Peter_B 997 Posted June 12, 2017 I recently bought, from ebay, a Twin Detonator in reasonably good condition. It was pretty much stock, part from the body which comes from a HBX Bonzer Cross Tiger and the addition of a TEU-106BK speed controller for the dual motors. It drove quite well in "as I bought it" condition, apart from a fair amount of squatting on take off. But to make sure everything was ok, and as a way of getting to know how it all went together I decided I would strip it down, clean it up, and put it back together adding ball races and a few hop ups as I did so. First step was to take the major bits off and keep everything safe so I didn't lose anything. A few pound shop storage containers and post-it notes helped along the way. And then with everything off of the chassis. Note, the tyres came off the wheels and the gearboxes were completely stripped down too but I didn't take a picture at that stage. Things then got a good clean and degrease where required. Although I didn't take any pictures whilst doing so. Instead, here's a pic of some of the hop ups that have arrived for the project. That's 2 sets of GMade XD Diaphragm 93mm shocks, 2 GPM alloyshock towers, GPM alloy steering and rear knuckles and 2 pairs of HPI Mud Thrasher (Wheely King) tyres. The pinion gears in the picture are for my Boomerang. Once the cleaned parts were dry, with the help of a hair dryer and some paper towel, I started to put things back together. Two gearboxes reassembled with ball races (from RCBearings), the GPM shock towers, GMade shocks and GPM knuckles. Fitting the GPM parts wasn't the most straightforward as they come with different fasteners to the ones used as standard, but they don't come with any instructions as to what goes where. So it was a case of trying different combinations of screws, bushings and spacers until something seemed right. I ended up with a few bits left over, not sure if I was meant to or not but nothing has fallen off so far. More to follow later. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peter_B 997 Posted June 12, 2017 Just realised I might not have posted this in the correct part of the forum. Mods if it is in the wrong pace please accept my apologies and move it, I guess to the Builds (if appropriate) or Monster Trucks section. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
March75 155 Posted June 12, 2017 I Love my Twin Detonator - My favorite runner for sure! Enjoy yours 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Prescient 671 Posted June 12, 2017 @Peter_B where did you order your GPM shock towers from? Was it UK based? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peter_B 997 Posted June 12, 2017 @Prescient all of the alloy parts, and the shocks, were from Fusion Hobbies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peter_B 997 Posted June 14, 2017 I've pretty much finished the rebuild now. Just got a bit of tidying up to do with the wiring. I've actually got a Tamiya receiver box to put the receiver in to keep it out of the elements, but I can't decide where best to mount it I've given it a quick blast with the original tyres. The squatting on take off is much better with the new shocks. Although I think the springs are a bit soft. I've made enquiries about some GMade hard springs in the hope that they might help. I've now also replaced those original tyres with the HPI Mud Thrashers I haven't run it with those tyres yet. But I do like how they look. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buggyjam 144 Posted June 15, 2017 20 hours ago, Peter_B said: I've pretty much finished the rebuild now. Just got a bit of tidying up to do with the wiring. I've actually got a Tamiya receiver box to put the receiver in to keep it out of the elements, but I can't decide where best to mount it I've given it a quick blast with the original tyres. The squatting on take off is much better with the new shocks. Although I think the springs are a bit soft. I've made enquiries about some GMade hard springs in the hope that they might help. I've now also replaced those original tyres with the HPI Mud Thrashers I haven't run it with those tyres yet. But I do like how they look. That looks sweet. Top work. I also like the tyres on it, suits it really well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nowinaminute 2815 Posted June 15, 2017 22 hours ago, Peter_B said: I haven't run it with those tyres yet. But I do like how they look. They've certainly got some presence! I just treated myself to the shock towers, I thought I might as well as one of the standard towers has a little damage on the TD I just got, what better way to strengthen it back up, right? That's what I'm telling myself anyway.....and I already have some spare 90mm shocks for my Cen ME16 monster truck so I can get going for the moment without spending any extra on top of the towers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peter_B 997 Posted June 15, 2017 