Compatible B6 | B6.1 Series Parts

Usually for these Garage builds I try to follow the kit's manual in the exact order and point out JConcepts option parts when needed.

But again since many of these parts were already covered in previous Garage builds for the B6D and B6.1D, I'll briefly review those items before moving onto the parts made specifically for the T6.1. And even though many JConcepts parts are available in either blue or black color options, for this build I'll primarily only feature blue items.

The JConcepts Aluminum Steering Bellcranks are available in both blue and black color options, and comprised of aluminum. The aluminum material offers a driver a stiffer response without adding any additional weight.

When assembling the bellcranks with the kit's components make sure to use some blue thread lock since you are now threading into aluminum and not plastic.

The Front Camber Link Mount Bulkhead is also offered in either blue or black, and unlike the stock counterpart it is separated into two pieces.

It comes unassembled but using a combination of the included screws, provided instructions, and items from the kit you can easily assemble it.

One thing to note however is that these instructions were written for the B6 series. For the new .1 series a shorter 10mm BHCS is needed to install the top plate, and the instructions call for 12mm BHCS instead. But no worries, the 10mm can be used too.

The front camber link provides you the same mounting holes as the stock part for the front ball studs, and is made from aluminum. To unlock more setup configurations you can combine it with Associated's weighted suspension mounts listed below:

Team Associated front plastic camber link mount and bulkhead with plastic AE suspension mount = ~14.8gms
Team Associated front plastic camber link mount and bulkhead with aluminum AE suspension mount = ~20.3gms
JConcepts front camber link mount and bulkhead with plastic AE suspension mount = ~28.5gms
JConcepts front camber link mount and bulkhead with aluminum AE suspension mount = ~34.0gms
Team Associated front plastic camber link mount and bulkhead with brass AE suspension mount = ~41.7gms
JConcepts front camber link mount and bulkhead with brass AE suspension mount = ~55.4gms

And again since we are mating two metal surfaces together make sure to use a dab of thread locker too.

For the ballstuds that are attached to the front ball stud mount I used the Dirt Racing Products Dirt Washers. The kit's default setup calls for a 1mm blue aluminum washer, but with the Dirt Washers you get that plus more.

Each package of the Dirt washers comes with 10 washers and they are currently only available in black. Included in the package are:

Two 2-3mm washers
Four 1-2mm washers
Four .5mm washers

These washers give you the ability to change your ballstud height by simply flipping them over vs. completely removing or adding washers each time. This will help you to eliminate dropping washers by mistake, make quicker setup changes, and they also work on a variety of 1/10 vehicles.

NOTE: These were previously covered in more detail in a previous version of The Garage which you can read here: http://www.jconcepts.net/garage/projects/dirt-products-2

For more front end tuning JConcepts offers a Front Suspension Shim Set. These are only available in blue and you receive both a .5mm and 1mm shim.

Each shim is laser engraved with a thickness indicator and JC logo of authenticity. These aluminum shims are also more reliable than molded plastic or 3D printed shims since they are more unlikely to warp when installed into your vehicle too.

In testing drivers reported that lowering the front roll-center provided a smoother steering response while also increasing the overall steering during mid-cornering. It is recommended to start with the .5mm shim and move to the thicker 1mm if so desired.

The Fin Titanium Steering Turnbuckle is a 10mm long option part for your servo.

As the name implies it is made from titanium which will make it stronger than the stock steel part, but also keeps it lightweight as the same time. The Fin Titanium Steering Turnbuckle uses the standardized 3mm thread base on each end so it fits perfectly with the kit's steering links.

In the center there is a square shaped adjustment nut that eliminates the need for the kit's blue 1mm aluminum washer. This will also help you from overtightening one end so that your steering link is set correctly.

You can use the JConcepts Fin Turnbuckle Wrench to install the steering links.

Here you can see the steering links installed and how they rest cleanly against the square adjustment nut.

Sticking with the servo let's look at another JConcept option part, the Servo Mount Bracket. With the kit's setup you attach your servo to the side rails with two blue aluminum servo mounts. JConcepts sought out for a unique design that achieves this task while also providing you more stability which I'll detail in a little bit.

