Associated T4 Stadium Truck

[StevePond]

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Hot on the heels of the acclaimed RC10B4 buggy comes the RC10T4, Team Associated's new state-of-the-art electric racing truck. The T4 features a longer wheelbase, and it's a full 1/2 inch wider than the previous generation T3 truck. This puts the T4 at the maximum ROAR legal dimensions, resulting in higher cornering speeds and improved stability over jumps and through the bumpy sections of the track.
The new T4 truck borrows the distinctive forward-swept front end and rear-mounted shock configuration featured on the RC10B4 buggy, optimized with the new co-planar steering geometry. This new suspension design provides maximum front-end clearance and minimizes bump-steer while maintaining desired Ackerman angles. Trailing front axle or optional inline steering blocks can be used to adjust steering response. The suspension arm design features a "captured" hinge pin design so that no E-clips are used. The T4 also features a heavy-duty design front hinge-pin brace and bumper for increased durability.
The transmission has also been optimized into an ultra-compact package, and now uses the same 2.6:1 higher torque-capacity differential as the RC10GT. A double-sided slipper assembly (first prototyped by Team Associated in 1989) has been designed with higher torque capacity, easier assembly, and lower rotating mass than comparable double-sided slippers. This provides a finer adjustment range and more efficient slipper operation.
The T4 chassis provides a super-low center of gravity by lowering the motor, battery, and shock mounting positions, enabling Associated's R&D team to design a sleeker, more realistic low-profile body, greatly reducing the large, un aerodynamic "humps" over the rear shocks as seen on older-design trucks.
The T4 also comes equipped with strong, dish-style wheels and high-traction Pro-Line tires. The result is a truck with a tremendous range of suspension tuning for everything from loose, dusty tracks to high-bite, blue-groove conditions. The T4 provides the more stable, predictable driving feel that serious racers expect.

#7020 RC10T4 "Team" Truck...........$315.99 suggested retail price

Team Associated suggested, assuming there are no delays in receiving the last few items needed to begin shipping, this truck should begin showing up in hobby shops somewhere between the middle to end of July.

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[SteveK]

Pretty cool. No release date, which is always iffy: You either PO all the people that just bought T3s or you PO the people that want one and have to wait for months and months. I'd say keep it under wraps until it's a lock to be released in a few months.

[RC10T3]

Wow! Thats looks sweet!

[puribong]

hehe i knew this was gonna come out.... nice looking truck.....:)

[moorerc]

Cool truck, but what's up with that body? It looks like it got into one-to-many fender-benders or something.

[Nexus]

i knew it would only be a matter of time before the released pics of the new T4. after releasing the B4 you had to believe the stadium truck revamp was next inline...


can't wait for christmas!

[Mini-Z man]

about how long does it take the nitro to come out?

[FSU427P]

I'm with SteveK on this one, and I must say that I am surprsed at how fast pictures of the truck have shown up. I thought we wouldn't even see pictures of the T4 until later in the year, how wrong I was. With no release date announced, it could be December before anyone sees the truck on their local shelves.
I love the way it looks though, and that body looks friggin' mean!

[MayhemRCNT]

I her dit is supposed to be released in July

[TC3Racer]

whoo hoo! T3 roller is now up for sale!

[atm92484_3]

This is scary...first the B4; now right on its heels is the T4. We could be seeing a new GT by the end of this year at this rate! :D

[ayk_driver]

whats the difference between the T4 and B4 if n e thing?

[FSU427P]

Same as the differences between the t3 and b3. The T4's arms are larger, the suspension geometry is different, and the CVD's length is different. It might also have a longer chassis than the B4.

[WheelNut]

We all knew it was coming of course. I thought it would be a longer wait for pictures, and I thought it wouldn't be so freakin ugly! That body makes the truck look like a pig. Aside from that I like the rear body mounts, They've got the dual pin like Losi, which is awsome! Th only concern I have is durabilty I hope this is a really tough truck. Even though the chassis looks good I don't think I'll give up my T3 just yet. The T3 is still a great truck in my opinion.

[Burnout]

Wow, RCCA couldn't have showed this truck at a better time. I was going to get a T3 this coming Monday. Now after I saw this I am glad I didn't end up with a soon to be out of date truck.

Anyways, the truck looks sweet. I love the body but not too crazy about the paint scheme. Now that front end looks mean and mad. I have a strange feeling that this truck is going to be released sooner. Good job AE!

[TC3Racer]

that steering servo looks a but smaller than average.... will it effect the steering if you have a standard size steering servo? i would think not but who knows with these mini servos...

[dragracer28]

This looks like a very nice truck I have the T3 now and I will be putting it on the shelf when I get this truck. The front of the body is a little strange but it just looks a front end they did for there stock body. The proline bodies will probably be nicer.

[gubby]

looks cool. i dont like the huge humps over the front shock tower...they should be tned down a little. other than that...i may have to get one:D

[FSU427P]

proline will probably smooth the hood out into a hump like the T3 bodies are now.

[StevePond]

Originally posted by TC3Racer
that steering servo looks a but smaller than average.... will it effect the steering if you have a standard size steering servo? i would think not but who knows with these mini servos...


That is a full size servo, not a mini servo.

[fastharry]

Originally posted by atm92484_3
This is scary...first the B4; now right on its heels is the T4. We could be seeing a new GT by the end of this year at this rate! :D


next up is the "monster" GT......


and then,I think you're gonna see the tc3 up after that..

and BTW,I think your gonna see some new TC3 nitro innovations..

[TC3Racer]

thanks steve, for some reason i thought it looked smaller than average....:D

[dragracer28]

I looked at the body more and I think the hood is is strange because they are trying to lower the CG and fit the shock tower in. I dont think you could change it much except for moving the fenders up.

[losiracer03]

I wonder if it is as wide as my xxxt.

[Wildhare787]

Now Losi needs to get on the ball and make something like a 4-XT or something.

[Gabrill]

Originally posted by WheelNut
. .. and I thought it wouldn't be so freakin ugly! That body makes the truck look like a pig. . . Perfect for this Arkansas Razorback! Now, where to get the tusks . . .

