Lost LMT Racer

[87lc2]

Finally finished up the discounted LMT from the Losi sale a few weeks back.  I know a few members got one so figured it might be helpful to post some modifications and the effect of them on the truck.  I'll start by saying if you are just using the truck for fun leave it stock.  There's really no need to modify anything on the truck and it's actually a lot more fun to drive right out of the box (after you add a motor and servo of course

Since my original LMT is a V1 and I really don't want to remove the 4-wheel steer I decided to make this truck a dedicated race truck and leave my first one alone.  I didn't do much to the truck, but what a transformation.  It's a completely different truck now and handles like its absolutely on rails.  I've put about a half-pack through it so far and it's a big difference from how the truck is setup stock.  I can actually turn the truck on asphalt at full throttle and it doesn't even hint at rolling over.  Quite a feat for a monster truck, it's actually pretty impressive.  

The goal was to lighten the truck up a bit and get the COG as low as possible which seems to have worked out quite well.  I left the chassis alone, but added Bowhouse RC low-COG battery & radio trays.  I put 8mm spacers under the shocks pistons, replaced the 25wt oil with 17.5wt, and used soft yellow springs all around.  I opened the front and rear diffs completely, but left the center alone (Note > if you do this, put extra gaskets in the diffs.  Once I removed the oil they wre very notchy when tightened.  Adding an extra gasket made them very smooth).  They come with very thick fluid stock and now the diffs actually have some action to them, truck turns on a dime.  Last thing was adding JConcepts Agressor wheels with Renegades tires.  These helped lighten the truck up a lot.  

On my original LMT I used a 2650kv 1/8 scale Castle system.  On this truck I wanted to keep the weight down so went with a 3800kv 3665 motor and it really rips.  Went to the smallest allowable pinion (12t) and it runs great.  Servo is a DS3218 Pro with an aluminum horn, I never use savers on race trucks.  

That's about it.  As I said earlier, the truck is actually more fun stock.  You get more realistic suspension action and the truck is a bit more dramatic when jumping.  Of course this truck will be a lot better for racing and that's how it will be used, but glad I left my other truck alone as its a blast to drive stock, especially wirth the 4WS. 

 

 

 

[Mad Ax]

That's awesome - I love the low stance!  The body really suits it, too.

The delivery estimate for mine is 8th April, but there's no tracking data since it arrived in LA and I haven't had the ransom demand from the UK handler yet, so who knows when I'll see it?

[87lc2]

 

7 hours ago, Mad Ax said:

That's awesome - I love the low stance!  The body really suits it, too.

The delivery estimate for mine is 8th April, but there's no tracking data since it arrived in LA and I haven't had the ransom demand from the UK handler yet, so who knows when I'll see it?

I guess it's not coming today then    Hopefully you get your hands on it soon, interested to hear what you think of it.  

Thanks for the compliments!  I liked how that 79 Ford fit on the first LMT so much I just made it easy and did another one.  I do like the black with red/orange/yellow decal coloring, gives it a cool look.   I also like how I can swap the bodies between the two, always good to have options.  

[whahooo]

Your trucks are always awesome!

 

We really apprechiate having you in our community!

[87lc2]

43 minutes ago, whahooo said:

Your trucks are always awesome!

 

We really apprechiate having you in our community!

Thanks whahoo!  That means a lot, happy you guys put up with my endless posting about RC monster trucks    

Just had this truck out for a drive tonight to get it dialed in for a race next week and it's an absolute blast.  I just love these LMTs, can't recommend them enough to fellow RC monster truck lovers.  

[paullyjay]

On 4/7/2022 at 9:58 PM, 87lc2 said:

On my original LMT I used a 2650kv 1/8 scale Castle system.  On this truck I wanted to keep the weight down so went with a 3800kv 3665 motor and it really rips.  Went to the smallest allowable pinion (12t) and it runs great.  Servo is a DS3218 Pro with an aluminum horn, I never use savers on race trucks.  

l love seeing your trucks! I always get some inspiration...

I have to ask - how do you calculate what power setup will be good (torque vs. speed), do you have a chart with final drive ratio's vs. Turns/KV and what about wheel size?

[87lc2]

2 hours ago, paullyjay said:

l love seeing your trucks! I always get some inspiration...

I have to ask - how do you calculate what power setup will be good (torque vs. speed), do you have a chart with final drive ratio's vs. Turns/KV and what about wheel size?

Thank you @paullyjay I appreciate that!

