Hi Folks, I would like to hear your opinions about using hex extenders. Just to know what kind of troubles I have to expect ... 
I know, some of you have already done some “proper” widening by using wide steering blocks and/or longer arms from the 1/8 models like Dementor, etc.
My main intention was originally not the widening itself, but I was looking for an easy way to increase the top speed from the stock 70kmh/45mph to 80+kmh/50+mph (which is usually done by changing the pinion from 13T to 15T) and increasing the ground clearance. So the obvious solution was a change to bigger wheels … and for installing those I did need to do some widening.
To be honest, I simply did not have enough patience and instead of doing the “proper” widening I went the “quick and dirty” way by using hex extenders. For the wheels I did want to exchange the stock wheels (134mm and 70mm wide) by the Arrma 1/10 dBoots Backflip LP (154mm and 77mm wide). Those also have a different offset, so I decided for hex extenders which add about +15mm on each side:
Comparison stock wheel/new wheel from the front (overall width stayed about the same):
Comparison stock wheel/new wheel from the side:
And here's how it looks like after finishing all four wheels:
How is the driving? I do not use it as a stunt truck (jumping with ramps, etc.) but I drive it mostly on wide fields or big dirty places with stones. With the substantially higher speed and the increased ground clearance this is much more fun – it really “flies” over the fields … and it does easily make wheelies now!
Mechanics: Of course this setup will add additional stress but I believe (hope) most parts can handle this. I do expect the highest effect on the wheel bearings … time will tell.
Electronics: The stock electronics did withstand it up to now, as expected the motor is getting hotter but with the quite low temperatures outside this time of the year (just above 10 deg.C/50deg.F) it is still ok. That for sure will change in summer, but I am trying some motor cooling options already.
I know, some of you have already done some “proper” widening by using wide steering blocks and/or longer arms from the 1/8 models like Dementor, etc.
My main intention was originally not the widening itself, but I was looking for an easy way to increase the top speed from the stock 70kmh/45mph to 80+kmh/50+mph (which is usually done by changing the pinion from 13T to 15T) and increasing the ground clearance. So the obvious solution was a change to bigger wheels … and for installing those I did need to do some widening.
To be honest, I simply did not have enough patience and instead of doing the “proper” widening I went the “quick and dirty” way by using hex extenders. For the wheels I did want to exchange the stock wheels (134mm and 70mm wide) by the Arrma 1/10 dBoots Backflip LP (154mm and 77mm wide). Those also have a different offset, so I decided for hex extenders which add about +15mm on each side:
Comparison stock wheel/new wheel from the front (overall width stayed about the same):
Comparison stock wheel/new wheel from the side:
And here's how it looks like after finishing all four wheels:
How is the driving? I do not use it as a stunt truck (jumping with ramps, etc.) but I drive it mostly on wide fields or big dirty places with stones. With the substantially higher speed and the increased ground clearance this is much more fun – it really “flies” over the fields … and it does easily make wheelies now!
Mechanics: Of course this setup will add additional stress but I believe (hope) most parts can handle this. I do expect the highest effect on the wheel bearings … time will tell.
Electronics: The stock electronics did withstand it up to now, as expected the motor is getting hotter but with the quite low temperatures outside this time of the year (just above 10 deg.C/50deg.F) it is still ok. That for sure will change in summer, but I am trying some motor cooling options already.
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