I was wondering about the Front Lower A Arm. I saw a pic of it on the J and M Hobbies.The shock mount is a seperate pc. from the arm.Can it be all one pc. instead of 2.Is it made that way so one can add other lenghts.

Thanks ED

I was wondering about the Front Lower A Arm. I saw a pic of it on the J and M Hobbies.The shock mount is a seperate pc. from the arm.Can it be all one pc. instead of 2.Is it made that way so one can add other lenghts.

Thanks ED
They are RH or LH you just turn them over and move shock mount to the othere side
Bill

I was wondering about the Front Lower A Arm. I saw a pic of it on the J and M Hobbies.The shock mount is a seperate pc. from the arm.Can it be all one pc. instead of 2.Is it made that way so one can add other lenghts.

Thanks ED
The only Right or left a-arm is the upper. The lower is either or, you just change the shock mount around. This is the new stile arm. This arm has been out for about 3 years and it works great. Thanks for shopping on the website. If you have any questions you can email me at jeff@jandmhobbies.com

Thanks Bill,
I was just thinking. Instead of the the bolt on shock mount.It could be made all one pc.There is enough material on the arm.To machine the shock mount in it.I already have designed the arm as one.I was just curious.I thought that is was 2 pc.This way one could change the lenght of the mount.For different shock angles.Does Larry own the company now?


Thanks ED

If I were a betting man I would say they wouldnt change the design. If it were mad out of one solid piece it would have to be made out of probably a 1" thick blank which is more expensive. It is more economical to make it two peices to save money making them as well as us racers having spares. We would only need one lower to use on both sides. As far as the angles of the shock, the ideal angle forward and aft is straight up. The shocks angle in mostly to get the bottom as close to the end of the control arm as possible but the lower mounting point of the shock moves towards the center of the car under load as well, so it kind of stands up a bit. I would suggest not messing with shock angles too much.....it changes spring rate and becomes a hassle if your not too carefull. I think Lightnings are the easiest cars to setup if you know what you are doing. Larry did purchase Lightning and is up and running. I am very excited about the future of Lightning!


Chance Overholt

Chance, Just one disagreement.The arm would not have to be 1" thick.A .375 thick arm would be strong enough.If you take a look at the arm.When bolted together.It would be close to .625 to .750 thats a guess.Since i do not have one.

ED

The old arms were one piece and they would break were they drilled the hole in it for the shock mount. Some of the old arms had the shock mount welded to it. I like the new design better. It keeps cost down and it is strong.

For some reason I thought it was made out of 1/2 inch but you are correct it is 3/8. Still it is a lot cheaper to use a 3/8 blank that can be done in one op. and use square stock. They used to be water jetted with a mount welded on. I havent had any trouble with the current arms, I like them myself. There are a few design changes I would like to see on the Lightning as far as geometry and roll centers but overall I like the design of the control arms and trailing arms.

Oh by the way, that is a good thing you are being creative in finding ways to improve the cars. The drawing looks nice. It might be something to play with for yourself if you have the recources to do so I just dont see the design changing from the factory.

Oh by the way, that is a good thing you are being creative in finding ways to improve the cars. The drawing looks nice. It might be something to play with for yourself if you have the recources to do so I just dont see the design changing from the factory.

Chance you maybe right.That the factory may be not making the changes.I just added an idea for anyone to look at.I just do not see how 2 pcs are cheaper to make than one. Congrats on your truck points win and the tri 500.Keep up the good work.

Jeff you are right with an arm breaking.With the bumpout built in the arm it be would alot stronger.The hole for the shock would have more meat to tap.That is what is being done by adding the second pc.

