WPL B14 motor upgrade?

[AndyC]

Hi all, we have a WPL B16 6x6 truck which we've modified to make a tank transporter. Problem is that the truck won't pull the loaded trailer on rough ground. Is there a recommended motor upgrade that we can fit? (UK based)

[Panzer Fenris]

For ready-made solutions, getting a 370 with metal gearbox from Ali-Express is probably your best bet. Just do a search and you'll find dozens of vendors selling it.
Reasonably cheap, lower gearing than stock and far more powerful motor.
Avoid the two-speed gearbox package that you might also stumble across. It's not meant for the heavier 6x6's and people have trouble with them jumping out of gear even without any load on them.

Also seen a couple custom-made twin-motor setups running into one gearbox, but that's obviously a bit of work.

Consider upgrading the drive-shafts as well when you're at it. The metal ones you can get are often of rubbish quality, but still stronger than the stock plastic ones, which you'll risk breaking with both a stronger motor and a heavier load than intended.

[AndyC]

For ready-made solutions, getting a 370 with metal gearbox from Ali-Express is probably your best bet. Just do a search and you'll find dozens of vendors selling it.
Reasonably cheap, lower gearing than stock and far more powerful motor.
Avoid the two-speed gearbox package that you might also stumble across. It's not meant for the heavier 6x6's and people have trouble with them jumping out of gear even without any load on them.

Also seen a couple custom-made twin-motor setups running into one gearbox, but that's obviously a bit of work.

Consider upgrading the drive-shafts as well when you're at it. The metal ones you can get are often of rubbish quality, but still stronger than the stock plastic ones, which you'll risk breaking with both a stronger motor and a heavier load than intended.

Thanks for this, we've ordered a 370 motor + gearbox from Aliexpress, not too bad at £16. Our B16 already has metal driveshafts so we'll leave those and see how we get on.

Thanks again.

[Will01Capri]

If you are looking at motor upgrades, take the advice above on axle upgrades and metal gears, brass gears are ok, but wear quickly.
For a robust setup steel gears, metal bearings and for any setup where you take drive off one axle to power another, consider the upgrade drive thru type axles. That helps eliminate or at least reduce torque twist.

I have designed many motor setups for WPL trucks ranging from dual 180 motors, dual 370 motors using electronic differential, or dual 370 motors with transfer box, 370 single & double belt drive setups.
My wife & I run WCP models and we have loads of motor options available.

They are tried & tested aswell, we do send some out for review & testing purposes also.

If you want scale power & torque and quiet drive we have dual 370 motors. They let you haul a serious load.
However out new single 370 motor setup now has a reduction gearbox which makes it awesome for offroading and is compact and more lightweight than carrying dual motors.

We also do commision work if you have idea or special project to work on

Some videos to show off different setups

Dual 180s electronic diff (12kg oil filled radiator)

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Dual 370 electronic diff

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Dual 370 motors with metal gear transfer case

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Word of warning, WPL axles with serious torque are dead easy to break. If you hang up a wheel and add power, dual motors like ones above can shear, twist and break metal driveshafts of all designs
We have also run WPL's on 540 brushless motors and 700 size motors and although funny, are mostly pointless.
370 motors are ideally suited for this scale of vehicle

The 2 speed gearboxes are fun, but the plastic gears dont last long, metal ones are available however, but they take up alot of space and heavily reduce ground clearance