The JConcepts Servo Mount Bracket is available in both blue and black color options and crafted from aluminum. A laser etched JConcepts.net is sits on top of the “bridge” piece that runs across the servo, and to highlight the design more silver chamfering was added to the edges too.

Also included are two 3x6mm set screws, but to mount it to the side rails you will still need to use the kit components.

To install it you first need to set your servo horn in the correct position. For our purposes since this is a new build, and I'm not ready to detail all of the electronics yet that were used for this Garage story, I'll skip that step. Then depending on your setup you might need to install a few of the kit's servo spacers too. Next, install the kit's M3x8mm BHCS through each servo ear and into the sides of the mount but don't tighten them all the way down yet. Since you are now working two metal surfaces make sure to add some light thread locker too.

Then using a 1.5mm driver sink the JConcepts Servo Mount Bracket's included set screws through the mount until they are snug with the servo. This will help you to center the servo and keep it aligned under hard racing conditions. And again make sure to add some thread lock too.

Once that is complete go back and lock down the M3x8mm BHCS on each side of the horn now, and then finally attach it to the side rails with the kit's M3x10mm BHCS.

The JConcepts Fin Titanium Shock Stand-Offs were first designed for the B64 and B6 series, but they are also compatible with the entire 6.1 family too. JConcepts has released two versions that can be used for the front and rear shock towers which are simply referred to as short or long.

The kit's shock mount is designed to pass either a 3x20mm (front) or 3x22mm (rear) BHCS through a blue aluminum mount. But JConcepts wanted to offer something unique so they opted for a two piece design.

As the name implies these are crafted from titanium and each one uses a 7mm base so they can be easily tighten up with the JConcepts Combo Thumb Wrench.

NOTE: For more information about the Combo Thumb Wrench, please read this earlier edition of The Garage: http://www.jconcepts.net/garage/projects/combo-thumb-wrench

Passing through the shock tower mounting hole and into the Fin Titanium Shock Stand-Offs are either two 3x8mm (short) or 3x10mm (long) BHCS screws. Frist, place these into the mounting hole of choice, add some thread lock, and then thread on the Fin Titanium Shock Stand-Offs.

Since the titanium material is stronger than molded plastic or aluminum shock caps they will eventually rub and tear into the caps themselves.

So to help avoid this JConcepts incorporated the Delrin pivot bushings into their design. This acts as a barrier between the two contact points and can be easily replaced when they show wear.

All the bushings are the same length and can be bought separately too.

The JConcepts Carbon Fiber Steering Arm uses the same geometry as the kit's stock component so it installs cleanly into the steering block.

It offers the same mounting holes too and is forged from 2.5mm thick carbon fiber.

Each arm is under 1g in total weight and they can be flipped over and installed on either side of the vehicle.

One of the newest JConcepts option parts that work on all of the 6.1 series vehicles is their Aluminum C Block.

This is offered in both blue and black color options and is precision machined from aluminum. Chamfer highlighting has been added to the edges along with a laser etched JC logo and block identifier label.

It uses the same geometry designs of the stock part so that the kit's pill inserts fit firmly into place too.

And some material has been removed from the holes used to seat the pills to lighten it up without sacrificing any durability.

It fits perfectly into the T6.1 chassis and it is recommended to use some blue thread lock to keep the screws in place.

JConcepts also offers a few Rear Suspension D-Mounts too. Their aluminum version is anodized in either blue or black, while their brass version is a brilliant gold color.

The brass version weights 12g so it gives you another tuning option for track conditions.

It uses the same design concepts as the OEM part so it mates up perfectly with the arm mount inserts.

For this build I went with the brass offering. On one side it features a laser etched JConcepts logo while on the flip side there is a mount identifier and weight indicator.

Staying in the rear of the vehicle let's now talk about the JConcepts Rear Ball-Stud Mount.

This is a new part exclusive to the B6.1 series, and it is forged from CNC-machined aluminum. It is available in either blue or black anodizing with chamfered silver edging to enhance its overall appearance.

To strengthen the mount JConcepts added some more material to outer curves of the “U-brace” too.

Otherwise, it is nearly identical in design to the kit component which also includes the three standard setup holes.

For this build I elected to not use the kit's 1mm blue aluminum washers but instead went with the Dirt Racing Products 1-2mm Dirt Washers.

