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I've been sourcing upgraded parts for practically every weak link in my upcoming Optima build, from turnbuckles to steering knuckles, but I've had absolutely no success with dogbones.

The stock black steel Optima dogbones are always getting bent. I have about 10 of them and half of them are bent at the ends. I'd like to get something to beef that up, perhaps aluminum or titanium.

The length of the dogbones are 62 - 63 mm pin-to-pin, or 67 - 68 mm total length, end-to-end.

The problem with the majority of dogbones/swing shafts on eBay is the sellers don't indicate the measurements, just the model(s) of car they're for.

Does anybody here have a recommendation for hop-up Optima/Ultima dogbones that are more durable & look better than the stock black ones?

Steel dogbones are the best bet. You can use these:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXWZ38&P=7

RichieRich wrote:Steel dogbones are the best bet. You can use these:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXWZ38&P=7

Are those any different from the stock dogbones? I was looking for something more bling & more strong, if possible...

You can either have bling or strength. I've never seen both for the Optima/Ultima series.

The dogbones on Tower's site are essentially exact copies of the originals.

I have seen 1000's of aftermarket parts for the Optima series of cars, and VERY rarely did anyone ever produce an aftermarket dog bone. There is no market for them, as when they were replaced (be it because of wear or abuse), everyone went with a universal as a replacement. your best bet would be to use a corresponding universal or CVD style version for the new Lazer series of cars- if you can find one that fits that is. My experience with Optima dogbones is similar, and replacement Kyosho universals from that time period arent much better btw.

Often, when a dogbone was bent, it was just straightened with a small hammer and block of some kind. -Jeff