iWaver04 Bigfoot

[azzachaz]

Well at the request of some of you guys I decided to make up a short thread about the iWaver04 Bigfoot.

For those who dont know these are a direct clone of the Kyosho Mini-Z Monster (MZM)

They use the same electronics and motors as the other iWavers.

Here is mine. It came similaly packaged as the iWaver01.


Vids:
http://www.teamadrenaline.net/e107_files/public/iwaverreview04022.avi

http://www.teamadrenaline.net/e107_files/public/iwaverreview04021.avi

[azzachaz]

I got the blue version. You can also get grey or buy an aftermarket shell.

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaverreview04_001.jpg

[azzachaz]

The big difference about the shells of the 01's and 04's is that the 04 shell is made of a lightweight flexible plastic. Although not as stongs as the 01 shell but also protected by those large wheels so there is no need.

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaverreview04_014.jpg

[azzachaz]

As you can see the shell is already cracked.

I dont think the designers took into account 'Stomping by 5 year old boy' when making the shell :D

I think the shell is fine, it hasn't been further damaged by roll overs or smashes

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaverreview04_015.jpg

[azzachaz]

The suspension setup is fairly ellaborate. It does a suprisingly good job of getting the truck over jumps and over obstacles.

You would be susprised by the trucks offroad capablities

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaverreview04_020.jpg

[azzachaz]

I have been particuarly mean to the truck and managed to break one of the suspension mount when ripping the wheel against a brick wall.

Apparently this is a weak point in both the iWavers and MZM's.

An alloy replacment is on the way.

See the green repair spot?

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaverreview04_018.jpg

[azzachaz]

it is quite a bit larger than the iWaver01.

Here is a size comparison

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaverreview04_006.jpg

[azzachaz]

front on

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaverreview04_007.jpg

[azzachaz]

side on

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaverreview04_008.jpg

[azzachaz]

And with one of my 1/32 scale SCX slot cars

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaverreview04_012.jpg

[azzachaz]

A big bonus with the 04 Readyset package is the remote.

It can store up to 10 different setup, has ABS braking as an option and is fully adjustable.

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaverreview04_009.jpg

[azzachaz]

Up close. I beleive it is a Futaba clone. This remote comes with the iWaver02 Readyset as well.

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaverreview04_011.jpg

[azzachaz]

Beauty shot

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaverreview04_005.jpg

[azzachaz]

Side on

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaverreview04_002.jpg

[toxxic]

That is pretty damn mean!

how well does it go over sutff?

[azzachaz]

It runs well over gravel and stone. Tanbark is ok as long as you dont stop with one wheel off the gound. The diff will let that wheel spin.

There is a tool included which I think helps tighten the diff up, I havn;t tried this yet.

I'll make up a vid of it going over different surfaces.

[azzachaz]

I just tried that diff tool I was talking about. It is actually a cover whuch goes over the diff and locks it.

With the diff locked it runs very well over rough terrian. I found the main thing that stops it is long grass getting wrapped around the axles ;)

[James]

cool, and real nice transmitter! :)

say, I just noticed, you have enough space in your yard to build an R/C track. go build one. now. get pics. :)

[azzachaz]

quasimoto voice "yes master"

[Matt]

my monster truck would like to make babies with your mini monster truck.




e107_files/public/4_t.jpg

[azzachaz]

I just installed an X-Speed PRO motor in the Bigfoot.

VROOOMMMMMM!!!!

http://www.teamadrenaline.net/iWaver/iWaver04HopUps030.avi

pics to come

[azzachaz]

OK, so I had a little problem with my Bigfoot. Total loss of power.

I decided to Disect...

