Shape_Shifter Builds a Komodo

[rc2000]

https://m.facebook.com/cbercfab/



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[Shape_Shifter]

I spy quiz:

What is different about my Komodo in these pics?

[jdmguy760]

Originally Posted by Shape_Shifter

I spy quiz:

What is different about my Komodo in these pics?

Ascender rear axle

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[Shape_Shifter]

Originally Posted by jdmguy760

Ascender rear axle

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YOU WIN!!

[Derek Larsen]

I hope you got a Tonka decal to put on the tailgate.

[Shape_Shifter]

I am trying to work out the steering geometry for these Ascender axles. I have the servo in a test spot but it needs to be lower. I get horrendous bump-steer like this.

Anyone know how high off the axle the stock Ascender servo horn is?

[AngelowDoom]

Can't figure out why not you just put the shell on the Ascender. The Ascender got a awesome cms setup from the get go.
Then you could slap a sawback shell on the gs01 or something.

[Shape_Shifter]

Originally Posted by AngelowDoom

Can't figure out why not you just put the shell on the Ascender. The Ascender got a awesome cms setup from the get go.
Then you could slap a sawback shell on the gs01 or something.

First, and most importantly, I like to tinker - I'm a hobbyist.
Second, the Komodo body is not sold sperately yet.
Third, I already own a Sawback.

[AngelowDoom]

You already got the Komodo body, it's just to put it on a Ascender if you want Ascender axles. Then you have the opportunity to run the gcm Ascender forward motor mount also.

And second the komodo body is for sale, it was shipped to me last week.

[Shape_Shifter]

Originally Posted by AngelowDoom

You already got the Komodo body, it's just to put it on a Ascender if you want Ascender axles. Then you have the opportunity to run the gcm Ascender forward motor mount also.

And second the komodo body is for sale, it was shipped to me last week.

Meh. I like to build. A body swap is too easy.

[rc2000]

Don't you need the Panhard cross link mount to cut down on the bump steer?

[rc2000]

Have you figured out how different the final ratio is?
Also, did you do the R1 overdrive mod before you swapped axles, just curious.

[Shape_Shifter]

Originally Posted by rc2000

Don't you need the Panhard cross link mount to cut down on the bump steer?

It looks like I will need a panhard bar. I always thought a 4 link with V shaped links would act the same but I have learned different.

Originally Posted by rc2000

Have you figured out how different the final ratio is?
Also, did you do the R1 overdrive mod before you swapped axles, just curious.

No to both of those. I did drive it and it my be a little taller on gears but not by much.

I like to be different than everyone else but I need to look at what is involved with making these axles steer properly before I decide how different I want to be......

[Shape_Shifter]

I decided the easiest and most effective way to make this work is a servo on axle setup. It was pretty simple once I had the design in my head and it took about a half hour.

Works great!

[Shape_Shifter]

Here you can see many obstacles that would get hung up on the bigger GS01 axles.

[jokersinsanity]

Originally Posted by Shape_Shifter

Yeah, the sprung setup is very tall. I wont know if I will use them like this until I have the body mounted.

hey guys i have had one of these for a couple of months now. a few things shocks work good with the sprung setup but with little to no oil inside and the dogbones are weak becareful not to oversteer or they will snap the pin in the end no problem. stay away from gpm cvds because u actually loose steering angle with them. and did u notice the links arent long enough to run the sprung set up in the shocks ????i have had 3 different sets of shocks in this thing and it does run better sprung then droop and find a tire the same size as the rc4wd superswampers they fit nice on this truck stock are not very good at all and those stock rims are horrible they hold all the air in and keep your tires compressed when they do let the air out. ive got quite a few videos on youtube with different setups (springs and tires)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0g...bL3c-TM3ELxkWg

hope this helps

[Shape_Shifter]

I love this truck. Build it right and youll have no problems.

[Mr_Ed]

I'm not surprised at how many people are complaining about the way the 4link suspension acts on the komodo and sawback. I AM surprised though at how little attempts are seemingly made to overcome that.

I started trying different layouts and re-arranging the links and mounting points after a 2-minute test drive in the living-room.

The kit comes with plent extra parts you can use as spacers and extra screws you can use for different lengths etc.

What I think is the biggest issue is how the upper and lower links are not parallel at any time throughout the suspension travel. If you look at the car from the side and draw lines through the links you see those lines crossing: in the rear, not so far behind the car, and in the front , not that hat far forward from the car.
How I believe it should be and what I've done is lower the 4 link upper mount points at the chassis side, bot th for the front and rear. Further more I inceased the angle between the upper links looking from the top : by moving the chassis side mounts to the outside of the frame.

Unfortunately I've only had 1 chance to drive the car on real terrain, but it definitely felt much better than the initial 2 minute run in its original configuration.

(I made a bad drop and bent the rear axles, and destroyed the gears on my servo)

[Shape_Shifter]

Originally Posted by Mr_Ed

I'm not surprised at how many people are complaining about the way the 4link suspension acts on the komodo and sawback. I AM surprised though at how little attempts are seemingly made to overcome that.

I started trying different layouts and re-arranging the links and mounting points after a 2-minute test drive in the living-room.

The kit comes with plent extra parts you can use as spacers and extra screws you can use for different lengths etc.

What I think is the biggest issue is how the upper and lower links are not parallel at any time throughout the suspension travel. If you look at the car from the side and draw lines through the links you see those lines crossing: in the rear, not so far behind the car, and in the front , not that hat far forward from the car.
How I believe it should be and what I've done is lower the 4 link upper mount points at the chassis side, bot th for the front and rear. Further more I inceased the angle between the upper links looking from the top : by moving the chassis side mounts to the outside of the frame.

Unfortunately I've only had 1 chance to drive the car on real terrain, but it definitely felt much better than the initial 2 minute run in its original configuration.

(I made a bad drop and bent the rear axles, and destroyed the gears on my servo)

Ive built a few 1:1 rock crawlers and have a pretty good understanding of off-road vehicle suspension. I think people are over-complicating the suspension of the Komodo. It is an excellent sport truck out of the box. It is not intended for competition without modifications.