FireTeam EXB conversion Part 1

Disclaimer: We are aware the EXB rigs have LSD diffs, but we generally remove them to facilitate the heavier diff fluids, so we would still consider this build to be EXB compatible.
In this video we attempt to build the Arrma Fireteam into the EXB version on a budget. Owning several EXB vehicles already we delve into what makes them tough and attempt to convert the RTR Fireteam into something a bit stronger. To give the feeling we enjoy while building these machines, this time, we run through the build with absolutely no chatter whatsoever. The build is one we've anticipated ever since unboxing the new RTR. Come along as AJ does what he can to make this vehicle as tough as it should have been straight out of the box.
Music:
MixKit, Party Robot
Epidemic Sound:
Deaf Election, Acceler8
Sven Lindvall, Coming Closer,
Scoobadive, Electric

[@midwestern_rc]

Dang I thought I was gonna be the first one to do an EXB fireteam. And I agree keeping the non LSD diffs. Much more reliable.

[@meanf1502]

That is such a cool an genius idea to lock everything in turn it upside down an transfers it all over to better a chassis

[@AJJAMStudios]

Thank you. We like the way it works too. It works with most pan chassis RC's. Thanks for commenting. 😎👍

[@petermakeithappen8336]

I just bought a Fireteam and it's my first Arrma so I'm really glad I saw this video because I was thinking of doing this and I'm definitely going to pull the trigger on it now

[@matthill3859]

Been watching and following bro. Spent 6oo bucks or so CAD on all the upgrades from basherqueen gpm rcawd and MTC. Wow it's alot of work but awesome video man, without it I'd be lost

[@tramontawilliams715]

Love the way you change that over to exb. Freaking awesome!!!!

[@AJJAMStudios]

Thanks. 😎👍

Like the new format for the wrenching!

[@AJJAMStudios]

I was hoping it would go over well. Relaxing and easy to watch 😎👍

[@SpeedSyko]

AJ I’m working so I’ll be watching while I work. I will comment after it’s done. 👍💯

[@AJJAMStudios]

Awesome 😎👍

[@afronegro791]

Always enjoy your videos mate. Can't wait for part 2. Gonna try that craddle hack next time I do a chassis swap

[@AJJAMStudios]

Great to hear. I hope you like it 😎👍

[@nickpacello2597]

I love your videos. Look forward to your bashing with these upgrades.

[@AJJAMStudios]

Thank you. We enjoy making them. We are looking forward to that too, once the weather allows it. 😎👍

[@clausura9442]

I'm actually struggling to piece together a build from my armma parts. I have electronics covered. everything off my senton 4x4 . this video helped me identify a few things I will be upgrading before I start. the chassis was pretty much the #1 piece of info I needed and the kraton arms. Looking forward to more. thank you again

[@AJJAMStudios]

Good luck on your project. Please let me know how it turns out. AJ

[@SpeedSyko]

GREAT INFO AJ! Great job! 👍💯

[@AJJAMStudios]

Thank you Speed. Much appreciated 😎👍

[@alexidelossantos8203]

Awesome informative video. Agree, they should have made it all EXB from the get go.

[@AJJAMStudios]

Thank you 😎👍

[@pcrclf6991]

I did the same thing to my Mojave V2 I got the EXB braces and the servo mount I found a deal on eBay all I wanted was the braces in the servo mount and they threw in a bunch of extra parts for only 30 bucks what a deal

[@AJJAMStudios]

Isn’t that nice?, finding a deal like that. I love it when I come across a deal that allows me to build more for less. Thanks for commenting 😎👍

[@JSinistaProductions]

Nice! I stretched my typhoon last year and didn't think of doing the swap in this manner. I've already picked up the parts to "upgrade" my Fireteam and will be following your lead on "how-to" swap everything over! Sub'd!

[@AJJAMStudios]

Very cool! 😎👍

[@BeautyBeastRC]

what an awesome way to swap a chassis. Definitely saved this for later lol.