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaver04hopups_015.jpg

[azzachaz]

using a multimeter I worked out that the negative power lead had a dry joint

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaver04hopups_014.jpg

[azzachaz]

A quick fix, then put it back together

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaver04hopups_020.jpg

[azzachaz]

I thought while I was at it I may as well install an X-Speed PRO motor. Probably the best motor you can install without updating the ESC with a FET upgrade

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaver04hopups_025.jpg

[azzachaz]

the motor doesn't really look any different

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaver04hopups_026.jpg

[azzachaz]

If you watch the video above you will see the power increase is huge.

The extra power kept doing this.....


Alloy wheel nuts are on the way

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaver04hopups_027.jpg

[azzachaz]

The with the extra speed. Mrs Bigfoot had to take one for the team x)

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaver04hopups_028.jpg

[azzachaz]

oh dear. Poor baby.

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaver04hopups_029.jpg

[azzachaz]

Picture of the suspension layout if anyone is curious

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaver04hopups_023.jpg

[azzachaz]

whole chassis

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaver04hopups_024.jpg

[azzachaz]

rear suspension and battery terminals

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaver04hopups_021.jpg

[azzachaz]

What do you do when the front plastic suspension mounts keep breaking.

You buy big meteal replacements 8)

This is a known weakpoint for these cars and their Kyosho Mini-z Monster counterparts

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaver01upgrades_052.jpg

[azzachaz]

i've had lots of good feedback about his part. I know have the courage to attempt big jumps and venture on rough terrain without worrying about broken mounts

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaver01upgrades_053.jpg

[azzachaz]

it is not only made of alloy but better designed than the plastic part.

The problem area is where the ball joints join the suspension rods

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaver01upgrades_054.jpg

[azzachaz]

A little close. The part of the mount the ball joint is screwed into snaps with front impacts.

Not any more

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaver01upgrades_055.jpg

[azzachaz]

With my new found courage come problems too....


No more wheelie bar!. This thing just loves to wheel stand with the X-Speed PRO motor installed

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaver01upgrades_056.jpg

[azzachaz]

It took a fair bit of abuse before it gave way. Not really it's fault !lmao

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaver01upgrades_057.jpg

[azzachaz]

DIE EVIL LANCER

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwaver01upgrades_061.jpg

[Matt]

thats right. all mitsubishi's should be crushed.

go toyota.

[azzachaz]

omg, just read some of my posts. Me have best Engrish eva

Matto: yeah, Kyosho make a Tureno Panda shell. Big bucks for the pleasure of owning one though

[toxxic]

Sprinter shell would be awesome :D would love one on my '01

Mod's looking sweet azza. You should sell modified iWaver's on 'bay ;) would make a killing.

[Squeezer]

How do those top bars pop out ( the ones that hold the body on ?.

Dont want to break it before I even use it.

Do they have to be popped out and then Up ?


http://www.users.on.net/~selgey/vid/iwaver_frame.jpg

[Squeezer]

And Whilst asking Questions

1) What is the best way to pop off the ball joints on the front suspension arms. I ended up just taking out the hex screws on the front of the suspension arms - there is no room for fat fingers to get in there and fry the ball socket off

2) WHat are the 2 long screws for that come with the replacement alloy fron suspension mount

[azzachaz]

OK....
The body mount rails are GLUED to the suspension mounts. You need to pry them apart and hope they pop out. I had a 50% success rate but it didn't matter because I just glued the rail to the alloy suspension mount anyway. I have had about 6-7 customers do the same thing with good results.

With regards to the steering alignment I would change it while you have the suspension mount (front) off so you can get a screw driver down that hole in the radio cover plate. Adjust the wheels while the car is on and the Tx trim is neutral. The Trim Pot should only need a quarter turn or so.

Those two extra bolts are for the front shocks to attach to the metal threaded allloy suspension mount. The screws with the truck are for plastic.

The ball joints should just pop off with a screw driver. Use thread lock on the alloy parts if possible.

[Squeezer]

Like anything it is always easier to do the 2nd time or third time around so speaking from your experience

1) Do you know if CA Debonder might assist in removing the rails ?
1a) OK they are glued but in terms of prying the two pieces apart - should I be sticking a srewdriver in each side and prying outwards.

