Contributed by: Eric Hege | Published: July 2004 | Views: 80174 | Email this Article
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XTM Racing X-Factor 2 RTR
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XTM Racing
Distributed Exclusively By
Global Hobby Distributors
18480 Bandilier Circle
Fountain Valley, CA 92708 USA
Phone: 714-963-0329
Fax: 714-964-6236
Website: www.teamx-factor.com
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See the XTM Racing X-Factor 2 in action!
Resolution:
Low Medium High
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Massive Articulation
Tough Driveline
Powerful Motor
Threaded Aluminum Shocks
Factory Glued Tires
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Electric/Drill Start Would Be Nice
Steering Servo Exposed
Air Filter Not Pre-Oiled
Driveshaft CV Joints Exposed
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Are you looking for a true ground-pounding, no holds barred, go anywhere, monster truck? I'm not talking about independent suspension 4WD trucks like the HPI Savage or Traxxas T-Maxx. The current crop of truggies, such as the XTM Mammoth, need not apply either. No I'm talking about four-link suspension setups, solid axles, and lots of ground clearance.
The XTM Racing X-Factor 2 fits the solid axle monster truck niche very well. Despite it's high center of gravity, due to it's large ground clearance, it can still be pretty docile on tamed surfaces thanks to the included sway bars. However if you're looking to hit the rough stuff, simply removing the sway bars provides you with the ability to cover some seriously rough terrain. Terrain that would leave many truck spinning their wheels in disgust.
Do you think you have an area that that could soon become your X-Factor's favorite stomping ground? If so, grab your truck and go ahead and rip off those sway bars. Because this truck is all about suspension articulation, and when it comes to that, the XTM X-Factor 2 delivers with style.
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Model Name: XTM Racing X-Factor 2 RTR
Price: $379.99 list price
Type: 4x4 Nitro Powered Monster Truck
Length: 19.5" (495mm)
Width: 16.375" (416mm)
Wheelbase: 13.125" (333mm) Adjustible to 13.625" (346mm)
Center Ground Clearance: 4.25" (108mm)
Weight: 12 lbs. (5.44 kg)
Chassis: 3.0mm CNC Machined
Engine: XTM Racing 24.7 (4.02cc)
Fuel Tank: 125cc With Internal Stone Filter
Drivetrain: 2 Speed/4 Wheel Drive
Suspension: Four Link Cantilever with Solid Axles
Shocks: Threaded Aluminum Shocks with Dust Boots
Wheels: Chrome Plastic "Y-Spoke" (2.25 x 3.375")
Tires: Rubber Chevron Tread/No Inserts
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Additionally
Required Items
Transmitter
Batteries or Rechargeable Pack
Receiver Batteries or Rechargeable Pack
Glow Igniter
Nitro
Fuel Bottle
Long Reach Glow Plug Wrench
Air Filter Oil
Flathead Screwdriver
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Lexan
Body
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Accessories
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Documentation
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Upon
opening the box containing the X-Factor 2 the first thing you
notice is the suspension and chassis itself. The four-link suspension,
cantilevers, and solid axles, look like they are ready to tackle
anything. Once you pull the truck out a little further though,
you also notice the cool features don't stop there. The included
lexan body shell is very nicely finished with red and white flames,
which makes for one very nice looking truck once it's tricked
out with the provided decals.
A
finished body translates into less prep time, which will get you
up and running faster. To protect the body, it also comes with
a protective plastic film that peels off before you place your
desired stickers on it. Once you peel the film off, the body really
shines, and it's easy to see how the truck can catch someone's
eyes once you're out tearing up your favorite stomping ground.
Other
accessories included in the box are a small wrench, antenna tube,
frequency identifying flag, and preload spacer clips. The antenna
tube is a necessity, as you'll need something to house and protect
the receiver antenna. The included wrench will prove useful when
making repairs or adjustments to the truck. The frequency flags
may or may not prove useful, depending upon whether or not you
run in an area that would require their use. Most owners probably
won't need or use them. I would have liked to see XTM provide
a hex driver for removing the wheels, but they chose not to. So
you'll need to pick up a 3mm hex driver before you can remove
the tires and wheels.
