raising the mini-x

cdog4w · #1 10-06-2003, 03:23 PM

I know many people have talked about raising the mini-x for rally purposes, but I was wondering if anyone had cut away the little flaps that the suspension rests on (enforcing the maximum ride height)?

I see two problems with this. The first is that the dogbone socket on the wheel side would end up hitting the plastic suspension if the flap were removed (just like the socket hits the top of the suspension at the top of its travel). I've highlighted the place where the suspension rests on the plastic flap and also where the wheel dogbone socket sits right above the suspension (and would hit if the plastic flap were removed).

I have the feeling if we could prevent this, then we could raise the chasis just by trimming the flap. Unfortunately this would leave you unable to lower the car after unless someone can think of a method to adjust the low point of the suspension. I know there are some crazy modders out there, any advice/ideas?

dgilpin · #2 10-07-2003, 11:51 AM

Don't cut them off, just taper them out to a knife edge. That way you could still use the height screws. Then you can put on the overland tires or something like them for additional height.

tinyrc · #3 10-07-2003, 12:19 PM

Sounds like it may work; keep us posted!

cdog4w · #4 10-07-2003, 01:03 PM

Hey tiny, do you have any extra chassis on hand in case I destroy mine? I'm thinking longer dogbones and longer steering balls for the fronts would rid me of the problem of the wheel dogbone socket from hitting the suspension in the front. Heh, tho that would totally change the car, make it look like prowler. Luckily, I don't think the wheel dogbone socket is a problem on the back. The front seems to have plenty of room for larger tires, but the rears are pretty close to the battery compartment. I think I could safely dremel some of it, but it would leave the batteries exposed. I dunno, I'm talkin out my a$$ right now seeing as I just got the X and I don't want to destroy it quite yet :P

Tiny, maybe if you have a rolling chassis on hand then I could tinker with that without having to touch my car? I have to make an order anyway :P

Anyone know if OL tires will fit the X's rims?

Hooters Driver · #5 10-07-2003, 08:11 PM

I have cut the suspension stops at an angle as previously suggested and it does allow additional travel.

There are also a few modifications that increase the upward travel of the suspension.

Carefully grind:

1. the pin mounting block for the lower a-arm

2. the bottom side of the upper a-arm for clearance from the outer dogbone socket

3. the outside edge of the outer dogbone socket

These modifications have served to increase total front suspension travel from ~1/8" (.125) to ~1/4" (.25).

Along with these modifications, instead of using a screw to adjust ride height, I use a very soft front spring that compresses to allow the car to sit at original ride height.

cdog4w · #6 10-07-2003, 09:56 PM

All I can say is sweet :P Appreciate the help. I think the extra height/softer suspension should help tackle that parking lot.

3series takumi · #7 10-07-2003, 10:36 PM

good stuff people, i did the tapperin a while back and it works for the most part till the wheel outdrives rub the suspension arm. i cut away some of he suspension are to make room for the outdrives. works great in the rear but the front is limited cause of where the ball joint screw is. i cut it all the way down to the screw and put a little thread lock on the screw to keep it from slipping out. think i gained about 3mm off that. as for tires i thru on some mini-z overland tires and they are great, i think they add another 3 or 4mm clearance which looks like a alot on these things. the only prob with the OL tires is they have to be glued down to the minix rims or they will pull off around a tight turn. but in some slippery dirt ran great!! there might have been some other ideas for lifting it in the older posts.

it is so good to hear people posting again

cdog4w · #8 10-09-2003, 11:07 AM

takumi, I'm about to order some stuff from tiny and I wanted to ask about the OL tires you are using. First do I need to do anything beyond glueing them to the X rims? They fit that well? That also begs the question of how easy it'd be to use OL rims on the X?

My other question is which set of OL tires should I get? There are the GPM ATs and MTs and the Kyosho MTs, HTs and high grips. Then the GPM was some extra wides (I assume you need an extra wide rim for these) and most have degree ratings. What do the degree ratings mean and will the tire type make that big a difference running on asphalt playground? My guess is that all terrains might be the best on this surface? But which degree?

Thanks.

3series takumi · #9 10-09-2003, 12:47 PM

for tires, i used the normal width OL tires. i dont know what tread or what degree you sould get, thats all up to you. they fit on the rim perfect, too pefect. if they were tighter than you wouldnt need glue. because the OL tires are hollow that only old on by the 2 side walls of the tire. that doesnt provide enough grip to keep the tire on during hard cornering. i used the stock tires that were on my overland.

the tires are great to run in the streets with, they are softer cause of the air and smooth out the ride a bit more. they also have a better ride hieght so you dont snag on rocks as often. for smooth sidewald or drive way, i perfer the miniz slicks over the OL tires. the slicks provide more consistant cornering and sliding of the such.

hope that helps

cdog4w · #10 10-09-2003, 01:13 PM

It certainly does, thanks. Whats up with the degree rating on the tires tho?

3series takumi · #11 10-09-2003, 01:18 PM

the lower the degree number, the softer the grip and better the traction.

i think someone said that it is the temperature that the tire gets its maximum grip.

15= super soft, lots of grip, wear down fast
50= hard, lower grip, long tread life

i would go with a higher degree unless you dont mind buying tires all the time.

those 15's on my overland dont last long, im talkin about a week or 2 worth of bashing. where the higher ones (40 i think) have lasted 2 months so far. alse depends where you use them

cdog4w · #12 10-09-2003, 02:12 PM

Thanks again. Think its about time to place that order :P

3series takumi · #13 10-09-2003, 07:49 PM

just measured my x with the ol tires and it has about 1cm clearance. and the old tires look pretty nice on it. would post a pic but my cam is being dumb