Mondo's MQ

[Mondo]

man, this MQ Forum needs some livening up..

Here's pics of my Mini-Quake. It's not the Duratrax RTR version, it's the "Anderson MRX4" non-RTR that comes with a standard 380 motor and el-cheapo 600mAh NiMh pack.

So far I fitted a Futaba S3002 MG hi-torque steering servo.
It has a Hitec HFS03MM 40 MHz FM RX fitted. I'm awaiting my Futaba MC230R ESC to come from the U.S. and I got some URC X61 7.2V matched packs for it too.
Lastly it has a ProLine Crowd Pleazer bodyshell that looks a lot better than the canary yellow and Rastafarian green standard shell.

[Mondo]

I was contemplating a Mamba25 Brushless system for this little beast, but decided to wait for the URC Krystal-4 tuned 380 motor instead. Hopefully Jon will be releasing that soon.

I think some alloy dogbones are needed on the MQs, but I haven't run this critter yet as I'm awaiting an ESC.

generally it's a great little truck and worth the money.

[Gale Force]

I'm thinking about picking one of these up but nobody around here are selling them.

Yours looks very good and ready to race with that body!

[BLiND]

looks great mondo!

[Mondo]

Originally posted by BLiND
looks great mondo!

Thanks Kev, can't wait to run it. The guys who run BeatYourTruck (http://www.beatyourtruck.com) reckon it's the best Micro scale truck they've ever gotten their hands on.

[Mondo]

Ha! Finished at last:

I fitted a Graupner Speed 400 motor into the beast, and an Mtronics RV ECO 20 ESC.
The Futaba S3002 Servo (http://www.servocity.com/html/s3002_mini_mg_bb.html) packs real punch and gives the MQ fantastic steering response.
Took it for a blast in the snow. w00t! She flies I tell you, she flies!
Hopefully if the snow builds up a little, I'll get some decent photos of it in action :)

[Mondo]

Originally posted by alfred
Dang, i thought the shocks were of the friction type, didnt realize at all that the shocks were oil filled. Can you give me some good points on the MQ other then the bigger motor. Speaking to Jon from URC since he also owns one told me that it is the bomb. What about the servo what kind is it stock or the one you have in there. (standard, micro, feather)---- you will be my deciding factor in getting one when the 18t is finished.
Alfred has been Quoted from the Gallery Thread

Oops it didn't come with a servo.
It looks like the MQ can take a full size servo if you trim the mouting "ears" off. I had a Futaba S3002 kicking around in my pit box and put it to use.
This servo is strong being metal geared and pretty fast too.

The MQ is a bomb, IMO the best small scale Monster Truck money can buy.
The only improvement I see it needing is CVDs. Other than that, it's perfect.

The Anderson non RTR version is available from this bunch of jokers (http://www.rcmart.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=144_610) at $99 minus shipping. I hear their shipping is slow......
Jon from URC arranged mine for me :)

[alfred]

thanks Mondo for helping me out on my decision

[Mondo]

I don't know what the performance difference is between the standard 380 motor and the Graupner Speed 400 I fitted.
I'm impressed with the Speed 400's performace and with the standard pinion I get good all round usable power with enough to crawl and a decent top speed. I'm using URC X23 matched packs in the MQ
I took it for a good outside run and the road surface was still a, little wet, so no wheelies!

I noticed it was pulling to one side, upon further inspecion, only one of the rear wheels was driving, the other was free wheeling.
Took the beast inside, took about 5 minutes to strip it down and I noticed one of the standard (composite) CVDs had broken where it slots into the rear diff.
I guess it's time to order some alloy CVDs, I was always a little suspicious about the strength of the plastic units, I guess I came to the right conclusion.

The diffs themselves are of a plastic/composite construction and are nicely sealed. I had to disassemble the diff to get the broken CVD end out. The diffs themselves are nicely made.

So, hop up #1 has to be alloy CVDs :)

[alfred]

hey Mondo sounds to me that your having a blast:D now i cant wait to get my hands on one now. As soon as the 18t is done.

[350Z]

Wow very nice truck. It's like a mini e-maxx lol:)

[HO502cid]

Originally posted by Mondo
man, this MQ Forum needs some livening up..

Here's pics of my Mini-Quake. It's not the Duratrax RTR version, it's the "Anderson MRX4" non-RTR that comes with a standard 380 motor and el-cheapo 600mAh NiMh pack.

So far I fitted a Futaba S3002 MG hi-torque steering servo.
It has a Hitec HFS03MM 40 MHz FM RX fitted. I'm awaiting my Futaba MC230R ESC to come from the U.S. and I got some URC X61 7.2V matched packs for it too.
Lastly it has a ProLine Crowd Pleazer bodyshell that looks a lot better than the canary yellow and Rastafarian green standard shell.

Looks good "Dorkus Maximus".

Whats wrong with Rastfarian yellow and green?:(

[Mondo]

Originally posted by HO502cid
Looks good "Dorkus Maximus".

