Belt cover mod for the XX4

Personally I find the XX4 to be most likely the best performing 4WD there is! Even today in 2010! But a couple of the solutions as to easy maintenance really do need an update. And most of all I find the belt replacement too time consuming. During a hectic race day changing belt(s) on a XX4 is something you're hoping not having to do...

Now, cutting the top cover in two pieces is a well known trick for this car. I simply wanted to take things a few steps further.

These were my main goals:
-I want to easily & quickly be able to check which belt is broken
-I want to be able to change one belt at a time (and take off less screws)
-I want to keep the rigidity of the chassis as much as possible
-I want the drive train to remain dust proof (sealed)


First we cut off more than indicated in the manual so that the front belt can be replaced without having to take off the middle belt cover. You just slide the new belt back on.


Afterwords cut off a piece of lexan and super glue it to the front cover so that it is still dust proof.


Here I've used Olivier's magic compund - the 3M DP490 to make a small mold where the servo is fastened.

Then some Dremel work...


Cut the top rear cover and do more Dremel work. Also drill all the way down into the DP490. Make the holes in the belt cover larger, so that the screws fall easily through them. Fixating the top cover here should retain most of the rigidity of the chassis. And also keep the belt covers well into place.

Finally cut a piece of aluminium, drill 2 holes in it, and secure the servo (I use a low profile servo).


I cut the top cover using a Dremel and a cutting disk. This leaves a nasty gap. I fill this gap with super glue. The trick is to use old & thick super glue. You can obtain that by leaving a bottle open for a while... I apply it on one side, spray with activator (kicker), then put the parts together. It will then more or less self adjust, the excess glue is pushed out & in. After that you simply dremel and sand it smooth (also on the inside!).


To be able to quickly and easily see which belt is broken, I made "inspection windows". You simply dremel a hole and glue on a piece of lexan. Then sand it...


... and put some silicone on. Now, for the front cover my brain must have been on vacation at the time - since I put the first window under the front shock tower :-(

This makes more sense! :-)


Here are the now 4 belt covers, previously 2.


The end result. With some paint and silicone it looks quite good (the flash on the camera makes it look lighter than it really is). With normal light there is hardly any colour difference.

I can now see the front and rear belts through inspections windows. And the middle belt by removing the yellow rubber grommet on the right side (std. part). And I can remove each of the belts individually. Mission comlete!

I'm sure it can be done even better, but this was the best I could come up with :-) Hope it can inspire some of you guys!

Tread on oOple for this modification

Good luck!

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Last updated 28. february 2010 - in Koh Samui, Thailand!