DEX210 gearbox in Mk1 Ultima?

[Boons]

Hi all,

I've been thinking about this for a while now, I have a 210 gearbox and it's nice and compact. I'm thinking of either mounting it behind the current bulkhead or to remove the bulkhead altogether and use the 210 shock tower.

Has anyone done this? I've seen some articles on RC10 gearboxes in Ultima's but as I have a 210 complete rear end anyway, I thought I'd give it a go. I'd prefer to 'just' change the gearbox so the car looks as original as possible, but just with more firepower

[mr. ed]

I've done a b4 for a friend: using the suspension also, but from the looks I thought it would have worked with the original suspension too.
On the other hand I have ran one with a first generation stealth for about 3 years.
I don't own any durango material, but I also think you should be able to do one.
But, why not go that little bit further and use the durango gearbox in mid configuration? Chop the front of the chassis also and mount a durango front too? That's the kind of projects which are most fun if you can pull them off.

[DerbyDan]

Anything is possible - i'm not familar with either the Ultima or Durango buggies but i'm sure it can be done, i'm guessing the the 210 gearbox is a modular item, so its a case of then looking at what is needed to mount your shocktower/rear bulkhead & rear wishbones - are such elements part of the gearbox mouldings on the Ultima?

The hardest thing with any such conversion is making the driveshafts work... I put a Losi XX gearbox into the back of my Mardave Cobra - I ended up cutting & spicing together two sets of driveshafts (two losi halves welded together with two cobra driveshafts to make a complete pair)

[DrPaul]

Boons, I just dont get why you want a vintage buggy to then transplant modern kit into it. Vintage cars dont work as well as modern cars but thats their beauty. Either stick with a vintage car as stock or buy a modern buggy. Even a hybrid vintage isn't going to handle and perform like a modern buggy. Vintage for vintage class and modern buggy for normal buggy racing.

Good luck though.

[Boons]

Thanks guys, I've been placing the parts up to the chassis and deciding what to do. With just the gearbox on the shafts are too short. I may look at sticking the whole 210 back end on. Mr ed, I was thinking mid motor, might be a bit flimsy with the stock chassis? Maybe best to use UM-27?

Don't worry Dr Paul, I have other unmolested Ultima's

[Welshy40]

The dex210 gearbox is a rubbish design so would opt for a new B5M gearbox, you wont have any issues such as wear like the 210

[mr. ed]

The stock chassis is flimsy yes, a used turbo chassis would be much better. Just make sure to have a firm link between the upper part of the gearcase and your topplate.

How much are the shafts too short? Maybe use the DEX hubcarriers and shafts on the original arms? Otherwise: Lazer ZX5 CVD's are available in different lengths but pricey. There's one cheaper version of the ZX5 shafts, but that's one length only I believe.
Mid-moter and original suspension is going to be near impossible I estimate.