The
included preload spacers are a mystery as to why they were included,
but I'm assuming it was a mistake XTM made when switching production
from making the original X-Factor to the X-Factor 2. The first
incarnation of the X-Factor used plastic preload spacers for the
shocks, where the current shocks have a threaded aluminum preload
adjuster. The plastic preload spacers are not necessary with the
new threaded aluminum shocks.
The
X-Factor 2 comes with an outstanding assortment of manuals and
decals. You have a manual that deals solely with the XTM 24.7
motor, and another that provides you a list of parts for future
reference. A third manual covers the truck in general, handling
such issues as break-in. It also covers areas such as tuning and
suspension adjustments. A really nice feature of this manual is
that it details the installation of common upgrades, and tips
for common desires of X-Factor owners such as rock crawling. The
only disappointment was that there's no exploded diagram of the
truck. While the parts list shows pictures of most of the items,
a set of exploded diagrams would help make teardown, and reassembly,
much easier for a new owner.
There
are two sheets of decals included with the X-Factor 2. One is
from Hitec, since they supplied the model's radio. The other sheet
consists of well detailed die-cut stickers targeted specifically
towards the X-Factor 2. These stickers include such items as headlights,
taillights, and windows, and will help provide your truck with
a much more finished look once they are applied.
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Side
View
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Top
View
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Front
Steering Servo
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The
solid axle and cantilever setup on the X-Factor 2 provide a drastically
different look when compared to the independent suspension configurations
provided by other vehicles of the monster truck genre. Not only
does the suspension offer massive articulation, but it also mimics
the setups found on true monster trucks as well. Despite the high
center of gravity this type of setup provides, the X-Factor 2
still handles reasonably well. Especially when the included sway
bars are installed. Just don't expect touring car or 4WD buggy
performance out of it, as that's not it's design.
A
quick look from the top of the X-Factor 2 and you can see how
easily most of the components can be accessed. The motor, receiver
box, and fuel tank are all easily within reach. Everything on
the truck is supported by the rugged 3mm thick chassis plate that
should withstand plenty of brutal punishment before it shows any
signs of damage.
The
stock steering servo is unusual when compared to servos included
with many other remote controlled monster trucks. It is a XTM
X-77, and has metal gears to withstand any abuse that might get
sent it's way. That is definitely a welcome addition over it's
predecessor. Although I appreciate the metal gears, I'd still
like to see the servo provide more than the 77 oz. of torque it
does. The big tires you'll find in the monster truck genre need
a lot of torque to help provide turning power at speed, so the
more torque that's provided the better in my opinion.
Upon
looking at the steering servo, it's more exposed than I'd like
it to be. The front bumper above it doesn't seem like it would
offer a lot of protection either as it flexes considerably. I'd
like to see an aluminum plate rising from the servo mount to protect
the front of the servo, as I would be reluctant of placing a high
dollar steering servo in the X-Factor 2 without more protection.
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Receiver
Box
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Rear
View
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Cantilever
Links/Swaybar
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The
receiver and battery boxes are located just behind the front shock
tower. The Phillips head screws to open up either box can be easily
accessed, so that the box covers can be removed. Foam bottom pieces
help protect the electronics from the harsh vibrations that will
accompany a truck that's driven off-road. The battery box features
a newly located on/off switch that's much easier to access than
the previous X-Factor's was. In addition, XTM has equipped the
switch with a dustproof cover to help protect it as well.
The
battery box also includes a AA battery holder that accommodates
4 AA cells. You can also remove the battery holder and use a receiver
pack instead. I suggest the use of a 5-cell pack if that's the
route you wish to take. The manual suggests using their 5-cell
NiMH 1000 Mah pack (#145801). It should fit perfectly and provide
you with a couple hours of runtime. The manual also recommends
a Cirrus switch harness (#444733) to facilitate easy charging
without having to remove the pack from the battery box.