2) The Ball sockets for the front suspension arms. How are they held into the original plastic part. It looks like there is some sort of Cap on top of the socket. Your Picstures from a couple of pages ago in this thread show the ball sockets screwed in. Ar e the original ones threaded or are the ones in your PIC aftermarket ones.

[azzachaz]

1.) I havn't used debonder before but you could give it a try. Dont worry if you snap the plastic knob that goes into the suspension mount because I (any most other people) have just glued the plastic onto the alloy mount for strength.

2.)ahhhh.... I know what you mean now :D
The ball joints are just threaded into the plastic mount (they are metal threaded rather than plastic thread) and you simply screw them into the new alloy mount. Because it is metal on metal it is best to use thread lock or do them up tight.

[azzachaz]

Picture is worth a thousand words ;)

e107_files/public/8_bigfootalloymount.jpg

[Squeezer]

2.)ahhhh.... I know what you mean now :D
The ball joints are just threaded into the plastic mount (they are metal threaded rather than plastic thread) and you simply screw them into the new alloy mount. .

See my Pic a few posts up. ..Mine has "mushroom" caps on the top part of where the ball joint is attached.

Looks different to yours which is why I posed the Question

EDIT: Is thin CA suitable for gluing the rail to the Alloy. Some plastics dont seem to hold that well with CA and others do.

[azzachaz]

those aren't 'caps', the ball is just screwed into it up-side-down.

1.Snap the rails off the front mount.
2.Pop suspension arms off ball joints with a flat screwdriver.
2.unscrew front shocks
3.remove plastic front shock mount
4.remove ball joints from plastic mount and put onto alloy mount (use thread lock if you have it)
5. pop suspension arms back on ball joints as you put the alloy mount back on the chassis (easier for fat fingers :p )
6. Use new silver bolts to attach shocks to alloy mount
7. Glue body rail only alloy mount (I used araldite, i know tarzan grip works on the plastic too)

8. Ram truck into wall at full speed with X-Speed motor at repeat steps 1-7 !amazed (from experience)

[Squeezer]

those aren't 'caps', the ball is just screwed into it up-side-down.



Nope.. The Ball is on the other end..hence my confusion. I will have a better look when I get home tonight.

[Matt]

hey azzachaz, were you giong to add a reference to team adrenaline in your ebay auctions??

[azzachaz]

ahhh, yes. I always forget though.

I've got a whole heap of iWaver01's that I might list soon so I will do it for them.

[Squeezer]

ALL good ...working now.
I took off the rail ( It did break the plastic. ). Checked again.. batteries had had a bit more charge and the steering was straight without adjusting anything..wierd ?
Maybe the batteries didnt have enough charge ? before.

Anyway..got the alloy part installed , back together and works fine. Cranked the Dual rate as low as could go (30%) and let my 5 year old daughter have a drive. Dual rate is good for this..less damage.

Thanks for your help Azzachaz. It's a nice unit.
Next paycheck I might grab a 02 model ;-)

[azzachaz]

Good to hear it.

Yeah, my kids love to play with the cars, I brought them iWaver00's to play with.


I find that the steering goes first with low charge batteries. The car will still run but not steer, probably what happened to you.

[Squeezer]

Good to hear it.

Yeah, my kids love to play with the cars, I brought them iWaver00's to play with.


I find that the steering goes first with low charge batteries. The car will still run but not steer, probably what happened to you.

Are the Iwaver 00s the ones that are on EBay for $25-35.. The controller looks pretty bad.

[azzachaz]

yeah, they are non proportional and you cant upgrade them.

The controller takes a 9V and you cant change frequencies. They are good for kids under 6 :D

Only problem is people are mixing them up for the 01's and 02's I sell. I've actually had emails saying I am stupid to want so much for them when this other guy sell them for ~$30
~:(

[azzachaz]

Well after running the 04 for ages without breaking anything I decided to speed it up a bit....

