A Track Wltoys 124017: Carbon Chassis, Electronics and Testing

Part 1: Making and Assembling the Chassis

Open the video on YouTube ↗

Part 2: Electronics, Corrections and Track Testing

Open the video on YouTube ↗

Seeing a car perform well on track made me realise I already had much of the electronics to attempt something similar. The idea was to reuse Wltoys 124017 mechanics in an asphalt-focused layout, with a custom chassis and different body.

This is not a one-part conversion. Both instalments involve cutting, adaptation, testing and changed decisions. Here I collect what worked and what needed correction.

Why Make a Chassis?

I started with a 3mm carbon plate. Replacement 124017 chassis exist, but I wanted battery and electronics positions suited to my chosen body.

The original chassis provided mounting-point references. Before drilling, I marked both pieces’ centres and trial-fitted front and rear assemblies with the body, checking wheel positions across the width and wheelbase.

The video’s dimensions concern this plate and body: they are not a universal conversion plan. Check steering and suspension travel before final cuts. Carbon work requires suitable dust protection, extraction and eye protection; do not cut it like ordinary plastic.

Adaptations You Do Not See When Buying Parts

The flat plate changes how assemblies are supported. Initial problems included:

• Housings no longer seated as on the original chassis, requiring a 3D-printed support.
• The differential housing needed clearance for the adapted drivetrain.
• The top section also needed modification.
• Turning wheels rubbed, requiring larger chassis cutouts in part two.

I also over-trimmed the body initially. I kept it for development but would prefer another with a better outline. Repeated trial fitting can avoid replacing an over-cut part.

Transmission and Differentials

I retained the original primary shaft and adapted the gearing to module 1 for more gear options. The video explains space and motor-mount constraints behind that choice.

Pinion-to-spur ratio was close to 1:1. That describes only that gear pair, not the car’s total reduction, and is not a recommendation without calculating the complete drivetrain and checking temperatures.

The front differential evolved from one million to two million cSt silicone; the rear retained grease. These are developing settings on my car. Further front stiffening remained a possibility, rather than a tested modification.

The Initial Electronics Were Not Final

The original motor, ESC and gearing combination produced considerable cogging, the jerking when trying to start slowly. Simply changing one power figure did not solve the system.

In part two I reused electronics from my MJX 10304 with a lower-KV motor. I could drive that configuration, though it still had more speed than I could comfortably use on this track.

I give no complete shopping list because not every final reference and setting is established in the recording. The useful lesson is checking motor, gearing, clearance and cooling together before pushing harder.

What the First Tests Show

Part two discusses the GPS reading after driving. The modified car is clearly fast, but peak speed alone does not establish a well-tuned circuit car.

The foam tyres were tested without additive on a cold track. The car was fast and reactive, and I could not use full throttle on the straight. Grip, body and overall balance still needed work before seeking more speed.

Start with the original 124017 review and use the battery guide to choose a pack for your configuration. The project shows both the scope for experimentation and the work between installing components and creating an easy-to-drive car.

Purchase Links from the Video

Check variants, connectors and compatibility. Links do not guarantee availability or a particular price.