I couldn't wait.:roll: I had to open Bag A to see the front portal weights up close. Then decided it was time to build!:ror:
The heavy alloy portal weights or as Josh said, like melted down Hot Wheels or something like that, feel and look good. They sorta remind me of a lead fishing weight. The bearings fit tight into the housings and I feel no slop in them. I did have to use my tiny hammer and tap in the bearings so that they seated all the way in. The weight of these are about 4.5oz or 128 grams. Should add some good weight up front.
As always with any Vanquish kit, building the axle was a dream. Fit and finish is perfect and every part just fell together. If you've ever built one, you know!
As with all of my kits, I opted to use Team KNK stainless steel hardware to assemble. I normally use marine grease on the axle gears, but this time I decided to try out the supplied grease in the tube that came with the kit. After applying it to the gears, it looks damn near identical to the Walmart marine grease that I have been using in all of my rigs for years.
For now I'll be using the non-clamping servo horn that came with the kit. If I have problems with it, I'll swap it out for a clamping VP horn in the future.
Edit: I forgot to mention that this kit comes with the harder rod ends. The look great and the links threaded into them really good. I thought that I might have to tap threads into them first, but I didn't have to. Also, I like the new thinner links that are used up front. Instead of a bent link to clear the front diff, the straight link used bent rod ends and the link clears the diff nicely at full lock.
Another Edit: Total weight assembled: 14.1 oz. or 399.7 grams