RPM front A-arms for the HPI Baja 5SC, 5T & 5B are designed around the stock A-arm geometry, no additional parts or accessories are needed. They've eliminated most of the hard rib angles in favor of smoothly contoured curves that enhance survivability during extreme impacts. Both the upper and lower A-arms incorporate much larger and stronger corner webs than the stock A-arms while RPM lower A-arms have a redesigned center brace structure that helps the rigidity and strength considerably by spreading impact energies over a much larger area. RPM A-arms will hold their shape better and have less flex than the stock arms as well!
After extensive in-house review of 5SC, 5T & 5B A-arms in stock form and listening to Baja owners, RPM found that the stock pivot ball socket tends to break out under certain impact conditions. They addressed this problem by adding nearly 15% more material around the diameter of the pivot ball socket and redesigned the shape of the socket to add more support and improve crash survivability without creating any interference with suspension or steering movement. While they were redesigning the pivot ball area, they reduced the amount of slop in the ball socket to help improve and maintain more consistent camber and toe angles for smoother, more precise steering.
Another problem RPM encountered with the stock A-arms is the lack of protection for the very low-hanging front shocks. They solved that problem in a couple of ways. First, they elongated the lower shock mount, leaving no part of the shock exposed. Next, RPM incorporated a unique lower A-arm skid plate that completely covers & protects the lower shock mount. This skid plate adds serious bulletproof RPM protection to the lower end of those extremely expensive shocks while adding strength and support to the whole lower A-arm. Additionally, these skid plates are reversible! Since the A-arm is angled up, only the lowest part of the skid plate (the rear area) will see the most wear. By making the skid plates reversible, Baja owners run the skid plates until they wear thin on the one end, swap them from one side to the other and they're good to go for more punishment!
They have found that a large percentage of 5SC, 5T, & 5B owners like to personalize and customize their buggies. That is why RPM offers these new arms in stealthy black and fully dyeable white options.
Tech Notes: RPM A-arms are sold in sets consisting of one upper A-arm, one lower A-arm, one lower a-arm skid plate, two shock spacers and two skid plate mounting screws. Two kits will be needed to complete one vehicle.