Upgrade Paths, Explained

[Rubicon99]

I can't thank you enough for the info. I'm sorry for asking so many questions but what's the word on that heng long dual current sealed transmission is that Taigen V2 3.1 better ?

The Taigen V2 is stronger and easier to service. Drivability is about equal. Noise level the HL is slightly less.

Being sealed is overrated IMO for the additional cost of it. I drive my tanks exceptionally hard in dirt, sand and light mud. They get filthy inside and I have never had an issue with dirt and gears. Just keep the gears well greased and you will be fine.

Feel free to check out my Instagram @ fsttanks. It’s all RC tank fun.

[Chrislaf]

I can't thank you enough for the info. I'm sorry for asking so many questions but what's the word on that heng long dual current sealed transmission is that Taigen V2 3.1 better ?

[Rubicon99]

So do the Abraham's, Leopard and Challenger basically use the same transmissions, tracks ect ? I was thinking of buying another tank so my son and I can battle it out and was wanted to know in your opinion what's the best rtr tank to buy ? I've got plenty of leftover heatsinks and fans from other rc's to help it run cool

Yes all three can run on either Leopard or Abrams tracks. The Challenger though requires a small rubber Oring spacer between its sprocket halves to run either tracks. Or you can run an Abrams sprockets on the Challenger and not worry about needing the spacer. You cannot run a Leopard sprockets on either the Challenger or Abrams. The “backspacing” of the Leopard sprocket is not correct.

[Chrislaf]

So do the Abraham's, Leopard and Challenger basically use the same transmissions, tracks ect ? I was thinking of buying another tank so my son and I can battle it out and was wanted to know in your opinion what's the best rtr tank to buy ? I've got plenty of leftover heatsinks and fans from other rc's to help it run cool

[Rubicon99]

Thank you very much for the information I really appreciated it !!!!! I really like those DKLM tracks especially with the rubber pads for extra grip so I'm gonna order a set those and I figure I'll get those Taigen gearboxes also for piece of mind. Would 540 or 550 brushed motors fit cause there's way more options with those. I'm gonna hold off on brushless power for time being. With the Leopard tracks fit or will I have to + or - links ? Thanks again

Neither of those motors will fit. Not enough space between the gearboxes. The largest brushed motors that fit are 390s. Taigen sells “black can” 390s that are reasonable in toque and rpms. The Taigen 390 black motors work well for pushing maximum scale top end speeds ~45MPH, but are not as good as the Heng Long “red can” 390s at lower maneuvering speeds especially on long tanks like the Challenger, Leopard and Abrams.

Both tend to get REALLY HOT rather quickly at over 9 volts of power. At 11+ volts the tanks will FLY (60+ MPH scale) but the motors will not last long.

[Chrislaf]

Oh with those gearboxes would I use ones for the Leopard ?

[Chrislaf]

Thank you very much for the information I really appreciated it !!!!! I really like those DKLM tracks especially with the rubber pads for extra grip so I'm gonna order a set those and I figure I'll get those Taigen gearboxes also for piece of mind. Would 540 or 550 brushed motors fit cause there's way more options with those. I'm gonna hold off on brushless power for time being. With the Leopard tracks fit or will I have to + or - links ? Thanks again

[Rubicon99]

Hi I'm new to the rc tanks but have been bashing and racing rc cars, trucks, truggy's and buggy's for 20+ years. I was wondering what's the best store to buy parts from ? I just ordered a Heng Long Challenger 2 and wanna hop the crap outta it performance wise before getting into the cosmetics part. Oh and this is probably a stupid question but is there any way to brushless motors in these ? Thank you very much

The stock 6.0 electronics cannot handle the power draw of brushless motors. The 6.1s though has a much higher power draw rating and might be able to handle brushless motors.

If you go with brushless motors you will break stock HL track links fairly easily. You will need to use aftermarket dual pin tracks. The two best for the Challenger are from DKLM r/c and Tamiya. The DKLM are SS with rubber pads and the Tamiya are steel pin/nylon links with rubber pads. Both are for the Leopard 2 but no one makes an aftermarket dual pin track specifically for the Challenger.