Thanks ED

Thanks Ed. I had a great year all around. I had great success in Las Vegas and I am really excited about running the NCS next year. Where are you from out of curiosity? From what I understand there arent too many people on the eastern side of the country that run or have even heard of Lightnings. Kind of a shame, they are a great car! I am assuming you have an engineering or drafting background? It is great to come up with innovative ideas that improve the cars. I have brought a few ideas to Larry myself. I do some things to the chassis to strengthen them as well as make them easier to work on. I also build custom aluminum side pods that house the battery and give ample room to mount lead. Its kind of cool to see different ideas on the way cars are built. If you have the chance you should come run our track. It is simply awesome. We are hoping to host the first western district race next year as well as the Northwest Nationals! Hope you can make it up sometime.


Chance

Thanks Ed. I had a great year all around. I had great success in Las Vegas and I am really excited about running the NCS next year. Where are you from out of curiosity? From what I understand there arent too many people on the eastern side of the country that run or have even heard of Lightnings. Kind of a shame, they are a great car! I am assuming you have an engineering or drafting background? It is great to come up with innovative ideas that improve the cars. I have brought a few ideas to Larry myself. I do some things to the chassis to strengthen them as well as make them easier to work on. I also build custom aluminum side pods that house the battery and give ample room to mount lead. Its kind of cool to see different ideas on the way cars are built. If you have the chance you should come run our track. It is simply awesome. We are hoping to host the first western district race next year as well as the Northwest Nationals! Hope you can make it up sometime.


Chance

Chance i do not drive a car.I can't even setup my full cage car.I am from Mass.I have been making parts since 1991.I have been a machinist since 1976.If you look at the predator i made the first ones.My cage car would be good for Larry.Since the parts are my own lightning designs.Knox Motorsports has a pic of the frame.I talked with Bob a couple of weeks ago.
I do not have engineering or drafting background.I taught myself how to use a cad program.
Most of the ideas i come up with is just common sense and a machining background. All i need is just a pic and one dimension.I am glad to see that you are trying to help 1/4 scale grow.One day i will make it out to the west coast.

Thanks Ed
First Quarter Racing

Full frame car as in a sprint car or stock car? I like the predator. I have seen quite a bit of success with it. Im not much of an open wheel guy but if I were I would love to have one. Thats pretty cool that you are a machinist. I am a weldor so both of our trades come in very handy in this sport! Keep up the good work and ideas!


Chance

Full frame car as in a sprint car or stock car? I like the predator. I have seen quite a bit of success with it. Im not much of an open wheel guy but if I were I would love to have one. Thats pretty cool that you are a machinist. I am a weldor so both of our trades come in very handy in this sport! Keep up the good work and ideas!


Chance
A GN full cage.I did not make the frame.Since the full cage car is coming back.I am thinking about building a few.The only thing that might hurt me.It will not be 4130 chromemoly tubing.The other points no trailing arms, a-arms in the rear.With the drive gear back in the center of the car and 2 dogbones.
I know i will hear 2 belts will make the car slower.If one uses the thinking of a 1/4 hp engine of years ago.We have more hp and torque than before.

Thanks ED
ED

I really do like the look of full cage cars. I race Latemodels myself so seeing full cage cars is a pretty neet thing. As far as building a car for the purpose of racing I dont think a full cage car with dual belts is the way to go but I definately think it is really cool to have for fun and display purposes. The new full cage chassis that WCM has out looks really cool. I dont know how much the higher weight actually hurts the car though. I know that usually the overall weight is obviously a little more. The one full cage car that I have seen be very successful is the Grahm Cracker. It looks like a pretty well built car and I believe is made of all or mostly .375 4130. I honestly think for the most part that most manufacturers over-use the .500 tubing. But thats just my opinion. Send pics of the car sometime. I like that kind of stuff!


Chance

Hey Chance. Check out my new aussie late model in 1/4 scale .

Look in this ection somewhere for my aussie late model thread .. we are starting to build more of them now here downunder to race on our local 1/4 speedway.. Pete

Yeah I did see your latemodel a little while ago. That thing looks awesome man. I think it woould be a kick in the pants to drive a dirt latemodel. I would love to try it sometime. It is a beautiful car. Job well done!