The
rear of the truck offers something interesting that's rarely planned
for in an out of the box model, rear wheel steering. Many owners
may benefit from adding the rear wheel steering upgrade, so if
it's something you're interested in XTM has prepared for it. The
conversion requires several parts aside from the servos, but the
manual details all items needed so there's no question about what
you'll need to pick up to add this feature to your X-Factor.
Another
prominent feature of the rear of the truck is the XTM dual-tipped
muffler. When the 24.7 motor is running, the muffler has a very
nice and distinct sound that's sure to garner you some attention.
If you prefer to go the tuned pipe route XTM also offers an optional
tuned pipe, part number 145824, that is an easy replacement. The
dual muffler tips are a little exposed if you should happen to land
on the rear of the truck while jumping, or pull a massive wheelie.
So if you're looking for a little more protection in that area the
optional XTM wheelie bars may prove useful. They're available from
XTM as part number 149625.
The
truck comes with sway bars installed on it from the factory. The
sway bars fit into holes on the lower suspension links, and are
held rigid by zip ties at their corners. Removal or reinstallation
of the sway bars takes less than a minute, so it's easy to tailor
the suspension to the terrain. The sway bars provide stability
by preventing body roll when cornering. While the suspension provides
good articulation with the sway bars installed, when they are
removed the X-Factor 2 can achieve the massive articulation that
rock crawlers desire.
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Wheels
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Axle
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Axle
Stub
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The
stock wheels are what XTM calls "Y-Spoke" wheels. They have a
very original look to them, and provide an excellent amount of
flash to the trucks look. Given the current crop of out of the
box wheels, the X-Factor 2 has some of the best looking wheels
I've seen. Another thing that impressed me regarding the wheel
and tire combination is the fact they are glued at the factory.
This saves you time when going from the box to the dirt. The included
tires, with their Chevron pattern, provides decent traction on
most surfaces.
The
axles themselves are contained in beefy housings that should withstand
some of the roughest terrain you can throw their way. The axles,
and their housings, are part of what provide the truck with its
characteristics. The axle is one continuous segment from end to
end, and when combined with the cantilever setup of the X-Factor
2, provides lots of articulation to tackle rough terrain. The
transfer of power from the transmission to the individual axles
is handled by 1/8 scale differentials. They come stock packed
with lightweight grease, but can easily be switched over to heavier
grease or silicone differential oil. This makes tightening up
the differential action very easy when maximum traction is desired.
The
current trend for monster trucks currently is using an axle setup
that is compatible with Maxx wheels. The X-Factor 2, in stock
trim, deviates from this commonly used setup in favor of it's
own system. First of all the wheels are retained by a button head
screw that requires a 3mm hex driver to remove. Then the tire
and wheel simply slip right off. Once they're out of the way,
you'll quickly notice the absence of a hex adapter, which is used
with a Maxx-type setup. The beefy axle pin fits directly into
the X-Factor's wheel.
You
may also notice the axle stubs are housed inside some rather large
bearings. To be exact these bearings are 8x16x5mm, and are definitely
durable enough to withstand the loads placed on them when this
heavy truck gets airborne. You may not notice how the pin is held
in place however. Inside the axle stub is a grub screw. It tightens
down against the axle pin and prevents it from slipping out when
the wheel is removed. To remove the grub screw , you'll need to
use a 2.5mm hex driver.
If
all the talk regarding the fact that the axles are not compatible
with Maxx-type wheels worries you because of a set of Maxx wheels
you've been wanting to buy for it, don't. XTM offers an optional
kit that changes the axle setup so those Maxx wheels you planned
on buying can be used with the X-Factor 2. Overall though, I think
the X-Factor's axle setup is very tough, and will withstand plenty
of punishment.
