Don's Pede Upgrades

[Donlisk]

I started my 1st upgrade to the new XL-5 Pede with the Protrac suspension upgrade.
I purchased Pro-Line 6062-00 (ProTrac Suspension Kit Slash) and a pair of Traxxas 3669A wheels/tires.

Thinking I can just go for it, I soon found I was having issues with getting the provided stearing and camber links to reach since they needed to be 11mm longer. The kit supplies more robust links and for a XL-5 the original rod ends are too small and too short to complete the build.
The rod ends to complete the build are Traxxas 5525 and come 12 in a package for about 10 bucks.
Since I didn't realize this, I took the correctly mounted arms off and rotated them to see if that would work. Not a chance and i was off to Snowfighter's house to see what I was doing wrong.

Well, he knew right off and looks like a road trip to find some rod ends will be needed in the morning :-(

Note: if this kit was going into a VXL then the original VXL rod ends would allow for the install to be completed without purchasing additional items.

From the kit I did install the front shock tower, which only required a quick removal of some plastic to allow the posts to be mounted. I also have the front arms mounted correctly :-) and only waiting on the rod ends to complete the Pede's first upgrade.

I'll get some pics up once done.

Don

[Oaks]

Nice job Don. This is going to be an interesting path of upgrades considering the first thing you are choosing to do is widening it. Most brushed guys go for some aluminum, maybe an 8 cell pack, or straight to brushless. Keep it up and you'll be enjoying your XL5 for a while

[BaldyDaniels]

The first truck I installed the protrac kit on was the monster jam series xl5 p2de, and never had to modify anything to get the body mounts on.  Recently, I Installed another protrac kit on a vxl p2de using monster jam body mounts and never had any issues either. What is it that you guys are having to modify? Just curious, as I have never used the stock xl5 or stock vxl mounts, I just toss em in the parts bin.

[Oaks]

There's this overhang on the front body mount that won't clear the outer upper shock mounting holes on the protrac front tower. The stock body mount sort of curves down the top sides of a stock front shock tower and the mounter jam mount is sort of low profile/slim without the overhang. Lol, I need a picture

[Donlisk]

The curved section in the picture needs to be removed to allow for the Pro-Line shock tower to correctly line up with the original mounting holes on the front body mount.

[DiggerPede]

Yep i see it now. I'm like baldy i've only used the MJ Mounts with the Protrac shock tower. Well on my Digger that is, My Slash and wifes pede dont have the Protrac Kit, they use RPM and stock parts.



So there is no obstruction with that body mount. The Proline shock tower has a brace that goes along the top and that gets in the way, also where the shocks mount to the tower.



Stock shock tower just rises up and the body mount and shocks bolt up to.



Like Donliks is showing the stock body mounts do have lip that needs to be dremeled or cut off. You could also buy the MJ body mounts and be able to drop the body more and not have to worry about cutting them off. Its really an easy fix though.

[tjshelton]

I recently did the same pro-trac install on my vxl and used the MJ mounts which world great. As mentioned above, its nice to be able to lower the body a little. As a side note, if you don't have a dremel to cut the piece off of the stock front body posts, you can sometimes use a pair of dikes/wire cutters to clip pieces of plastic. Not as pretty as using the dremel, but when you don't have a dremel it can work in a pinch. I don't have a dremel, so its come in handy once or twice.

[DiggerPede]

+1 for Dikes. They definitely come in handy. Also a hobby knife is another choice. Just be careful not to slip and get yourself. I've done that a time or two with sharp objects. LOL

[Donlisk]

I used a leatherman's saw blade to trim it out and then the file to smooth and clean up the rough spots.

One of the LHS' had the 5525 rod ends so i was able to complete the installation this afternoon. Tracks nice and I'll check it out later tonight when Snowfighter breaks his machine out.

Next I will install the rear section of the suspension kit.
Diggerpede... I tried to PM you back but your box was full.

[DiggerPede]

Diggerpede... I tried to PM you back but your box was full.

Yeah I noticed that earlier and cleared it out. Darn things add up to quick. Sorry about that....

....oh and make sure you put a spanking on Snow's Jeep EMBE. LOL I chatted with him a while back, he's a cool cat man. He figured me out really quick must be the southern Texas accent.....hahahahaha

[rag6]

I have a dedicated steak knife and a dremel tool for traxxas plastic hacking. Cool thing is it is very easy to cut with a serrated blade. I dont like using the hobby blades for hacking, just small trim jobs. If you have to cut through the middle of something, an exacto #11 does not work so well.

[DiggerPede]

I have a dedicated steak knife and a dremel tool for traxxas plastic hacking. Cool thing is it is very easy to cut with a serrated blade. I dont like using the hobby blades for hacking, just small trim jobs. If you have to cut through the middle of something, an exacto #11 does not work so well.

That's for sure. I'd only use it for small areas or trimming something like above.

[snowfighter]

Don did a nice job on his Pede.He just left my house with it.Makes me want to sell my E-Maxx and build the ULTIMATE Pede.

[Donlisk]

The rear Protrac suspension was installed tonight including the rear shock tower. Once I got right into it I found I pretty much had disassembled the whole rear end to get the shock tower in :-)

What a huge difference. Stopped by SnowFighter's place to have him check my progress and with a few adjustments I think we are all set to call this upgrade complete and start saving up some funds for the next one.

:-)

[snowfighter]

I have to say your Pede is looking awesome now Don.

[Donlisk]

I decided to try the included 23-tooth pinion gear today and OMG is this sick. (23/86 gearing)
I did have the set screw come out after just a few runs and had to re-install the screw.

Is there a slot in the shaft where this set screw is to go or am I needing to lock tight the screw?

[Raptorpede]

I get some weaker and put a drop on as I had to do this.