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwavers_014.jpg

[azzachaz]

Strapped to the rear bumper is a Turbo device I have designed for the iWavers to give them a boost off the line.
I have scaled down the turbo from what I saw guys using in 1/10 tourers at the track.

Basically it stores energy and discharges it at full throttle so you get maximum current to the motor.

Without the turbo you can run into problems when the batteries cant deliver enough juice to the motor.

It also assures that the steering servo is not robbed of power when the motor is drawing a heavy load.

I'm pretty happy with the results and am thinking of putting them on the market.

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwavers_015.jpg

[azzachaz]

unfortunately the added frunt off the line led to a broken front knuckle.

Luckily I had these handy

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwavers_010.jpg

[azzachaz]

only a two minute job to replace

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwavers_013.jpg

[azzachaz]

i've also purchae a whole heap of bearing sets for the 04's. Previously only Kyosho branded ones were available because to the wierd sizes and were $50!!!.

I am selling bearing sets for ~$20 in my shop

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwavers_016.jpg

[azzachaz]

mmmm, tiny bearings. But not as tiny as the ones which went into the gearbox :O

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwavers_011.jpg

[azzachaz]

It's just so much easier to work on these things than in real life 8)

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwavers_017.jpg

[azzachaz]

A short run in the rain and all is good.

BTW BALISTIC: having the tyres on backwards makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside ;)

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwavers_018.jpg

[azzachaz]

Well that's enough for tonight.

SAY 'ELLO TO MY LIL FRIENDS!!!!

e107_files/public/8_tn_iwavers_020.jpg

[Squeezer]

Some of them are just shells ??

[azzachaz]

only the red porsche :)

[azzachaz]

Holy crap!!!!
I just installed some Li-Ion batteries on this thing. It is easily TWICE as fast.

More details about the install and vids soon

[Squeezer]

Holy crap!!!!
I just installed some Li-Ion batteries on this thing. It is easily TWICE as fast.

More details about the install and vids soon

Whats your definition of "soon "

[Vampyre]

Hey all I am new here.Just bought a IW04 off Azzachaz.I went straight for the X-Speed pro motor.I am also planning to do some more hopups.Hurry up with the new video Azzachaz. !clap

Vamp

[azzachaz]

ok, forgot about that :)

I'll have to fix the front end because it had an 'accident' on the weekend.

[remotebandit]

howz it going Vampyre , welcome to the site mate , it seems azza has introduced a few of us here .

Welcome and dont be scared to post , you wont get your head bitten off here unless you advertise something for sale and opAsx vultures onto you ASAP ... hehe .

Adam .

[Matt]

azzachaz, when you get that video, email it to me and we'll put it in the special iwaver directory on the teamadreanline server like the others =)

[iwaver man]

i want to know if the 04 is worth i t can u do wheelies stock and how is it with the x speed and how much are the alloy parts cuz i dont want to mess round with all that plastic mumbo jumbo
:p

[iwaver man]

i want to know if the 04 is worth i t can u do wheelies stock and how is it with the x speed and how much are the alloy parts cuz i dont want to mess round with all that plastic mumbo jumbo o yeah and were can i get the parts from??

[opAsx]

there is an edit button so you dont have to post twice in a row....

[iwaver man]

azzachaz ur vids dont come out it just gives audio no video !smack

[anson]

You have the wrong codec. I am not sure what codec it is though. Do you have any installed? Divx/Xvid ?

[azzachaz]

They are just mpeg's straight off my digicam

Working for anyone else?

[opAsx]

works fine for me.

rediculously fast little car :)

its a codec issue for sure.

http://hellninjacommando.com/defilerpak/

good codec pack

[Vampyre]

i want to know if the 04 is worth i t can u do wheelies stock and how is it with the x speed and how much are the alloy parts cuz i dont want to mess round with all that plastic mumbo jumbo o yeah and were can i get the parts from??


