Desert buggy build - Finished, but which tires…🤔

[Sandracer_NL]

Since this is not an Arrma build and it’s not new ( now have it for about 1.5 years) I’m gonna keep this thread short.
RC is a FTX DR8.
What’s changed from stock apart from installing quite a few new parts?
- New carbon wrapped body panels
- New carbon wrapped chassis ( bottom was sanded so it’s shiny again)
- DIY front windshield
- DIY aluminium plate to cover the spur gear chassis slot.
- DIY rear mud guards carbon wrapped
- Aluminium rear hub carriers (from Hoboa)
- Super strong steel rear tower bridge (unbranded from ebay)
- Aluminium rear chassis lower suspension mount
- Window nets (left and right)
- DIY front mud guards
- New paint for driver/passenger cockit from dark blue to black
- New paint for driver/passenger helmets from white to red
- Roof ’search’ LED’s
- Bumper LED bar (not 100% sure yet on this, depends if I can make it fit nicely)
- Leopard 4082 2000kv (stock 4274 2000kv)
- DS3230 servo (stock was 15KG, was running a DS3225 before)
- Adding decals (I’ve just put the first on one the roof, more to come)

WORK IN PROGRESS:

 

[rotauq]

I was already impressed how capable it drove on the dunes. As soon as my huge FG offroad tires arrive we should head out there again and do some sandracing

 

[Sandracer_NL]

Finally it’s finished, but which tires to choose?
Sorry the bad pics, getting dark, but so excited to finally get everything done that I needed to shoot some pics right away.
The Louise MT Pioneer tires, the stock ones (UDR anyone?), or the Proline Hyrax Tires?

 

[rotauq]

For the looks and general driving characteristics the prolines are best. For the dunes the MT pioneers are probably better.

 

[KevinC]

Sweet rig man!

 

[Sandracer_NL]

Ok, since I bought another buggy for spare parts a few weeks ago I could not just do nothing.
So I used this one to try and make my own body panels. The original are difficult to put a vinyl wrap on due to the ’motor dome’ and ‘roof fins’. So I’ve decided to make the panels flat.
Front and roof are done, the side panels are work in progress. I’ll probably wrap the panels, but the see through ‘glass’ look is pretty cool too.

 

[rcaddic88]

Nice if you can male your own pab]bels, opens up lots of possibilities
, I really like those DB8’s, I wish FTX was more readily available here in the states. I had that rig loaded in at least 5 carts end of last year, but most places wouldn’t ship to states that had it priced well, and the ones that would ship where $100 for shipping. I have a thing for desert Racers of all types and last year i added several. since the shipped all in price end of last year was over $500. i pulled the trigger on a DBX07from zd racing that had just been released because I found a deal on the roller for around $350 shipped and figured it was a 7th scale so why no try. It’s not terrible, actually handles nicely, but I regret not just getting this one Because I’ll probably still get one anyway.

 

[Sandracer_NL]

Nice if you can male your own pab]bels, opens up lots of possibilities
, I really like those DB8’s, I wish FTX was more readily available here in the states. I had that rig loaded in at least 5 carts end of last year, but most places wouldn’t ship to states that had it priced well, and the ones that would ship where $100 for shipping. I have a thing for desert Racers of all types and last year i added several. since the shipped all in price end of last year was over $500. i pulled the trigger on a DBX07from zd racing that had just been released because I found a deal on the roller for around $350 shipped and figured it was a 7th scale so why no try. It’s not terrible, actually handles nicely, but I regret not just getting this one Because I’ll probably still get one anyway.

The FTX DR8 and its’ 99% twin brother Reely Raptor are great cars. I’m so glad buying it instead of a Traxxas Slash two years ago starting this hobby.
Yeah shipping Europe<->US especially for an RC is very expensive. Too bad because I see really nice things in the Classifieds threads a lot.
End of last year I planned to get Arrma’s new realease (Fireteam). Now that’s off the table I looking to get the DBX07. I’m waiting for a good deal, the roller now is around €450 delivered. You say ‘it’s not terrible’, why is that?

 

[GRC]

Great custom job. I love desert buggy bodies. The TA Nomad and the FTX DR8 are my two favorite looking bodies.

 

[braap91]

Awesome looking car, desert trucks, and buggies are my jam!

 

[Cirasa]

Looks great, the spare tire looks a little too wide. Have you considered replacing with something skinnier?

 

[braap91]

Looks like a Class 1 car.

 

[wtfmfer]

Looks great. I cant decide.
I honestly expected to see the new Proline Paddles as one option. 'Desert buggy build'

 

[braap91]

Proline Paddle, work pretty good. I ran them just in the rear during a recent Glamis trip.

 

[wtfmfer]

Proline Paddle, work pretty good. I ran them just in the rear during a recent Glamis trip.

Yeah they probably look aesthetically better just in the rear, but I was wondering if it might be doing too many wheelies.

 

[braap91]

Yeah they probably look aesthetically better just in the rear, but I was wondering if it might be doing too many wheelies.

No more wheelies than usual.
Pic from right before the teardown and rebuild.

 

[Sandracer_NL]

Looks great, the spare tire looks a little too wide. Have you considered replacing with something skinnier?

The spare tire actually is the stock tire, which are the tires that are in pic where you see the tires with the ‘fake’ blue beadlock. Those have have same diameter and width as the Hyrax. Actually all tires in all pics have the same diameter, only the MT tire in the first 4 pics are wider than the rest and more offset, giving it a way more aggressive stance.
I’ve put on a 1/8 buggy tire (around 115 diamter and 42mm wide) but especially to those MT tires looked really small.
That was quite some time ago, maybe I should give it another try .

 

[MGibb]

I'm doing something similar myself. Added Mojave EXB wheels/tyres. Would be interested in a flat panel bonnet and roof if you are able to produce more? Happy to cover postage to the UK.

 

[Sandracer_NL]

I'm doing something similar myself. Added Mojave EXB wheels/tyres. Would be interested in a flat panel bonnet and roof if you are able to produce more? Happy to cover postage to the UK.

Cool. I've looked at that black camo wrap too, but decided to order the digital desert camo; which should arrive within two weeks. Now I know the black camo also looks really good; it's stillsaved in the shopping basket .
The Mojave tires also look great, will give them a try! I recently tried 1/7 buggy wheels for shits and giggles. It looks way out of scale, but I'm liking it more than expected (good amount of additional ground clearanc combined with longer shocks I tried).
As for the body panels, no plans yet to make more, but if I do I'll let you know, maybe if I order the black camo .
Have a look at this German site where they have white and black flat body panels for the Raptor/DR8.
https://ragua.de/search?sSearch=raptor

 

[MGibb]

Also found this resource for body panels & currently getting a roof and bonnet made up by an ebay 3d printer/seller for £12.50 posted. Will post how they turn out.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3...9MGYPL_vfbWFG0o2Gd79aWnSL0ZHKGIanOS2a60JLDSOQ​