PillowPants

I have been looking at the HPI 18ss, but i'm afraid that it may be too hard for me to assemble. I have never had a kit, and i'm not too comfortable putting one together. So, on a scale from 1 to 10, how hard is it to put together? Whats the hardest part? How long does it take on average? How much do I actually have to put together? Do things come Assembled and i just screw them on the chasis? Is it better than an RTR?

derekxec

oh you mean the mt2 18ss i thought they came put together mostly

nevermind im thinkin of the regular mt2 or something

thestratcat

My Feedback: (12)

nah Derek, the way I understand from reading posts in here, they come in pieces.. and they aren't nice enough to ship you a couple of spares for what you drop and lose.. the other MT comes assembled..

Hambuglar - you should be alright man, take your time, don't get in a hurry.. I'm going to try one this fall I think.. it's not quite rocket science...

InfinitySpeed04

Yeah I am maybe doing one for a winter project. Sounds like its pretty easy. If you jst follow the instructions should be a piece of cake.

PillowPants

anybody out there actually put one together?

52zmaster2001

My Feedback: (3)

you have to assemble everything it`s fairly easy i prefer to have them as kit`s then i don`t have to sell all the rtr electronics so i can install better servo`s and synthesized reciever,this truck requires all eletronics radio system servo`s,it would be cheaper to buy the MT2 RTR plus it is assembled but you don`t get the upgrades with the rtr,the red one is the 18SS

peed

it is an awesome car.

TheHamburglar: i thought you were getting a lst but your sig says mayhem, now a 18ss, im confused.

PillowPants

Its a tough decision dude. I'm just exploring my options. Though, i am leaning towards the sportwerks mayhem buggy as of the moment. I never said that I'm buying an mt18ss, i was just curious about how tough the kit was to put together. I don' really wan't one anyways. On top of all the stuff i have to buy, i'd need to paint the freakin body! No thank you! The LST is still an option though. The only strikes i have against the LST is that I have to buy about 40 bucks worth of aftermarket diff cases and gear covers and the fact that my t-maxx is already all i really need for my kind of MT bashing. I have wanted a buggy for a pretty long time, but never had the chance to actually get one. I like the mayhem cuz it comes with a great .26 engine and JR electronics, (much like the LST). I dont know though. I have till september 3rd to decide.

rentacop

I did put mine together, it took me 2 days, but it was worthed, I can remove the front and rear gear box with my eyes closed. It a lot of fun

rentacop

some pics

Valve

I put an RC10B4 together when I was 12, it was VERY easy... Obviously the .18ss is going to be more complicated, but just follow the instructions and it's easy.

Rentacop, that's a very nice truck you got there!

InfinitySpeed04

Wow, thats one hell of truck right there!!! I dont even like purple but now I do!!! Sweet truck, you ever sell it, give me a call.

46u

My Feedback: (3)

Good-looking truck but I bet it weighs a lot!! Do you run it or is it a shelve queen? I do not do alloy as it creates to many problems and is heavy. I have put 2 HPI kits together one HPI MT Racer the for runner of the MT2 SS and a Savage 4.6SS and both where very easy to assemble. HPI has great instructions. You wind up with a much better vehicle starting with a kit!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grantothismo

46u:

I agree - kits are the way to go. You end up with a much better product that you can service yourself. I just wish the SS did not come with an engine and had better shocks and towers, but it is still a great kit.

46u

My Feedback: (3)

I agree with the fact I wish it did not come with an engine like my HPI MT Racer kit. I would rather run an OS .18 CV-RX or even better the killer small block out there the OS. 18 TZ, which has as much HP as a lot of the big blocks! But what is wrong with the shock towers and shocks? Are they the same as the RTR MT2?

I have pretty much converted my MT Racer to MT2 standards other then the radio box, which would not be easy, and I have not had a problem with the shock towers or the shocks. I beat mine pretty hard and have to replace the body every gallon to gallon and a half. I know a lot want alloy shocks but I am not a fan of alloy with all the issues I have had with running it. All so if you look on HPI web site even though they make alloy shocks for there vehicles they say the plastic are better.
[8D]

SkrapIron

I'm helping my neighbour build a new MT 18ss (when he gets home from football practice..) in my garage.

I find the kit very easy to assemble. I built my RC10B4 and my Tamyia Hornet from kits, and think that the MT18 is no more difficult.

For a Nitro kit, I think the MT18ss is very fast, and very durable. I really dig the shaft driven 4wd.

Don't let the kit intimidate you.

If you've ever built a plastic model airplane, you've built something more difficult than an RC truck.

Grantothismo

46u:

Yes the shocks are the same as the MT2RTR. Would have been nice to have the threaded ones included in the kit and let me pick the engine, but still anice vehicle.

46u

My Feedback: (3)

I agree would be nice if it came with out an engine. I do not care anything about thread shocks for several reasons. 1 they are heaver, 2 the have more friction then the plastic according to HPI and 3 it is to easy to put a shim in to increases spring tension. But each to there own.

I agree a very nice truck and if it were not for the fact I have my MT Racer up grade so much like the SS I would get one.

Grantothismo

46u:

I'd keep your racer to. Sounds like you've got a nice ride.

primefocus

Does anyone know of a reliable website for 18ss hop-ups? rentacop must have a good source.

Nice job rentacop

46u

My Feedback: (3)

Tower Hobbies has the HPI and some others. What are you looking for?

speciallyspiked

If the MT2 is anything like the MT it's not too hard to put together. I was 14 or so when I put mine together and it came in all those plastic trees and baggies. It wasn't hard but I did mess up a few things when I put together the shock assembly and the towers, so be careful if you are going to put it together, on the old mt the towers aren't very strong so when you screw the shocks on if you go too tight, it will start to split the plastic. Like wood does when you tighten too much also.

That is the only problem I could remember....

I'd give it a 3-4 on hardness but then again if I were to do it today I'd give it a 2 haha. It gets easier as you build.

bananetheman

I assembled mine in about a week, though i was only able to work on it little at a time b/c of my new born baby that needed some tending to. The assembly was pretty easy. My first nitro kit and no problem. The cluthc springs are a bit tough but with a little patience your golden.

Did you see this posting/review, not sure if anybody else posted but i found it useful.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=507

I can't belive some folk dont like to paint the body? Don't you want to customize your ride? It takes an hour and your pimpin'. I recomend to go get some masking stickers well worth the $5, or else hit something simple for your first paintjob.

buggymangp

my mt2 18ss was the frist kit i ever built.
from now on i`ll buy kits.
it was very easy to build. if you can turn a screwdriver.
you shouldn`t have a problem.
the clutches was the hardest part. just take your time. you should be fine.
i built mine in 15 hours, about a weeks worth of night building.

rapsucks_07

easy. one hand behind my back and blindfolded. ok not that easy but i did it in about hour i still take it a part every once in a while to clean her up