[TPhalen]

Hey everyone....a few more pix are on my site: www.CompetitionX.com

FSU427P: This is the final version of the body. The first prototype truck had a different front shock tower that gave the truck these two huge humps in the hood. Just didn't look right. So, with some re-vamping, we came up with this. The 'scoop' in the hood is a styling cue that was to help break up the large, boring hood. That scoop is there to stay.

See, the problem is is that everyone wants a 'low' vehicle. With the size of shocks and towers, it's hard to 'lower' the body and still have clearance for everything. I think Torrance (head designer next to Cliff) did a great job at making the rear humps WAY small...next to some of our other bodies, those things are tiny!!!

[crewcabcrawler]

that has to be the ugliest truck i've ever seen. i hope prolines version looks better

[atm92484_3]

Originally posted by fastharry
next up is the "monster" GT......


Nah. I think we'll be up to around the B6/T6 by the time they release the MGT. :D

[fastharry]

Originally posted by atm92484_3
Nah. I think we'll be up to around the B6/T6 by the time they release the MGT. :D

what cars are you running now,atm?

[StevePond]

Originally posted by crewcabcrawler
that has to be the ugliest truck i've ever seen. i hope prolines version looks better

You haven't seen too many trucks then... :D

[DrDiff]

From my untrained eye, it looks like they just lengthened the arms of a B4 and added truck tires and a truck body.

I like the way that they used the B4 wing mount as a Body mount for the T4.

The body leaves a bit to be desired. The stock body is not that attractive. It almost looks like an angry anime character! IMHO that is the first thing that needs to be changed on the T4! ProLine will sell a ton of Dodge/Ford and Chevy bodies for the T4.

[atm92484_3]

Originally posted by fastharry
what cars are you running now,atm?

I haven't touched my NTC3 in about 2 months. Most of my rc time has been with the GT and 7.5 (gotta love gas offroad). You still running the NTC3?

[aspiringrcracer710]

Hey Tony, is information on the AE website?

[fastharry]

Originally posted by atm92484_3
I haven't touched my NTC3 in about 2 months. Most of my rc time has been with the GT and 7.5 (gotta love gas offroad). You still running the NTC3?


absolutely...MY GT and Kanai never even get used..

the NTC3 is the best car I own..

I've even started to run in ROAR region 2 events(1st time,30 drivers,4th A main).....as well as our own tues nite touring races..WHICH,btw,I came in third(behind my freinds RODY impulse(2nd) and my freinds Tc3..

there was one mugen mtx 2...those cars run well..but he blew a belt(SO SAD)....

the only reflex there?....that blew a belt also(DOUBLE SO SAD)...


btw..firts time in six years...NO HPI"S showed up.....that company better hurry up.....I don't see ANYONE running those cars any more...

[losiracer03]

I hope the Factory Team version comes out soon.

[gubby]

Originally posted by losiracer03
I hope the Factory Team version comes out soon.


of the T4? the actual truck isn't even here! it'll be a while before we see a FT T4.

[puribong]

I wonder if AE is going to come with a new gas truck to replace GT..

[TPhalen]

crewcabcrawler. Sorry to hear you think so...

DrDiff. A bit of an untrained eye! :) The B4 had 'angled' arms...the T4 has straight arms. The tires are different, though :)

The idea was to base both vehicles off of (or as close to) one platform as possible. This will help keeps the parts you have to carry down as most will work on either vehicle.

aspiringrcracer710: I'm sure it's on there SOMEWHERE!!!!

losiracer03: Heh heh, Factory Team. Not for awhile....probably a LONG while!!!!

Tony Phalen
Associated R&D
www.CompetitionX.com

[ttweedle]

Well I am #1 on the waiting list at my hobby shop. I can't wait to get it. I don't care when it gets here, the longer it takes the more money for hopups I will save up for it. Now I need to sell one of my 2 T3's so I have electronics for it.

As for the hood scoop...I don't necessarilly like it either but if you look at the body lines, and imagine the hump not being there, it is very realistic compared to actual 1:1 offroad trucks. And yes ProLine will most likely make more bodies for it, but I would bet money that they designed this one as well.

just my .02

[ttweedle]

tphalen, will the T3 wheels fit the truck or should I start saving up to buy more wheels??? If you have any info about wheels, and such let us know. Thanks

[losiracer03]

They should come out with both team and factory team models when they launch them because they could sell more since people wont have to wait to get the better version.

[ChumsGum]

The B4 uses Losi wheels, will the T4 use Losi truck wheels?

[dog8spam]

Forget the Crowd Pleaser, its the Crowd Distractor :D I say that fits the discription of world class ugly.

Has anyone here built the T4 yet? In my opinion e-clips are ten times better than those 2/56s used to put in the hindgepins. I think hindgpins will always be a pain and e-clips are the less harmful way. Or put only clips on one end with a head like a nail on the other.

Im curious now, can anyone from Associated tell me why they put in the 2/56s? Especially allen heads.

[DrDiff]

Add in the fact that there seems to be a increased number of parts sharing from the B4 to the T4, that would make sense that the FT B4 and FT T4 would appear around the same time. It only appears to have different length shocks from the B4, longer suspension arms and turn buckles and then the front body mounts. The rest of the parts appear to be direct carry over from B4 to T4

[drumr racer]

The T4 almost has the same chassis as the b4, it's different though, the battery brace mounting positions are farther back. They did that because People (including me) had troubles with the chassis breaking right by the b4 battery brace mounts.
People sent their chassis in for evaluation to get it looked at. I guess Team associated did this to make it stronger
let's hope

[T3 Eater Jonny]

They will still call it the GT. I'm assuming this because they haven't change the name at all since the bad boy came out! They'll probably just inovate and improve on it again. TC4 would sound funny...