32 minutes ago, nowinaminute said: They've certainly got some presence! I just treated myself to the shock towers, I thought I might as well as one of the standard towers has a little damage on the TD I just got, what better way to strengthen it back up, right? That's what I'm telling myself anyway.....and I already have some spare 90mm shocks for my Cen ME16 monster truck so I can get going for the moment without spending any extra on top of the towers. Just be aware, the shock towers only come with fixing for attaching them to the chassis. They don't include any for attaching the shocks. I had to get creative with some 20mm screws, nuts and a couple of washers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nowinaminute 2815 Posted June 16, 2017 8 hours ago, Peter_B said: Just be aware, the shock towers only come with fixing for attaching them to the chassis. They don't include any for attaching the shocks. I had to get creative with some 20mm screws, nuts and a couple of washers. I see what you mean, they need to be spaced away from the tower so they don't hit it, I had a similar thing before when I used towers for a car they weren't meant for. You can buy proper standoffs but why bother when a few bits of basic hardware will take care of it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grave Digger1 23 Posted June 27, 2017 Looking really good!! I love the TD, it is one tough truck!!!! I got all ball bearings in mine, Tamyia black can motors, RC Dampers shocks, and aluminum front and rear A arm parts from eBay on it and it is a beast. It is my favorite truck to drive of all time. Lynn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peter_B 997 Posted July 11, 2017 This past weekend was the first chance I've had to run the Twin Detonator with the HPI tyres. Only got a few minutes of running before a sick child stopped play. Tyres seem to give a decent amount of grip, more than I expected to be honest, it will grip roll on grass now. I'm wondering if putting some foams in the tyres will help with that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peter_B 997 Posted July 17, 2017 Had another run out with the Twin Det yesterday. Only a short one as it managed to pop a front drive shaft out and then it started raining. Was the first run since swapping the Core RC servo that was in it for an Etronix Digital Waterproof one. Mainly because I wanted the COR RC one for another car, but also because I wanted a waterproof one as I'll eventually swap the Tamiya ESC for a waterproof Hobbywing one. I also wanted to try a digital servo as those didn't exist BITD and I hoped that, being digital, it would help to keep the steering centred and controlled. Quite strange how the drive shaft popped out. There was no collision or crash. Just a little tiny jump (no more than 2 inches of air under the tyres) followed by attempting a tight turn on gravel. Can't say whether it was the jump that caused it or the turn but the dog bone popped out of the wheel axle and got wedged between the axle and the inside of the C hub (also new alloy C hubs in use for the first time). Obviously a simple solution is some universal joint drive shafts. But I've only been able to find GPM ones and also a few reports saying that those particular ones aren't string enough for the Wild Dagger/WR-01 chassis. Are there any alternatives out there? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peter_B 997 Posted July 18, 2017 Well that will teach me to pay attention. I thought I'd ordered a pair of universal joint shafts for the front of the Twin Detonator. Package arrives today containing - one shaft! A quick check of the listing confirmed that I had been a plum. Fortunately the seller still had one left, so I promptly ordered it. I thought I'd got the pair for a decent price as well. Oh well it will make me look closer next time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nowinaminute 2815 Posted July 23, 2017 I'm sure I've read about people using shafts for other vehicles but I can't think for the life of me what ones they were. I'm sure there's probably several that would work, it's just a matter of knowing which ones are the right length. Universals are one of those things you'd expect to be available or next to nothing from China but apparently not! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peter_B 997 Posted July 23, 2017 1 hour ago, nowinaminute said: I'm sure I've read about people using shafts for other vehicles but I can't think for the life of me what ones they were. I'm sure there's probably several that would work, it's just a matter of knowing which ones are the right length. Universals are one of those things you'd expect to be available or next to nothing from China but apparently not! I ordered another shaft - they apparently also other models including Thundershot - it arrived yesterday. All fitted and had a decent bash today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
