Kyosho Fantom EP 4WD Ext (1/12th scale 4WD pan car)

[sundevil67]

If I ever do get around to building the new one I have, I certainly wouldn't try to paint it myself.

the fantom EXT came with the crc II body or BW spider and both of them are soooo goood loooking compared to the stock body

[sundevil67]

Any tips for efficient saving the most space possible? I thought I did a decent job (I'll get home & post some pics soon), but I'd love to see some examples & get some advice because mine still make the body sit wrong & make the battery changes brutal .. and it just feels like there's no place else to put them that won't interfere with the chain or just be out of the way. Thank you

[silvertriple]

Any tips for efficient saving the most space possible? I thought I did a decent job (I'll get home & post some pics soon), but I'd love to see some examples & get some advice because mine still make the body sit wrong & make the battery changes brutal .. and it just feels like there's no place else to put them that won't interfere with the chain or just be out of the way. Thank you

Have a look at my thread. My body sits perfectly. The RX is on top of the sterring servo, the ESC just behind the servo, and all motor wiring wiring goes under the battery fixed on the bottom chassis plate.

[sundevil67]

For some reason the picture isn't coming up for me ... would you be so kind as to resend to my PM or repost perhaps?
I managed to make it a little better by securing the motor wires a bit better, but it still needs help. I couldn't fit my receiver in front of the motor. I would like to see yours...

Have a look at my thread. My body sits perfectly. The RX is on top of the sterring servo, the ESC just behind the servo, and all motor wiring wiring goes under the battery fixed on the bottom chassis plate.

[silvertriple]

The pictures are on imgur... I'm not sure why it doesn't show up on your side... The pictures are the same on this thread : https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?t=49603



You can also see them on my facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555214226826
There is a whole set of pictures of the Fantom EXT build (it was in June this year).

[sundevil67]

Ahh, I didn't realize you were the dude who designed that sweet chain guard. Thanks for being so willing to share your experience on this stuff!

No idea why I still can't see the photo (looks like the attached FWIW), but I was able to find what you were referring to on that other thread. A part of my problem is definitely this battery, which has really stiff solder tabs under the shrink tubing that I can't seem to bend to keep it from sticking out the side some. I have to add some slack to my antenna wire, which requires some disassembly after adding a thumb screw thingy to secure the antenna tube better, so I'm going to take some time to rewire things.

I see your example is one of the gold 60th kits ... I managed to get my hands on one before having to pay triple second hand that's still in the box. It's such a purty kit (and I have enough running Fantoms) that I may not feel guilty about building it & leaving it on the shelf for display.

<OT rant>Another unfortunate reason for leaning that way is that the only tracks around me have closed, and I'm finding myself just choosing my off-road cars when I have time to play instead of driving around searching for some asphalt smooth enough not to wreck my pan-cars.

I've lived in the Phoenix-metro area for 25 years & have seen maybe half a dozen facilities with on-road tracks close statewide. Despite what by all accounts seems to be a thriving community of enthusiasts, each attempt just fails because of some kind of mismanagement, drama, or some combination of the two...or maybe it's just not a sustainable business model for reasons I'm not aware of. Either way, it just sucks to have to head out for each run hoping to return only with a scratched up chassis, grateful when a pebble doesn't strip any gears.

Though this kit is so gorgeous that it may be one I don't feel guilty about leaving on the display shelf.
</OT rant>

The pictures are on imgur... I'm not sure why it doesn't show up on your side... The pictures are the same on this thread : https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?t=49603



You can also see them on my facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555214226826
There is a whole set of pictures of the Fantom EXT build (it was in June this year).

[sundevil67]

Speaking of Fantom bodies ... anyone spotted a replacement shell (EFB001) in stock anywhere? I'm about to give up.

[sundevil67]

What are y'all using to secure your batteries? I'd been using zip-ties, but definitely not an ideal solution ... The manual calls for 12mm glass tape, but I can't find anything like that that's not double-sided.... and any modified battery straps, at least until I get one of those fancy chain guides, aren't working out so well. Tape seems kind of a hassle too though ..anyone work out something better? Forgive me if this has been discussed; didn't find another post about it in my search.

[sundevil67]

Anyone have any advice for how to get this hub un-stuck? I cannot possibly apply more force with the crappy plastic wrench included with the kit. I've tried WD-40, hot water, securing the thing in a vice - nada. I don't know how it got on there so tight; I used some different washers than the ones that came in the kit (after losing a couple) but they were for a modern Plazma & as far as I could tell, exactly the same size... I can't think of why that'd cause this, but that's all I can come up with. Any suggestions appreciated!

[GoMachV]

The groove line mean that is the left hand thread side Any chance you were you going the wrong way with it?

[sundevil67]

Good eye - I did have it reversed - that's why it's off the car right now - but now that it is, I can't unscrew the hub & pull the bearing out.

The groove line mean that is the left hand thread side Any chance you were you going the wrong way with it?

[GoMachV]

Ok cool, just wanted to make sure you were "unscrewing it" clockwise not counterclockwise

[sundevil67]

Ok cool, just wanted to make sure you were "unscrewing it" clockwise not counterclockwise

I actually brought the hub into my LHS, and all that was really needed was a better wrench; though it wasn't all that easy for him either. The plastic one that came with the kit was just not going to cut it. BTW, I've been cheap, but I really could use a new complete set of R/C tools, for everything from 1/12 - 1/5 if anyone wants to throw out a recommendation.

I think it may have gotten stuck on there because I'd been using red washers from my Plazma RA kit after losing the originals. They were supposedly the same size, but maybe just slightly different enough to get stuck on there. That's the only thing I could think of that might have caused the trouble.

I had to buy a whole new set of hubs just for the washers, but at least I'll finally have the problem solved. I appreciate the assist.

[sundevil67]

Anyone stumbled upon anything resembling a set of high quality adjustable tie-rods that'd work with this or any 1/12 Kyosho car?