[TPhalen]

dog8spam: E-clips are a pain in the *ss. That's why we went with 2-56 capture screws. Plus, it's a little less maintenance to than having to replace those little e-clips all the time. We thought so, anyway. E-clips are out. The reasons it's an allen head is that EVERYONE has some sort of allen head wrench, plus the kit comes with a set of wrenches.

drumr racer: The T4 chassis has a 'section' in it that is placed there during the molding process, lengthening the B4 chassis to fit the T4. The reason the battery brace mounting posts are farther back is because there is ALOT more room for battery positions....using the battery brace mounting posts (the 'original' B4 ones) would make it difficult to insert your batteries....they would hit the battery bars and make it difficult to solder in packs. The new mounts center the posts more towards the center of the battery, where no battery 'tabs' are located.

losiracer03: We could do that (release the FTT4/FTB4 and Team kits) at the same time, but that's just not the way it's done. Marketing. Designing a kit from the ground up takes a LONG time...we don't really have the time to do anything else. Releasing the Team kit first gives us time to design some other stuff...maybe some fun aftermarket Factory Team goodies for the car!

[FSU427P]

TPhalen,
As for FT hop up options for the B4 and T4, will there be anything in woven graphite, such as the front shock tower, battery strap, etc.
I noticed that Ryan Maifield's 'factory backed' B4 had a woven graphite battery strap. Is that something he machined himself, or did you guys do it for him?
I'm hoping that you do offer woven graphite pieces. The woven graphite shock tower on the original FT T3 seemed to hold up better then the carbon-graphite version.

[ChumsGum]

T4 + Novak Brushless + new body + Kyosho Twin Cap Shocks on all corners + titanium turnbuckles = WOOOHOOOO!!!

[dog8spam]

dog8spam: E-clips are a pain in the *ss. That's why we went with 2-56 capture screws. Plus, it's a little less maintenance to than having to replace those little e-clips all the time. We thought so, anyway. E-clips are out. The reasons it's an allen head is that EVERYONE has some sort of allen head wrench, plus the kit comes with a set of wrenches.

But small allens strip, they are the worst after phillips. I wonder if they make machine screws with heads like bolts. Those would be perfect.

[wcoyote_racer]

Well lets hope that AE fixes the chassis flex/cracking problem they have with the B4 on the front and back of the battery box. With the trucks bigger tires it will only get worse if they don't.

[DaMaXXer]

Today I just built a customers B4 and it only took my like 4 hours and everything went so smoothly. I love the no c clip idea and the transmission was just so smooth and amazingly small. I am definitly going to purchase either the b4 or the t4.

Excellent job AE

[DaMaXXer]

Also about the small screws that replace the c clips and people saying there easy to strip but it's not the screw that strips it's the allen key they give you. If you have a good set of allen keys your going to have no problems. at first I thought i was going to be stripping them but once i got a better set of allen keys all the screws went in perfect.

[TPhalen]

FSU427P: The woven B4 battery strap you saw on Maifield's B4 is in fact a Factory Team option. It will be an option on the T4, also.

As of those two products, we don't have any other plans for any other woven parts for either vehicle.

wcoyote_racer: This has been fixed and should not be a problem any more on either vehicle.

dog8spam: I would check your wrenches first (as DaMaXXer said). The screws usually strip if the item they are going into is pretty stiff...the arms are soft enough that the screw should not strip.

[gubby]

TPHalen...will losi rims fit the rear, as they did on the b4? it sure made it easy to find rims fro my b4 to mount tires for it on before i got it...

[B3DUDE]

I GOTTA HAVE ONE!!!!!!!!!!!! TO GO WITH MY B4

[DrDiff]

Originally posted by ChumsGum
T4 + Novak Brushless + new body + Kyosho Twin Cap Shocks on all corners + titanium turnbuckles = WOOOHOOOO!!!

I can agree with you on the first three things. But KYOSHO SHOCKS?

Do you have rocks in your head?

Associated's team shocks are the best in the business. Kyosho, they are junk!

[ChumsGum]

Originally posted by DrDiff
I can agree with you on the first three things. But KYOSHO SHOCKS?

Do you have rocks in your head?

Associated's team shocks are the best in the business. Kyosho, they are junk! Sorry but the Kyosho Twin Caps are the best in the business, IMO. Ask anyone with an Ultima Type R and they'll tell you.

[dog8spam]

I finally started grinding the wrenches down to get more use out of them. Does anyone here know anything about the GT?

[DrDiff]

Originally posted by ChumsGum
Sorry but the Kyosho Twin Caps are the best in the business, IMO. Ask anyone with an Ultima Type R and they'll tell you.

That is your single opinion.. All the magazines aggree about Associated shocks. Just like their diffs AE is STILL the best in the business. The associated team shock has been the common factor on every RC10 ever made. From the black tubbed worlds cars through every one of the stealth prototype cars, B2, B3, and B4. Let alone on the RC10T, T2, T3, and soon the T4. The GT, and all of its variations, Even on the dual sports! Heck the basic design is the same as the original gold shocks from the six gear gold tubed RC10. The only difference being how the seals are loaded. How many different shock designs has Kyosho offered since 1986????

The last time I saw Kyosho win a big race was back in 1987. One single 1/10 scale world championshp ever. Heck Schumacher is just as good as Kyosho. Losi is better with 4. Every one of Yokomo's off road titles came with Associated Team Shocks.

[G24racer]

Originally posted by DrDiff
I can agree with you on the first three things. But KYOSHO SHOCKS?

Do you have rocks in your head?

Associated's team shocks are the best in the business. Kyosho, they are junk!


CHROME WHEELS BABY......Game Over!!! :D

[Tweeter]

chrome rims on any Associated car would be the ugliest thing ever. i could see a shelf car.

In other news i love the B4. god the car is smooth. the trans is as smoooth as the gt, pure silk. the whole car went together well. added a few choice parts though. Lunsford turnbuckels and schumacker ball ends. Other then that its all associated. :D

The T4 since it is a copy of the B4 should be just as good. I can't wait to run one. Just in time for the Off Road National at the Tilt Yard. yes i'm goin. :cool:

Why change something that already works.

Way to kick ass Accociated!!!!

[fastharry]

Originally posted by DrDiff
That is your single opinion.. All the magazines aggree about Associated shocks. Just like their diffs AE is STILL the best in the business. The associated team shock has been the common factor on every RC10 ever made. From the black tubbed worlds cars through every one of the stealth prototype cars, B2, B3, and B4. Let alone on the RC10T, T2, T3, and soon the T4. The GT, and all of its variations, Even on the dual sports! Heck the basic design is the same as the original gold shocks from the six gear gold tubed RC10. The only difference being how the seals are loaded. How many different shock designs has Kyosho offered since 1986????

