Well guys my metal Heng Long gearboxes in my Abrams finally let go on me after 2 years of hard driving. They have done well but the metal's too soft so I need to get steel gears. I want to keep the existing frame design in order that they just drop straight in and they need the longer Pershing output shafts.

I don't really want to get 3:1 as I need as much speed as possible with it being a modern tank although I know I could just use a larger pinion. My only other requirement is that there are bearings on the final output shaft. If I get standard ratio boxes is it easy enough to fit shouldered bearings or does anyone supply them fitted? Any help or advice would be really appreciated.

Sounds to me like you got your money's worth out of those gear boxes. I use Tamiya Panther gearboxes in my HE tanks. This takes some custom work, they are not drop in just as any other gear box wont be. I would just replace the boxes you have with the same type. This is the only way you will get a plug and play swap. Again, it sounds like your  original boxes held up well. Why change now? Hard Driving will shorten the life of any gearbox, bearings on the final drives or not.

Wow, 2 years of hard driving? I wouldn't spend too much on gearboxes because you'll probably see the same results.


~ Jeff

Yeah, $30 every too years doesn't seem like too much in maintanence costs to me. Drive softly and you tank will last longer...and don't get plastic, LOL!

Check out the new Heng Long Steel gearboxes for the Jagdpanther/Bulldog. "Forgebear" has them.
Gerry

I should have said the 2 years wasn't trouble free. I had to rebuild the boxes twice in order to move the gears closer together to reduce slop and I've lost count of the times I had to adjust the angle of the final drives as the bushes wore down. This is why I need bearings. Those steel gears from forgebear are what I'm after, only I'll need to fit bearings in the final drives. Anyone know how to install bearings in these? Cheers chaps

I forgot to mention Welsh Dragon has some great steel 3:1's with bearings, the only problem is he only has the ones with the shorter axles for the Tiger [&o]

Hello,

I'm now using a combination of steel and plastic gears on mine (right drive train). The 480 motors tore the 2nd gear and final drive on separate occasions even with 8 mm bearings on both shafts. This occured twice on my right drivetrain assembly, and I reckoned, replacing with steel gbox would still be problematic. It seems the steel gears are prone to shimming, even with DBC momentum enabled. My set up now includes 1st, 3rd and final gears plastic, and steel 2nd gear. Sorry am in my office, will post pics soon.

Cheers!

Thanks, pictures would be great. I've ordered the steel gears now. Hopefully just moving the gears closer together so they mesh properly will prevent any stripping. They've got to be better than the monkey metal ones!

Hi
i have opted for Tamiya Kingtiger boxes the older style ones or non full option as these are pretty good and are perhaps the quickest tamiya boxes on the market?

Rob

Wish I could afford tamiya boxes but I'll see how these HL steel ones hold out. Do you reckon the tamiya boxes are faster than standard HL?

i think the shermans and panther boxes are the fastest of the full option range
i have gone for the older k/t ones and they go like a rocket lol

I've seen them on eBay from time to time and they're around $50 so I don't think that's too bad.


~ Jeff

Hey Smoke,

Your youtube account is gone eh? Your work has been a source of inspiration man, can you direct me to your new account and videos?

this is where the mixed gears gone so far...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iozoukmuYF8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-DMNrUBBEA

will get to the hull tonight an post the pics..

Love the Abrams reye. I may go desert with mine one day when I get bored of the 3 tone. I'll set up a new account when I get some new vids, gotta fit the new steel boxes first though. Working on an adjustable active idler design as well. How on earth have you got the abrams sounds without elmod?

Try the brier board about £100 for a soundcard

heard and played around with one at swindon meet and man it's awesome

abrams sounds are just right it even has the track pad sounds on there as well

Thanks Smokin',

The composite gbox seems to hold 10kg+ running tank well in concrete, sand or grass...see pic below. The plastic and metal are alternately placed while the shaft holders are mostly plastic.

Been having problems attaching pics here though...