[@AJJAMStudios]

I'm glad we could help. AJ

[@JoseSantos-xz4db]

I enjoy you’re videos .. they are very informative… thank you

[@AJJAMStudios]

You're most welcome 😎👍

[@zerrickdracing6784]

Yes it's tuff enough I only put the chassis braces on and the tower to tower braces on and that thing is a tank only blow out a barring on mine and the plastic rear chassis brace

[@chiasson65]

Good stuff AJ. I put those chassis braces on mine as well, haven't run it yet though. Took the brake off too, not my cup of tea. Made my stance a bit wider by adding HR Kraton hubs knuckles and stub axles.........got another 17mm width total, maybe a bit more stable....we'll see. Again, great video bro. cheers, kev

[@AJJAMStudios]

Sounds like you have yours dialed in. Let us know how it works out. Thanks for commenting 😎👍

[@readeracingRC]

im new to this part of youtube. ok all new world I didnt know of. I been watching your vids. and love them all... One day I will have all of them watched. KIT (Keep It Tight).

[@AJJAMStudios]

That should be interesting. You will get to see where we started and how far we’ve come since then. Thanks for joining us 😎👍

[@daltonboucher8162]

Always enjoy the content thumbs 👍

[@AJJAMStudios]

Thank you 😎👍

[@JHarris]

Loved the video, but wheres Part 2? Id like to see how to does with the upgrades. Tempted to do the same thing with mine.

[@AJJAMStudios]

We did the video for part 2 and the rig held up nicely, but before we could upload it our computer system crashed taking several videos with it. Needless to say, we were bummed over it. We probably will do another one on the Fireteam, after all we like this one. Thanks for asking. P.S. (Spoiler) the upgrades worked out great.

[@JHarris]

Ahhh, bummer. Sorry to hear about your system crashing. Thanks for the update though! Glad to hear it performed as one would expect!

[@yyckey5022]

Can't wait to see this bash.🤩👍

[@AJJAMStudios]

That makes two of us. 😎👍

[@chaoticadventure]

Love my fireteam!

[@sarasithlord]

Awesome video !!!!

[@AJJAMStudios]

Thanks for the visit

[@EastTactics]

Great info brother!!

[@AJJAMStudios]

Appreciate it! Thanks 😎👍

[@WildBoyRC]

Where’s the video of you bashing this now? I’d like to see it. Thanks!

[@24865943]

Well said. Had funds ready to order this fella then the loos and the un cannyness off it just put me off. Maybe the mk2 oor a version will be a better bet. Good video tho.... Thanks.

[@frankposterello1628]

Great video! Wondering how it's holding up - did you do anything about the front knuckles/hubs? Mine eats inner bearings like potato chips - and that's actually the only thing I've broken so far (well, body panels) because I don't bash super hard.

[@simtherapy9533]

Very Edumacational! 🌝👍

[@AJJAMStudios]

Glad you think so!

[@damaylaphoenix1155]

i think you should've use treadlocker on the chassis brace screws!

[@AJJAMStudios]

Always a good idea. 😎👍

[@pcrclf6991]

On those braces make sure you put Loctite on those bottom screws or else they were back out that's what happened to me

[@AJJAMStudios]

Always a good idea. By the way, there’s Loctite on everything metal to metal, we did it afterwards because we weren’t sure it would all work out until we were done with the project. Thanks for commenting 😎👍

[@bransonbasher6534]

Are you planning a hub swap to get rid of the tiny hub bearings?

[@AJJAMStudios]

Not until they fail. Then we will get into that. We like to take it one thing at a time if we can. Thanks for asking. 😎👍

[@Fre2dy]

Yo bro, good job, je commence aussi a renforcer mon Fireteam en EXB!

[@AJJAMStudios]

Thank you. 😎👍

[@josephdimeo2672]

Do you have a link for the parts? nice work

[@robjones312]

How much would you charge to convert my Fireteam ?

[@AJJAMStudios]

Unfortunately we do not engage in work outside the studio. Hopefully the videos will help walk you through the process. Thanks for asking, it means a lot. AJ

[@onemansvideos2134]

I did this to my kraton last year with mojave exb parts and m2c center braces and talion shock towers to get the body nice and low

[@AJJAMStudios]

I've seen it done on other channels, and waited until now to try it; I don't know why. How do you like yours?

