I recently picked up a used Kyosho 4x4 JSDGF L.A.V. based on the Half-8(1/16) Mini Inferno chassis and was quite smitten by it, so decided to do a 4x4 built and settle on the MetalOrigin PUMA 8x8. Arrived yesterday and quite the packaging. Last pic is the RC kit (540 motor, speakers, turret rotation unit and the Stummel add-on kit). Will have a Clark board as MFU but if there is enough space maybe an IBU3. I don't think the sound files are available for either, only on Elmod at this point and not going to go there.........

Single drive motor? Check, hence the huge 540.
How does it steer all 8? Multiple servos or one really big one?
Hoe big is that speaker? Looks decent.

Yup single drive motor, one 15g servo and lots and lots of linkages for the 8 wheel steering. Quite the piece of mechanical artwork. Speaker is tiny as you can see smaller than the 540, but looks very nice.

Is it all plastic? Or any metal other than suspension/drive?

N/M just looked it up... Most lower half is metal... The steering arms look so clunky in size compared to the suspension... Will be nice to see however!

Nice Mike can't wait to see it built

Mike you seem to find some of the coolest stuff.

i think Carson had upgrades for this when he was selling them might want to check Mike

Thanks Greg. I got some ball bearings from him.

I'm the new owner of the Puma. Ordered the newest ball joint option and it looks to run super smooth now (once I modified the gearbox mounted drive cups).

Just waiting on some smaller linkage ends to reduce friction in the steering circuit. Trying to find a way to fit a shorty battery into the AFV. 

I found the reason for it throwing the original dogbones all the time. The dogones are 2-3mm too short for stock setup. You would have needed to add in shims behind the drive cups to move them outwards.

And I thought it was my build skill…..

Glad you have then sorted it. Are you redoing the servo mount so it will actually enough pull for all 4 axles ?

MikeC wrote:

And I thought it was my build skill…..

Glad you have then sorted it. Are you redoing the servo mount so it will actually enough pull for all 4 axles ?

Been playing with a couple ideas. Reading up on all the builds I could find since you got this back in 2017 most of the steering resistance has to do with the giant ball joints that have high resistance in them. Add in bad clearances from the ball joints and Bleh!

I am waiting for better tie rod ends tot put on the end of the wheel spindles.
 

Yeah they are white, but much better for friction. They will get painted black anyways...

That reminds me of the steering knuckles I have on my Willy’s Wheeler...if it’s made out of nylon 6/6 wouldn’t that be friction reduced enough for your needs?

Mike is an 8x8 master! I had been wondering about the Puma from time to time. Is the LAV the same scale or smaller?