Kraton Kraton 8s EXBad Build

[Matt05]

After seeing all the fun everyone was having with big block Kratons and the endless amount of upgrades available (Who doesn’t love to upgrade?) I had to pull the trigger and get me one of these monsters. Using the old built in guesstometer, I was slightly shocked to find this beast weighs more as a roller than a ready to run Xmaxx. Oh well here we go with the parts list:

Kraton 8s EXB
M2C chassis
M2C pillow ball retainers
M2C steering rack
M2C xlx2 mount
XLX2 Combo with 1100kv motor
Castle B Link
Raminator Servo
30 & 34t pinions
5mm sway bars
Arrma metal front and rear diff housings
Arrma stone guards
RPM rear stone guards (unsure if I will run these right away)
Megasty unbreakable wing mount/wheelie bar(Also unsure if I will run this, definitely need to find some black skateboard wheels)

I don’t think I will upgrade too much more to start until I get to get out and run it. I like an upgrade as much as anybody but at some point you have to draw a line and roll with what you got.

Plan right now is similar to a lot of other peoples’ builds on here, black and polished… errr lightly polished. Hope to start removing the anodizing from parts this weekend. The thought has ran around my mind to anodize everything black, but I’m not sure I want to learn a new skill for a basher.

 

[Kingleo619]

I like the upgrades bro… good quality parts you picked. I’m invested into that 30/34 and what speed would that put out

 

[Matt05]

I like the upgrades bro… good quality parts you picked. I’m invested into that 30/34 and what speed would that put out

No no, should have been more clear. I have a 30 and 34 tooth pinion to run with either the 39 or 47t stock spur.

 

[Matt05]

Originally I intended to use a Dumborc X6 on this build, but I decided to use that on my Mojavatoncast and grabbed a Radiolink RC6GS for this one.

Wish I would have done a little more research before hand and I maybe would have went a different route or at least a different receiver so I didn’t have to use dos antennas. Oh well. Seems like a quality little unit, I like being able to send endpoints which you can’t with the Dumbo. Both seem like good budget options, will have more of an opinion once it warms up outside.

 

[Matt05]

Got everything switched over to the m2c chassis. Figured it would be easiest to keep track of what goes where by just doing a complete swap and then removing and changing parts in stages. Really enjoy how easy these Arrmas are to work on. I love my Xmaxx and Maxx, but swapping to a different chassis on one of them definitely isn’t as easy as the 6s and 8s Arrma platforms.

 

[Matt05]

Installed aluminum diff cups in the front and rear. Switched fluids to 1 million/ear plugs/500k. Pretty easy process, after a few runs I’m guessing I’m going to have to open up the center diff again and shove in more ear plugs.

Replaced the factory in 3mm sway bars with 5mm bars front and rear. The ends were definitely a pain to get on.

Raminator servo, XLX2 and m2c steering rack installed.

There’s a Castle B Link hiding in there.

 

[ruhroh]

Originally I intended to use a Dumborc X6 on this build, but I decided to use that on my Mojavatoncast and grabbed a Radiolink RC6GS for this one.

View attachment 204714

Wish I would have done a little more research before hand and I maybe would have went a different route or at least a different receiver so I didn’t have to use dos antennas. Oh well. Seems like a quality little unit, I like being able to send endpoints which you can’t with the Dumbo. Both seem like good budget options, will have more of an opinion once it warms up outside.

Nice build, the last few pics are clean!! I have like 3 RadioLinks and definitely prefer it over the other transmitters, the 2 antennas was a plus to me. Would rather have 2 than 1

 

[Matt05]

Got most everything deanodized. Still need to disassemble and do the shock bodies. I used the Whink Rust Stain Remover. Was surprised how long it actually takes to get it all off. I decided not to go through the headache of trying to polish everything. Not sure the juice is worth the squeeze and there is always next winter.

I saw someone else’s dual antenna solution on here and also got that done.

