As promised, a few photos after the resurrection
Well, the first session did not last long! After the steering rod popped out a few times, the speed-control started to cut-off. First I thought it was the Low-Battery, but then I lost half of the steering and the motor would not spin. At least there was no mechanical breakage.
It turns out to be the Flysky
FS-GT3C Transmitter. Since replacing the Flysky with the newly purchased DumboRC, I have run through 4 packs of 2S and happy to report that nothing has failed......yet. I have built a 3S LiFePo4 pack and will try it out with the truck this weekend...Weather permitting.