The last time I saw Kyosho win a big race was back in 1987. One single 1/10 scale world championshp ever. Heck Schumacher is just as good as Kyosho. Losi is better with 4. Every one of Yokomo's off road titles came with Associated Team Shocks.





You tell him DOC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I laugh when people say the diffs in the tc3 nitro are a problem...I've got 3 gallons through a RB 5 port turbo tc3..


NO PROBLEMS!!!!!!!!!!...


oh,did I mention I read the instructions,followed them to the letter,AND maintain them(like you're Supposed to!!)

[skip wagner]

I read the T4 still uses the same Pro-Line wheels that will fit the GT and T3....... no losi wheel compatibility here. All AE trucks will still match.

[TPhalen]

You READ that skip??? Not from experience, eh???

[DrDiff]

I remember building my Original RC10 with the Gold tub/shocks six gear tranny. It even came with a cable and a set of aligator clips to form a "Charge Cable" to charge your battery packs! The little screws that held the ball bearings in the idler gears were a pain. The wrench was barely larger than a human hair! The guy at the shop where I bought the car gave me a tip. He said to keep a knife sharpening stone handy as you had to grind down the wrench after each screw as the wrench would strip out and those tinylittle screws would go no where! Had to do it twice as about 6 months after that They came out with the self lubricating Black Idler gears.

THANK GOD for the original Stealth transmission!

[Kevin Boyle]

Mr. Phalen,


I like the idea of keeping the part that I need to carry to a race down, with the B4 & T4. Do you think the GT4 will have some T4 arms and and steering linkage??? I know the tranny is the same but I guess they will try and lay that down to???? Thanks for asking our questions, and you are a good rep. for the Team.


Sincerely
Kevin Boyle
Factoryteamkb@comcast.net

[SexyJoseph]

awsome looking chasis, the body looks like it got beat with an ugly stick and broke the stick. cant wait till i get mine with my quantum esc and 10*2 d5 im already drewling

[SexyJoseph]

i am kinda worried though that the arms are so wide that they will be kind of weak, are they a problem.

[FSU427P]

If the arms are a problem, there is no doubt that they will be addressed with Factory Team carbon-graphite hop-up arms.

[TPhalen]

Kevin: Thanks. I try. I like to help keep all informed and help keep the excitement up for our products. Ever since I started working there it's more of a PR job than anything else...and I dig that. I like talking to the consumer to really get to know what they like and don't like. Makes for a better product in the long run.

As for a GT4, we have no plans to do one...at the moment. I'm sure, through the 'logical' train of thought that we will do one, it's just a matter of when. Billy Easton just won (this past weekend) the Gas Nats in Oklahoma....for the THIRD time in a row. A three-peat. Never been done before. What does that say??? 1) Billy is a damn good driver, and 2) Our GT is still competitive. Also, not sure if we could name it the GT4....Yokomo already has that name pinned to their nitro on-road car.

SexyJoseph: Hahhhahah, we actually broke TWO sticks!!! :) But seriously, I like the body. I think it looks pretty aggressive. And, the arms are not a problem. We've tested (and continue to test) very thoroughly before we release ANY kit. If they become a problem, they WILL be fixed before the release of the kit.

[ChumsGum]

Originally posted by DrDiff
That is your single opinion.. All the magazines aggree about Associated shocks. Just like their diffs AE is STILL the best in the business. The associated team shock has been the common factor on every RC10 ever made. From the black tubbed worlds cars through every one of the stealth prototype cars, B2, B3, and B4. Let alone on the RC10T, T2, T3, and soon the T4. The GT, and all of its variations, Even on the dual sports! Heck the basic design is the same as the original gold shocks from the six gear gold tubed RC10. The only difference being how the seals are loaded. How many different shock designs has Kyosho offered since 1986????

The last time I saw Kyosho win a big race was back in 1987. One single 1/10 scale world championshp ever. Heck Schumacher is just as good as Kyosho. Losi is better with 4. Every one of Yokomo's off road titles came with Associated Team Shocks. What does all this have to do with my opinion that Kyosho Twin Cap Shocks are the best around? Absolutely nothing. Please respect my opinion as I respect yours. If there's one thing I hate about these forums is how some people are always trying to pass off their opinion as fact. Why don't you jump on the people that call this truck ugly while your at it. You can also point out that because of their ball diffs and their world championships, the T4 body is the best in the business.

[jacobmervine]

i just love this truck but i won't be able to buy it until i get a job

[aspiringrcracer710]

we cant go talkin about buyin it until after we see two things:

1. Info on the website (TPhalen, I've scoured the site and found nothing)

2. a timetable for release (Including price info)

TPhalen, will this thing be at the Chicago hobby show?

[TexRacer]

Dr. Diff.I will agree with you about AE diffs.Now their outdrives are a JOKE.Way to fragile and should last ALOT longer before pitting.

I can tell you are kind of new to this or you would understand the logic of his comment if more skilled in R/C.

The kyosho shocks actually ARE BETTER.Hands Down.Just because kyosho hasnt spent the BIG MONEY to have Driver's hired to run their stuff doesnt mean they products are junk.The problem I have with the associated shocks is getting them just right and they seem to BOUNCE after big jumps no matter WHAT setup you use.I ran Losi shocks on my GT forever and it handled ALOT better than stock did.Even with easton,tebo building them.
The Kyosho shock is great and have seen a few people switch to them with GREAT results.If you have NOT tried this how can you make a HONEST opion?You CANT.

P.S. Guys to thinking the FT should come out NOW.There is HUGE marketing reasons why they dont.They bring out a new truck,make you buy ALL the hopup parts and pay $400.00-450.00 for a FT truck cause if it's HOT they KNOW you will.Same with losi.
But when sales start to trickle they will then come out with a FT.This has happened with losi and associate for years.The ONLY reason the L4 came out in FT is due to the nature of this type of racing and the other cars it compete's against.