There is enough hot glue on them that hopefully they won’t go anywhere. Getting closer though. Last few pieces of the puzzle are on order!

 

[Matt05]

Body reinforcement done! I used gray mesh tape that is normally for tile backer. Seems to be a little stronger than normal drywall tape. On this body and my Outcast body I decided to try Lexel caulk instead of shoo goo. It bonds to polycarbonate, and is a lot easier to use a caulk gun. Time will tell if it holds up as well as shoo goo, but worth a shot.

Couple teasers of my bare aluminum parts. I really feel like Arrma is missing the boat always sticking with the red anodizing. An all blacked out Kraton or Outcast would be the cat’s pajamas.

 

[Matt05]

Almost ready to run this big girl. Super happy with how the stripped parts turned out. Got the center braces wrapped with carbon fiber, pps switch mount installed, shock oils switched to 30/35, front mud guards installed. Still need to tidy up some wiring, and decide on a wheelie bar/wing mount. Debating on going to bladderless shock caps as well. I’ve got a 34t pinion in there right now with the 39t spur. With the stock motor mount 34/47 isn’t doable. I will probably just do a few quick shake downs and then switch to 30/39.

 

[Matt05]

Got the 30t pinion with the 39t spur all on and set up nice, getting batteries resoldered for a test run and I noticed a rear shock is leaking. Dang it all. These 8s shocks are really challenging me. I can’t for the life of me figure out why I can’t get a good seal.

 

[Matt05]

Tried getting the shock to hold another time to avail. I have an Outcast I’m waiting to build so for experimentation sake I pulled a shock and bladder from it and swapped it on to my EXB shock… no more leak. Even stranger, I quickly put the EXB bladder and cap onto the Outcast shock without giving much thought to it… no leak. Oh well, it’s ready to run, now I just need some dry weather.

 

[Greyghost29]

What size is the carbon fiber tubing again? I recall seeing it on a video but who knows which one that was!! My EXB shows up tomorrow and I cant wait to get to work on it!! I really dig the raw alum and black...great job on your build!!!

 

[talion2020]

What size is the carbon fiber tubing again? I recall seeing it on a video but who knows which one that was!! My EXB shows up tomorrow and I cant wait to get to work on it!! I really dig the raw alum and black...great job on your build!!!

This is what i ordered for my k8s. Worked perfect

Carbon Fiber Tube 16mm(OD) 2mm Thickness,16mmx12mmx420mm​

 

[Matt05]

Finally got some decent weather and got to take it out on it’s maiden voyage. Running 30/39. After messing with some settings it definitely has some power. Lot of times it’s like driving on ice. I set the cut off for 130 degree motor temps and it hit that rather quickly. I will probably up it to 150 and see how it does, but regardless I think I will invest in a fan set up for it. Need to play with the castle link settings some more but so far I’m pretty happy with it.

 

[Matt05]

Second set of batteries and first break.

No jumps yet, just getting used to the power, but I did have a few roll overs. I love my Xmaxx but this is a completely different handling experience. The Xmaxx definitely handles like a monster truck, while this just stays planted. Can’t wait to get it dialed in and keep running packs through it.

 

[Matt05]

Well, right away on the third set of packs I took a little tumble and broke a rear turn buckle link. A bit disappointing but I’m still enjoying the heck out of it, could always be worse.

 

[Matt05]

Wish a guy could just order a bunch of these individually. Seems to be a common break point.

Yeah, I guess I didn’t get the shock oil cleaned off the threads as good as I thought I did.

 

[Matt05]

All fixed up!

Powerhobby fan mount should be here today and then I can mount up a 40x40x28mm fan and see how it does. I’m leaning towards ordering a PPS motor slide and switching the gearing to 34/47 and using the 30/39 gearing on my Outcast with a 980kv. With the amount of grass bashing I do, I’m afraid 30/39 is just going to be too much even with a large fan.

 

[Matt05]

PPS motor mount insert showed up! Beautiful piece. Even the case it comes in is top quality.