breadfan758

iTrader: (11)

I have a few other posts in various places and thought it was time to create a true build thread for this truck. I bought a Savage Flux roller from another member here at RCTech and the project began. The seller was kind enough to leave a steering servo installed and I got a lot of spare commonly broken parts in the deal.

I have a Castle Creations 1717 that I bought because the $70 clearance price was too good to pass up. I will be using a Futaba 2PL radio, (also bought here on the forum.)

The truck came with Integy 23mm extended adapters, which I have already replaced with Savage XL extended axles and Proline 23mm adapters.

That is probably plenty of text for the first post, so I will commence with sharing photos.

Here is the roller right after I took it out of the box and set the undersized body on for a quick photo.


Here is the motor mount from TDRacing and my CC 1717


Just a shot of the motor sitting by the rolling chassis.


After some fairly aggressive chassis modification the motor is test fitted.


View from another angle of the test fitting.


Showing the gear mesh.

breadfan758

iTrader: (11)

I want very strong steering in this truck and I've just about worn myself out researching servos. I briefly considered using a 1/4 scale servo but there were more disadvantages than advantages in my opinion. At this point I've narrowed my choices to either a JR ds8711 or Hitec HS-7950th. They are both fast powerful metal gear servos and the cost is pretty close with the Hitec about $15 more expensive. I would love to hear any personal experiences or opinions about these servos.

cloud9graffix

iTrader: (11)

Wow, that is some mega torque in that hi-tec. Maybe even a bit overkill. I run a 7955tg in my truggy and it has worked flawlessly. I wrecked a lot at first and this thing just took it. So in my opinion if you are going big, go with the hi-tech.

LiqrSicc

iTrader: (10)

I run a ds8711 on all my 1/8s. I've never had a problem with one yet. Even have one that fell in a lake and it's still running strong

breadfan758

iTrader: (11)

Thanks LiqrSicc, that is good to hear. It seems like the Hitec doesn't really have much advantage unless I run it at 7.4v, which I probably wont because I have no idea where I would fit another battery.

breadfan758

iTrader: (11)

I've been waiting and today read that the Mamba XL has been updated. This is news I've been waiting for and I even called Castle Sales and verified that all Mamba XL are now shipping as REV. 2 and will have a white sticker on the bottom which reads "REV. 2" and a round sleeve on the red battery wire which reads "New Stock." Apparently they added a TVS to the BEC to prevent voltage spikes from high voltage servos from damaging the components. If I have time I will get mine ordered today.

breadfan758

iTrader: (11)

I finally made some decisions and pulled the trigger on the rest of the stuff I need to finish this truck.

Castle Creations Mama XL ESC REV. 2
Castle Link adapter
Hitec HS-7950TH steering servo
Cellpro Powerlab 8 Charger
2 Gens Ace 5000mah 3S 40C lipos
Anderson Powerpole crimper and 45amp connectors

I decided to run it without a receiver pack for now and see how the Mamba XL holds up. It is supposed to be able to handle it, so why add more components if I don't have to.

Jstall7543

iTrader: (2)

Looks like a nice build. I like the battery inside the chassis. The desert boy looks like it's not very good quality but I'm a 19 year aerospace machinist so I look at things differently. If the chassis was brushed or polished or anodized it would be sick! Bet it's a blast to drive though, do you have any videos yet?

breadfan758

iTrader: (11)

It is funny you mention that. The other day I was buffing out my file marks and ended up polishing the entire chassis inside and out, and all the sharp corners are smoothed. I'm not in to bling on my trucks, but it looked funny with a few shiny spots. I tried to snap some photos with my phone but I couldn't get it to turn out, I'll try again with a real camera when I get a chance.

As far as the quality of the DB chassis not being very good. I guess I will find out when I start beating it up soon.

Jstall7543

iTrader: (2)

Did you see my savage xle build out on the main page of the monster truck thread? I've been thrashing on it, so good so far! Not as big as your rig though! When it was a nitro I beet the crap out of that thing! So awesome now! Threw a lot of money at it lol! It's my only basher, all my track car/trucks are done too finally!

breadfan758

iTrader: (11)

I saw some photos of short course bodies on stretched Savages and wanted to check it for myself. The rear wheel well definitely needs trimmed. If I decide to go this route I will get a clear body and paint it myself. I'm also kind of liking the idea of a very low profile body and adding a wing so it will look like a giant truggy.




Here is the Slash body compared to the HPI Gigante and a Cen Genesis. It is not much longer but much wider.

breadfan758

iTrader: (11)

The batteries are a very tight fit, I guess I should have ordered the soft packs. At least I know they won't go anywhere, but I will have to loosen the TVP screws every time I need to remove them. The velcro straps are probably not even necessary.

breadfan758

iTrader: (11)

Well I'm still waiting on my ESC and steering servo and getting a little frustrated with the time it is taking. I'm thinking now that there will be no room for the Mamba XL with the batteries inside the TVPs, so I may move the batteries to boxes mounted outside the frame like the stock flux.
I did receive my new rims and tires yesterday, so I put them on this morning for a few photos. I really like the look, they are almost the same height as the others and a little bit wider.

ntrain42

iTrader: (33)

The Hitec servo is vastly superior to the JR one, especially in build quality and overall durability. JR is overrated and prone to have issues with overall reliability.

ntrain42

iTrader: (33)

Those rims, are they 23mm units? If so link to where you got em? Look like CEN units.......