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QUADIFYRC RC Car Review and Upgrade Guides

WL ToYS 144002 BRUSHLESS UPGRADE: CHEAP and Easy with Great Performance

28/5/2022

18 Comments

 
The WL Toys 144002 is a fantastic handling 1/14 scale monster truck that I reviewed here in full. It is really let down by the powertrain though - although it has a large brushed motor, the gearing is way to tall with the big wheels and suffers with terrible acceleration, poor torque and poor battery life, none of which is a good match for a monster truck and offroad conditions. In this article I will present an easy to install brushless upgrade which is inexpensive and performs great with double the battery life
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Let's get straight into it: Brushless motors are much more powerful than their brushed counterparts and so simply choosing one with the same dimensions as the stock motor is a poor choice. It will remain heavy and you still have not solved the issue of tall gearing since you are stuck with these same pinion gear on these large motors. Even with a low KV option this will still make for poor acceleration but will now add cogging into the equation similar to what we saw on the Eachine EAT14 (reviewed here)

Below are the components I've chosen for this setup, the whys and alternative options.
Components
Brushless Motor
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My choice for this build - Surpass Hobby 2445 3600kv (same as Racerstar 2445 3600kv)
This is a proven drop in replacement for the 144002 and the lower 3600kv option is perfect for the big wheels on this car. Importantly the motor drive shaft is 2.3mm which is a direct fit for the 15t 0.7m pinion gear.
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Alternative choice - Surpass Hobby 2845 3800kv (same as Racerstar 2845 3800kv)
More torque and power with the larger diameter can and stator but you would need to drill the pinion from 2.3mm bore to 3.2mm bore which is not easy to do correctly.
Brushless ESC
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My choice for this build - 144010/124017 ESC (same as blue surpass hobby 60A ESC)
Confirmed direct fit with correct plugs and dimensions and plugs to suit this car. Reliably does 2s and 3s but is a bit laggy.
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Alternative 1 - Surpass Hobby 35a KK ESC
I used this in my cheapest brushless setup worth having and it's holding up will even on 2845 3800kv. I wouldn't trust it on 3s but on 2s it has less lag and correct plugs and easy fit.
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Alternative 2 - Hobbywing Quicrun 35a ESC
Brilliant little ESC that is much smoother and more responsive than the Surpass Hobby models but costs more and will need a new battery connector soldered on. If unavailable I recommend the 120a version for more overhead.
3-wire Servo
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My choice for this build - Surpass Hobby 17g metal gear servo.
I've tried all the servos in this size and this is the fastest, strongest and most reliable. A direct fit.
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Alternative option - JX 1181MG 17g metal gear servo
Close second to the surpass hobby unit above and a worth replacement of surpass not available.
Radio Gear
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My choice for this build - Receiver for 144010/124017
This receiver works with the stock 144002 transmitter to keep the cost down. Simple, cheap and effective
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Alternative option - Dumbo RC X6 with gyro
If you want a good budget radio you can't go pass this unit. This transmitter and receiver will give you much more range, better quality, more adjustment options and use of gyro to assist with steering corrections.
Pinion Gear
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Only option - M0.7 15t pinion gear.
This pinion gear is critical for this build and is only available from this retailer and this retailer on aliexpress and nowhere else. This pinion is a godsend and a reason these builds can exist.
The last part you will need is a pair of countersunk M2.5 x 8mm screws like these ones. These will fit the new smaller motor to the stock motor mount.
Installation Guide
Installation is very easy, I've taken lots of pics to guide you through the process below.
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Here is all the gear laid out ready to go in
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Remove all plugs from the stock ESC/Receiver and cut the cable tie holding it on
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Remove the receiver from the car (there is double sided tape underneath)
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Remove the 4 rear screws holding the top deck down
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Hold the top deck up and remove the top gear shroud
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Remove the prop shaft bearing guide that slots into the motor mount
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Remove the screws as above that hold the motor mount down. You will need to use a butane torch to heat the screws and melt the superglue that is holding these in
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Rotate the motor around the prop shaft as above and slide out the side. Remove pinion and motor screws all of which will need the butane torch treatment
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New 2445 brushless motor in the motor mount in the alternative holes with the M2.5 x 8mm countersunk screws. Make them tight but locktite not required.
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Pop the 15t pinion on and tighten just a little
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You'll need to trim the lower gear shroud because the motor sits much further inside the car now and it would otherwise foul
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This is what mine looked like with enough clearance for the new motor,
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Install the motor the opposite of how you removed the stock one. The smaller size makes it easier to go in
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Trim the upper gear shroud as well
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After you have put the screws in holding the motor mount to the chassis you can then align the pinion with the spur and tighten the pinion screw right up.
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Top gear shroud and prop shaft bearing guide back in
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Top plate screws back in
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See the plastic side guide is in the way of accessing the Servo?
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With the guide removed you can clearly see and access the servo
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Remove the 2 crews underneath holding the servo down
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The servo is free - unscrew the black screw holding the servo horn on
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Stock servo on the left with mount which is easily moved to the new servo on the right
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Screw the original servo horn on the the new servo with the same screw
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Screw in the new servo from the chassis
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Since the ESC is from a 144001 it fits perfectly as does the receiver for the same reasons. Make sure you test fit if you use other gear.
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Work on cable management with cable ties and trim if you are confident in soldering plugs and boards
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You can swap the connector from the LEDs on the shell to a servo plug but note WL toys have got the red and black wires reversed. Plug into any spare port on the receiver
Performance Review
This car is completely different with this motor setup. I cannot emphasise in words just how much it improves this cars but I will try!! Like other small brushless swaps I've done you get the following benefits:
  • Higher top speed - 55km/h on 2s (up from 45km/h stock)
  • Faster acceleration - this is probably more important that the speed increase because the difference is so stark; it feels like a vastly superior car now
  • Better handling - the car is so much lighter now and handles much better as a result. Since it is carrying less weight it is also more resilient in crashes.
  • Better battery life - compared to the 8-10 minutes before I am now getting 15-20. Brushless motors, particularly small low kv ones like this one are just so efficient.
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The only downside I found from this upgrade was that this particular ESC I chose has a bit of a delay from throttle input to motor acceleration. Decreasing the throttle dead zone could using the programming card may help a little but will not be a complete fix.

