Team Associated B44.3 Build – Part 6 – Top Decks

The Build – Part 6
In this installment of the Team Associated B44.3 build, we’ll be assembling and attaching both the front and rear top decks. This step also includes the rear shock tower, wing mounts and center diff cover.

Build Notes:
There B44.3 uses a split/top deck design. Take a close look a both of them before you start building. They are directional and have a top and bottom side.

Take the front top deck section and attach the front body mount. Next, attach both of the inner camber link ball studs to the holes as shown. Don’t forget to add a #4 washer under each ball and a foam protector on top.

Attach the front shock tower brace to the front top deck…

…followed by the antenna mount. The antenna hole should be facing out so that the antenna will match up with the hole you’ll be blindly cutting into the body.

Attach the assembled top deck to the front of the car. Add a dab of threadlocker to the screws that feed into the center, aluminum bulkhead. Do not tighten down just yet.

Now secure the front shock tower to the brace on the top deck. After you’ve tightened this down, go ahead and finish tightening down the screws on the top deck.

Find the rear top deck and attach the pair of inner camber link ball studs. A #4 washer goes under these as well (as does the foam protector).

Attach the rear top deck to the car. Apply a dab of threadlocker to the screws that attach to the center, aluminum bulkhead. Don’t tighten down all the way just yet.

Time to assemble the rear shock tower. Start by adding the upper shock mount screws. The tower is not directional so it doesn’t matter which side you start with.

Attach the shock tower mount to the tower as shown.

Attach the rear body mount to the opposite side of the tower.

Finally, attach the rear shock tower assembly to the top deck. Once this is secure, you can finish tightening down the rest of the rear top deck screws.

The rear wing mount is next, but note that the two pieces are not the same. Take the one with the ‘hex’ in it an press a locknut into place.

Place both wing mounts into position and slide the 7/8″ screw through, tightening it down to into the locknut to secure the mounts. I pivoted the mounts down to make them equal and easier to manage while tightening the screw.

Now swing both wing mounts up and attach to the rear tower.

The final step is to set the center bulkhead cover into place and secure. A dab of threadlocker will help here.

Nice job. Both top decks in place!

Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 1 – Differentials
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 2 – Gearboxes
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 3 – Steering
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 4 – Suspension
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 5 – Center Bulkhead
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 6 – Top Decks
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 7 – Turnbuckles / Driveline
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 8 – Anti-Roll Bars
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 9 – Shocks
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 10 – Electronics
Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build – Part 11 – Wheels, Tires and Body

Back to the Team Associated B44.3 Buggy Build List