P.S.S.Losi is still winning with the XXXT and Im sure when the T4 comes out the Losi will still win alot of races.The XXXT is a PROVEN truck that realistically isnt that old.So for you guys jumping the wagon JUST for a new truck will soon learn it's not all that.It will work better on certain tracks and for certain drivers.Not all of the above.

[aspiringrcracer710]

I am from the school that it doesnt matter what kind of truck you have, its all about your driving skills. Thats why Losi and Associated have dominated the electric scene (that and their vehicles could have survived Hiroshima), even with the explosion of touring cars (OFNA, Schumacher, Kyosho, Alex Racing, HPI, and all the other Japanese companies that have made TCs) and with Kyosho moving in with the Ultima revival. Thats the bottom line

[Brian Davis]

Originally posted by DrDiff


The last time I saw Kyosho win a big race was back in 1987. One single 1/10 scale world championshp ever. Heck Schumacher is just as good as Kyosho. Losi is better with 4. Every one of Yokomo's off road titles came with Associated Team Shocks.


Let's see... they've won the 1/8th scale worlds how many times in a row now?? Not to mention just winning the 1/8th onroad worlds warmup.... If you want to bag a company for being popular yet at the same time being a failure where the big races are concerned, you might want to start thinking a little harder about HPI, which you love so dearly..

[Brian Davis]

Btw, just to clear things up, Kyosho twin-cap shocks are manufactured by Atlas. In case you didn't know, Atlas makes some of THE best hopups for HPI, Kyosho, and other Japanese touring cars, not to mention the killer YM-34si.

[MattHiggins]

I have to admit I was surprised how people have been saying the T4's body is ugly. I really like the body on the T4, but I also like the MF edition body and the Crowd Pleazer bodies. I just like the aggresive look, I guess.

I can't wait to get my hands on the T4. I bet there are going to be some awesome battles between Losi and AE over the next couple years. Their current offering of buggies and trucks look to be the best matches ever.

[TexRacer]

Guys I wanted to clear some things up.I have had like 10 emails from kids asking me if this truck is JUNK or something.I never said such thing and didnt mean to come across that way at all.
I was trying to focus on points or comments made by people replying to this post.

The T4 will be a nice truck that will compete very well and be better for certain drivers than the XXXT.Certain tracks will cater to the T4 more than the XXXT and Vice Versa.But to say the XXXT is old and outdated is a joke.This is simply some fresh blood for a class that was on the down a bit and hopefully now will be reprived like it needed.I welcome the new design and Say Thanks Kurt for all the hard work.

Goodluck to all racing and thanks for the comments guys.
Les

[R/C Kid]

that body is ugly

[WheelNut]

Certain tracks will cater to the T4 more than the XXXT and Vice Versa

Actually one biggest of the reasons the T4/B4 were created is so that this won't happen. They have tons of adjustments so they will hook up on any track. The B3/T3 were not that adjustable so, they could only work really well on certain track types.

On another subject, I think AE should release a "GT4" and still produce the current GT. So people could have a choice as to what style of truck they would like to drive.

[TPhalen]

aspiringrcracer710: Heh heh, can't find any info on the T4 on the AE site, eh??? Try e-mailing them and telling them. I think they need to hear that from the consumers!!!! As far as a timetable, well, a couple months probably (maybe sooner). Price, well, I know, but if it's not on the AE site, I probably shouldn't say....yet. Sorry.

Chicago Show. When is it???? If it's later in the year it should be out by then!!!

R/C Kid: What's ugly about it??? I'm curious to know why everyone thinks its so ugly. Maybe we can use this info for later productions of stuff....

[FSU427P]

The more I look at the body, the more I'm getting used to it. Besides, I'm assuming Pro-Line will be an exclusice body manufacturer for the T4, so the bodies they produce will look good with one of my (or other's) custom thrown paint scheme's. It's like anything that comes out new. When Dodge released their new Ram truck, it got mixed reviews. Now everybody seems to love the trucks. The T4 will just need some getting used to, then the love will come. Plus, I think when people, and myself, drive this thing they will change their minds!

[ttweedle]

I like the body, and Proline is probably the one who did this body. Im sure there will be more, just wait and see.

[DrDiff]

Originally posted by TPhalen
aspiringrcracer710: Heh heh, can't find any info on the T4 on the AE site, eh??? Try e-mailing them and telling them. I think they need to hear that from the consumers!!!! As far as a timetable, well, a couple months probably (maybe sooner). Price, well, I know, but if it's not on the AE site, I probably shouldn't say....yet. Sorry.

R/C Kid: What's ugly about it??? I'm curious to know why everyone thinks its so ugly. Maybe we can use this info for later productions of stuff....

aspiringrcracer710: Traditionally Associated has priced its trucks $10-$20 more than the buggys. Truck tires, rims a nd bodies weigh more and cost more than buggy equivalents.

TPhalen: IMHO it is the head light and grill decals. I understand the trend to custom painted headlights and grills in 1/10 sedans, where everyone runs a Stratus body. Losi's XXXT MFE headlight and grill decals look far too cartoonish. I see the T4's decals as a move toward the Losi decals and away from the good looking decals on the GT. I hope that this is a start. BTW I liked the new RAM when it came out in 1994

[cumminspuller]

TPhalen........stated that the problem with the B4 chassis/flex cracking problem was fixed on the B4 and should not be a problem anymore. I am very new to R/C and if I went into the LHS or ordered a B4 online how would I know if I was getting an old chassis (pre-flex/cracking problem) or a new chassis (with the fixed flex/cracking)?

Like I stated above I am very new to R/C. At what point does innovation and technology surpass what we have now? I have an old B2 I bought years ago just to play around with, never race. Now I pulled it out of the attic and went through and rebuilt shocks, diff, motor. And I am curious, is the B2 so outdated that being competitve is out of the question? How about a B3? Is the R&D we have now days so advanced that previous models/versions quickly become obsolete?


J

[wcoyote_racer]

TPhalen

I'm kind of curious about that chassis fix too. Considering I've heard it's linked to lawn darts and people smacking the buggies on the middle of triple jumps. What exactly did they improve or change?

