99t's RC Garage - Bashers, Projects and Graveyard!
Discussion
I have threads running on my full-sized project cars, so thought I would add a bit of content on my various RC cars - running, maintaining and upgrading plus any random thoughts and opinions that amble into my head!
Although many have come and gone over the years, I still have the following lurking around (in approximate order of purchase): -
Anyway - today, the UDR. I’ve just about completed a full strip down and rebuild of what is an early and now very well used UDR, so thought I'd write up a little summary of my thoughts on ownership.
As it stands, ready for the new shell
Originally I was sold on the UDR by the Traxxas brilliant marketing video, you've probably seen it. If you haven't, it's well worth a look
Prior to purchase, I had reserved judgement on how repeatable some of the handling traits seen in the video would be and how much was clever editing, but honestly the video gives a fair representation of what the car is capable of...
I purchased my example second hand from eBay during lockdown and was pleased with what I received, a clearly used but obviously well maintained and slightly upgraded example in good working order.
It came with GPM lower rear arms and rear anti-roll bar links and since then I have added the following: -
GPM rear arms have seen some action too..
New alloy diff housing with RTV seal, time will tell if beneficial
Vitavon front ARB upgrade - highly recommended, no further breakages
Breakages in use - not many considering I run it hard and do jump it, not "to the moon" style but reasonable air at a local BMX track, not always landing as well as I would like!!
Finally, the original "Fox" body is now scrap, so the next run will be with a brand-new shell (not cheap!) and that first crash is going to be cringeworthy!
So, overall a fair investment of time and money. Worth it?
Absolutely. I've got some great RC cars to hand and all are brilliant in their own ways, but the UDR is the one I keep coming back to. There is just something about the way it drives and handles, the scale looks, the visible weight transfer and the sight of the suspension working - regardless of where I run it, it is just a joy to chuck around.
Although many have come and gone over the years, I still have the following lurking around (in approximate order of purchase): -
- Original Tamiya Sand Scorcher (remains of my first ever RC) which is slowly being rebuilt as an F150 Ranger of the same vintage
- Original Schumacher Cougar that I used to race outdoors
- Tamiya Escort Cosworth that was upgraded with many Top Force parts and an wider (non-Tamiya) Escos shell and raced indoors
- 2 x Tamiya Hilux 4x4, one shelf queen, one totally stripped for rebuilding
- A couple of nitro monster trucks, think one is an early T-Maxx, the other might be an HPI (need to check, not seen either for a long while!)
- Tamiya Mitsubishi Evo, built but barely ever run
- Traxxas TRX4 Chevrolet Blazer
- HG P407 Tamiya Bruiser Clone
- Traxxas UDR
- Arrma Infraction 6S
- Traxxas XRT
Anyway - today, the UDR. I’ve just about completed a full strip down and rebuild of what is an early and now very well used UDR, so thought I'd write up a little summary of my thoughts on ownership.
As it stands, ready for the new shell
Originally I was sold on the UDR by the Traxxas brilliant marketing video, you've probably seen it. If you haven't, it's well worth a look
Prior to purchase, I had reserved judgement on how repeatable some of the handling traits seen in the video would be and how much was clever editing, but honestly the video gives a fair representation of what the car is capable of...
I purchased my example second hand from eBay during lockdown and was pleased with what I received, a clearly used but obviously well maintained and slightly upgraded example in good working order.
It came with GPM lower rear arms and rear anti-roll bar links and since then I have added the following: -
- GPM alloy upper rear arms with all metal rod ends. Rear axle location with these is superb with virtually no detectable play in any direction.
- Vitavon front anti-roll bar since I seemed to be breaking the stock ones each time I ran it.
- Ali-express cheapie alloy steering links as the plastic originals had taken a permanent bend.
- Alloy rear diff housing and steel diff pinion as the original was showing heavy wear at this strip down. Hopefully the alloy housing will reduce grit ingress due to housing flex.
- MiP X-Duty rear drive shaft as I found the standard ones wore very quickly and although still functional the wear allowed them to run out of true. This results in horrendous vibration in the drive train which quickly destroyed bearings and the noise made my teeth itch when applying full throttle. Time will tell if the MiP is a worthwhile upgrade.
GPM rear arms have seen some action too..
New alloy diff housing with RTV seal, time will tell if beneficial
Vitavon front ARB upgrade - highly recommended, no further breakages
Breakages in use - not many considering I run it hard and do jump it, not "to the moon" style but reasonable air at a local BMX track, not always landing as well as I would like!!
- One lower front arm, after hitting a partially concealed brick at full speed.
- Two or three front ARB's as mentioned
- The stock speed controller let the smoke out, as they do, unfortunately taking the light amplifier with it. Replaced both with stock for now as I found them for a good price at the time. Will likely upgrade next time.
- Replaced a couple of ball races in the front hubs due to water ingress and the exposed race facing forward in the rear axle behind the driveshaft connection - this one is super-exposed to water, dust and sand thrown up by the front wheels and I view it as a consumable now. At least it is a dirt-cheap size.
- The motor is original and seems fine, tested on motor dyno it still appears to perform to new spec. Only issue with it is one of the mounting screw threads pulled out of the can, so I've had to rotate it 90 degrees and now the wires barely reach the ESC at full stretch - will have to see if they pull apart when I run it. I can extend them if I need to.
Finally, the original "Fox" body is now scrap, so the next run will be with a brand-new shell (not cheap!) and that first crash is going to be cringeworthy!
So, overall a fair investment of time and money. Worth it?
Absolutely. I've got some great RC cars to hand and all are brilliant in their own ways, but the UDR is the one I keep coming back to. There is just something about the way it drives and handles, the scale looks, the visible weight transfer and the sight of the suspension working - regardless of where I run it, it is just a joy to chuck around.
Took the XRT for a quick bash today, disused park and ride carpark with a bit of wasteground next to it that (I think) the council uses to store unused piles of road chippings etc., in nice big mounds 
No photos or video unfortunately as I can barely land it half the time with both hands and my full concentration on the controller, but I have to say it is nice and adjustable in the air.
No breakages which was a bonus but it doesn't half fill up with grit inside!
No photos or video unfortunately as I can barely land it half the time with both hands and my full concentration on the controller, but I have to say it is nice and adjustable in the air.
No breakages which was a bonus but it doesn't half fill up with grit inside!
Took the XRT to the local BMX track today - unsurprisingly it was deserted given the wintery weather.
It is a very small track, barely any wider than the XRT in places, but has some nice jump combinations that are very satisfying to get right and very easy to get wrong.
Being such a narrow track it is all too easy to end up in the long grass, fortunately the XRT has the power and sufficiently large wheels to pull itself free with a little forward and reverse shunting. Mostly.
Talking of power, I ran 6s today which was plenty for the available space, but the 5000mah capacity was only just enough with a vague sense of "already?" when it dropped into limp mode...
Of course, running on a small track doesn't mean any less clean up is required afterwards!
It is a very small track, barely any wider than the XRT in places, but has some nice jump combinations that are very satisfying to get right and very easy to get wrong.
Being such a narrow track it is all too easy to end up in the long grass, fortunately the XRT has the power and sufficiently large wheels to pull itself free with a little forward and reverse shunting. Mostly.
Talking of power, I ran 6s today which was plenty for the available space, but the 5000mah capacity was only just enough with a vague sense of "already?" when it dropped into limp mode...
Of course, running on a small track doesn't mean any less clean up is required afterwards!
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