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Driveshaft
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Transmission
Skid Plate
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Aluminum
Shocks
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The
telescoping drive shafts provide a tough and durable backbone
to the drive train. The driveshaft itself is 5mm in diameter at
it's narrowest point, and is made of hardened steel. The pin that
holds the ball joint and cup together, which is a common cause
for failures in this sort of setup, is held in place by a Teflon
insert locking nut. This provides a secure setup and should virtually
eliminate the possibility of the pin slipping out as can happen
with other CVD setups. You'll also notice a telescoping joint
that provides the ability for the axle to change length as the
suspension compresses and decompresses.
The
one thing missing on the driveshafts, that I'd like to see, is
some sort of rubber boot to protect the CV joints. While the design
of the XTM driveshafts, with their locking nut, may require a
unique boot when compared to other CV driveshafts it would still
be a worthwhile improvement. Dirt is the enemy of the CVD setup,
and some rubber or silicone boots would help prevent dirt from
finding it's way into the joints and causing wear.
The
underside of the transmission is protected by a metal skid plate.
It shields the transmission from any rocks or other potentially
damaging obstacles that you may encounter. Since the adjustable
two-speed transmission is the part that transfers the power from
the motor to the wheels, it's a very important component. So underside
protection for the transmission is very beneficial.
The
threaded aluminum shocks are 1/8 scale buggy shocks, and will
prove to be very durable when compared to plastic shocks that
are found with other off-road trucks. The threaded preload adjusters
on them makes preload changes easy, and eliminates the need to
keep up with separate plastic spacers like the first version of
the X-Factor required. Another very nice touch is the rubber shock
boots, which protect the shock shafts themselves. They prevent
dirt and debris from scratching the shock shafts, which can ultimately
lead to a leaky shock.
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Disk
Brakes
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Brake
Pads
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Carrying
Handle
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Braking
power for the X-Factor 2 is provide by dual stainless steel brake
disks. The disks are cross-drilled to help provide additional
cooling ability, which translates into less brake fading when
used heavily and repeatedly. The brake pads are paired up with
one set for each disk. All of this provides you with plenty of
braking power when you need it. Since the X-Factor 2 tips the
scales at around 12 pounds, brakes of this caliber and strength
are well deserved.
The
X-Factor 2 comes with a handle to help carry it when needed. Since
this truck has few other areas that facilitate a good location
to carry it easily with one hand, the handle is a very useful
addition. You can also see that the throttle/brake servo is a
Hitec HS-311, which is very suitable for handling the task it's
assigned to. XTM has also provided a throttle return spring that
ties the servo horn to the fuel tank to help prevent a runaway
should power to the receiver be interrupted.
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Motor
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Optional
Reversing Servo
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Cantilever
Rockers
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The
power plant for the X-Factor 2 is a XTM 24.7. This motor is well
known for it's impressive torque and power characteristics. With
a displacement size of just over 4cc, it's easy to see why it can
provide the 2.6 horsepower that XTM states it does. A reusable foam
filter element removes airborne debris trying to enter the motor,
while a XTM dual-tipped muffler handles removing the spent exhaust
once combustion has occurred.
The
low speed needle is easily accessed from the right-hand side of
the truck, making adjustments to it very easy. The stock clutch
bell is vented and has 15 teeth. It also houses a 3-shoe clutch
to provide a good solid transfer of power to the transmission.
The 15-tooth clutch bell is mated to a 46 tooth steel spur gear
with a slipper clutch. This provides a nice combination of speed
and power. However, if you're after more stump-pulling torque,
or top end speed, alternate gears are available. A nicely finished
blue anodized motor mount, designed as a heat sink, secures the
entire motor to the chassis.
The
main chassis plate contains a cutout for the optional reversing
servo that can be installed if desired. This was originally a
stock item on the previous version of the X-Factor, but was removed
for this revision. Many people removed reverse soon after purchasing
the original truck anyway. So to help offset the cost of some
of the upgrades that were installed with the X-Factor 2, XTM Racing
decided to offer it as an option this time around.