I can confirm that this is the ESC because swapping the radio to a DUMBORC set made no difference. This is consistent to what I found in my WL Toys 144010 review although not as pronounced with this car due to the shorter gearing. For this reason I'd recommend the Surpass KK 35a esc or the hobbywing if you had more to spend,
Recommendations
I can't recommend this upgrade enough if you have this car, It really does fulfil the ultimate potential with big improvements over practically every characterstic of this car. Being able to reuse the radio through use of the 124017 reciever makes this upgrade quite cost effective and as such is one I strongly recommend for the WL Toys 144002. The little 3600kv motor is a great match for the 15t pinion and large wheels on the 144002 with great torque for offroad bashing without the issue of overheating.
If you are looking for a discount on this car, I will post any coupon codes or flash sales for it over here on my coupons and discounts page. Remember buying from any of these links supports my page without any cost to you and is appreciated especially since I don't ask for money via patreon and the like. If you want to get involved in this discussion, feel free to join the QuadifyRC Facebook Group Here or like my page below.
18 Comments
Ian
11/6/2022 08:51:36 am

I have this exact setup and agree that it's made the largest difference to the performance of all the Wltoys brushless upgrades I've done (124018 & 124019). The 144002 is transformed.

The 2445 3600KV motor is incredible for performance and battery life. With the esc set to "strong" acceleration this truck will pull wheelies on tarmac and grass (fortunately the bodyshell is pretty robust when it lands on its back!)

