The Build – Part 6 In this installment of the Team Associated B44.3 build, we’ll be assembling and attaching both the front and rear top decks. This step also includes the rear shock tower, wing mounts and center diff cover.
Build Notes: There B44.3 uses a split/top deck design. Take a close look a both of them before you start building. They are directional and have a top and bottom side.
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build Step 64 Take the front top deck section and attach the front body mount. Next, attach both of the inner camber link ball studs to the holes as shown. Don’t forget to add a #4 washer under each ball and a foam protector on top.Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build Step 65 Attach the front shock tower brace to the front top deck…Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build Step 66 …followed by the antenna mount. The antenna hole should be facing out so that the antenna will match up with the hole you’ll be blindly cutting into the body.Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build Step 67 Attach the assembled top deck to the front of the car. Add a dab of threadlocker to the screws that feed into the center, aluminum bulkhead. Do not tighten down just yet.Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build Step 68 Now secure the front shock tower to the brace on the top deck. After you’ve tightened this down, go ahead and finish tightening down the screws on the top deck.Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build Step 69 Find the rear top deck and attach the pair of inner camber link ball studs. A #4 washer goes under these as well (as does the foam protector).Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build Step 70 Attach the rear top deck to the car. Apply a dab of threadlocker to the screws that attach to the center, aluminum bulkhead. Don’t tighten down all the way just yet.Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build Step 71 Time to assemble the rear shock tower. Start by adding the upper shock mount screws. The tower is not directional so it doesn’t matter which side you start with.Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build Step 72 Attach the shock tower mount to the tower as shown.Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build Step 73 Attach the rear body mount to the opposite side of the tower.Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build Step 74 Finally, attach the rear shock tower assembly to the top deck. Once this is secure, you can finish tightening down the rest of the rear top deck screws.Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build Step 75 The rear wing mount is next, but note that the two pieces are not the same. Take the one with the ‘hex’ in it an press a locknut into place.Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build Step 76 Place both wing mounts into position and slide the 7/8″ screw through, tightening it down to into the locknut to secure the mounts. I pivoted the mounts down to make them equal and easier to manage while tightening the screw.Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build Step 77 Now swing both wing mounts up and attach to the rear tower.Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build Step 78 The final step is to set the center bulkhead cover into place and secure. A dab of threadlocker will help here.
Tony Phalen - As an avid RC enthusiast, Tony has been building, bashing and racing RC Cars for over 30 years. He has participated in every kind of surface racing events - 1/18 scale trucks, 1/10 scale TC, Rock Racers, Rally - if it had wheels, he's raced it! He's also worked on both sides of the industry fence; collaborating with many major manufacturers (as well as being a sponsored driver) to working for a high-profile industry magazine. During this time he has learned many tricks, tips and techniques and is sharing that knowledge on CompetitionX - the most informative RC website on the internet!