And as usual make sure to use some blue thread lock since we are working with two metal components again.

The JConcepts 3-Gear Laydown | Layback Transmission Plate is offered in two choices of color, blue or black. It is machined from 3mm aluminum and it a new item for the 6.1 series.

But it has been milled out in several places to create the honeycomb pattern.

This unique design reduces the weight even more but it is still just a rigid as the stock part.

It is compatible with the kit's plastic spur gear guard and silver chamfer highlighting has been added to several locations to enhance its looks.

And for spec racers looking to shed extra weight the JConcepts motor plate is 2 grams lighter as well.

It synchs up perfectly with the rest of the surrounding parts, and we have one more rear located option part to review next.

Frist designed for the B6, the JConcepts 7mm Light-Weight Hex Adapter is available in popular blue or black anodizing options.

This part is compatible with the new 6.1 series and uses a clamping design just like the kit's components. But there are a few features that makes the JConcepts part different.

It has been slimmed down to reduce its weight thanks to the pockets of material that have been removed from it. It also looks narrower too since part of the hex has been removed from the section of the hex that clamps down on the CVA towards the hubs bearing. Together these lower the total amount of rotating mass which in turn frees up your drive train more. Silver chamfer edging highlights the Light-Weight Hex Adapter, and a JC trademark and width indicator are both laser etched into the hex too.

Included are two 1.6mm SCHS that you will need a 1.5mm wrench to install them with and some blue thread locker is also recommended to keep everything in place.

JConcepts offers many accessories for Team Associated 12mm shocks going all the way back to when the B5 was first released, but they still work with the B6 and 6.1 platforms too. We have covered all of these previously in Garage stories on the B6D and B6.1D, but I'll briefly go over each item once again.

The first item is the JConcepts 12mm AE O-Ring Shock Set. These blue o-rings can be used to replace your seals for your shock's VCS3 Shock Bottom Caps, 12mm Threaded Collars, and the top of your shock bodies where the cap screws onto.

I bring this up since the JConcepts Fin 12mm V2 Shock Caps don't include replacement o-rings. The stock black o-rings are fully compatible with the JConcepts shock caps, but I'm going to elect to use the blue o-rings instead for this build. Features of the Fin 12mm V2 Shock Caps include that they are made from lightweight aluminum, knurling has been added along the bottom to aid you in tightening them, clear washers and 2x4mm BHCS screws are included for the bleeder holes, and they are also available in both blue and black color options. I'll show these installed in a little bit.

Next, let's look at the JConcepts VCS Shock Bottom Cap. These do come with the JConcepts blue o-rings and are available in your choice of blue or black anodizing.

Double knurling rings rest at the top and bottom of the VCS Shock Bottom Caps, and etched between them are JConcepts.net and JC authentic logos.

Up next are the JConcepts Fin 12mm Shock Collars.

These are also available in either blue or black, and also include the JConcepts blue o-rings. The JConcepts Fin 12mm Shock Collars are comprised of aluminum and there are two color options to choose from, blue or black.

These collars help you when it comes to adjusting your vehicle's ride height in a few different ways. Frist, knurling has been added to the aluminum to help you grip it better when it eventually gets slippery from the buildup of dirt, dust, and possibly shock fluid. There is also a notch in the collar to help keep track of how many turns you make during your adjustments, and on the opposite side is an etched JC logo.

Here you can see the JConcepts Fin 12mm Shock Collars and VCS Shock Bottom Cap installed along with a JConcepts blue o-ring.

I used the JConcepts Exo 10th Scale Shock Stand and Cup to top off the shocks with fluid. This shock stand has four long, vertical holes that are designed to hold your shock bodies while you fill them up with oil.

NOTE: For more information about the JConcepts Exo 10th Scale Shock Stand and Cup, please read this earlier edition of The Garage: http://www.jconcepts.net/garage/projects/jconcepts-exo-shock-stand

The holes run the entire length of the stand so if so desired you can flip the stand over to the opposite side for a different look and feel. And the molded rubber cup that wraps around it can be removed to hold small parts during your shock build too.

Now that the shock caps were installed and the shocks were bled, it was time to look at the final “shocking” product offered by JConcepts.