[@onemansvideos2134]

@@AJJAMStudios i really like it its more stable and easy to control

[@AJJAMStudios]

Good to know. Thanks 😎👍

[@jasonpaulhobbs]

Awesome vid! Looking to do the chassis swap and could only find the talion exb for 50$ is it the same chassis as well?

[@CA-fh3no]

Can motor mount n all other parts from fire team fit on the infraction 6s chassis

[@jbrc1322]

not quite EXB... missing the heavy-duty steel turnbuckles, heavy duty front and rear shock pins, heavy-duty front upper steel hinge pins, and most importantly the plated limited slip differentials with wider tooth profile and increased helix angle. But I suppose it's getting there.

[@AJJAMStudios]

There are always small things that differ between the rigs. You are right, of course, "Not quite EXB", but the overall strength of the Fireteam is now much improved, which is a bonus. We are well aware the EXB series is made up of many upgraded components, and we thought about integrating all of them into this video, but the cost would have been way too high overall. This was a way to improve the fireteam without breaking the bank in the process. PS, I am not a fan of the LSD diffs, and remove them most of the time anyway, (Personal preference only). I really appreciate your input and thank you for participating in the comments. 😎👍AJ

[@jbrc1322]

@@AJJAMStudios that's reasonable. Just want to clarify that when you say you remove the lsd diffs, do you mean you remove the lsd plates and replace them with shims, or swap the entire diff for the standard 6s diff? I can't see how replacing the stronger ring and pinion with the weaker design would benefit in any way. Maybe I misinterpreted what you meant.

[@AJJAMStudios]

I've done both, and have a video in the works as to how I go about that, but even when I replace the entire diff with the 6s one, proper shimming is key to the differential's longevity. I understand the ring and pinion of the EXB diffs are stronger, but not having lost a diff to that issue tells me the 6s ones still do the job. So, it doesn't matter to me which one I use, because they both work for me. I've purchased some materials that might actually make this easier to switch out, you know, remove the LSD portion altogether, without having to give up the strength of the EXB diff. It's the shimming and the plates that I don't like. I prefer the classic diff setup, it's just a personal preference. Thanks for asking. 😎👍

[@jhonygalaxy8687]

Hi there can you share the items numbers in order to buy it for my fireteam ?

[@TheRealHeavyHitterzRCRacing]

I need the link to all these upgrades❤

[@sfbasher2976]

I found two chassis for exb kraton. One Is LWB and the other is XLWB Which one is it and do you have a part number? Thank you

[@robertscadlock8678]

So you can use the Creighton for upgrade parts

[@AJJAMStudios]

Some of them, yes

[@kingbooda9057]

Where do I find the parts for the fireteam?

[@AJJAMStudios]

I search eBay first. Part numbers help.

[@Apothas541]

I wish my body clips slid in that easy lol

[@AJJAMStudios]

Use 10th scale clips. They work great. 😎👍

[@nickyseitel7971]

Wo ist den bitte der Part 2?

[@willmrx]

What are the part # for the parts that you used?

[@ntorres1966]

Can you please provide where you purchased the parts you upgraded too. Thank you.

[@AJJAMStudios]

Ebay.

[@rickkremer0525]

Can you add a description of the list of parts? Thx

[@71Moparmike]

No thread locker on any of the screws? lol

[@AJJAMStudios]

Always a good idea 😎👍

[@koolkiwikat]

wheres the followup vid?

[@AJJAMStudios]

We had a major computer issue at the studio and the footages and such for several videos was destroyed when our systems (plural) went down. Unfortunately, this follow up video was one of those casualties. We are planning upon doing another one, but that will have to wait until our weather allows for it.

[@damaylaphoenix1155]

are the mojave exb shock towers the same as the fireteam?

[@AJJAMStudios]

The rear one seems to be, but the front tower is narrower on the Mojave than the one on the Fireteam. However, the Kraton front tower is so close it is interchangeable with the one on the Fireteam. Thanks for asking. 😎👍

[@damaylaphoenix1155]

@@AJJAMStudios thx for the advice!

