Hulksta Engineering RC G-Spot Scale 2 build - codename "Poison Ivy"

[mce076]

to continue the build from where it was last left off...

the front end is coming along nicely, with the VP wraith knuckles and chubs arriving and now installed..

i also have a set of DLux no-slop bushings installed, but that was more effort than i had planned as it required some shaving of the knuckles so they would fit without binding and tightening up the steering..

the link used atm is a VP currie SCX tie rod and drag link, neither of which are perfect but its at least allowing me to sort out where i want to clock the axles and also whether or not i need to have a custom link made or find another one to use that suits better..

here's some pics of the latest progress..

VP Wraith chub installed on the tubes, but not locked in place yet..



DLux no slop bushings and VP Wraith knuckles..



the collection of bits being installed..



finished knuckles..



all assembled minus the modified XR unis which are on order and still need to be shaved for both length to fit and also steering angle..

the currie link mounted on the bottom is preventing the steering from reaching full lock, so its since been moved to the top of the arms..



and on of the best bits of progress is the G-Spot chassis rear rails that have been shorted have now arrived..

this shorter length allows the chassis to fit right up inside the Team Blue Groove Trail Range body shell

[mce076]

well i said it would be a while for the next update and it has, but heaps has progressed with this in the last couple of days..

be warned this is a pic heavy update

so here goes..

the shortened rear rails arrived and are now installed on the chassis..
as you can see it fits millimeter perfect inside the Team Blue Groove Trail Ranger shell..



after a package from Creeper Bob went missing containing the SCX width titanium rear axles the 2nd parcel made its way to me..

i am very impressed with a second set being sent, Creeper Bob is a great vendor to deal with regardless of this..
i've tried to search for the first package via the local postal service but no such luck :(



I also had a bit of an issue with an order from BMRC which contained some brass tubes, however RCBRos stepped in and set a set to me free of charge for my trouble.. an unexpected outcome!

so i cut off the splined section to add weight to the rear axle...
and yes i know, was a little heavy handed with the VP star lube on the diff gears (could have had something to do with beer )



the assembled and complete rear axle..



both axles..



mounted up some links from BMRC....



i had a heap of Gunnar mounts arrive so i set about adding that and mounting up the shell..









after a little bit of wrench work i've attached the axles after much messing around with the links to mix and match to get things sitting how i wanted...



with the body shell on... its starting to feel like its getting somewhere now



next step was to assemble the Hulksta gearbox that uses some of the XR10 gears, in this case the lightened RC4WD set...



a mockup with a waaaaay too fast motor...



and now installed in the chassis..



i then had the issue of needing front CVD/VVDs...
i ended up using the Wraith stub axle with the SCX10 shaft which creates the perfect length shaft for a narrow XR-mod axle so you dont have to grind them down!

and now its all mounted up and looking like a roller.. although its missing a front center drive shaft as i need to find something thats 65mm long with a working range a few mm either side of that..



pretty happy with the front track width of the narrow XR-mod...
this is with VP OMF rims, 225 SLW hub and it comes out to about 236mm.. i'll need to widen that with some SLW hub spacers maybe 2mm a side for link clearance (although a taller tire like the TSL XL might not be so close) as the set thats just mocked up on there now..



this shows the completed front axle with the VP mix-n-mash drive shafts and he chubs and tubes not locked in yet (still deciding on tie rod and drag link setup and also what angle to clock the chubs)..



this is just a random rear end flex.. its a lot, so that needs to be tamed down somewhat..



which is where the sway bars come into the picture..
this is the rear, the links from the arms to the axles are just some 3mm rod ends with a 30mm stainless screw thats had the head cut off..



and i think thats it for now

i'll prob take a few pics of various assemblies and show how the shocks are mounted on the rear with the sway bars and a few bits of interest..

major items on the agenda now are sort out the front center shaft and the front upper links (that needs to be some sort of twisted z-bend shaft to clear the servo on the smash plate and also the motor)..

next update could be a while again as i need to order in some bits and get to making some stuff.. stay tuned!

[mce076]

spent a little more time with this chassis today..
i was mostly playing around with the front end in terms of steering angle, clocking chubs and the steering tie rod

some basic specs of this build so far..

310mm WB * its short to suit the Trail Ranger shell
236mm track width front / 230mm rear
30 deg clocked chubs
50 degree steering angle * maxxed out Vanquish VVDs

something that i worked out as well in terms of the CVD/VVDs to use for various axle widths..

SCX stub axle + SCX axle shaft = stock SCX (we knew this, duh!)
XR/Wraith stub axle + SCX axle shaft = Narrow XR-Mod * this is what i've done
XR/Wraith stub axle + XR axle shaft = Wide XR-Mod

last but not least, here's some pics from today...