The T6.1 kits come with black, mold plastic 5mm spring cups. The JConcepts Fin Shock 5mm Off-Set Spring Cups are instead constructed out of aluminum and offer a few other key differences. Since they are aluminum you get your choice of blue or black color options.

To decrease the change of a spring cup popping off during a TQ run, JConcepts engineers created a new design where the shock shaft has to make two movements before it is free. This non-linear path gives a driver a little extra insurance on a race day.

The cups are even lightened up more thanks to small circular cutouts along the sidewall of the cup. And there is also a laser etched JConcepts.net logo and off-set indicator as well so you know which cups you are using at a glance.

I assembled the shocks and then installed them onto the T6.1 using the JConcepts Combo Thumb Wrench.

Another new JConcepts option part that is compatible with Associated's 6.1 series of vehicles is the Swing Operated Battery Retainer Set.

The kit's battery strap is a large, molded plastic piece that is designed to fit over the length of the battery and secure it on each side with the help of shoulder screws, washers, BHCS, and plastic nuts.

The JConcepts Swing Operated Battery Retainer Set uses a different approach and secures the battery by clamping down on each end of it via the included hardware and aluminum rails.

These rails are available in either blue or black anodizing options and the edges include some chamfered highlighting. A lasered etched JConcepts.net logo has also been added for brand recognition too. The stock battery strap includes five different mounting holes, but the JConcepts rails offers you a total of nine holes to help you dial in your perfect weight distribution.

Also included with the rails are multiple stand-offs, four 3x16mm BHCS screws, two carbon fiber “swing” arms, plus two steel top hat bushings for the carbon arms. Since each LiPo pack can vary in height these multiple stand-offs are included along with some installation instructions.

For spec racers looking to gain that extra edge this battery retaining system is lighter too. The stock battery strap and support hardware weigh in at 14g.

With the JConcepts Swing Operated Battery Retainer Set normally you will use one of three different mounting configurations shown above, but all three weigh less than the stock setup. For this build I used the hardware shown in the middle setup option and I'll walk you briefly through that process next.

Here is the hardware I'll need to build one side rail to secure in my Reedy pack (more on that pack later in this story).

Frist, I'll place one of the included 3x16mm BHCS screws through the carbon fiber swing arm and then place the steel top hat bushing on the bottom side. This top hat bushing seats into a recessed section of the swing arm.

Then to hold that into place with the aluminum rail I would take that 3x16mm BHCS screw and slide it through the desired mounting hole.

Then I would use the other screw to go through the front hole of the swing arm.

Then on the bottom side I would slide on one of the 6.3mm stand-offs to get the desired height for my pack. So this is what one rail would look like when assembled, but unless you are some sort of wizard it would be very difficult to keep this intact and then install it into your T6.1.

So once you have the general idea of how this should look when assembled, you now need to remove your existing battery strap (unless this is a new build). If this is a new build then I would pre-thread one of the 3x16mm BHCS screws into the rear molded holes of the side rails. Then assemble the hardware for the rear of the aluminum rail and then install it with a 2mm driver but only tighten it enough so everything stays in place. Then add the front screw and stand-off and tighten it down till the point that the swing arm is secure and won't move. Then make sure to sink the rear screw all the way down tight into the side rail.

Repeat the process for the other side and now your pack is locked and loaded.

Finally, let's take a look at the JConcepts 4mm Large Flange Serrated Locknuts. These are available in two different color choices, blue or black, and are compatible with several vehicles including the 6.1 generation.

When compared to the kit's included steel wheel nuts, the JConcepts locknuts use a slightly larger surface area the secure your wheels.

This larger “disc” will grab more surface area on your wheel to keep it in place, and just like the OEM part it uses serrations to dig into the wheel too.

Parts Exclusive To The T6.1

Now let's talk about some parts made exclusively for the T6.1 starting with the JConcepts Carbon Fiber Front Shock Tower.

Here you can see the kit's OEM tower on the left and the JConcepts tower on the right. They are nearly identical except for a few small details.

The JConcepts Carbon Fiber Front Shock Tower incorporates the three standard holes for mounting your shocks, and a milled JC logo is located on the front too. It is also comprised of 4mm thick genuine, carbon fiber material.

The tower is slightly wider in key areas that have been reinforced to strengthen up the tower without adding additional weight to it thanks to the lightweight carbon fiber materials. And this tower is also compatible with Associated's SC6.1 short course truck too.

