WPL, JJRC and HengLong R/C Truck thread

[skodacious]

markbognor thanks for the wheelbase info.

I have just ordered a white MN99 (RTR) which was only £39.95 on Banggood and a second white roof from an earlier MN90. Hopefully combined will give it a bit of a 'Bowler' look. I am going to wait for it to arrive and then measure up for the upgrades 🙂 that will invovle axles, WPL 2 speed gearbox, wheels etc...

[markbognor]

[Rich]

Some very neat stuff going on in here for sure!

Not had much chance to play lately as I have been working on my 1:1 scale car and also I have inherited a neat OO shunting puzzle layout which the novelty hasn't worn off of yet, but I did get out in the new forest recently with Colonelk and shot a little video. Definitely need to upgrade to a 3S in this truck

[jethronz]

Hey guys really good thread I stumbled upon. Thanks everyone for the great info.

I have a c44km my mate has a 34km and just ordered another 34km for another mate too.

Loving this little truck I'm running V3 electronics and 2s.

Questions I have...

I ordered a 2 speed for my mates truck but after reading this I forgot about the shaft thing so anyway thats my first question which shafts to convert the 34 to 2 speed.

Next question is shocks. I wouldn't mind something a little better but not sure which is the best set to grab as I like the stock hight and don't really want to change it.

Ok so the next thing to ask about is axles. Mine didn't have any mesh or binding issues they run really nice but... I have stripped both front and rear grub screw threads in the spools so have re drilled and taped new threads opposite the original holes and epoxied them in haha hopefully that keeps them happy. Anyone had this happen? I've ordered some stainless gears for next time

Also wondering about wheels and tires I would like something a little wider and beefy.

Are these any good?
www.aliexpress.com/i/4000470536127.html

[markbognor]

Hi jethronz you'll need short shafts for fitting the two speed in the C34.



Those wheels/tyres you linked to would be fine - they are the MN tyres I use on two of my trucks but with metal wheels. I am hi k scodacious had a set on his a few pages back.

[Soopahfly]

I've been looking at some Mini crawlers for my boys (and myself)
They love my TRX-4 Defender but I'm reluctant to let them loose with a £500+ RC. Especially with the 50C 5000MAh 3s battery in, it's just too fast.

What are your thoughts on these then in a nutshell? I've been looking at the MN99 Defenders, and the Axial SCX24's

[skodacious]

jethronz as Mark says, I have those wheels on my C44. They are great but need weighting to get back to the standard wheels+weights supplied with the kit. The wheel weights won't fit so you need to be inventive! I used 45g of PlayDoh in each to make them up to 85g.

[skodacious]

Aug 19, 2020 11:05:55 GMT Soopahfly said:

What are your thoughts on these then in a nutshell? I've been looking at the MN99 Defenders, and the Axial SCX24's

I have a WPL C44 and it has been fun to build and is a really capable crawler with the 2 speed gearbox. I have an M99 on order that will be getting a 2 speed conversion and some other upgrade bits too. From what I have seen both WPL and MN are great RTR but have a habit of breaking bits when used hard. However this is where all the aftermarket bits are great to upgrade as you need.

[Soopahfly]

Aug 19, 2020 12:23:31 GMT skodacious said:

Aug 19, 2020 11:05:55 GMT Soopahfly said:

What are your thoughts on these then in a nutshell? I've been looking at the MN99 Defenders, and the Axial SCX24's

I have a WPL C44 and it has been fun to build and is a really capable crawler with the 2 speed gearbox. I have an M99 on order that will be getting a 2 speed conversion and some other upgrade bits too. From what I have seen both WPL and MN are great RTR but have a habit of breaking bits when used hard. However this is where all the aftermarket bits are great to upgrade as you need.

By the time you're into it for the basic upgrades, 2speed transmission etc, how much are you into it for?
Just out of curiosity

[jethronz]

Thanks guys I'll find some lead flashing. Are foams necessary?

Wondering about these shocks too

m.banggood.com/WPL-4pcs-Front-Rear-Shock-Absorber-54_75mm-With-Basket-Upgrade-Parts-For-116-C14-C24-RC-Car-p-1371362.html?gmcCountry=NZ¤cy=NZD&cur_warehouse=CN&createTmp=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc_ods&utm_content=nancy&utm_campaign=nancy-cdm-cart-30&creative=350868549516&gclid=CjwKCAjwm_P5BRAhEiwAwRzSO3TWEzNZCcCkWqSSsvImqval0Q1sDIKIdOHjJ5cHopRs4vw5gpHePxoCW4AQAvD_BwE

[skodacious]

jethronz those shocks look good and solid with all metal ball ends. The length may be an issue as the WPL C44 has about 62mm between mounting hole and ball joint centres so these may result in a slight drop. I think there are slightly longer similar versions available but other more knowledgeable than me may be able to advise.