The
cantilever rockers are molded from thick, durable plastic. At
their widest point they are 7mm thick.The pivot point on the chassis
uses bearings so that their operation is a smooth as possible.
For the ultimate in flash and durability XTM Racing offers aluminum
rockers as an upgrade item.
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Main
and Idle Needles
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Inside
Receiver Box
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Hitec
Radio
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The
high speed needle, and the idle adjustment screw, are unobstructed
and reached easily from the left-hand side of the truck. You'll
also find all the carburetor and braking linkages here as well,
which puts nearly everything you'd need to adjust in one simple
place.
The
receiver box houses the stock Hitec HP-2RNB receiver, which is
one of Hitec's basic AM units. The receiver box itself, should
easily accommodate about any aftermarket receiver as well. You
should also have plenty of room to slide a failsafe in the box
as well, as XTM provided the X-Factor 2 with a very roomy receiver
box.
The
included radio is a Hitec Aggressor AM. It's a basic radio with
analog trims, which is typical of most RTR models currently available.
Over the long term a better radio, with digital trims and other
features, may be desired. However for many, the Hitec Aggressor
may satisfy their needs just fine. I do like the fact that the
Hitec Aggressor that came with this model uses the 75 MHz band,
as it allows for 30 frequency channels instead of the 6 provided
by radios that use the 27 MHz band. This means you'll have a greater
number of frequency channels to pick from if you happen to need
a new set of crystals. You will want to check the box before you
buy however, as the X-Factor 2 also comes packaged with a 27 MHz
Hitec Aggressor as well.
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Apply Stickers
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Cut Cooling Hole
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Fuel Access Hole
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Even though the X-Factor 2 arrives nearly complete, there are still a few things you'll need to do to get it prepped and ready. The first thing you'll want to do is to peel the overspray film off of the body. Then apply the included decals onto the body however you wish. When placing the decals, keep in mind that you will be cutting a cooling hole in the front windshield.
The included truck body will need a hole cut in the windshield for cool air to pass through, allowing the motor to stay cool. Simply line up with the location for the motor, and cut a hole in the windshield. I normally use a hole saw and a cordless drill when doing this, but I didn't have one available to me in the field this time. So I found something handy to draw a circle with on the windshield, and used a body hole reamer to create a couple of starting holes. Then finished it up with a pair of curved lexan scissors I keep in my pit box. I also found it necessary to trim a little material away from the back of the truck, to prevent contact between the dual-tipped muffler and the lexan truck body.
I also decided to set my truck body up to easily facilitate refueling. I cut a hole in the side window to allow me to pass my fuel bottle tip through. To allow me to easily open the fuel tank lid, I attached a zip tie to the front of the lid. If you look closely you can see this through the hole in the side window. Then I passed the zip tie out through the slot in the back that's made for the carrying handle. This allows me to easily open the fuel tank and refill it, without the need to remove the body.
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Install Antenna
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Antenna Protection
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Head Protection
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Another detail needing attention, is the receiver antenna. The antenna wire needs to be pushed through the included antenna tube. The wire should go in fairly easily, but if you encounter any difficulty sprinkle a little baby powder on the antenna wire before trying to push it through. Next you'll want to insert the lower end of the tube into the receiver box on the chassis. Allow the excess wire to hang out of the top of the tube.
The receiver antenna does have a lot of excess wire, but make sure you don't cut it. You can allow it to dangle out of the end of the tube loosely, or you can use some heat shrink tubing to offer it some protection. To protect it with heat shrink tubing, simply twist the antenna wire around the tube and slide a section of heat shrink tubing over it. Then heat the tubing with a lighter or heat gun to shrink it around the wire and antenna tube. This should protect the antenna wire from nearly everything that it may encounter.
Since the X-Factor will see lots of abuse, and it's motor head is exposed through the truck body, you may want to use some zip ties to help protect the heat from becoming scratched and damaged. Simply insert four zip ties between the first and second motor head fins, and cinch them tight. Once that's completed, snip the excess plastic off of the zip tie. While the zip ties won't protect the motor head from everything, it will help and provides you with a fair amount of protection.
