New year and time for the winter Baja upgrade. As of this writing the build covers 4 sittings (about an hour and half each), this post will cover those first 4 sittings.

Parts to be installed:

- Bone Head RC Carbon Fiber Hinge Pin Retainers
- Kraken Hinge Pin Set
- Kraken Light Bar
- Turtle Racing Top Plate (5T version)
- Turtle Racing Baja Steering Kit
- Turtle Racing Transmission Case



Day 1

Full Day 1 Picture Set: http://imgur.com/a/0iU9i

I'll just post the basics here as there's quite a few pictures.

Starting off, getting the TR Steering kit assembled, loctite on the bolts used to secure the cross brace. Otherwise, pretty easy.



Next is of course removing all the old parts, here's where we're starting. I've already removed the 5SC side body supports and now it's just the top plate and other minor items that need removing.

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Been working on this one for awhile, figured it'd share my progress.

If you've see my earlier post, you know that I've gone through a couple iterations of this layout. Here are the final (or close to it) pictures of what I've been up to.




General internal layout is a GetFPV QAV250 camera mount, drilled through and bolted on (with included hardware). Then some HK non-slip grip so that GoPro stays in place. Without the mount your camera will shake and you won't be able to see. You'll want a small piece of velcro (again included) to hold the GoPro down. Behind that is a RMRC 800mW (the 1500mW fits also), 1.3ghz unit with a BluBeam antenna (and included 90 degree connector). This is held on with double-sided velcro; no issues with it moving as of yet. Next is a 1300mah 3S battery to power the radio unit, this latest for a good 3hrs+ so you can run it through at least a couple packs. You'll also want the RMRC GoPro cable and assorted connectors. To protect the camera it there is a piece of Plexiglas bolted in, this make it snow/splash resistant, I didn't have any trouble running in the snow thus far.

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Finally all done

- TA SC8 Cage (ASC89425)
- TCS Crawlers Cage Panels
- TA Rockstar Sticker Pack
- Gear Head 6.5" Light Bar
- RC4WD Mug Slingers 40 Series



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More progress on the Summit/SC8 cage. Got all the panels painted and mounted. Lots of little items to get it all fitted, but wasn't too bad (mostly just a lots of cutting and filling).

TA SC8 Cage (ASC89425) is from LHS and cage panels are from TCS Crawlers.

Stickers on the way and maybe will mount a 'cab' we'll see. Now just gotta wait for the snow.

First snow fall video. After about 30 minutes of driving (only 5 minutes of video - don't let other people drive ..). Motor was very warm, but truck did well, the Mugslingers do well in the snow, but it needs to be packed out to get much traction, otherwise it's more pushing & spinning than anything else. First time using a chassis shroud, it kept everything dry, though I'm not sure if it made the temps worse or that was just lack of airflow/hard usage. Will maybe try without shroud next time.

Traxxas Summit - First November Snow (2 min 56 sec)

Updates on the 1.3ghz and some range stats.

Took 'Red' up to the cottage this past weekend. A good 2hrs or so of driving around in both day and night conditions. Night driving is much more interesting and challenging. Range wise, sitting at the top of the stairs at the 'boat house' I got about 300ft before the 2.4g RC link gave up. That's not bad I'd say considering the amount of trees in the way. 1.3g video was fine still and I was only using the goggles 1.3g receiver. EzUHF and the full setup for the 1.3g system will determine my final range.

FPV wise I'm very happy with the setup, I think the camera a little higher or on even more damping would be helpful, depending on the terrain.



The 'Twins' are finally completed.

'Blue' is the new addition to the family. I'm hoping for good FPV hide-n-seek sessions with brother and friends. The Blue truck is a little rough around the edges, but I have replacement parts coming for the most worn areas.

Setup:

Red: V3 FPV Platform, GoPro H3B+, RMRC 1.3g 1500mw, BluBeam, ezOSD, 5v & 12v BEC.