[TPhalen]

Ok....see if I can answer all questions here....

ttweedle: Actually, we (AE) designed the body, ProLine is the one that manufactures it. Same with the B4. We designed it, ProLine manufactures it. It's a win/win situation for both companies.

DrDiff: We were kind of pushing for a headlight setup more along the lines of todays 'projection headlight' setups....something you see more on the Japanese drivers cars. I really like that. I even made some up on the computer at work and printed them out. They came out pretty cool, but in the end were scrapped for the existing ones. Oh well, they work for me!!!! :)

cumminspuller: Not sure about how you will know. I don't think there are many left on the shelves that had the 'old' chassis. That one only went out in the first XXX amount of kits, and it was a short run on that anyway. The next MAJOR batch of kits that went out had the updated chassis.

Both your B2 and B3 should be pretty competitive....I'm assuming you're starting out in the novice class. The B4 is a far more competitive car in the upper ranks, but if you PRACTICE and learn a little about setups, you could do well with either car.

wcoyote_racer: Basically it was reinforcing some of the ribbing to make the chassis stronger in it's week points.

[Phirana]

Well that just made up my mind about a new truck, def going with the T4, that thing is SWEEEEEET!!! Hafta get a matching B4 too while I'm at it!:)

[xb3Guy]

hey i just bought a losi for 50.00 for a regional and after that i am selling it to get T4

[DrDiff]

Originally posted by TPhalen
DrDiff: We were kind of pushing for a headlight setup more along the lines of todays 'projection headlight' setups....something you see more on the Japanese drivers cars. I really like that. I even made some up on the computer at work and printed them out. They came out pretty cool, but in the end were scrapped for the existing ones. Oh well, they work for me!!!! :)

Hmm maybe you ought to show the results of this topic to the higher ups and maybe reconsider the HID projector look? Could you put a pix of the ones you printed out? Since the truck is not out yet AE may want to offer both types of headlight decals!

I remember somebody making a T-Maxx body called the Trident and it had head lights like the new Toyota Celica.... VERY Ugly Body!

[R-Model]

The look is way too "angry barbara streisand" to be appealing. The headlights and grille need to flow a bit better, since the headlights follow the lines of the truck and the grill is just... out there. I say look for inspiration in the new Mitsubishi Montero in terms of a starting point for original styling. Just reverse the angles of where the headlights/grille meet. The flares are great, the back could even do with bigger. The dimpled cowled hood makes it look disfigured. Make that normal, and start it where the hood begins, making the headlights closer to flush with the grille. Follow that, and we might have something.

[hooked911]

Way to go Associated. I have been waiting for along time for this truck to be released. I dont know why everybody is knocking the new body, I kinda like it. I just cant wait to put the smackdown on some losi a$$ with it! I hope the truck is as good as everybody says the b4 is. I am ordering a novak system this week that will be installed into the truck. I just hope associated dont pull the hurry up and wait thing on the release of the truck. I think they should have it together soon, I mean look how long they have had to work on it!!!

[TPhalen]

Well, body is done and the decals are at the printers. It'll have to do for those that don't like it until someone comes up with a new one. I, personally, love it!!! :) But that's just me!

[birdy233]

TPhalen, when is thing really going to hit the shops? You know what a pain it was with the B4...thanks!!

[aspiringrcracer710]

I expect soon, because from what I can gather they must of been working on this one at the same time as the B4. They didnt put out information on it because they always released the buggy before the truck. Am I headed in the right direction TPhalen?

[TPhalen]

Well, not to give away too much, but yes, the T4 will hit the shops soon. We're waiting for production parts to come in and the manual has just been finalized. Look for it in a month or two, barring any 'huge' problems....

[aspiringrcracer710]

Hey Tony, I have 2 questions. First did you make any changes to the servo tray in the T4s chassis, which leads to the second question, Im having some trouble fitting a Hitec 605 servo into my T3 RTR. ideas?

[blue_bottle]

whats goin to be the deal on the wheels for the t4? will they be the same design as the old style t3/gt rims?
I was just thinking about this in relation to the new ae gt to be released, because on high traction surfaces they've been known to strip out(prob not a problem on the electirc versions). If the rims on the t4 match the losi offset, and therefore the hex rims off the mugen then i dont see a problem, especially if the truck handles anywhere near as good as the b4.
its gonna be like an unstoppable freight-train flattening all the hapless losi's who happen to bother tryin to make a race out of it:D
t4-things are gonna get messy! ;)

[Jeff Cain]

Originally posted by DrDiff
Hmm maybe you ought to show the results of this topic to the higher ups and maybe reconsider the HID projector look? Could you put a pix of the ones you printed out? Since the truck is not out yet AE may want to offer both types of headlight decals!

I remember somebody making a T-Maxx body called the Trident and it had head lights like the new Toyota Celica.... VERY Ugly Body!

It's the Triton, and I have the stadium truck version on my XXNT. I think the T4 body is the only one that looks better than the Triton, and I absolutely LOVE Kyosho double cap shocks. Are you sure we're from the same planet? :D

[2.5 guy]

I'm not.

[TPhalen]

aspiringrcracer710: Servo tray in the T4 chassis?!?!? Well, if you mean that on the T3 chassis you have to grind away a little of the battery brace screw nub then no....the new T4 chassis does not have this same design. We checked to make sure ALOT of servos fit but since there are, I'm sure, HUNDREDS of servos, we can't test them all. I'm guessing, though, that the HITEC servo will fit if it is of a 'standard' size.

blue_bottle: New AE GT??? Ummm, not sure what you're talking about there. Where did you hear that?

[dragracer28]

TPhalen: Are the rear body mounts rigid enough to keep the body from moving around. I know they work with light buggy wings but how are they with a heavy truck body? Also what will be the first race for the truck? Have any team drivers gotten finished production trucks yet?

[aspiringrcracer710]

Originally posted by TPhalen
aspiringrcracer710: Servo tray in the T4 chassis?!?!? Well, if you mean that on the T3 chassis you have to grind away a little of the battery brace screw nub then no....the new T4 chassis does not have this same design. We checked to make sure ALOT of servos fit but since there are, I'm sure, HUNDREDS of servos, we can't test them all. I'm guessing, though, that the HITEC servo will fit if it is of a 'standard' size.

blue_bottle: New AE GT??? Ummm, not sure what you're talking about there. Where did you hear that?

