...more bad news.

[xsnoiz]

So after having driven 40 minutes one way to this killer hobby store, i came back eagerly to get my N4T up and ready to run. The only problem now is that i've got more damage than i was previously anticipating.

~DAMAGED PARTS LIST~
1. The "exhaust pipe" side of the header is badly dented...this was a new find.
2. The right front+right rear shock rods were severly bent...another new find.
3. The upper and lower control arms on both the front left and front right were completely toasted.
4. The turnbuckles (upper and lower) on both the left front+right front were bent in excess of 45 degrees.
5. The blue wire (going to the glow plug) is completely frayed and bare in one spot.
6. The "Associated" exhaust pipe has a pretty big crease in the side...kinda bums me out considering it was only 4 hours old.

...looks like my baby will have to lay comatose for a while so i can start saving $ to cover the medical bills.

[GraTou]

it happens to the best of us

[nrustlerman231]

Next time take it all apart before you go and buy all the parts you need to fix it. Hrmm nothing you can really do now..but go buy more parts and tell your friend how much it costs you for his dumb driving.

[xsnoiz]

...does anyone know of replacement shocks that might be a little better than stock? I'm curious...can you swap shocks from other cars onto the N4T? If possible...i'm all over it!

[Head-Hunter]

well the good news is there are a few simple ways to fix some of those if your low on cash.

the header and alum pipe can both be put in a plastic dish with water in it and then frozen to pop the dents out.
the shock rods and turnbuckles can be bent back to straight with a little time and patience (cant spell today)
and the blue wire all you have to do is put a little heat shrink on it.
the arms are going to have to be replaced but atleast you can save some money on the parts you can fix

[NitroRCracer]

yes you can get different cars shocks and put them on the 4tec, but it all depends on the shock length/size and how it mounts..

Traxxas big bores
powerline shocks are great (i have them)
TC3 shocks work
maybe duratrax car shocks (unsure)
i have the duratrax Evader ST shocks on my nitro Rustler, and they are good so i would look into their touring car shocks.

[k-vette]

If you try freezing the header and exhaust to pop out the dents, I'm pretty sure you have to cap the ends off with something so the ice will push on the dents and not out the holes.

[DiggerMaxx]

Originally posted by xsnoiz
...does anyone know of replacement shocks that might be a little better than stock? I'm curious...can you swap shocks from other cars onto the N4T? If possible...i'm all over it!

I picked up these Powerline 4-Tec shocks and they made a world of difference over the stockers on my 'Tec. Of course, I only paid $100 for the car, so the stockers were in pretty rough shape when I got it, but the Powerlines are super-smooth and look sweet, too. The best feature for me is the threaded-bodies... no more clips to fumble with. They come fully assembled and ready for your favorite oil, and even have new hardware included for mounting. They've been holding up great for the 4 or so months I've been running them, and this winter I'll likely take them apart for a little preventative maintenance and to see how well the seals are holding up. Being on-road shocks(and the fact that I don't get to run my 'Tec as much as I should), they tend to stay a little cleaner than their off-road brothers, so I am hoping to get another season(or better) in before I need to replace any parts. All-in-all, they were worth the money spent on them.

I am sure there are several other good choices available to choose from, too. Just take your stockers to your LHS and compare them to those on the shelf, or have the staff try to fit you for a new set. The Powerline set is marketed for the 'Tec(and a little pricey), but I'm sure there are plenty of others that are the same size that will also work. It just takes a little searching to find the set and price range your looking for. Good Luck!!!


-DM

*BTW... Sorry to hear about the carnage, but for me half the fun lies in the tinkering aspect of this hobby, so I'd be all giddy about diggin' in and puttin' her back together to do it all over again.

**EDIT: Good call, NitroRCracer... I don't know how I forgot about the BB's for the 'Tec. I don't have them, but I do run their bigger brothers on my 2.5Maxx, and I've gotta say they have proven to be a good choice.

[xsnoiz]

...so i'm now starting to think that maybe it's time to do a little modifying.

I'm hard-core into rally, and since i'm going to be spending money on new parts all the way around, I have considered converting it to a rally N4T. Yes, i know the belts will make it difficult, but heck...gettin' dirty (and sideways) is what I love to do anyway. What do you guys think? Possibly a RWD conversion as well...we'll have to see.

[Head-Hunter]

welll if your going rally then your going to want 4wd. and yes the belts will cause many problems. if i were you i would go to home depot (or any place like that) and get some sheet metal and rivits and make a belt cover. it wont be air tight but it will keep the rocks out

[NitroRCracer]

maybe a lexcan chassis protector made for buggies. it would cover all the lower access holes inc. flywheel, and maybe the extra can be bent up for the front wheels stone protectors