Blue: (old V1 modded platform), Mobius, IRC 600mw 5.8g, 5v BEC. Both have RMRC 'Navigation Light Disc' white LED for driving at night (2 is more than enough, 1 is ok).

Red has HK 1/8 LED headlight as well (smaller, but more focused). I'd say the dual RMRC Nav lights would be the way to go, they're super bright and the color of the 'white' is much nicer than the HK LEDs which has more of a blue tint to it.

Progress is currently slow as I wait for the last of the parts to trail in. Lesson learned, always use FedEx for HobbyKing orders, if you don't want to wait forever. It maybe double the price, but 3 days sure beats 2wks+.

The RMRC 'Navigation Light Disc' is super nice, running straight from a 3S lipo I ran it for an hour plus, was still cool to the touch. I would say two of them would be bright enough for any night driving (once you turn up the contrast on your goggles). One will do (as I have now), but I have a feeling two will be much better.

Otherwise waiting on RMRC (2nd order) for a couple cables, ezOSD, 1.3G goggle module and all the HK stuff. Tonka has arrived at my friends place in the US. Will get that shipped out once he returns. Current setup is doing fine, a couple good runs last week and weekend.

First video of the 'thus far' driving (and some flying).

Traxxas Summit FPV - First Two Weeks (9 min 9 sec)

Built a better temp FPV solution (see pic). Smoothed out the footage a lot.

Parts list from HK, GetFPV and ReadyMadeRC all ordered Now just gotta wait

Got my Summit on Friday. Great truck, easy to drive, easy to work on. Took it up to the cottage and had some fun. As well made up a quick FPV setup (pics attached, video to come). Also installed the P2 Suspension kit (pics attached). Lighting bar discussions as well, not sure see #6697. Otherwise I think my list below is good and I'll start to order all the items today (minus lighting).

Quick FPV (GoPro in Carbon Case, 600mW IRC 5.8ghz, China Antenna, 2200mah (it fits perfect and it was already charged).



Rear suspension after P2 install.
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A current listing of parts. Mostly for my own sanity and feedback from others as well for items I may have missed.

LHS (received)
$629 - Summit
$ 10 - Traxxas Revo Progressive 2 Rocker Arm Set (TRA5358)

Servo City (on-hold)
$ 17 - HS-485HB Servo
$ 26 - HS-485HB Servo (180d)

eBay ('won')
$ 50 - Tonka Bronco Body

RMRC (ordered/shipped(9/22)/received(9/29))

$ 55 - RMRC - 1.3GHz Receiver (V4 with Custom Comtech Tuner!)
$ 60 - RMRC - 1.3GHz 800mW Transmitter - INTL VERSION
$123 - ezUHF Diversity

RMRC (ordered/shipped(10/3))
$ 26 - Camera/Transmitter Cable Combo with OSD Cable Options
- Camera Cable - GoPro Audio/Video Cable (HERO3)
- Transmitter Cable - "Large" Transmitter Cable
- Jumper or OSD Adapter Cable(s) - 2x IRC Female Adapter Cables
- Power Cable - Receiver Power Cable (JST to 2.1mm Barrel)
$ 6 - 2 x LED Navigation Light Disc - with JST plug (White)
$ 1 - Low Noise RMRC 3A Regulator (UBEC)


GetFPV (ordered/shipped(9/23)/received(9/30))

$ 25 - SRH-771 EzUHF Tx Antenna
$ 3 - 433MHz "Sander Style" Whip Antenna
$ 65 - IBCrazy 1.3 GHz 9.5dBic Helical Antenna
$ 35 - IBCrazy 1.3GHz BluBeam Ultra Airscrew Antenna (single)
$ 5 - 2 x 30cm (1ft) SMA Female to SMA Male RG316 Extension

LaserBGC (ordered/shipped/received)

$ 50 - LaserBGC 1.3Ghz Fatshark Receiver (for quick drives)

SurveilZone (orderd/shipped(9/18)/received (10/3))
$ 46 - Sony 960H CCD Effio-V 800TVL Ultra WDR
$ 3 - Mini Square Metal...Continue Reading