HPI Savage 5T LST Shocks Conversion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
"the clearing" Colorado - 2008

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HPI Savage 5T - LST Shocks Conversion

(date: February 18, 2012)

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The next upgrade that I see people doing is converting to LST shocks. Even though I already had the HPI big bore shocks, I still wanted to try the LST shocks. I personally would never call the HPI shocks big bore because it still looks tiny.  On the other hand I never really had any trouble with those shocks either but I still wanted to use a shock that had a little more volume to it.

So far everything seem to fit without any major modifications and the mod I did do it because of my preference.
Savage 5T - So far everything seem to fit without any major modifications and the mod I did do it because of my preference.

 

The only modification I did is used a larger screw for the upper shock mounts.  I used the stock platic shock post from the LST and I drilled out the hole to fit a 4mm screw. The stock screw is so small and is prone to bending. That is why I used a larger screw.
Savage 5T - The only modification I did is used a larger screw for the upper shock mounts. I used the stock platic shock post from the LST and I drilled out the hole to fit a 4mm screw. The stock screw is so small and is prone to bending. That is why I used a larger screw.

At first I thought the lower shock mount  would be strong enough as is.  But, after talking to someone that did this same setup up, he said it will not work. Now I need to make a stronger lower shock mount similar to the Innovative-RC's design. Even if I wanted to buy the Innovative-RC kit I could not because they do not make it anymore.
Savage 5T - At first I thought the lower shock mount would be strong enough as is. But, after talking to someone that did this same setup up, he said it will not work. Now I need to make a stronger lower shock mount similar to the Innovative-RC's design. Even if I wanted to buy the Innovative-RC kit I could not because they do not make it anymore.

I will start off with a bar of 6061 aluminum and cut a 3/4 inch off.
Savage 5T - I will start off with a bar of 6061 aluminum and cut a 3/4 inch off.

 

Once I cut it off I would need to clean up the ends so I have a flat surface to work with.
Savage 5T - Once I cut it off I would need to clean up the ends so I have a flat surface to work with.

 

The most accurate way to clean it up in on the milling machine
Savage 5T - The most accurate way to clean it up in on the milling machine

 

 

Next I cut an even smaller block off. Ideally I should be able to make 4 mount from the first block of aluminum I cut off.
Savage 5T - Next I cut an even smaller block off. Ideally I should be able to make 4 mount from the first block of aluminum I cut off.

 

In this picture you will see the lines I mark to where I need to make the cuts.
Savage 5T - In this picture you will see the lines I mark to where I need to make the cuts.

 

This is my first cut and here is where the tabs that stick out from the A-Arms will drop in.
Savage 5T - This is my first cut and here is where the tabs that stick out from the A-Arms will drop in.


Savage 5T - This is my first cut and here is where the tabs that stick out from the A-Arms will drop in.

 

This is how it looks after I thined out the block a litte bit so there is a little tab that sticks out
so I can screw it to the a-arm where the shocks use to be mounted.
Savage 5T - This is how it looks after I thined out the block a litte bit so there is a little tab that sticks out so I can screw it to the a-arm where the shocks use to be mounted.

 

Here is another look at the mountSavage 5T - Here is another look at the mount

 

 

Test fit to make sure it does not hit or rub against anything.
Savage 5T - Test fit to make sure it does not hit or rub against anything.

 

Here I am drilling a hole through the arm and aluminum shock mount
Savage 5T - Here I am drilling a hole through the arm and aluminum shock mount

 

I did not want the screw to stick out so I used a 1/8 end mill to enlarge the hole so the screw will
sit inside the A-arm
Savage 5T - I did not want the screw to stick out so I used a 1/8 end mill to enlarge the hole so the screw will sit inside the A-arm

 

You can see in this picture that the screw is sitting inside the A-Arm
Savage 5T - You can see in this picture that the screw is sitting inside the A-Arm

 

These are the holes to mount the shocks, I will need to tap each of the hole
Savage 5T - These are the holes to mount the shocks, I will need to tap each of the hole

 

Test fit to make sure it fits okay. I decided to use a nut and bolt to screw it down because it seems
like it would be stronger than tapping the aluminum.
Savage 5T - Test fit to make sure it fits okay

 

Here is everything installed, with the LST harden aluminum threaded shock body with R/C Raven
dual rate springs (8.9 ppi at the top and 15 ppi at the bottom) and 35wt Losi shock oil.
Savage 5T - Here is everything installed, with the LST harded aluminum threaded shock body with R/C Raven dual rate springs (8.9 ppi at the top and 15 ppi at the bottom)
Savage 5T - Here is everything installed, with the LST harded aluminum threaded shock body with R/C Raven dual rate springs (8.9 ppi at the top and 15 ppi at the bottom)
Savage 5T - Here is everything installed, with the LST harded aluminum threaded shock body with R/C Raven dual rate springs (8.9 ppi at the top and 15 ppi at the bottom)
Savage 5T - Here is everything installed, with the LST harded aluminum threaded shock body with R/C Raven dual rate springs (8.9 ppi at the top and 15 ppi at the bottom)


Here is video of it in action. You can see in this video that this conversion handle pretty well and its fast too (I clocked it with my radar gun going 47mph).

Sorry for the poor video recording... this is my first time trying to drive and record with my camera (cell phone) at the same time.

 

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