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Oil Filter
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Receiver Batteries
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Radio Batteries
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The air filter for the X-Factor doesn't come pre-oiled. So you'll want to ensure you pick some air filter oil up before you set out to run your truck. I used some Team Associated filter oil to wet the filter. You'll want to apply several drops all around the outside edges of the filter. Then knead the filter between your fingers to evenly disperse it throughout the foam element. Squeeze any excess filter oil out, and you should be left with a foam filter that is solidly colored the same as your filter oil, and slightly tacky to the touch.
You'll need to install four AA batteries into the battery holder, which is located in the battery box. Alternatively, you could also replace the battery holder with a receiver pack. In that case the receiver pack would plug straight into the receiver itself. Over the long term, this would be a much more reliable route than using AA batteries. As mentioned earlier, the manual suggests using the XTM 5-cell NiMH 1000 Mah pack (#145801). It should fit perfectly and provide you with a couple hours of runtime. The manual also recommends a Cirrus switch harness (#444733) to facilitate easy charging with the pack in the battery box.
The Hitec Aggressor radio will also need to have AA batteries installed in it. For the radio, you'll need eight AA batteries. You could also purchase a rechargeable radio pack. However if you plan on replacing the radio later, you may be better off to just save your money and buy a rechargeable pack that fits the new radio you will buy later on down the road.
Finally before you take off, you'll also want to spend a little time checking all of the screws on the car itself. It's not uncommon to find a few screws that need to be tightened down. While I didn't find any that needed to be addressed, another model could easily have some that are loose.
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Before
I started tackling the rough terrain, I needed to break the XTM
24.7 in. I generally followed the procedure in the manual which
is laid out pretty straightforward. The break-in process consists
of running for several sessions, each for just a few minutes.
You allow the motor a cool down period between each run.
The
first few runs you'll want to ensure your needle settings are
nice and rich, then you'll start to lean the motor out slightly
with each new period of running. As I neared the optimum leaned
out range, I started letting the motor run through about 1/2 to
3/4 of a tank instead of just the few minutes as the book described.
This allowed the motor to become accustomed to a longer run period
as it got closer to it's optimum settings.
The
break-in process sounds pretty simple, but in reality it did require
some patience. The XTM 24.7 is a big motor with a lot of compression.
So it did flood several times during the break-in, which required
me to remove the glow plug so that I could dump the excess fuel
that had accumulated in the combustion chamber. You definitely
do not want to pull the pull starter too much when the motor becomes
flooded, as you can damage the pull starter, or possibly the motor.
Even
without being flooded the pull start got quite a workout starting
this motor. I discovered that soon after break-in was complete,
the recoil spring had become a little too lazy when snapping the
line back into the pull start. At first I had planned on replacing
the pull start with another one, but my local hobby store had
a TigerDrive available for the 24.7 when I stopped by. This enabled
me to use my cordless drill to start the truck, which I find much
easier on a motor such as this.
I
think that XTM would have done well to consider some type of electric
or drill start, like the Tiger Drive replaced my stock pull start
with. It would make it much easier to break the motor in, especially
in the earlier stages when the piston and sleeve are really tight.
During the early stages of break-in, I would suggest the use of
gloves for anyone who uses the pull start. I managed to scuff
up my knuckles pretty good when using the pull start, and know
from experience that the body clips on the X-Factor's body posts
don't feel very good when they encounter your hand as it's jerking
the pull start out.
Once
I got past the break-in, and the pull start was replaced, things
got much easier and a lot more fun. The XTM 24.7 motor definitely
provides some serious power, and pushes the motor to it's maximum
RPM very quickly. While this motor can push the truck to speeds
of around 40MPH, it's specialty is low end grunt. This is exactly
what you're after when coping with rough terrain, because most
of the time you'll be using partial throttle instead of holding
it wide open.