[BaldyDaniels]

Medium strength loctite and tighten as much as you can without stripping the set screw.

[Donlisk]

I get some weaker and put a drop on as I had to do this.

Thanks Raptorpede. I have I use for screws on firearms and that works well with heat and fairly easy removal.

[snowfighter]

I decided to try the included 23-tooth pinion gear today and OMG is this sick. (23/86 gearing)
I did have the set screw come out after just a few runs and had to re-install the screw.

Is there a slot in the shaft where this set screw is to go or am I needing to lock tight the screw?

Don bring that bad boy over.We will get you squared away. lol
Plus we can check your temps.

[Donlisk]

Pics of my Pede from4-14-2012

[snowfighter]

Nice pic Don.

[DiggerPede]

Nice truck man!! Did y'all bash and eat some burgers?

[Donlisk]

Nice truck man!! Did y'all bash and eat some burgers?

Sure did and put a pic of Snowfighter's E-Max in the Brushless E-Max section under his group pic thread.
Always a blast even when one beats on an ankle and loses. :-( Not mine.... what was that earlier thread.... he broke it not me.
;-)

[Donlisk]

In case some here don't read the E-Maxx threadds, here is a video of Snowfighter's E-Maxx and my Stampede XL-5 along with Cory's Nitro T-Maxx.

[snowfighter]

Nice lob Don.
Yep we did have some burgers after. I'am down for now.I ran into Corey's ankle and broke my steering bock.The end with the ball at the end pulled right out.BUMER.A shope in Kittery.Maine is open on Sundays.Hope he has the part i need.

[Donlisk]

Nice lob? hehehehe

here is some more video I missed showing the ankle shot and aftermath.

[BaldyDaniels]

Good thing it was going too fast when it hit, cuz the emaxx is a tank!


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[snowfighter]

Good thing it was going too fast when it hit, cuz the emaxx is a tank!


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Sooo true Baldy.I think it weighs some were 10 or 11 lbs.with batteries.
The pede is just like a little bumble bee. Just buzzing around.

[Oaks]

Awesome vids! It was soo much fun watching the Stampede run. For those of you who never had the pleasure of owning the XL 5, this footage reminds me of the exact same truck that I fell in love with. Donlisk, you look like yours is still running fresh out of the box! and Snowfighter's EMAXX is HOT! cool vids guys

[BaldyDaniels]

I'm not much of a nitro fan (like driving it, hate owning it) but I have to say the t-maxx stole the show on that vid. You need to set up a nice launch ramp to get the p2de back in the spotlight!


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[DiggerPede]

Man I've been waiting all day to watch these vids man. Al i can say is ouch!!! When I first got my EMBE I almost hit my little boy. He jumped out and I turned the truck quick and it rolled right up to him. Scared me to death.

Seen the breakage. I went with the ERBE Tekno knuckles, had to find a special bearing size to use them. They are tough as nails, reminded me of proline plastics. They also have the pillowball retainer to keep them from popping out.

I so wish I had some running buddies, or at least a buddy.

[Donlisk]

I'll need to learn to control launches since I can see plenty of replacement parts needed once we find a small skate board ramp to set up.

The sound of the nitro is amazing but the run time/cost of fuel compared to the Pede/Electrics is reason to stick with a Pede.

[Oaks]

The ankle shot was cringe worthy. Thankfully no one was hurt so we can go back to being disappointed the rc broke, lol, jk. The way the nitro trucks suspension was working had me drooling for sure. But the brushless doing 360's into two wheeled side stands, just plain awesome!

[Donlisk]

The ankle shot was cringe worthy. Thankfully no one was hurt so we can go back to being disappointed the rc broke, lol, jk. The way the nitro trucks suspension was working had me drooling for sure. But the brushless doing 360's into two wheeled side stands, just plain awesome!

I would love to get my XL-5 suspension to be softer on the front end and am thinking of either progressive or softer springs. The LHS had the progressive in stock but would need to order the softer ones.

I did pick up the RPM Steering Blocks, a screw kit, wheelie bar wheels, anodized shock caps, and some back up other parts while there today :-)

[BaldyDaniels]

I would love to get my XL-5 suspension to be softer on the front end and am thinking of either progressive or softer springs. The LHS had the progressive in stock but would need to order the softer ones.

I did pick up the RPM Steering Blocks, a screw kit, wheelie bar wheels, anodized shock caps, and some back up other parts while there today :-)

Sounds like somebody's come down with the sickness! Already buying replacement parts for stuff you haven't broken yet. Lol

You know you're addicted to R/C when....

[Donlisk]

Oh, if I had any extra funds I'd be broke.

Is it worth lowering the body? Was thinking about cutting down the front body mount and lowering the back but not sure if it is worth it. Would look cool though.

[BaldyDaniels]

Lowering the body would look cool, it will also lower your center of gravity which will give the truck some more anti-rollover...which is always a good thing for the pede.


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[Donlisk]

Lowering the body would look cool, it will also lower your center of gravity which will give the truck some more anti-rollover...which is always a good thing for the pede.

Thanks Baldy. I will probably just do the free cut down front body mount method for now.
Looks like a plan for this morning :-)

Don

[DiggerPede]

It'll look great. That was one of the first things the guys had me do when I joined the forum. I was like why the heck would you want a MJ Grave Digger slammed. LOL But hey after i did it, it totally rocked and actually looked much better than riding with the clouds. Like baldy said you will lower your COG and in turn will cut down on body roll. Plus it makes the truck look GOOD.

Cut down the body mounts to your liking, its a great easy fix. Maybe down the road pick up some MJ body mounts. They can be had for a really good price. They give you so many mounting options. Especially when/ if you decide to put another body on the truck.