BYT has been using Lunsford turnbuckles for a long time and when we saw the 1/8 scale T-Maxx package, we knew that we had to give this a hard look-over.

What's included in this 1/8 scale Lunsford kit?

(4) 4mm titanium turnbuckles
(8) Extra large rod ends
(8) Titanium ball ends
(8) Titanium hinge pins
(numerous) Hinge pin e-clips
(1) Aluminum turnbuckle adjustment tool
(numerous) Lunsford decals :)

It’s a complete upgrade for the entire turnbuckle setup….rod ends, ball ends and the turnbuckles themselves. When the upgrade kit arrived, we were pleased to see that everything is nicely segregated in the package to prevent shipping scratches and the like (see picture to the left). All parts were present and accounted for so we got our work area ready and commenced to installing!

This is the type of kit that really does not require instructions however Lunsford does give you a little piece of paper with a hint on it. It makes you aware that one side of the ball ends is lightly chamfered. This is the side to install the ball into as it will snap into place easier. We used standard jaw pliers to snap the balls into the plastic rod ends. It worked well and we only had to chase one titanium ball around the shop. Just be ready to apply some moderate force to get them to snap into place.

Once the balls were installed into the ends, we threaded the rod ends onto the 4mm titanium turnbuckle shafts. You could put the rod ends on the shafts before you installed the balls….it really doesn’t matter. Whatever trips your trigger! These shafts are MASSIVE! We have been using the 3mm titanium shafts that are included with the Pro-Line WideMaxx kit and have never bent a turnbuckle. It is going to take small arms fire to damage one of these hulking shafts! Using the supplied turnbuckle wrench along with lock jaw pliers makes installation of the rod ends a breeze. We used a rag between the lock jaw pliers and the rod ends to keep them from getting chewed up. Having the old turnbuckle assemblies laid out on the bench will help you to determine the proper length of the new ones. Take care in threading the new rod ends onto the shafts straight. Remember you are making new threads while you are cranking these on.

After the ends were installed and set to the proper length, we screwed the new assemblies into place. Wow. These shafts look killer!!! They are really thick and give the truck an even tougher appearance (at least for those of us who notice details such as this). (Picture to the right shows 4mm TB on right)

Next, it was time to install the new hinge pins. Depending on your skid plate configuration, it is sometimes easiest to remove the plates. We had been using stainless steel pins from Traxxas and they work pretty well for $12 a set. They do however bend and we are excited to see what the titanium pins will be able to take. We also had a few questions about using titanium. Will we start breaking arms? Will these pins start wearing out our aluminum bulkheads? Will this truck ever be indestructible? ?

Ok….all eight hinge pins are slid into place and sixteen new e-clips are snug in their grooves. We are ready to rock. Mother Nature has been cooperating lately here in frigid Wisconsin and we are faced with a 50 degree day (heat wave) for February. We put the truck through its paces and toss it at a variety of jumps, whoops and general slams into the occasional tree (I swear they move into my way). The truck was scooting along very quickly during several impacts and landings gone bad (otherwise known as cartwheels). Not a whimper was heard from the hinge pins or the turnbuckles. Exactly what we expected. Again, we have never had any trouble from our other sets of smaller diameter Lunsford turnbuckles. The smaller TB’s used the stock rod ends and they were the weak point, twisting and breaking over time.

This is the kit to buy when you are sick of replacing those weak, easy-to-bend stock turnbuckles and/or when you are looking for some detail to set your T apart from the rest of the pack. The worst thing we can say is the cost is a little bit high at $86.95 retail however when you factor in that they will probably be the last set you buy, and when you factor in everything that is included with the kit, they are truly worth every dollar. Ok....we are just nitpicking. It is a great deal.

Time will be the ultimate judge of this kit and we will be sure to let you know if we have any troubles or comments as we pile the miles on this season. We doubt that we will. In fact we will probably wear out the rest of the truck and install these on the next ride. Nice job Lunsford. You have once again proved that you are the king of the titanium turnbuckle world.


Visit the Lunsford web site to learn more about this kit and the other awesome items they offer!