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Well, I got the King Hauler and Box Trailer.

I searched for a write-up thread on this and found nothing so I figured I'd start this one.

I know Michael Kranitz did a write up in the King Hauler/Tanker which was great, but I figured since the Knight Hauler and Box Trailer are so different that I would set this thread up.

I will also go in depth about the MFU and other electronics.

Like Michael Kranitz said, this is the MOST wonderful modeling experience you will ever encounter!!!!

Build-up includes:
Knight Hauler w/ full BB
Multi Function Unit
Aluminum Wheels mod
Finishing tips

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First I'll discuss the radio. The only radio that is recommended for the big rigs and tanks is the Futaba 4VWD Attack 4CH AM radio. It is designed for this function. It comes with 2, 3004 servos, a third servo is required for the motorized leg function. The 4VWD also supplies a metal shift gate for the throttle side. This allows you to shift the vehicle without damaging the transmission.

Yes, the rigs can be driven with only two channels. If you have only a 2 channel radio, you will not have the option to use the Multifunction Unit or any accesories.

Dale Gribble

My Feedback: (4)

Thanks for doing this! I will be looking forward to the buildup.

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Glad to give out the information! These rigs are the pinnacle of Tamiya modeling and scale detail.

Thanks,
Matt

CustomTamiyas4Life

My Feedback: (34)

How much are those radios?

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http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXBCP2**&P=0

CustomTamiyas4Life

My Feedback: (34)

Wow! CHeap! Now I just need to get over the price of the kit lol.

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LOL

The MFU is almost as much as the truck....

CustomTamiyas4Life

My Feedback: (34)

Ya, but if I ever got one I would just get the truck and make a trailer to haul around my tnx in first gear[X(]

Lunchboxer

Looking forward to the complete build up!!

Although I wonder if this radio would work or not? It has the analog trim sliders too.. so it should work with the MFU.. and it is a comptuerized radio with multi-model memory.. and is available w/ surface channel... As well as being FM..

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXKJD8**&P=0

CustomTamiyas4Life

My Feedback: (34)

What's mfu? I'm confused.

R/C fan-addict

multi fucntion unit

basically a little hub where all the lights and stuff on the truck are controlled from. It also controlls all the vibrations and sounds such as the startup rumble and cab vibration. It's a cool little thing for people who like extreme scale but personally I find it a little overpriced, 150 would be okay but I think it costs more like 300!

secretsg

MFU also acts as the ESC.

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The main requirement is that both sticks need to have "return to neutral" functions. For example, most 4ch's have the increment style movement for the throttle and not return to neutral. Using a radio that does not have return to neutral for the throttle causes the MFU to misread the neutral position.

Did that make sense?

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I couldn't agree with you more, but Tower had the best price at $299. Honestly, once you hear the sounds and run it through all the functions you realize that you definitely got your money's worth.

Lunchboxer

Sure.. understand.. I got a 4 ch. radio from years ago.. as well as a 2 ch. stick type radio.. (both were JR..) I have taken them apart before.. the difference between the return to neutral and the incremental style is simply either a spring is used, or a thin metal act on a spur gear (kind of) so it stops at every increment.. you can very easily change between the two..

Actually, on my old 4 ch. the left stick = return to neutral.. right stick has increment on the up and down direction (for throttle on the airplane).. so it would actually work okay for the driving / shafting of the 3-speed..

Need to find out about the 4EXA, though.. cause I'd really prefer a computerized radio (so I can adjust EPA, sub-trim, model memory, etc..)

secretsg

Just get the Spektrum DX6.

Lunchboxer

$$$ is not the issue here.. DX6 has digital trims.. can't work with MFU... [:@] Or I'd get one!

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I'll discuss the way the MFU works via the radio and how the trims are used to change modes.

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In respect to Michael Kranitz, I am not going to rehash the assembly process on the ladder frame, tranny, axels, etc. The King Hauler is an identical build.

There is a point in which the Knight Hauler and King Hauler begin to take their seperate paths. That is what this write up will go in depth about.

Although Michael's write up was thorough, he did not go into depth on MFU functions and how these rigs are actually brought to life.

You can find some good info here for the basic build.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...id=410#chassis

Lunchboxer

Do you have the pics from your tranny build?! Did you have to put in ballbearings or the kit comes with them?

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The kit comes with a few BB and all the rest were brass bushings. I did the BB upgrade which was twentysix 5x11 BB and four 6x12 BB.

I will show the tranny, how it shifts, etc.

Here's my tranny.

Lunchboxer

That's really cool.. so how many bearings are needed inside the tranny?! (just curious.. I think that's the only thing I have not built from Tamiya.. ) I built a Bruiser when I was young but the 3-speed tranny one that was pre-built already...

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Ten BB in the tranny.

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Here is a photo of the ladder frame, rear axels and front end assembled. I assembled the wheels early to make it easier work on the frame.

I chose the Aluminum wheel upgrade. They come in a pair with tires. These wheels add so much realism that I had to get them. Once assembled they look very scale.