The
XTM dual-tipped muffler provides a very distinctive exhaust note,
and is louder than many tuned exhausts that I've encountered.
I don't consider that a bad thing myself, but anyone with neighbors
that are in close proximity may want to stick with running the
X-Factor during times that it wouldn't offend anyone. If you take
it to a local park, or public area, you're sure to find that a
crowd quickly collects around you, so they can see what all the
noise is about.
The
stock tires perform fairly well overall, but are a little too
hard for providing maximum traction. With the sway bars installed
the truck would tend to spin out on pavement when I cornered hard,
which saved the body from suffering a lot of damage. With the
sway bars removed however, the truck would often exhibit lots
of body roll. Sometimes it was enough to cause the truck to flip,
even with the stock tires. That's not much of a surprise though,
as body roll is exactly what the sway bars are supposed to address.
In
the dirt and rough stuff, is where the tires showed more of a
weakness. Traction was a lot harder to find as opposed to pavement.
Although the stock tires did as good a job as most I've encountered,
tires would be one area I'd definitely consider for one of my
first upgrades. The lack of inserts provided the tires the ability
to flex considerably, but they are still no match for a good soft
pair of Pro-Line or Imex tires. This is especially true if you're
playing in areas where the suspension articulation is put to good
use, such as rock climbing. The stock tires have very little grip
in that situation, and an upgrade is almost certainly mandatory.
When
tackling the larger jumps, the truck also showed the need for
inserts. Due to the truck's weight, larger jumps would result
in the tire flattening upon landing, transferring all of the shock
to the wheel and the suspension. While inserts in the stock tires
would result in less traction due to the tire's inability to flex
as much, it would help with landing after becoming airborne. Again
the best option would be to swap to a good aftermarket set of
tires. They would provide more traction overall, and due to their
inserts they would also retain their shape better when landing
from a large jump.
If
you plan on performing many jumps, I'd also recommend keeping
the sway bars installed. A bad landing with the sway bars removed
can result in the suspension articulation coming into effect,
which can possibly cause you to flip or roll. This is especially
true if you have a tendency to land a little less than perfect.
The sway bars prevent the suspension from providing the large
amount of articulation that in can provide. In the worst case,
no sway bars and a bad landing, can result in a broken suspension
link. An example of this is the last jump on the X-Factor's review
video. In in, I managed to break a plastic suspension link end
in exactly that scenario. While the replacement part is cheap,
it will still result in a few minutes of repair time.
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Considering
the high center of gravity that a truck of this nature provides,
I found that the XTM handles much better than I thought it would.
This truck was never intended to be a corner carver, but it still
retains a very good amount of drivability at speed on level ground.
While it can tackle the really rough stuff much better than independent
suspension trucks, flying wide open across moderately rough terrain
can often result in the truck flipping due to it's higher center
of gravity. So it's far from having the characteristics of many
monster trucks out there, but can far exceed their capabilities
when the terrain gets really tough. Furthermore XTM offers several
spring combinations that should help improve handling under various
conditions as well.
When
it comes to rock crawling, it's generally accepted that electric
trucks are the way to go. This is due to the fact that electric
motors offer all of their torque when they first begin to spin,
while a nitro power plant builds up it's torque a little more
gradually. However with the low-end power the XTM 24.7 provides,
it shows that the nitro guys can have fun on the rocks as well
even if the electric guys still have an advantage. All of my testing
was performed with the truck in stock form, and it performed fairly
well in the areas I ran it. Especially considering it was in stock
trim. However for the serious rock crawler, there are quite a
few things you can do to improve the ability of your XTM X-Factor
2.
The
first rock crawling improvement I've already touched on, it's
the tires. A good set of soft tires will provide you a lot more
grip when you start climbing over the rocks. Without superb traction
from the tires, you'll never get anywhere. Another upgrade for
those interested in rocky terrain is a smaller clutch bell. The
smaller clutch bell will provide you more torque at the wheels,
and will help get the truck moving over the large rocks that might
be in it's way. You can also change the spur gear to a larger
one, to help provide you more torque as well.