The stock HL steel gearboxes will also need to be replaced as they will be under much higher loads then designed for. I would recommend going with a Taigen V2 3:1 bearing gearboxes. About the strongest “drop in” gearboxes available.

I would also recommend a set of drive axles support bearings. There are a bunch more options in regards to electronics and motors that if you want we can talk more about. I look forward to seeing your build.

.

[Chrislaf]

Hi I'm new to the rc tanks but have been bashing and racing rc cars, trucks, truggy's and buggy's for 20+ years. I was wondering what's the best store to buy parts from ? I just ordered a Heng Long Challenger 2 and wanna hop the crap outta it performance wise before getting into the cosmetics part. Oh and this is probably a stupid question but is there any way to brushless motors in these ? Thank you very much

[Rubicon99]

Would I need to replace my 6.0 controller (HL King Tiger) to 6.1 in order to upgrade barrel to recoil, smoke and flash?

If you want to upgrade to servo recoil for a more realistic action, yes you will at least need the 6.1S system. I am not sure any non HL aftermarket MFU is set up to handle barrel smoke so there too the 6.1S is the best option.

[Dadowling]

Would I need to replace my 6.0 controller (HL King Tiger) to 6.1 in order to upgrade barrel to recoil, smoke and flash?

[Rubicon99]

Is there (or will there be) an upgrade for my 6.0s king tiger for barrel recoil, barrel smoke and flash? If so, is it worth it, or better to buy a tank that comes with barrel recoil smoke and flash?

The parts to add all those features are available already. You will have to search around but they are out there.

Although the recoil looks cool in videos in actuality it is VERY you like and more often then not out of timing with the canon sound and flash.

[Dadowling]

Is there (or will there be) an upgrade for my 6.0s king tiger for barrel recoil, barrel smoke and flash? If so, is it worth it, or better to buy a tank that comes with barrel recoil smoke and flash?

[Hellcat 7]

Hello, I am new to RC Tanks and looking to purchasing the HL Pro Edition M1A2. This makes it easy to decide what to buy. Thanks!

[pappy3122]

thank you, i purchased the turret ring, slip ring and motor from toucan. I just like having a metal motor to go with the metal ring. now hopefully I can install all this. I am hoping it isn't to bad lol installing the slip ring has me worried as well as the wiring. also picked up a set of red motors and new battery so hopefully I covered most of my upgrade needs lol

[Rubicon99]

for the Abrams what size turret ring is needed to upgrade to 360 bearings. I see a large and small. also is there a specific turret motor to get for Abrams? I am looking to buy both off ebay at the toucanhobby store

It uses a large turret ring. There is no specific HL turret gearbox/motor for it, but there are aftermarket ones. These are housed in metal cases with all metal gears and high speed motors. Worth the $30 for them? Yes and no. All depends on what you want. Toucan does sell them so just look for the ones in the silver cases.

I use the aftermarket turret gearboxes in a number of tanks. Honestly since the 6.0 system came out I have not seen the need to upgrade any more tanks with them. The 6.0 system provides far more power to the stock boxes and the speed difference is not as large as it once was with the old 5.3 systems.

[pappy3122]

for the Abrams what size turret ring is needed to upgrade to 360 bearings. I see a large and small. also is there a specific turret motor to get for Abrams? I am looking to buy both off ebay at the toucanhobby store

[William Fraden]

We I've tried to install a flash unit in my T34 but? I'd rather do a metal recoil in it as I think I screwed it up the plastic one. the German panther - the tank just moves but I have not touched it yet.

[Rubicon99]

Who has the metal recoil units for the T34- 6.0 with cannon recoil. Also the unit for the 6.0 German panther without gun recoil but tank moves?

The current HL barrel recoil system And those based on it are lack luster and unrealistic. I have a few but leave them unplugged because the 6.0 track recoil by itself is better looking then the delayed barrel recoil and track recoil together. They timing is off.

Hopefully we will see the next generation/versions as seen online and YouTube with smoke and flash soon.

Don’t be mistaken the current 6.0/1 barrel recoil units are nowhere as good as those in the Tamiya tanks or the other aftermarket servo controlled ones.

[William Fraden]

Who has the metal recoil units for the T34- 6.0 with cannon recoil. Also the unit for the 6.0 German panther without gun recoil but tank moves?