Part 2 of my STRC/ Traxxas Slash 4×4 GT8 build will take place up front with removal of the SC bumper and hinge pin plate. Save the screws, you’ll need to reuse them.

Ok, so my little point and shoot camera was a little out of focus, but you’ll get the idea. STRC (www.teamstrc.com) supplies a nice machined aluminum captured hinge pin plate with two additional holes in it that the aluminum bumper plate will attach to. Use the stock center screw to hold the plate in place. Don’t tighten it all the way, leave it about a half turn out. I’ll explain later.

Now its time to install the new lower bumper plate. Oooo shiny! Use the stock 4mm screws in the rear and the STRC supplied 3×10 screws to bolt the bumper to the hinge pin plate. Don’t screw-in and tighten the screws one at a time, install all the screws just a few turns; this will allow everything to line up and lessen the chances of anything being cross-threaded. With all the screws in, now you can tighten them down including the center hinge pin plate screw.

Time to assemble the upper bumper support. Yummy carbon fiber, so pretty. Screw the aluminum bumper bracket on and then the bumper support posts. A little bit of blue thread locking compound on each screw won’t hurt.

Now things are starting to shape up. I picked up the Kyosho (www.kyoshousa.com) foam front bumper, part: IG003, STRC suggests to use. The bumper support pins line right up with cut-outs in the bumper. Slide the bumper onto the STRC carbon plate assembly, slip it onto the front end and use the stock button head screws to retain the top plate and use the supplied STRC 3x10mm screws to secure the bumper posts to the lower bumper. Everything fits together nicely!