DemonRC
Senior Member
- Messages
- 1,846
- Location
- Houston, TX
Picture References:
Bodies
B1) Rampage long rear body which is the same as the HPI front
B2) Rampage short front body.
Shafts
S1) Rampage stock 4mm shaft (no end)
S2) Phatdad 4.8mm shaft (Rampage end)
S3) Phatdad end
S4) HPI SS 6mm shaft (Phatdad 6mm's look the same except the HPI ends are permentally molded on the shaft while the Phatdads can be unscrewed)
S5) HPI SS 6mm with busted end.
Retainters
R1) HPI spring retainer
R2) Rampage spring retainer
Picture Notes: Yes I know the SS insert is upside down. I just slapped it together for a picture and didn't notice it untill now. Anyways, take a look at S5. While 6mm shafts are indestructable, the ends have no meat on them and break. This was overdoing it. It's the same thing that happened with the upgrades diffs. Redcat enlarged the pin where it wouldn't break but the diff cup shaft had no meat on it and breaks. Same thing behind the SS shaft problem.
******************************************************************
We have 3 viable options to upgrading from the stock shafts:
1) HPI SS Front Shock Swap Just buy a complete HPI front shock set and install them in the rear of the Rampage. Then you take the Rampage rear shocks, insert SS shafts with the VVC inserts into the Rampage rear shocks, and install those in the front. Downside is that the short shock ends cause the retainers to hit the arms plus the ends break easy. Upside is that you get HPI VVC parts and the shafts are very cheap to replace. Total cost of $140 Maintainance cost of $16.50 for a set of shafts w/ ends. Better get a spare set of shafts just in case.
2) DarkSoul Racing Front Shock Shafts w/ Aluminum Rod Ends for HPI Baja 5B This is just like #1 except that you are using Dark Soul 6mm shafts with aluminum ends instead of the stock HPI 6mm shafts. The cost is higher, however, you get a more durable shock since the shock ends are aluminum and can be replaced. Cost is $114 for 2x DS shaft sets, $33 for the VVC inserts, and $25 for a pair of Baja front shock bodies = $172.
3) PhatDad-RC Replacement Shock Shaft Kit for HPI Baja These are Baja front shock kits and will fit directly into the Rampage rear shock body. You will need another set of Rampage rear bodies or a set of Baja front bodies for the front as they are too long for the short Rampage front bodies. Total cost for me was $165 ($140 for both Phatdad kits and $25 for a set of Baja front shock bodies)
An extra $25 was worth it for me cause I just got my car and didn't want downtime from busted shocks. Phatslacker was already on vacation at this time I guess
. Upside to this install is that the 4.8mm shafts are plenty stong while still maintaining enough meat around the end. They also perform better because the shafts take up less volume when fully compressed. You can also use the Rampage ends on these shafts so your spring retainers don't hit your arms (see pic #2). Downside is that it costs $25 more because you need the bodies from a Baja.
Feel free to add to this as needed.
Bodies
B1) Rampage long rear body which is the same as the HPI front
B2) Rampage short front body.
Shafts
S1) Rampage stock 4mm shaft (no end)
S2) Phatdad 4.8mm shaft (Rampage end)
S3) Phatdad end
S4) HPI SS 6mm shaft (Phatdad 6mm's look the same except the HPI ends are permentally molded on the shaft while the Phatdads can be unscrewed)
S5) HPI SS 6mm with busted end.
Retainters
R1) HPI spring retainer
R2) Rampage spring retainer
Picture Notes: Yes I know the SS insert is upside down. I just slapped it together for a picture and didn't notice it untill now. Anyways, take a look at S5. While 6mm shafts are indestructable, the ends have no meat on them and break. This was overdoing it. It's the same thing that happened with the upgrades diffs. Redcat enlarged the pin where it wouldn't break but the diff cup shaft had no meat on it and breaks. Same thing behind the SS shaft problem.
******************************************************************
We have 3 viable options to upgrading from the stock shafts:
1) HPI SS Front Shock Swap Just buy a complete HPI front shock set and install them in the rear of the Rampage. Then you take the Rampage rear shocks, insert SS shafts with the VVC inserts into the Rampage rear shocks, and install those in the front. Downside is that the short shock ends cause the retainers to hit the arms plus the ends break easy. Upside is that you get HPI VVC parts and the shafts are very cheap to replace. Total cost of $140 Maintainance cost of $16.50 for a set of shafts w/ ends. Better get a spare set of shafts just in case.
2) DarkSoul Racing Front Shock Shafts w/ Aluminum Rod Ends for HPI Baja 5B This is just like #1 except that you are using Dark Soul 6mm shafts with aluminum ends instead of the stock HPI 6mm shafts. The cost is higher, however, you get a more durable shock since the shock ends are aluminum and can be replaced. Cost is $114 for 2x DS shaft sets, $33 for the VVC inserts, and $25 for a pair of Baja front shock bodies = $172.
3) PhatDad-RC Replacement Shock Shaft Kit for HPI Baja These are Baja front shock kits and will fit directly into the Rampage rear shock body. You will need another set of Rampage rear bodies or a set of Baja front bodies for the front as they are too long for the short Rampage front bodies. Total cost for me was $165 ($140 for both Phatdad kits and $25 for a set of Baja front shock bodies)
An extra $25 was worth it for me cause I just got my car and didn't want downtime from busted shocks. Phatslacker was already on vacation at this time I guess
. Upside to this install is that the 4.8mm shafts are plenty stong while still maintaining enough meat around the end. They also perform better because the shafts take up less volume when fully compressed. You can also use the Rampage ends on these shafts so your spring retainers don't hit your arms (see pic #2). Downside is that it costs $25 more because you need the bodies from a Baja.Feel free to add to this as needed.
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