Hey IWMan I have a 04 which I purchased off Azzachaz.I got a x speed pro at the same time.I found that straight out of the box the speed is ok.Not sure about the wheelies as I didnt leave the stock motor in for that long :-).When I put the x speed pro in I put the 11t on.Even with the normal energizer batteries the speed was dramatically increased.I now use Ni-Cd's in it and the speed is awesome for the size of the car.On the carpet it flips if you go full back then slam it into full forward.On the tiles the cat cannot keep up with it.In my opinion it is a great little indoor/outdoor truck.

Vamp
!clap !super

[iwaver man]

yyaaaa! thanks man i have the x pro motor got it from toyeast .com for12 $ have u tried wheelies with the x speed in there?? just out of cuoriosity and climbing> thanks alot

[iwaver man]

question!ummm u know the body on the 04 well i see that there are 2 lil rivets is there any way to make th ebody lower because it dosent look to good with the huge gap in there

[opAsx]

edit button... saves making a useless second post :)

[Vampyre]

By wheelies I suppose you mean burnouts.I find that the tires are pretty grippy so so the wheels dont really spin much.My Super Hornet wheel spins heaps.With the body on the 04 I have looked at it and think that you should be able to lower it.If you take the body off you will notice there are extra holes below the ones that are used.If you drill these out you should be able to lower the body a bit.


Vamp

[anson]

I think he means wheelies as in does your 04 get up on its back wheels when you punch the throttle.

[iwaver man]

ya

[Vampyre]

The 04 doesnt get up on the back wheels except when if you go in reverse on carpet then punch it into full forward.

Vamp

[iwaver man]

i have a question..............is the fire lap 4.0 and the i waver 04 the same exsact thing or is it a bad imitation cuz it is way cheaper than the iwaver 04 ??? some one get back to me on that thanks a bunch

[iwaver man]

http://www.iwaverusa.com/products/04-blue-bigphoto_2.jpg

ok azzachaz! u have some black rivets in ur body that connect to 2 holes in the front suspenion mount right?? ok the firelap 04 dosent did ur chassis have the 2 sets of holes one on top that is cut out and the other set that u have to drill out when u first got ur iwaver or did u mod it and but a after market body and drill rivets holes and fit it to the body ?? the pix of the original iwaver dosent have the rivets in the body..can u plz explain? thanks

[nexxus]

lol good luck gettin an answer!

[azzachaz]

STFU nexxus

iWaver man: I'm having a hard time understanding exactly what you are saying. I havn't actually brought a Firelap but what I know is this:

They have a hard shell unlike the iW04
You get a standard Tx rather than the cool LCD one
They have strengthened the front end.

How much they have strengthened it I dont know but it is definately a problem in the 04 (alloy front suspension is a must in the 04)

[iwaver man]

u have 2 lil black things inside of ur body right that connect to 2 lil holes in either side of the truck did u put em there or was that there wen u got ur truck o yeah and so shud i stick to iwaver 04 or the fire lap?
thanks a mill

[azzachaz]

Oh OK, the holes are already in the shell when you get it.
With the Firelap the shell is hard and clips onto the mounts, you cant see the clips from the outside which is nice.

almost all the parts are still compatible with the 04/Firelap. I havn;t had my hands on a Firelap yet to give you a definitive list though.

I would stick with the 04 for now, there may be a new model coming out later this year which will be the money ;)

[iwaver man]

so if i drill out the other 2 holes on the bottom i can lower the body?
u saw the pic i posted forthe iwaver 04 that dosent have any holes in the shell did u buy after market body cuz u dont have the orginal on there

[azzachaz]

Yeah, that will work for the soft shells with the holes. The hard shells without the wholes come with the Firelaps, I dont know if it will work for them.

[iwaver man]

thanks alot