TPhalen you didnt answer my other question about how to fix my servo fit problem in my T3

[ttweedle]

aspiring, tphalen did answer your question....Grind down the nub from the battery hold down bolt, until your 605mg fits... It will because that is the first servo I ever put into a T3. Just get your dremel tool out and start grinding away that plastic. don't be afraid either really get in there and make some room. (Actually test fit the servo as you are grinding so you don't take more out than you need to.) And if all else fails get a T4 the day it ships to your lhs like Im doing. I can't wait...:cool:

[Shonuff]

think that the public can get there hands on them before the mod nats??

also, will the team guys run them if they arent released yet?

[Railman]

TPhalen,
Has anything been done on the T4 with the divider strip between the battery, & the servo? Evidently it's a weak spot on the B4, as several locals have broken them landing awkward off jumps.
Just curious. Thanks. ;)
Joe

[TPhalen]

aspiringrcracer710: Ya, what ttweedle said....

ttweedle: Thanks for translating!!! :)

Shonuff: Not sure when the Mod Nats are....wish I knew!!! I could answer that! The heros will only run them FIRST if the sanctioning body says that kits have to be available at the time of the vehicles debut.

Railman: Yes. That wall dividing these sections has been beefed up....it's been beefed up for awhile now, and is available on the B4 kits, also.

[blue_bottle]

I must be psychic!:D
looking forward to seeing it all the same.
anyways tho,whats the gen on the wheel configuration?

[belila]

This is my first post. Weeeee!

Okay, back to topic. In a way I think the body is both good and bad.
Pros: It looks good (IMO), like the new alternative design.
Cons: Hardcore racing. The front grill and headlights section are very unaerodynamic, and the rear shock tower covers are not smoothered out as much as I would like to see it.

The car: I'm thrilled that the car comes in Team version only so far. It makes it cheaper for us people who don't have a truck load of money, while maintaining the good handling AE trucks are known for :)
I don't care about the Factory Team version, which prolly will be over 100 dollars more expensive than the Team version where I live (the T3 was), and you only get some graphite parts and those absolutely non-nessesary blue parts.
The chassis LOOKS, I'm not saying that it is, but it LOOKS a lot like the T3 in many ways. Chassis layout, electronics placements. Even the shocks are completely the same. BUT, lets see how fast and consistent lap times it can do, cause that is what matters to me most. Also a lot of setup possibilities are important, hope the T4 has got that too.
Has just ordered mine two days ago. The foreman at my local track also happens to own a hobbyshop closely nearby and he promissed me 10% discount. He does that to every club member :) . Great guy.
Can't wait till the end of July, where I'll get my beauty :(

[Agent Smith]

TPhalen: I would like to thank you for answering all thses questions and sharing your knowledge with us.


I've got a question though.

Will Team AE be running the T4 at the HotRod Hobbies OffRoad Shootout in a couple of weeks?

[ttweedle]

TPhalen, is the mid July release still a go? Not that it matters really just knowing I will have it before christmas is cool. Any update would be appreciated.

Travis

[jay272]

I can't believe some people didn't expect this truck. The only differences between the B4 and the T4 are the wider suspension parts (arms, camber rods, cvd's). Same as the T3 and B3.

[TPhalen]

Agent Smith: No prob. We are hoping to have the truck there....can't say we are for sure, but things look good as of right now!

ttweedle: Yup. As I stated above, things look good for that release date.

[ttweedle]

Jay I sort of agree with you, although the B4 was a really big surprise since we were all being told that the only thing being worked on was the Monster GT. Then out comes the B4. I figured that the T4 would be out by Christmas. But the middle/end of summer is much better. Especially since I have no desire to own a Monster GT. I am just surprised that no one ever saw a prototype T4 on the race track like we did the stealth cars last year...

[TPhalen]

Pretty good at keeping things secret, ain't we!!!! :)

[belila]

At my track, 3 guys besides me have ordered the T4, so I'm looking forward too some close racing were it's only the setup and driver skill and not the car that decide the winner!
Right now and 2 years back we've raced Tamiya Stadium Thunders. Yeah, I know that ain't a quality car, but it sure as hell is durable! And combined with 17 turn motor and short, tight track it makes for some serious Nascar-like bumping and banging. And we always have a different winner! Great fun :)

Now it looks like we are gonna turn over to this Associated truck. Combining it with 17 turn motor it would rock on my local track!!!
Really looking forward to the end of July.

[LosiGuy09]

Its' to bad Team Associated has to keep building their vehicles looking more and more like a Losi, look at that smooth looking chassis! The only original thing is that tranny.

[Shakedown]

WOW!!

Your'e right!

AE should of gone with something different like a rough and bumpy chassis bottom with holes all over it. Maybe some sharp edges too to catch ruts in the track. That would be original.:D

:mad:

[10Lforlife]

The front end look like an angry beaver or something tick off. Anyway it's still a cook truck can't wait to get one:D :cool:

[ttweedle]

Losiguy09, we could say the same of your losi vehicles that are using a dual slipper setup that Associated originally created and developed. But Im not here to try and flame you. Maybe I can educate you on what all types of race engineering is faced with. If someone comes out with a significant breakthrough that everyone can see as a benefit for the racer or race team, then other engineers are shooting their team in the foot if they don't implement that technology into their own chassis. For instance look at Formula 1, and Nascar vehicles. They are literally identicle underneath the body. Nascar chassis have all the same type of tubular frame, safety equiptment, etc... They even have jigs that verify that the body is within specs so that one driver doesn't have an aerodynamic advantage over another. (Pray that doesn't happen in R/C.) Its basicly the evolution of a race vehicle. Well thats just my .02 on the subject.

[xxxkat]

If I owned a XXXT I would be looking to dump it..LOL,But really the new T4 is faster than the old T3 by alot,The last big race i was at the Associated Team drivers put the smack down in mod truck with the T3 and yes their was a few of Losi's top drivers their..the next day some of the Team drivers tested the T4 and it was 2 sec. a lap faster(the AMB does not lie),But NO one got to see the trucks run,But I am getting one and i have been a long time Losi racer.

