Detailed rear-end photos of Team Associated B6.1 prototype confirm new rear arms and transmission

0 Feb. 8, 2018, 12:33 p.m.

By Aaron Waldron
LiveRC.com

Just before Noon CT, Team Associated published another batch of photos showing an SLA-printed prototype of its upcoming 2WD buggy, which show off items we expected would be included - and suggests we may see an official announcement tomorrow. It's clear (pun intended) that the combination of existing production composite parts and SLA-printed prototype components was to show what exactly is new on the car, which I've even more confident now will be called the B6.1.

The first, accompanied by just a couple of emojis as a caption, shows the rear arms we spotted at the Reedy Race (click here to see them) and what look to be new rear hubs as well - if so, the differences could be in the camber link mounting area, as well as the bearing spacing possible with the optional aluminum pieces that allow for the use of 67mm driveshafts and corresponding axles.

About a half hour later, another three images were posted to show further detail - with the caption “Anybody spy the diff height adjustments within the case?” The first is a wider shot of one of the first photos of the new car, indicating that the slipper clutch assembly has been relocated to the car’s left side. The raw aluminum motor plate will likely be replaced by an anodized version on the production car.

The second shows the aforementioned slipper clutch, which will now fit under the body. The transmission brace, shown here in production-ready plastic, is unchanged. The C-block suspension mount is raw aluminum, unlike the D-block, suggesting that it’s also a new part. If you look closely, you can see what looks like “0/3” underneath the differential outdrive, which looks to me like the number of the bearing insert used to adjust the height of the differential. Right in front of the differential is a vertically-mounted screw that holds the top of the split diff case together.

The final photo, shot directly from the rear of the car, confirms the inclusion of 67mm driveshafts. You can also see the Team Associated logo etched into the sway bar mount, and another raw-finished aluminum part: the rear camber block, which is likely also new.

Could we see the full car by the end of the day? Not likely - but I can’t imagine there’s much left to show us!