Heng Long Challenger 2 metal upgrade

[keilau]

After a 2 years debate, I finally decided on the Heng Long Challenger 2 for my first UK RC tank model. It is a post cold war era MBT so I expected the metal upgrades to be similar to the Leopard and Abrams. The upgrades include ball bearing stegearbox, sprocket and idealer wheel, metal tracks, drive motor shaft bearing, stronger suspension coil spring plus a high capacity lithium ion battery and 2.5" speaker. All pretty routine items.

My favorite gearbox is the Heng Xin with 390 motor. To my disappointment, The Heng Xin gearbox can be mounted with 390 motor only because the chassis is 0.5 inch narrower than the Leo and Abrams.

I was planning on the DKLM metal track set because it is 1/3 the cost of what tamiyausa.com wants for the Tamiya tracks.
Preferred metal track for 1/16 scale modern MBT - Hobby Squawk RC Forum for Airplanes, Boats, Cars, Helicopters, Tanks, and Trucks

But the DKLM metal tracks are heavy and a poor match for the 380 motor. I searched for the Tamiya track in other parts of the world and found a paired Tamiya track set package at ttpmodels.com in England. The shipping is cheap and quite fast.


I am waiting for delivery of a Taigen/Torro Series 2 gearbox with 390 motors
Official Heng Long 1/16 Scale USA Pershing Battle Tank Discussion Thread - Hobby Squawk RC Forum for Airplanes, Boats, Cars, Helicopters, Tanks, and Trucks

[cleong]

Some of this may or may not be applicable to you due to time and objectives but I've been here before:

https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-tanks-369/11690989-making-heng-long-challenger-2-battle-ready-how-much-does-cost.html

[keilau]

cleong , your early Challenger2 upgrade is inspiring, and I enjoy reading your posts at RC Universe very much. The Heng Long TK-7 MFU improved a lot in the last 5 years making my upgrade easier and cheaper. The Challenger2 came with a track tensioner and TK-7.0 MFU. I can swape it with a TK-7.1 from my inventory, but the servo rocoil/tilting system is still expensive.

I paid US$164, ($145 item, $19 shipping), for the pair of Tamiya tracks to TTP Models in England. Shipping takes about one week. There was some damage to the mailing package. TTP did a good job packing to protect the tracks.

[keilau]

A correction post:

My favorite gearbox is the Heng Xin gearbox with 390 motor. To my disappointment, The Heng Xin gearbox can be mounted with 380 motor only because the Challenger2 chassis is 0.5 inch narrower than the Leo and Abrams.