[JokersWild]

Looking awesome. Too bad that chassis and gearbox are not being offered anymore

[gsrcivic]

Man i want one of the chassis sets ive always loved the hulksta gearbox but this puts it over the top....subscribed

[mce076]

here's a fairly tame update for you...

i made some lead rings to fit around the inner wheel clamp ring on the VP OMFs that I'll be using on this chassis..

this adds a total of 56gms per wheel (so each wheel now weighs just over 200gms), which means that so far this build has around 75% of its weight below the chassis

here's the customary pic because.. well.. pics are awesome!

[Stormin2u]

This a very interesting design and build it looks awesome are those upper shock mounts movable to reduce the shock angles more upright?

[mce076]

Originally Posted by Stormin2u

This a very interesting design and build it looks awesome are those upper shock mounts movable to reduce the shock angles more upright?

No, the upper shock mounts are not moveable.

[JokersWild]

Originally Posted by Stormin2u

This a very interesting design and build it looks awesome are those upper shock mounts movable to reduce the shock angles more upright?

I like running mine at more of a raked back angle. Changes rates.

This chassis sets up most of the locations, to mount all parts, up like a comp rig giving you better controlability and better set up.

[mce076]

i had a bit of a play with the idea of making a hood for the Hulksta gearbox..
not sure it will stay but it should offer some protection from dirt, although there's still a couple ways for it to get in its just harder to do so

[mce076]

time for a small tour of little bits and pieces..

this shows the locked in tubes, Wraith knuckles and chubs and the steering links that look like they rub the tire but dont..



bonus flex shot.. just a pic of the chassis "in action" because i like seeing it and imagining how its going to work..



Vanquish shock riser used to help correct chassis height but to also mount the sway bar links to..



random pic of the rear end setup..



Hulksta gearbox with hood and the battery and electronics "boat sides"...



now we move into an actual small update, this time i'm starting to mount and trim the shell to suit the setup and hopefully not find too many issues with clearance..







an outside shot with a different angle and chance of scenery for no apparent reason...



the sway bar arms will hit the body shell when the axle flexes so i need to cut out these rectangle holes for the arms to clear..
this avoids changing the height of the body shell which i didnt want to do



and you can now see how the arms will come through the shell..
first pic is when the chassis is fully compressed in the rear, second pic just a random flex showing one arm through..





and thats the end of the update this time around

[Stormin2u]

Now thats one beautiful build.

What axle are you using in the front axle?

[mce076]

Originally Posted by Stormin2u

Now thats one beautiful build.

What axle are you using in the front axle?

the front CVD/VVD is the Vanquish Wraith stub axle (5mm) and the axle shaft is the Vanquish SCX shaft..
combine those two and you've got what you need for the narrow XR-mod

i will note that i had to shorten one of the axle shafts 1-2mm because of the diff locker I am using not being machined all the way through

[STANG KILLA SS]

how are the sliders/battery trays held to the chassis?

[1beatjeep]

Got any pic of the bottom with boat sides on?




Nice build...

[mce076]

Originally Posted by STANG KILLA SS

how are the sliders/battery trays held to the chassis?

there's tabs on the tray that slots into the chassis rail which basically holds it horizontal to the chassis rails..
in the tray there is a "t" or cross shaped cutout that fits a 3mm nut and a screw pulls the nut against the tray and into the chassis rail locking it in place

hope this simple pic helps explain, is shown as if viewed from above..

[mce076]

Originally Posted by 1beatjeep

Got any pic of the bottom with boat sides on?

Nice build...

let me take a photo and i'll post one up for you


* edit * here's the photo for you...

[JokersWild]

This thing is so sick. I wanna see some weights and videos of what it can do when its in its complete form! Or I mean * cough cough * total pos...... Send to me and ill dispose of it! Lmao

[mce076]

Originally Posted by JokersWild

This thing is so sick. I wanna see some weights and videos of what it can do when its in its complete form! Or I mean * cough cough * total pos...... Send to me and ill dispose of it! Lmao

the weight has surprised me to be honest, its turned out heavier than expected so far despite early figures..



I did some rough calculations and worked out there was about 70% of the weight below the skid in its current form making COG awesome..

At this stage I am expecting around 2200gms RTR when done, but we'll see

[Stormin2u]

Originally Posted by mce076

the front CVD/VVD is the Vanquish Wraith stub axle (5mm) and the axle shaft is the Vanquish SCX shaft..
combine those two and you've got what you need for the narrow XR-mod

i will note that i had to shorten one of the axle shafts 1-2mm because of the diff locker I am using not being machined all the way through

Am I understanding this correctly that your using the short side of the VP Wraith CVD/VVD and the other side is part of the VP SCX shaft? Do I need to buy two sets of axles to make one stock width axle with 8* Wraith Cs and knuckle?

Sorry for the confusion.