stefc93

Hello,
I want to purchase the Tamiya Ford F350 Highlift. However, I have never built one of these or anything like it. So...What type/kind of ESC do I need and what type of battery and charger do I need? Also, Tamiya recommends the 4 channel Futaba Attack 4WD but Futaba doesn't make this controller anymore. So I was thinking about the 4 channel Futaba 4GWD. Would this controller work well with the truck? Thanks!

Druss

Any 4ch would work. If you're looking at the this particular truck then you must have some money, look at the futaba 4pk.

as for esc and battery. the esc will depend on the motor you use. either brushed or brushless and look at the amp rating. the charger will depend on the battery, for ease just get one that can handle all types of batteries. if you can afford it lipos are better than nimh's.

Lunchboxer

Do you plan on using the MFU? If not, it will work fine..

If you do plan on running the MFU, it might be some issue due to the new 4GWD has digital trim instead of analog trims..

You can use 4EXA FM and converted it for self centering on the throttle side..

stefc93

Well the Futaba 4PK wouldn't work since it's 2.4gHz and Tamiya says it won't work. Also, I would be using the stock 540 motor.

stefc93

I do plan on purchasing the MFU but not right away. Can I install the MFU later after I build the truck? The Futaba 4GWD is basically a newer version of the Futaba Attack 4WD. Also, I don't want to convert anything and I wouldn't know how to do that. Also, could the Futaba 4YF work with this truck?

Lunchboxer

To work w/ the MFU, you'd need something w/ analog trims..

4YF, you will need to convert it to self-centering as well... make sure you get the 75MHz version for surface use..

As I said, I'd suggest you use the 4EXA..

stefc93

If I buy the 4EXA, do I need to convert anything or will it work out of the box?

Lunchboxer

Need to change the throttle side stick to self centering..

stefc93

How do you do that? Is there a controller that will work right away without any modifications?

Lunchboxer

You need a rocker and a spring from Futaba.. you need to order these ahead of time, directly from Futaba.. or if your shop can order them for you..

Then, open up the radio, and install them.. takes maybe 5 minutes..

The only radio that work right away is the old Attack 4WD.. but it is an AM, while the 4EXA is FM and a computerized radio w/ 4-model memory..

stefc93

Does AM and FM make a difference? Will either work? Also, would the Futaba 4YF work out of the box? What controller do you have?

Lunchboxer

FM is generally considered better than AM..

4YF question was answered earlier above..

stefc93

What kind and/or type of ESC do I need? Also, would an ESC with traction control work with this truck? I plan on using the supplied, standard 540 motor.

stefc93

Also, would the Airtronics VG600 controller work? I saw someone on YouTube using it to control their F350 with the MFC unit.

Longhair

Any 4 channel radio with analog trims will work.

I'm using the Futaba 4exa for my Tamiya Knight Hauler. The nice thing is I can have 3 more vehicles use the same radio without having to worry about adjusting the trim (throttle, steering).

Any esc rated for 23t (and lower) would work. If you get the MFC-02, it has a built in esc so there is no need to buy a separate one if you plan on getting the MFU right away.

stefc93

But doesn't the Futaba 4EXA have digital trims? So if I can use the Futaba 4EXA, why can't I use the Futaba 4GWD?

stefc93

Also, can I build the F350 and then buy the MFC-02 a few months later? Why do you need to have an ESC?

Longhair

[link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKJD8**&P=ML]4EXA - FM[/link]

You still need an esc to power the motor.

stefc93

Ok. Thanks a lot. But I have a few more questions:

1. Will the Futaba 4EXA work out of the box right away?

2. Can I build the truck and than put in the MFU a few months later?

3. Since I might want to drive it through streams, how could I waterproof it? I heard of people putting silicone on it.

cumquat

i dont see why you cant install the mfu later, its really a matter of pulling the truck apart when you do but that just means unscrewing some screws. if the stream is shallow enough you will be fine, but silicone works well, thats what i do. it looks like the 4exa just needs calibration and its good to go. a speed control is what fluxuates the power to the motor and gives power to the receiver and servo. the battery is just a matter of prefference, if you want more power and higher speeds go for more cells, if you want longer runtimes get a higher mah pack. from there just get a charger capable of the pack you get.

cumquat

for the best power and runtime get these http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXTAY5&P=ML remember you will need to do somthing about the plugs

stefc93

How would you go about calibrating the 4EXA and would frequency would I use?

cumquat

no idea what freqyency. when i said calibrate i was refering to regular setup, as for trims, it has analog trims

stefc93

What do you mean plugs? Also, would this battery overheat the motor since Tamiya recommends a 1500mAH battery.

stefc93

But if I installed the MFU, I couldn't really drive it through water since the MFU has many electronics, lights, and a speaker, right?