Other
things that will help you when rock climbing are replacing the
vertical cantilever rods with shocks identical to the ones on
the truck. This will allow the suspension to articulate even further,
and help you crawl over more difficult rocks. You can also lengthen
the truck's wheelbase by adjusting the four link suspension as
described in the manual provided by XTM. Lastly switching to the
XTM optional sliding clutch, and using heavy differential oil
in the 1/8 scale differentials will provide you with more power
making it to the wheels.
So
while the electric rock crawlers still hold a distinct advantage
when compared to their nitro counterparts, the X-Factor 2 tries
hard as well too. If you're looking for a truck that can cope
with the rocks, but still want to go nitro, the X-Factor 2 may
be just what you're after.

See
the XTM Racing X-Factor 2 in action!
Resolution:
Low Medium High
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The X-Factor 2 is a definite improvement over the original version of the X-Factor. It has a longer wheelbase, which provides more stability than the previous version. Enhancements such as the metal gear steering servo, threaded shocks, and relocated on/off switch, show that XTM was dedicated to improving the X-Factor. The newly colored body and chrome wheels helped round out the look for the truck, and sets it apart from the previous version of the X-Factor.
If I were looking at upgrades, about the only big item I'd consider immediately are the tires. A different set of tires will provide a much more well rounded truck overall, especially in the dirt. A fail safe to compliment the included throttle return spring would be a nice addition to the truck as well. I would also upgrade to a FM radio, but it would not be necessary by any means. Many people would be satisfied with the Hitec Aggressor, especially when they are just getting used to the truck.
Overall the truck is very rugged, and can take a decent amount of punishment. If XTM were to look for areas to improve the next time around, I'd say an alternate starting method for the XTM 24.7 would be great improvement. Pull starts can be intimidating for newcomers, and when coupled with a high compression motor can be rough for even a veteran's hands. They could also look into ways to help protect that front servo. While I never encountered any problems with damaging it, I still feel as if it's a little too exposed. Overall, I think the truck itself is very well featured. What's even better than all of that, is that they managed to improve this version of the X-Factor, but yet made the street price even lower than the first one. A more affordable truck is always a winning feature.
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XTM Racing
Distributed Exclusively By
Global Hobby Distributors
18480 Bandilier Circle
Fountain Valley, CA 92708 USA
Phone: 714-963-0329
Fax: 714-964-6236
Website: www.teamx-factor.com
Associated Electrics, Inc.
3585 Cadillac Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626 USA
Phone: 714-850-9342
Fax: 714-850-1744
Website: www.teamassociated.com
Products used: air filter oil
Dubro, Inc.
480 Bonner Road
Wauconda, IL 60084 USA
Phone: 732-635-1600
Website: www.dubro.com
Products used: fuel bottle
Dynamite RC
Distributed Exclusively By Horizon Hobby, Inc.
4105 Fieldstone Road
Champaign, IL 61822 USA
Phone: 800-338-4639
Phone: 217-352-6799
Website: www.dynamiterc.com
Products used: glow igniter, glow plug wrench
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Sullivan Products
1 North Haven Street
PO Box 5166
Baltimore, MD 21224 USA
Phone: 410-732-3500
Phone: 410-327-7443
Website: www.sullivanproducts.com
Products used: TigerDrive
Trinity Products, Inc.
36 Meridian Road
Edison, NJ 08820 USA
Phone: 800-848-9411
Fax: 732-635-1640
Website: www.teamtrinity.com
Products used: Monster Horsepower Fuel (20%), lexan scissors
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The comments, observations and conclusions made in this review are solely with respect to the particular item the editor reviewed and may not apply generally to similar products by the manufacturer. We cannot be responsible for any manufacturer defects in workmanship or other deficiencies in products like the one featured in the review. |
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