[@mark4prez20]

Do you know how much weight was added with these parts?

[@AJJAMStudios]

I did not think to weigh them. I do know the difference was not much. Thanks for asking. 😎👍

[@danb.4571]

So now you have +/- $1K into a FireTeam? No way I would describe that as "worth it," just my .02. That said, I do love my Arrma stuff and my Mojave EXB is the best truck I've ever owned, hands down. But that was $549.00 plus electronics and you're not even near the total of EXB parts on that FireTeam. And it's a Mojave RTR chassis with a questionable looking body populated by dolls with guns. Again, I'm a big fan of Arrma but they overpriced this one big-time for what you get. I REALLY wish they would have taken a more Lasernut approach, built Arrma tough, and abandoned their current approach. They would have already had my money, and I'm sure I'd have loved that truck. For me, the FireTeam is a hard pass. Thanks for another great video, and I continue to appreciate your objective and informative videos. I just don't agree on this one.

[@AJJAMStudios]

I understand completely. The idea of worth it is on the premise that you already own the car. Is the upgrade “worth it”. I see how that might get lost in translation. The Fireteam is unusual to be sure and I’m not the biggest fan of its design but it does handle good, it’s fast, like the Mojave, and it’s easy to repair when broken. I love the opinion you shared with us. Thanks for commenting 😎👍

[@jasonf4518]

Where's part 2? Gotta get part 2 done.

[@AJJAMStudios]

We’re working on it. Thanks for showing interest in it 😎👍

[@AntiHeroFett]

@@AJJAMStudios I'm not seeing it...STILL working on it?

[@AJJAMStudios]

It is in the works but when our system went down we lost the majority of what we were working on. Our footage for the video is trashed and now it's winter here so the video will have to wait until spring. Still, we have tested the upgrades and they work awesome. The only failure we've had has been the ESC. All of the upgrades rock. We'll get it out as soon as we can. Thanks for commenting. AJ

[@AntiHeroFett]

@@AJJAMStudios That's a bummer dude! As somebody that used to make YT vids and also works a day job where losing art files means losing time and money when a data system fails, I feel your pain on multiple fronts. Thanks for the response though, I appreciate it! Just picked up an FT on that insane Black Friday deal. Will def look into upgrading the aluminum chassis braces over the plastic ones right away as that seems to make sense, but will hold off on the towers and chassis until deemed absolutely needed. I don't bash as hard as you guys so I'm taking a wait and see approach. Hope you had a good holiday and thanks for the cool content...cheers! ~Phil

[@Kluitmans_rc]

Maybe trying a different body to fitted?!

[@AJJAMStudios]

Perhaps, but first we have another idea in mind. Stay tuned for the next build we are planning, it should be good. Thanks for commenting. 😎👍

[@StreetDreamzRC]

Are the a arms the same size as the kraton?

[@AJJAMStudios]

Yes The version 5 Kraton. 👍

[@StreetDreamzRC]

@@AJJAMStudios thanks man.👍

[@AJJAMStudios]

Glad to help. 😎👍

[@damaylaphoenix1155]

try hot racing servo arm ,

[@AJJAMStudios]

I have several of those and they work quite well, but I still have an aluminum one in place and it won't fail, so I don't see the need to change it, but thanks for the tip 😎👍

[@bretallsop1862]

You forgot loctite

[@Victic005]

It's too pricy at $750. I rather get the Losi SBR and get a lot more for a little more. Better to wait till Arrma comes out with the EXB.

[@AJJAMStudios]

It is pricy, to be sure. Thanks for commenting. AJ

[@S40TBS]

All that money to buy it and you have to spend more money and time to fix hope you sent Arrma the invoice 🤣🤣🤣

[@garymitchell9152]

The stock one is so much stronger than the exb snap so easy

[@AJJAMStudios]

To what are you referring?

[@NeighberhoodRC]

Tag Arrma when you make these videos so they can know how to better build their rc cars !!! @Arrma I hope ya see this