[ttweedle]

Well, we have gotten no new news, on this thing for a while. Hopefully its a sign that they are getting ready to ship these things. I need to have 2 of them by September so i will have all I need for the Roar Regionals. Gotta have a parts truck just in case...

[skip wagner]

Word around SoCal is that indeed AE will be shipping T4 kits during the last week of July...

And at the Shootout last weekend I saw that the T4 chassis mold had incorporated some new mods to improve strength in front of the battery and where the rear plate attaches.

[TPhalen]

Hey Skip...those mods look good, eh??? :) I'll have to tell you, if there is a 'problem' with one of our vehicles, our engineers get on it in a hurry to make it better.... :)

How was the Shootout, anyway??? Didn't the T4 take a 1st, 2nd and 4th in Pro Mod Truck??? :D :D

[ttweedle]

Ok the end of the month is near! TPhalen any words???? All was quiet all through the house, batteries charging for my T4 Stealth...

[FSU427P]

I work at my lhs and we have 4 on order. I can't wait any longer!!

[TPhalen]

They SHOULD ship this week, if they haven't already. I've seen many-a-shink-wrapped box out in the warehouse....

[FSU427P]

Awesome!!
Thanks for the heads up!

[aspiringrcracer710]

Hey TPhalen, are we going to be seeing the AE works boys wheeling T4s at the Mod Nats at the Tiltyard? If not, where are we going to see them again?

[TPhalen]

aspiringrcracer710: Yes, you will! You might even see another win at the head of the winner's circle....

[TrevorB]

Well.. our local AE driver received his T4 on Wednesday morning, and had it at the track by late Wednesday afternoon.

Tomorrow (Saturday) will be the first race. Mod truck is heating up baby!!

AE site says kits will ship Monday!!

Later:)

[dragracer28]

TPhalen: there are no updates on your web site about the T4 actually shipping today. Is it shipping or not?

[TPhalen]

Umm, I'm assuming it did....I didn't get out to the warehouse to look....

Sorry!

[Chubby RC]

You know, I never thought about buying this type of RC truck untill I saw that body. I like it!

Too bad I don't have an off road track around here.

[TrevorB]

dragracer28...

Check the website now. They show a pic of a truck being loaded.

Trevor

T4's are on their way...:)

[b3guyRC10]

I REALLY want to get the T4 when it comes out! How come AE sent them out Monday and tower changed the estimated arrival date from Early August, to Mid August?

Regards,
Will

[TrevorB]

Probably cause the first batch that they get will be used to fill backorders....

[gee-dub]

tony, looking forward to seeing the t4's in action. on a somewhat related note, what servo do you (or the team guys) run in your 10L4o's?

[TPhalen]

Something quick. I personally use an Airtronics 737. Some of the other guys use 452's. Either will work....I mean, really, you're only turning one direction, right??? (HOPEFULLY!!!!!)

[ttweedle]

any one gotten theirs yet???

[Bigfurryguy]

TPhalen, I just wondered if you might be able to respond to a rumor I heard at my LHS today. The rumor is that only less than 1,000 T4's have so far been produced, and that all of the ones that have been shipped were sent to team drivers, magazines, and other VIPs. I wasn't sure if you would have any info on this, but you're the only go-to-guy I know of who might. LOL

[TrevorB]

I don't know about your area, but here in Indianapolis, all 3 of our primary hobby shops got 2 or 3 each this week. Our tracks AE sponsored drivers got their trucks 2 weeks ago.


fyi...

:)

Check out www.rc10b4.com plenty of guys have posted pics of their T4's this week.

[Skribble]

W00t, saw some T4 runs, along with several people getting theres here in Bakersfield, CA (Showtime Speedway) for a Mid Summer Classic. Needless to say, they were fast and smooth .. Although in mod truck, a "T3" beat them all. :) Matt, 15th Street, and a few other Pro/Sponsored guys showed up. It was a fun 2-day race .. "Sahooot/Wooooo!" ;)

[ttweedle]

I got mine on Thursday last week, and put it together that night. something came up so I didnt' get to race it on Saturday, but I must say that it is very easy to build, less than 3 hours. I have run it in front of my house and its very stable on a high traction surface. Didn't traction roll once even when I was trying to... Can't wait to race it.

Travis

[Lapster]

Well, I ordered mine about 5 minutes agof off of eHobbies. I hope it gets here before Saturday! Smack some losi's.

[gubby]

but lapster, dont you have a xxx-s? :D

[Lapster]

Im talkin offroad. I couldnt stand the TC3 when everyone else had it. I have to admit... Losi does make good cars. but I jsut like associated... and I know this "4 series" cars will last me a long time.

So yes... I do have a xxxs.

[gubby]

ok, that explains it;) :D

[Lapster]

What?!!

I dont get it... what does it explain?

[gubby]

i somehow remembered you had a xxxs from an old post, and you said in the post on this thread "time to whoop some losis"(something like that). so i was wondering why you said that, since you have a losi, and you explained you have it to be different from everyone with a tc3.;)

get it now?

[Lapster]

Ahhhh... I get it.

O yea gubby I just looked at your profile, I am 3 days older than you! HAHA

[Lapster]

O yes... I was also wondering if the T4 like the b4 will be able to accept losi rims on the back? Will the xxxt rims be a direct fit?

[aspiringrcracer710]

Hey TP, you gonna be at the Mod Nationals? Itd be nice to be able to keep up with how the boys are doing

[Lapster]

Or will T3 wheels fit? What are all the wheels that will fit... TPhalen?

[Bigfurryguy]

I found one at a LHS yesterday. WoooHooooooo! This truck is sweet. Also, it looks like Losi rims will fit it. Haven't tried it yet, but will let you know when I do.

[TPhalen]

Nope. I won't be at the Mod Nats. Finishing up the Monster GT stuff. Got our sample production trucks Monday. Man these things look cool! Gonna be busy the next couple days checking to make sure everything is good to go.

And yes, T3 wheels will fit the T4.

[Lapster]

What about Losi XXXT rims?

[poopie]

I think xxx-t rims have a rider offset