As far as power setups for the monsters I usually just go by experience and feel.  I wish it was a bit more technical, but with these trucks you really don't have to be.  I typically use large can motors with a lot of torque so gearing doesn't really become a factor.  Most of my trucks just run stock gearing to be honest.  Need more power, just throw more voltage at it...  On this LMT I did go with a smaller pinion because it was a bit too fast at the top end and it wasn't necessary.  I was testing the truck last night getting ready for a race this weekend and it's juust about perfect gearing-wise, but now that I've driven it a bit more and gotten accostomed to it I may go up a tooth on the pinion but in reality it won't make that much of a difference.  This truck has a bit more life to it compared with my other LMT running a huge 4074 Castle motor and they drive very differently, both good in their own way.  The 1/8 scale motor is a bit lazy and just has torque for days where this has a bit more of a high strung race truck feel.  

It also depends a lot on what you're doing with the truck.  For racing you can really be on the edge since races are short and motor temps are not an issue.  For basher trucks that I run for longer periods I tend to use the biggest can I can with a lower kv and just up the voltage for more power.  That way the motor stays nice and cool.  

[87lc2]

Took the new LMT to its first race yesterday!  It took a few rounds to get used to the truck, but after a few rounds it really started to feel good.  The truck is so planted and being able to turn at much higher speeds than most of my other trucks really paid off.  Took a while to overcome the instict of nearly slowing to a stop on certain corners, but once I got over that it was smooth sailing.  

The LMT and my SMT10 Digger made the finals so I chose Digger for the win since he didn't lose a single heat all day (each is best of 3).  Overall a very succesful first outing, can't wait to get this thing out on dirt!

[Mad Ax]

Awesome!  This makes me excited to get mine now, things are starting to move on the tracking data, fingers crossed  

[87lc2]

3 hours ago, Mad Ax said:

Awesome!  This makes me excited to get mine now, things are starting to move on the tracking data, fingers crossed  

Nice!   Hopefully it finally makes its way.  Even stock these are a blast.  I run my original LMT in the yard all the time, I don't even bother taking out other monster trucks for fun anymore.  For bashing/fun-running it pretty much makes everything that came before it obsolete.  The Mad Force can still be fun because its just nuts on 4s power, but for realistic monster truck running the LMT is as good as you can get.  I still love my SMT10s, but it makes them feel like cheap toys    Still love my Tamiya monsters, but that's a different story altogether.

[paullyjay]

8 hours ago, 87lc2 said:

I run my original LMT in the yard all the time, I don't even bother taking out other monster trucks for fun anymore.  For bashing/fun-running it pretty much makes everything that came before it obsolete.

OH, Now why did you have to post this?? Now I want one, and I can't have one - I only have enough space for 1 monster... Now I'm going to have to build another ramp to cheer myself up! (and probably break my clod!)

[87lc2]

3 hours ago, paullyjay said:

OH, Now why did you have to post this?? Now I want one, and I can't have one - I only have enough space for 1 monster... Now I'm going to have to build another ramp to cheer myself up! (and probably break my clod!)

Sorry, but its true   I'll always love my Clods and TXTs but the LMT is just a beast of a truck.  Your Clod is awesome though and looks like it performs well with the setup you have on it.  I'm sure you can find room somewhere...

[paullyjay]

20 hours ago, 87lc2 said:

Sorry, but its true   I'll always love my Clods and TXTs but the LMT is just a beast of a truck.

I do love them - I have ever since they first appeared on the scene, probably more because of the Son Uva Digger shell at first, then everyone who gets one says how awesome they are... One day perhaps... Maybe when they start popping up second hand...

20 hours ago, 87lc2 said:

Your Clod is awesome though and looks like it performs well with the setup you have on it.  I'm sure you can find room somewhere...

Thanks  - It is super fun to drive!

(I still love your Grave Digger #20 - I could definitely find room for that!)

[87lc2]

2 hours ago, paullyjay said:

I do love them - I have ever since they first appeared on the scene, probably more because of the Son Uva Digger shell at first, then everyone who gets one says how awesome they are... One day perhaps... Maybe when they start popping up second hand...

Thanks  - It is super fun to drive!

(I still love your Grave Digger #20 - I could definitely find room for that!)

Thanks!  The Digger has turned out to be quite a good truck.  Not sure exactly why but the combo has been working very well, took 2nd & 1st in the past couple of races.  

I see LMTs second hand now, but people are asking too much I think.  It's actually a better deal to get one on sale at this point, especially considering that most people seem to abuse them.  Prices will definitely come down at some point though, they always do.  Hope you get one, I'm sure you'll like it.