Now let's move to the rear and look at the JConcepts Carbon Fiber Rear Shock Tower. Just like the front shock tower, this one is also manufactured from genuine, carbon fiber that is 4mm thick.

And again when you compare it to the OEM rear shock tower they are nearly identical which also includes the standard three shock mounting holes. And this tower is also compatible with the SC6.1 as well.

But one key difference again is that JConcepts has reinforced their tower with some extra ribbing that doesn't increase the weight too.

Flipping the T6.1 over let's look at the next exclusive option part from JConcepts.

The T6.1 Precut Chassis Protective Sheet includes two pieces per package. These sheets are precut to fit on your T6.1 chassis perfectly without any modifications. By installing a chassis sheet not only do you decrease the wear and tear to your metal chassis, but you also create a barrier between the chassis and track surface too. This barrier will decrease the amount of friction between your chassis and the race surface. This friction can silently scrub your speed and you drag across the track surface. It also keeps the flat head screws on the bottom of your chassis clean too so it is easier to perform maintenance.

Each sheet also includes an extra tail piece since that area can lose it adhesive quicker thanks to bottoming out on jumps or frequent transmission maintenance.

Installation instructions are printed on each sheet and let's briefly go through this process.

The first step is to clean your chassis so if you have been racing your vehicle for a while make sure to clean off the dirt and grime that has built up on the bottom. Since this is a new kit build I can skip over this step. Next remove the front bumper and two M3x16mm FHCS screws and then set them aside.

Next peel off one of the T6.1 Precut Chassis Protective Sheets and carefully place it onto the chassis. Make sure to smooth out any air bubble as you slowly apply it from one end to the other. If you are slightly off just gently pull back the sheet and start over again. The sheet's adhesive has just the right amount of give to allow you to install this properly with a little trial and error.

Once you have it in place install the front bumper and screws again.

The final exclusive item for the T6.1 is the JConcepts F2 T6.1 Finnisher body. With the advent of the 6.1 series, drivers now have the ability to mount their shocks on either the front or back of the rear a-arms. So this called for a new body that was compatible for dual setup configurations and once again JConcepts has answered the call.

The rear “humps” on this body will allow for both rear shock setups and resting in front of them are the customary Finnisher “V step-downs” in the truck bed area. Other features on this new body include a narrower front end which will help to keep the front tires from rubbing the body in high turning situations. And the nose of the F2 and the cab include recessed areas that can be removed to increase air flow which gives you another tuning aid. Now I'll go over the steps to prep the body for the T6.1.

Since this body does comes clear the first thing I needed to do was to send it to my painter Zegers RC Graffixx to have my custom paint scheme added to it. About a week later it came back looking great as usual!

The JConcepts F2 T6.1 Finnisher body also includes two spoilers which are molded as one piece. The taller spoiler is intended to be used for low to medium traction track conditions, while the shorter one is best suited for high traction race conditions. And this spoiler is sold separately too as part # 0195.

I decided to use the shorter spoiler so first I needed to trim it out and aiding me were the Dirt Cut Precision Straight Scissors.

Once I had the spoiler trimmed out I needed to ream out three mounting holes so I reached for the JConcepts Fin Reamer.

JConcepts provides mounting hardware for the spoiler, but to add some bling to this wing, I opened up a package of the JConcepts Metric Washer Set and placed some 1mm washers under each screw.

The JConcepts F2 T6.1 Finnisher body has small dimples to indicate where the body posts are located so I used the JConcepts Fin Reamer to ream out the mounting holes.

Once you pass the included screws through the mounting holes for the rear spoiler you attach them with the included nylon nuts. I used the JConcepts Combo Thumb Wrench to complete this task.

Now that I had the body trimmed out and spoiler mounted it was time to add some decals.

The JConcepts F2 T6.1 Finnisher body comes with a decal sheet that contains an array of various JConcepts brands, plus four different front end grill options.

Stadium truck bodies have traditionally included more than one decal for the front grill which allows you to customize the look of your truck even more.

Once I decided on which grill option I wanted to use I used the Dirt Cut Precision Straight Scissors to trim it out.

Here you can see the front grill decals applied to the F2 T6.1 body.