Whats wrong with Rastfarian yellow and green?:(

"Dorkus Maximus" is the Latin name of that particular dedicated gaming machine :D

The Rastfarian yellow and green just isn't as classy as the CrowdPleazer :)

Update:

Jon from URC was doing some hop-up shopping for his equally impressive MQ and I have the following on the way:

Alloy Steering Bellcrank kit
Alloy heatsink motor mount
Alloy CVDs :D
2 x alloy 380/400 size motor heatsinks
Speed 400 Race Ball bearing motor :D

[2G2MAGICSTRATUS]

will it fit a 1/10 scale servo?

[Mondo]

Originally posted by 2G2MAGICSTRATUS
will it fit a 1/10 scale servo?

From my estimates: Yes, however you will have to trim the "ears" or mounts off the 1/10th servo to make it fit
I use a Futaba S3002MG, more powerful than most 1/10th servos, a lot smaller and unfortunately a lot more expensive too :p

[2G2MAGICSTRATUS]

thanks for the info.....just want something to bash so itll be plenty enough power for my living room i hope;)

[alfred]

The MQ doesnt like to be ran in the living room man, it wants to be free and running in the open. Let the MQ's potential come bursting out.:D

[aero528]

i was looking at teh rc18t, and i was wondering if it is any better/worse than the mini quake? i wouldent hop it up much, so thast not a problem. i woudlent be racing it, but i still want it fast. how is the duribility? how does it compare to the rc18t? what about the quality of the electronics in the rtrs? i looked at it, and i ussaly shy away from duratrax, but is it any good? it looks awsome! do aftermarket tires and wheels fit it? thanks!

[Mondo]

Tough decision.
The RC18T is fast, agile and made for track bashing, it performs great on the street too, handles well

The MQ is a monster truck, great for bashing and crawling.
I guess it depends on what you want to do with it.
My suggestion: One of each.

Regarding the electronics, I never opted for the RTR MQ, I took the ARTR that only comes with motor and (crappy 600mAh) battery pack.
I fitted decent electronics into the MQ as the Thread shows.
As for the RC18T, I ripped the electronics from that and went Brushless with an FM RX, neither the MQ or RC18T were ever run in standard condition, so I couldn't express any opinions on the quality of their factory electronics.

Soory I couldn't be of more help, but I like both products :)

[aero528]

what about the wheels? do other brand wheels and tires fit on it? thanks!

[alfred]

Im with Mondo on the electronics, a lot of people hate running the stock elec.... because there usually not very good. I ran mine (18t) for about a day and got fed up with the performance of the esc, so that got replaced, and i run FM so putting on an extra rx was no problem for me.

[aero528]

i think ill just go with the rc18t, just because of the hop ups(i wasnt goign to hop it up, because i thought it woudl be too expensive, im used to my savage), and the fact that it has a more track like handling. i also like how it accepts standard wheels. thanks for the help!

[hyper8drummer]

well you can use standard wheels its just you need the duratrax mini t wheel adapters and in my opinion i like my mini quake better than my rc18t and the stock esc and battery is bad but all the other stuff is good even the stock servo has plenty of power for the little truck

[Mondo]

I disagree.
My MQ broke a driveshaft on it's first run. Parts are hard to come by on Ebay(I do not deal with RCMart so don't send me there)
I am disheartened with it as it's been immobile for some time now.
Perhaps it's time to remove the electronics an get rid of it on the Micro Market

I think the funds would better of channeled into something I can get spares for, like the Associated RC18T

[rcdriver]

Mondo did you check Tower? I found a decent amount of parts. I found Aluminum (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJKV3&P=ML) driveshafts. :)

[jaejw1]

how does it handle on the track,,, any better or as good as the rc18t,, ,, i know tis thing is made for speed and all,,and street bashing ,, maybe it is jaejw1 proof..

[alfred]

lol.....im sure you will find a way Jae to unproof any RC.....lmao:D

[jaejw1]

lol..lol

[Mondo]

I have two sets of alloy CVDs en route to me.
I'll give it one more try and see how it holds up..

Jaejw1 this is more of a basher than a racer. The RC18T will run circles around the Mini-Quake

I think it will make a great crawler myself.

Stay tuned.....

[jaejw1]

well since the mamba can fit,, and i have seen where someone put a 540 motor in,, and also the K4,, would you still say that the quake is a basher by day and a crawler by night,,,

has anyone raced this thing,,

i know a magazine did a test report on the quake,, and i have the mag,, i just cant find it,, someone did spring cleaning a lil early,,, and spring cleaned all my stuff..:(

[aero528]

well, i have decided not to get the MQ or the rc18t. im goign for the HalfEight. it looks awsome. a crawler would be nice, mondo.

[Savage030]

I see on Duratrax site theirs a SE version. I'm keeping a eye out for a replacement if my MLST doesnt work out or someone doesnt produce some working gears.

[Silver Supra]

Atomic sells adjustable balldiffs for the MLST.