Trucks Need Help Identifying Old T-maxx For Rebuild!

[James Abbott]

Just picked up a box of old RC gear from a buddy including an old T-Maxx with most of the original parts. He bought it to covert it to brushless but gave up on the project, now I'm trying to restore it to it's original nitro glory! I've had all electric gear up to this point (multirotors, helis, trucks, etc..), this is my first excursion into Nitro! Figured this cheap ol' truck would be a great way to learn the ropes before getting more into it. I was watching this YouTube series which showcased what looks like the exact same truck which has led me here:


The last owner didn't have much detail to give on the truck. I'd love to figure out exactly which model this truck is (year) so I can figure out which parts to buy. A parts list/manual would be great if it exists on the web. Not sure how much use the nitro system has seen. It's got a MEGATECH M-16 engine, seems like is has good compression. The differentials seem fine but the gearbox is a bit baffling, not quite sure how to confirm it's still good but it doesn't looks like it's seen a ton of use, but it just seems to spin without actually moving the driveshafts. The parts missing are:

- Front and rear driveshaft
- Spur gear
- most of the Brake parts
- Air Filter
- 1x wheel hub

If I can figure out which year/model it is that would be a huge help! Also any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Guys!

 

[Tony]

Now that I see those pictures, I'm almost certain that is the old 1999 Classic T-Maxx .15. Below is a link to their website with all of the manuals on that truck.

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As for the transmission, it needs to spin quite fast before it will kick into gear. This is so you can unload the gears in the transmission so you can flip form forward to reverse and back.

 

[James Abbott]

Exactly what I was looking for, thank you! I'll post back as I make more progress as I'm sure I'll have more questions.

 

[Tony]

They are definitely a fun truck with the .15, but if you can swing the money for a 2.5 or even a 3.3 conversion, DO IT! Way more power and way more fun.

 

[Saddletramp]

Ureka. I have the same thing. I won't have to drive Tony nuts on you tube now.

 

[Tony]

Now you can do so right here on the forum

Just kidding, we love helping people around here. Let us know when you receive your new truck!

 

[Saddletramp]

Hi, old guy new hobby. Tony told me to send a picture and he or someone will tell me what I need and what model this is. Front drive system is gone. I think it is a 2.5 motor. For 65.00 I think it is a win. Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[Tony]

Hard to tell from that camera angle, but that almost looks like a helicopter engine, definitely not stock. As for the chassis, that is just a standard ole T-Maxx but since it doesn't have a slide carb, I'm thinking it is for a .15.

 

[Saddletramp]

Hard to tell from that camera angle, but that almost looks like a helicopter engine, definitely not stock. As for the chassis, that is just a standard ole T-Maxx but since it doesn't have a slide carb, I'm thinking it is for a .15.

So I might have someone's experiment. Hot Rod or headache. I have to make it work. Don't know what the carb hooks up to. Here is a picture of the side of the motor.

 

[Tony]

Yea, that looks like a .15. Should say something on the other side of the case. As for where it hooks up to, take a look at my videos on the T-Maxx, it is exactly the same truck as you have.

 

[Saddletramp]

I hope I have not stepped in it. Being a mechanic it just looks like it works. The motor is siezed. Telling me it worked and ran at some point. I hope it's just from sitting. Whoever has done this either knows their shit or is a complete moron. I wanted a hobby. Looks like I got one. The manifold won't work as I have bought a 2.5 motor pipe. I like any good mechanic hate basket case projects.

 

[Tony]

Yea, projects like this can be fun and challenging at the same time. Usually if you have an engine that won't spin over, either the oil from the fuel has thickened up or the methanol from the fuel absorbed a LOT of water and caused some corrosion inside the engine. Only way to know for sure is to take it apart and see.

 

[Saddletramp]

So seeing what you have is it safe to assume that this rig works? My current theory is that the front running gear is gone cause he was pulling wheelies with it. Everything matches too well for it not to.

 

[Tony]

I mean you can get it to pull a wheelie with a .15, but you have to go super low on the gear (larger number). I'm thinking something happened to the front diff and they just removed it.

 

[Saddletramp]

I mean you can get it to pull a wheelie with a .15, but you have to go super low on the gear (larger number). I'm thinking something happened to the front diff and they just removed it.

I am feeling that cool breeze in the back of my boxers. Guy I bought the pipe from said the 1.5 is crap. I can't afford to pay for a 2.5. I have a feeling that I just bought a pretty conversation piece. No controller and stuff i need to think about this hard. Social security don't pay crap. But I refuse to be whipped. I want to hear the damn thing run.

 

[Tony]

I wouldn't say the .15 is crap, you see it run in my video. No, it's not as fast as the 2.5 or the 3.3 but it is a great little engine that we used to race all the time at my local track.

With that said though, the 2.5 would be a much better engine, but you would have to change not only the engine but also the engine mount since the block is wider. And don't forget the flywheel, clutch, clutch bell and so on.

As you stated, this is definitely a "Project". Not something that is going to get done in a day. Just do what you can right now and take your time. I would start with a clean table and start tearing it apart keeping everything organized on a towel so you know how it goes together later on. Once it is apart just start cleaning and checking. Post pictures along the way so we can see.

 

[Saddletramp]

I wouldn't say the .15 is crap, you see it run in my video. No, it's not as fast as the 2.5 or the 3.3 but it is a great little engine that we used to race all the time at my local track.

With that said though, the 2.5 would be a much better engine, but you would have to change not only the engine but also the engine mount since the block is wider. And don't forget the flywheel, clutch, clutch bell and so on.

As you stated, this is definitely a "Project". Not something that is going to get done in a day. Just do what you can right now and take your time. I would start with a clean table and start tearing it apart keeping everything organized on a towel so you know how it goes together later on. Once it is apart just start cleaning and checking. Post pictures along the way so we can see.

I wouldn't say the .15 is crap, you see it run in my video. No, it's not as fast as the 2.5 or the 3.3 but it is a great little engine that we used to race all the time at my local track.

With that said though, the 2.5 would be a much better engine, but you would have to change not only the engine but also the engine mount since the block is wider. And don't forget the flywheel, clutch, clutch bell and so on.

As you stated, this is definitely a "Project". Not something that is going to get done in a day. Just do what you can right now and take your time. I would start with a clean table and start tearing it apart keeping everything organized on a towel so you know how it goes together later on. Once it is apart just start cleaning and checking. Post pictures along the way so we can see.

I am going to. I am a mechanic. It's in my DNA to make this happen. Nobody will ever see it run but my dog and I. Bought it for fun. I hope I can find parts for the old girl. It's from an estate sale. Means the owner might be racing upstairs. Kind of my job to make it work.

 

[Tony]

You can still get parts for it so no worry there. Keep us posted on how it is going.

 

[Saddletramp]

You can still get parts for it so no worry there. Keep us posted on how it is going.

The adventure begins.

 

[Tony]

Dayum, vape much? hahaha

In all seriousness though, I would not have that engine next to those. I know you know this but I'm going to say it anyway. Methanol, the main ingredient in nitro fuel, causes blindness if ingested.

On a side note, I use those exact same 30ml cobalt dropper bottles lol.