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Hi all, new to the forum. Recently got back into the hobby after a 25 year absence, and looking at diving into some vintage Losi stuff. If these questions are covered elsewhere, I apologize in advance.

Mainly wondering which vintage buggies/trucks chassis' will fit modern lipos - shorty or otherwise? I was told the XX will not due to the center channel, so I began to wonder how many others won't fit. Appears the jrx2 would be fine, but not sure about some of the later molded chassis (pro, se, etc...)

Any help/advice is appreciated.
Thanks

I used a hobbyking ultimate shortly lipo in my XX the other day it doesn't sit flat and the battery hold down had a real bend in it but seemed to work ok

Thanks Daz. Yeah, I was told you can use a lipo but it won't fit down in the channel, so it sits higher - therefore, raising the cog. Not exactly ideal.

Well I certainly didn't notice any issues with it rolling over in fact it was better than some of the modern cars I was racing against

I think people read too much into all these different setup issues I doubt they make a difference to 99% of racers

Hi there.

I run a Losi xxcr kinwald in some vintage indoor racing. I wasn't able to find a lipo that was narrow enough to sit flat in the bottom of the tub. But, because the lipos today are a fair bit lighter than the older NiCd's and NiMh's, I had a small piece of brass plate cut that fit perfectly in the channel. I then drilled holes in it until I got the weight of the car back close to the minimum. Worked well and keeps the CoG low!

Thanks gents. You both have shown it can be done, so that's encouraging - even if it may not be perfect.

Any idea about the pro/se/lxt chassis and modern lipos?

It does depend what shape modern battery you're trying to put in.
Many people who race modern classes will be using the low profile shorty batteries, these take the issue of height out of fitting into a vintage car - would still need to check for width.
I've got a JRX2 and a non low profile shorty fitted width wise into the bulkhead but the battery was far too high. As it was I raised the gearbox and bulkhead but a shorty would have fitted fine, just a case of moving the front cradle.

daz_75 wrote:I used a hobbyking ultimate shortly lipo in my XX the other day it doesn't sit flat and the battery hold down had a real bend in it but seemed to work ok

Best method to get Lipo Battery in XX is velcro straps. Ditch the plastic strap down the middle.

I have method for full size Lipo for original JRX-PRO and JRXT. Might work on JRX2.
http://sabulatech.com/storefront/index.php?id_product=3794&controller=product&search_query=lipo&results=16
Doesn't require and mods to rear bulkhead height. But will off course change weight more front. But with all the understeer in the old ones that might not be a bad thing.

I started on one to allow Shorty on the JRX line but got distracted and never completed it. It would work on the Graphite and Molded Chassis. All required is replacing the strap and adding holders in the back. See picture below.
It would be similar to this one for the RC10. http://sabulatech.com/storefront/index.php?id_product=3806&controller=product&search_query=lipo&results=16

There are many options to choose from as far as mounting and modifications. The easiest way that I found, was to use a lipo that was a similar size to the NiCd/NiMh style. This is the one I use: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXYKT6&P=7. The description says hard case, but it is in fact not, so care must be taken with these. Unless they have changed it since I bought them, but the photo is exactly what I have. These easily fit the Jrx-2/T style chassis, XX and XXX.

Thanks for the responses, everyone.

Matt, thanks for the link. I hadn't seen those, but they look exactly like old-school NiCds - size-wise. I'm glad to know those are, yet another, option.

Good info.

matt1ptkn wrote:There are many options to choose from as far as mounting and modifications. The easiest way that I found, was to use a lipo that was a similar size to the NiCd/NiMh style. This is the one I use: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXYKT6&P=7. The description says hard case, but it is in fact not, so care must be taken with these. Unless they have changed it since I bought them, but the photo is exactly what I have. These easily fit the Jrx-2/T style chassis, XX and XXX.

Did a Google for those for a UK based supplier, link below, seems they also do a hard case version in red so beware you doing get that one by accident, make sure it's the same part number as the one matt listed above

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Venom-4000mAh-LiPO-Battery-Tamiya/dp/B002QE3AVE

I am not saying you are wrong on that battery, but according to specs it is too tall for the JRX Line. Maybe if you really shove it in there.
I know this cause I looked it up last spring when was working on designs.

Should be fine for XX though

Also quickly add that to use that battery in JRX line have to remove the front section of battery cup most likely to get enough room length wise. But if you had for long time, you probably already did one like that. Had to be done during the NIMH days. I have the chassis mocked up so I have all the measurements in front of me. Width is no issue.

I have found 2 hardcase lipo packs that fit the jrx series without modifications, only one is still available new
The first is the SMC lightning volts 3200mah red and black checkerboard battery which was used as the DODC.com spec dirt oval pack. it is discontinued.
The second is https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-4000mah-2s-30c-hardcase-pack-roar-approved-de-warehouse.html

mytimac wrote:Also quickly add that to use that battery in JRX line have to remove the front section of battery cup most likely to get enough room length wise. But if you had for long time, you probably already did one like that. Had to be done during the NIMH days. I have the chassis mocked up so I have all the measurements in front of me. Width is no issue.

The Venom Lipo battery is a snug fit into the rear bulkhead, but it actually is the same height and width dimensions as a standard NiMh and about 0.25 in. shorter lengthwise. I've never had to modify the bulkhead or battery box to fit a battery into a Jrx chassis. I used to remove the plastic end caps on the NiMh stick packs for an easier fit sometimes, though. I'll try to document some photo evidence and verify the battery part number.