Reply
QuadifyRC
29/6/2022 05:10:17 pm

Glad it's worked out for you too! I get frustrated when people always go for super high kv motors and find they don't actually run that well when low KV is sersiously underrated. Have fun

Reply
James
4/8/2022 06:53:25 am

Thanks for sharing all this info, I am working on these upgrades myself. Have you tested the top speed with a 3S battery?

Reply
QuadifyRC
4/8/2022 09:33:49 am

My pleasure James and good - it's a nice little project. I haven't tested yet myself but would expect to see around 75kph depending on the battery.

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James
5/8/2022 04:40:17 am

Sounds good. Do you think a 50c 3s battery would be too much when using a 60A ESC?

Jamie
5/9/2022 06:22:11 pm

Would this upgrade work with the 104009? Inc. 15t pinon?

Reply
QuadifyRC
5/9/2022 09:50:06 pm

Sorry, I'm afraid that is an entirely different setup, you'd need a 3650 sized motor for that car.

Reply
Ian
20/10/2022 04:55:34 am

I'm struggling to find a 3s lipo that will fit my modified 144002. Does anyone have any recommendations on where I can buy one at a reasonable price?

Reply
QuadifyRC
21/10/2022 10:34:17 pm

This would be one of the few that could fit without modding the top tray: https://chinahobbyline.com/products/cnhl-black-series-1300mah-11-1v-3s-100c-lipo-battery-with-xt60-plug

Reply
Isaac
2/11/2022 03:01:38 pm

Hey Quad, my JX1181MG servo I have in my brushless converted 144001 just stopped working recently. I have absolutely no idea why, no crashes, big or small, I didn't short it out, submerge it in water (or even get it wet, for that matter), take a big impact from a landing or such, no steering binding, properly set endpoints, the whole nine yards, so to speak.

I'm either gonna order a new 1181MG, or that Surpass Hobby servo. I'm wondering if the Surpass has the same spline tooth count as the JX? In other words, will the stock servo horn fit onto the Surpass, no problem? Also, how long is the Surpass' wire? I prefer shorter wires, and I realistically only need like a 3cm long servo wire. The JX's is definitely longer than that, maybe like 10cm, IDK though, just guessing.

Thanks in advance!
-Isaac

Reply
QuadifyRC
28/11/2022 11:11:43 am

Hi Issac. Yeah I've had a few of them die too. In general I find the surpass servo to be the best fr durability and speed and yes, directly bolt on fit like the JX 1181MG. Can't remember the wire length specifically but it is long, I like to cut and resolder but it is easy to tie down too.

Reply
Isaac
30/11/2022 04:58:42 pm

Thanks for your wise words again, Quad, as usual!

Oh yeah...due to my more conservative driving style (I don't beat the living crap outta them like some hardcore bashers on YT 😂 - BTW for anyone else reading this, I get why those people do that stuff to their cars, it's their passion, their job, etc. I know the YT stuff), so my only and most broken parts across my 3 cars (brushless 144001, SG1601, HBX 16889) are...servos and stock batteries 😂 🤦‍♂️ 🤦‍♂️

Stock servos, those plastic gear, 5 wire units are good for a while...they aren't the best, aren't the fastest, toughest, or most reliable by a LONG shot, but they do work and get you going. Any part is better then no parts, am I right?

I'm kind of surprised that my JX died on me like that, but I saw it coming, it served its time well, plus it's incredible that good stuff like this is only $11 off Amazon #SmallScaleRCBenefits

I couldn't wait for this reply so I just went ahead and re-ordered the JX a few days after my comment 😂 it arrived from Amazon safe and sound, all the extra parts, same ol' servo.

Bolted right in as it should, I trimmed and straightened out the angles and steering, runs and works great, just like the old one. I did the same thing where I bind all the wires with a zip-tie or two in a neat little bundle on the top deck, free from the ESC heatsink, servo, motor, and driveshaft (moving/hot parts and wires do not go well). Hoping to get another year+ outta this one like the last.

