5 minute read
› Diggin’ It
Text and Images by Jerry Tsai
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No other event screams monster-sized trucks like Monster Jam. The traveling, adrenaline pumped series features giant trucks jumping, bouncing and flipping in death defying acts that your eyes have to see to believe. Losi brings that excitement home with their 1/10-scale Son-uva Digger 4WD solid axle monster truck. Based on Losi’s venerable LMT platform, the scaled replica of the crowd favorite, Son-uva Digger, is ready for your very own backyard jam. The LMT runs on a four-wheel drive drivetrain that can take it anywhere and over anything you dare to drive it. It comes as a ready to run (RTR) kit so there’s no building involved. Just charge up the batteries and it’s good to go.
READYTOJAM
Son-uva Digger is a solid axle truck that is designed by Losi to combine all-out monster truck performance with incredible scale detail. Its LMT chassis features a twin vertical plate layout that is crafted to provide all of the performance adjustments that you may require of the truck. The chassis is designed to accommodate multiple shock setups to keep the truck tracking straight, no matter the terrain.
Because this is a monster truck, it’s designed with oversized components to assure monster performance. The 1/10-scale Son-uva Digger is endowed with an oversized 1/8th scale drivetrain that is complete with multi-piece axle housings. Additionally, the Losi team thought ahead and provided the LMT with an easy access center transmission with a center differential that allows for quick changes with an optional spool for wheel standing action. True monster truck fans will be
The LMT rides on BKT monster truck tires that are mounted on Monster Jam accurate wheels.
happy to know that 4-wheel steering capability available as an option. The LMT’s fluid filled center differential allows for performance tuning with the added protection of a torque dampening Cush Drive. The Cush Drive is a rubber elastomer system that absorbs the high impact forces from the motor and big landings to minimize the shock on the drivetrain, providing a very durable and reliable drivetrain.
Monster trucks ride high in part because of their tall suspension as well as tall wheels and tires. The LMT’s long travel coilover shocks come with rubber bump stops that provide superior dampening and handling characteristics. These proprietary shocks and springs have been tuned to mount directly to the truck’s axle housings. They offer great performance as well as a very scale look.
The wheels and tires are modeled after Monster Jam units but these RC wheels feature short course style wheel
attachment points with replaceable center hubs. The wheels’ 17mm wheel hex helps reduce the rotating mass of the tire while providing additional clearance for all of the steering components. The replaceable center hubs allow for optional offsets, as well as increased durability. Losi also offers an optional 12mm center hub for greater wheel choice and versatility.
Son-uva Digger is powered by a Spektrum Firma Smart 130 Amp ESC and 3150kv 4-pole Brushless motor. This power combination allows the truck to unleash plenty of speed and power from 2S and 3S LiPo batteries. A dependable Spektrum DX3 transmitter and a SR315 DSMR 3-Channel Sport Receiver, which comes with the RTR set, control this monster truck.
ALL IN THE DETAILS
The real Son-uva Digger’s body is based on a 1950 Willys Jeep and this scale replica is no different. Looking just like its bigger cousin, this 22-inch long RC monster truck is a spitting image of the original if we’ve ever seen one. Extra scale details like exhaust headers and LED headlights help to complete the truck’s scale look so it looks even more like the real thing.
We all have our favorite drivers and this LMT is no different. A scale driver figure sits in the center of the truck safely strapped into a Monster Jam inspired safety seat. Is the driver Ryan Anderson, the driver of the real Son-uva Digger? Or is it you? You can decide that. The truck’s chassis is accessed via a composite flip top cage that adds scale realism and protection. It’s functional too, allowing easy access to the LMT’s battery and electronics.
THE DRIVE
We strapped in a Spektrum LiPo battery into the LMT’s Losi elastomer battery mounting system for secure installation of the battery. This stretchable battery strap allows for the use of a wide variety shaped and sizes of batteries. After getting the feel of the truck on a loose dirt yet relatively flat surface, we let Sonuva Digger rip.
The monster truck did what monster trucks do. It quickly popped wheels and tumbled around. It was great fun to drive for sure. We adjusted the truck’s twoposition wheelie bar to find the optimum wheel angle. Son-uva Digger’s wheelie bar utilizes a large roller supported by ball bearings on each side for smooth wheelie action. The bar can be placed in one of two fixed positions for the optimal wheelie angle. We had a ton of fun driving Son-uva Digger around and even crushed a few cars that got in our way during out bash session. We didn’t need to adjust anything right out of the box, but it’s good to know that the LMT chassis allows for plenty of tuning when needed.
The chassis is designed to accommodate multiple shock setups.
A powerful Spektrum servo guides Son-uva Digger over dirt berms and crushed cars alike.
Son-uva Digger’s signature look is replicated in detail on this 1/10-scale body.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you’re looking for a fun monster truck to recreate your favorite Monster Jam moments with, we think Sonuva Digger should be a heavy contender on your “next RC truck” list. If you’re looking for the Son-uva Digger’s pop, you’ll be happy to know that Grave Digger is also available as a Losi LMT RTR kit. For those of us who are entertaining the idea of building a monster truck from ground up, you’ll be glad to know that a Losi LMT roller kit is available too. With so many options, it’s easy to find an LMT that suits you best.
Source Horizon Hobby horizonhobby.com
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