like we have a near complete NEW build.
I added every alloy option available to make this DREAM RC18T/MT very stought and very BLING! Every once in a while we can afford to do something like this....this one is my time......
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/8909/img0665ae3.jpg
OK at this point the chassis has been finished and the battery stands, motor mount, and kickup have been installed.
All the screws provided in the Exotek kits are hex head (just so you know) Nice quality too! While not complete in this picture, the TEK18 uses a new motor mount design, it is very easy to adjust gear mesh with just one (1) screw.
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/561/img0668hm5.jpg
Now we on to the alloy gear cases.....this caused me grief....I had to take my dremel and remove some material from the bottom of the rear case to get it to fit properly (This is included in the instructions for stock cases) eeeeewwww I hate grinding brand new shiney alloy! I believe this is because the Exotek chassis does not have a notch cut in the back of the chassis for the case like the stock chassis, this would require a second 3D cut to the chassis during production and significantly increase the price of the chassis. Since the kit was designed for use with the stock plastic cases...no biggie about grinding one of them....but I went alloy and thats a different matter.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3469/img0670ts5.jpg
NOTE: EXOTEK does NOT reccomend alloy arms or shock towers be used on this kit....will have to ask them why....
....just wanted everyone to know that before I go on...with the full alloy hopup conversion
...OK, everyone keeping up?
Now we move on and install the Arms (this took me quite a while to get correct, there was alot of fitting work done to get the arms to move freely....again I stress...for EXPERIENCED modelers only!). We also installed the C-Hubs, Steering Blocks, Rear Hubs, the rest of the Motor Mount and Gear Covers, bearings, motor, turnbuckles, Steel diff gears, Sup diff outdrives, and drive shafts....It was here I made a goof in my ordering and found I had the wrong CVDs for this build, I will get the right ones, but for now I will use the stock FT dogbones
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1539/img0676dl2.jpg