I didn't try the Surpass as I wasn't sure, and decided to play it safe with the JX again, I couldn't wait to get my 144001 back in action :) I may try the Surpass next time, or for another build, though. Anyways, thank you for your insight!

Kyle
30/11/2022 09:11:29 am

Hey Quad,

Brand new to RC upgrading. If I were to upgrade to the motor to the 3600kv, is it absolutely necessary to upgrade the ESC and/or the servo? Or do you have to do all motor/ESC/servo/pinion upgrades for it to even function?

Thanks!

Reply
Isaac
30/11/2022 04:47:38 pm

Hey Kyle, welcome to the wonderful world of RCs! Not Quad here, just me, but I'll offer my insight, as this question is within my capabilities of explain.

So Kyle, in RC, there are two types of motors/ESCs, brushed, and brushless. The 144001 (and the 124019/8) come with BRUSHED systems.

This upgrade guide looks at upgrading all the electronics, and the motor and ESC are converted to BRUSHLESS. Brushed and brushless are two entirely different motor types, as such, they are not compatible (for those nitty-gritty RC guys out there - I do vaguely, maybe incorrectly, remember that Tamiya had an ESC that could support both motor types, that was neat, but the only one of its kind).

The ESC stuff inside is different, plus they use different wires, for one. Brushed uses just two wires - positive and negative, while brushless uses three different wires for the rotation. I am not 100% clear on how to explain this (Google or motor guys can help you), but basically TLDR, you need a brushed ESC for a brushed motor, and brushless for a BL motor.

In short, to recap, what I am saying is, NO, you will NOT be able to use a BRUSHLESS motor, regardless of kV, with a BRUSHED ESC.

kV does not change the type of ESC you need, brushed still goes with brushed, BL still goes with brushless. kV is *roughly* the RPM per VOLT for brushless motors, theoretically. Think about it like gearing, higher kV is the same as a higher/taller/faster gearing (bigger pinion - AKA driving gear, the one attached to the motor - and/or smaller spur gear - AKA the gear that is driven by the pinion, the one attached to the central driveshaft, center diff, or slipper).

Basically (shortened version) higher kV has a very similar effect as to if you geared up, and a lower kV motor is the same as gearing down. Lemme know if you want to know more about gearing, motors, or anything else! Email: thercdude516@gmail.com

Okay, to summarize that entire long thing, and to answer your question specifically, no, a 3600kV motor will not work with the stock electronics. You will NEED to go with a new ESC, which in this case, means new radio gear (transmitter and receiver), and a servo. Stock battery will work, though you might want a battery with more capacity (mAh) and/or max current draw.

Hope this helps,
-Isaac

Reply
Kyle
1/12/2022 02:13:49 am

Can't thank you enough, Isaac! That's exactly what I was looking for. I may be emailing you in the future as I'm still interested in doing this mod. Thanks again!

QuadifyRC
1/12/2022 05:49:15 pm

Hi Kyle. Looks like Isaac has done a good job of answering but yes, in short you'll need all of these parts at a minimum. I've put this guide here to include all the parts that I know work really well together.

Reply
Kyle
2/12/2022 02:43:39 am

Very much appreciated! :)

Isaac
3/12/2022 04:58:41 pm

Hey Kyle, glad I could be of help! I'm always up to try and help a fellow RCer! Yes, please feel free to email me during this build. I also have Discord and RC Talk (an RC forum) if you would prefer that. While Quad is the expert on this, I like to think that I know a little bit about these Wltoys rigs too, not as much as Quad, but good enough.

I have personal experience with this topic, as I converted my 144001 to brushless last year. I read this guide over and over, (I'm also very familiar with the entire website 😂 and have read the content through and through), watched YT vids, and read forum entries. I can give you help and those little tips and tricks that you may not catch just reading through posts.

Cheers,
Isaac

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