Lead flashing is a good choice and I managed to get a roll whilst clearing my Granddad's garage/workshop the other week so will probably use it instead of the PlayDoh. The other option I am going to measure up are motorcycle wheel weights that look like a neat and measurable solution.

I am not running foams. I worry that they may not allow the tyre to flex enough when crawling so would be interested to see what others think.

[skodacious]

Aug 19, 2020 14:04:33 GMT Soopahfly said:

Aug 19, 2020 12:23:31 GMT skodacious said:

I have a WPL C44 and it has been fun to build and is a really capable crawler with the 2 speed gearbox. I have an M99 on order that will be getting a 2 speed conversion and some other upgrade bits too. From what I have seen both WPL and MN are great RTR but have a habit of breaking bits when used hard. However this is where all the aftermarket bits are great to upgrade as you need.

By the time you're into it for the basic upgrades, 2speed transmission etc, how much are you into it for?
Just out of curiosity

My MN99 project is going to cost around £160 including the truck itself.

I am going to upgrade the axles, metal driveshafts, link kit and trusses, WPL gearbox and 6 channel radio gear to give me capacity for a winch and additional lights. That will give you a robust starting point for further 'development'.

I have ordered a metal winch bumper, RBR/C winch and will be getting a set of MN alloy wheels. These bits are not necessary but I want it to have the same level of kit as my C44.

My C44 has been a learning curve and has ended up costing much more than I anticipated due in part to misfortune (axle issues, servo mount issues, faulty ESC/radio gear) and inexperience (batteries, lighting sets, shocks).

Plus I have had to buy some tools, connectors and bolts and related stuff but probably won't ever have to buy again! I can genuinely say that I now have a hobby and it is great fun but remember that these aren't top of the range ££££ crawlers.

[markbognor]

I thought I'd try the full cab on my C34 - I quite like it with the cut down doors.

The widened C34/44 wheels with B series tyres have also gone on for a bit of a change.










The C44 got a quick run too...

[markbognor]

Simple shock mods this morning, nothing ground breaking, just applying the advice and experience gleaned from others.
Cutting the bound coils off of the top of the spring - this allows for reduced compression length and lower preload of the spring.
Drilling the shock body, this reduces the preload to nothing, and lowers the truck a little as it loads the spring, it also allows for greater extension.
It hasn't made an enormous difference on the test humps, but I think it is now doing a better job of keeping all four wheels in contact with the surface. There doesn't seem to be as much of a drop from the front wheel after the mods. Next thing to try will be the ball point pen spring swap - particularly on the lighter rear. The second video just shows after.

[markbognor]

Had a little play with converting a B14 tub into an off-road trailer today. It quickly became apparent that the C34 bumper/tow hook was too weak and flimsy, so I diverted my efforts to making a mount for the tow ball, similar to the front bumper mounts. I'll finish off the trailer tomorrow, I might make chassis rails from scratch so the tub can sit a little lower and extend the full length of the tub.

[markbognor]

[tonycocacola]

Right, I've ordered a kit.
MN D90.
Should be here before 17 Sept.
I'll be ordering some upgrade parts when I next get paid.

😁

[markbognor]

I've also drilled the shock bodies on the C44 now and fitted lighter C14/24 springs in the rear.

I didn't cut off the dead coils at the top of the front springs on this one. With the MN tyres if there was any more droop available it would scrub massively on the front arches, particularly with steering lock.

There's a slight cock of the unloaded rear wheel going over the ramp...

[jethronz]

Mark thats some good flex there I have cut the springs but the droop never entered the brain so thanks for that will do the same.

Skoda I really like the swap to the correct side for driving. And those MN wheels do look good

Put a good hour n a half on my 44 yesterday and no issues finally think the epoxy did the trick for the ring gear.

Something I've noticed is the front universals don't quite line up with the king pins and at extreme lock can feel it binding slightly. Not sure if you lads have that issue also.


Next upgrades are wheels some oil shocks and metal gears in the 2 speed.

Who likes the 2 speed??? I'm loving it low gear has amazing control and torque just needs a slight 10mm lift up.

How do I post pictures?

[jethronz]

These white steel wheels are what the old 40s usually wear down under. There a very common sight on farms all over nz and aus and many are still working day in day out for half a century now. Id like to replicate them but those MN alloys seem nice enough

images.app.goo.gl/UNMGR3RbLbY825LdA