First Time Ultra 4 Build

[mountainhead]

I accidentally posted this in the 1.9 thread. Sorry about that...

First of all, Hello to every one here. I am a new to posting but a long time lurker of this site. I have enjoyed many threads over the years and feel it is time to participate.

I am pretty motivated to build my own Ultra rig. I have more tools and tooling that most guys and a background in design and fabrication. I have a 1:1 Jeep that is barely a Jeep any more. I can tell you more about it if you like, but it is heavily modified with a lot of custom fabrication. I have always wanted to make my self a "Trail Tractor" (1:1) but my lack of a tow rig with trailer has held me back. I do all sorts of RC hobbies from 3D Helicopters and Aircraft to Short Course racing and basic crawlers.

There are some amazing build threads on this site. After a bit of reading I feel all fired up to start my own build. I am looking for some good advice on running gear suggestions for my build.

I currently have a heavily modified Honcho I was thinking about parting out for this build, but now am leaning more toward purchasing a few aftermarket Wraith parts to base the build on.

My plan is to use 5/16 music wire and TIG weld the tube frame. I have some Losi 22T Rear shocks I will be using on all four corners. My current ideas lead me toward using Wraith upgraded running gear like the MIP Drive Shafts, making my own Ti link rods, perhaps some RC4WD axles. I like the VP Axles, but they come at a heavy price tag! It might even be fun to set it up for rear steer. I think this rig will have a frame mounted servo with a panhard rod. I am wondering what kind of gearbox would be best? Should I choose different axles? What do you guys suggest?

Power to the motor will likely come from a Castle MMP and possibly a Tekin sensored brushless motor.

I welcome any suggestions or questions. Like I said, this will be my first fabricated crawler build and there are a lot of people on this site who are more informed than me. Give me your ideas or tell me I am an idiot, just have a good explanation why.

[crowninshield3]

Welcome!

Sounds like a great start, your build ideas will come together quite well from the sounds of it. I suggest that you read about the wraith options and see if these will suit your build. Other wise the AR60 axles are slick as snot! Be sure to consider CVDS so that you dont run into snapping axles, and there rebuildable.

Team DMG ooooh snap..

[mountainhead]

Thanks for the encouragement!

Can anyone recommend a good crawler gearbox or should I start with a stock Wraith gearbox?

[mcrawlinslow]

X2
wraith based is easiest and best way to go IMO, i have built a bunch of ultra4 rigs most of wich were ifs with ar60 rear but either way these rigs are a blast!

Will be watching this build, Oh and let them creative juices flow and enjoy

[mountainhead]

Great. Just what I needed to know. Should I get an aluminum housing or steel gear upgrades for it, or just run it stock till I break it?

[mcrawlinslow]

Originally Posted by mountainhead

Thanks for the encouragement!

Can anyone recommend a good crawler gearbox or should I start with a stock Wraith gearbox?

ive always used axial, build up a wraith trans and you will be golden, plus if you base the build off a wraith skid makes things easy

[mountainhead]

Thanks for the advice.

Is the Integy aluminum skid any good or should I just stick with the stock plastic one?

[mcrawlinslow]

Originally Posted by mountainhead

Great. Just what I needed to know. Should I get an aluminum housing or steel gear upgrades for it, or just run it stock till I break it?

u can start stock to save on money, but if you throw a pro4 at it on 3s u may as well order the upgrades lol

But hey im just a middle of the road garage hacker lol these just my opinions and things i've ran into on these builds, I have a huge photo album on here of a bunch of my ultra4 builds check them out for ideas!

[mountainhead]

I definitely will. Thanks!

[mcrawlinslow]

Originally Posted by mountainhead

Thanks for the advice.

Is the Integy aluminum skid any good or should I just stick with the stock plastic one?

dunno never used one i use plastic, thats one plastic part i've never had a problem with

[mcrawlinslow]

Originally Posted by mountainhead

I definitely will. Thanks!

anytime bud! cant wait to see your build

Lol this is like real time texting

[mountainhead]

Hahaha so true... I am browsing RC Crawler products and have the thread open in a window... Now I need to figure out how to upload photos on this forum...

[mountainhead]

I think I have read some of your builds. I recognize the scale workshop walls in your photos... You were trying to decide on some good scale scenery for the windows... haha. Awesome.

Was it you who did the Camaro crawler?

[mcrawlinslow]

Ya lol i havent found any scenery yet

just put it up for sale

[mountainhead]

Oh man, that's a shame. That is a sweet looking rig. I hope someone appreciates it!

[mcrawlinslow]

Originally Posted by mountainhead

Hahaha so true... I am browsing RC Crawler products and have the thread open in a window... Now I need to figure out how to upload photos on this forum...

put into photobucket or copy and save them to your desktop then put them in with the paperclip button at the top when your writing your post

[mountainhead]

I figured I was missing something obvious. Thanks!

[mountainhead]

Started my cab design. I am aiming for a crawler 6" wide at the cab and 16" long nose to tail. Here is my design so far. I still have a ways to go with the front end, but at least I am started and going...

Top View...



Side View...




Iso View of the cab and tail...



I'll post more after I get some progress on the front end...

[mountainhead]

Well I was laying in bed last night thinking about my build and decided to do my first cage with my existing Honcho gear. Why? 1.) I have it so I don't need to wait for items to be able to start measuring them. 2.) It is (or was) built, so I can see how the frame looks sitting on top of the chassis. 3.) I am impatient when I get excited and once I had an idea about how I wanted the chassis to look I figured it would be better to "lean by doing" instead of trying to model everything from the beginning.

Since this is my Honcho, I am going for a slightly different look then the pure Ultra 4 will look. Really I want to see how I am going to mount my hardcase LiPo batteries for this rig. I am planning on doing it horizontally in a "under the dash" arrangement.


The "Donor" Honcho:




Pics of where I am so far:

[mountainhead]

My big debate about this cage is whether I will tie it to the C-Channel frame or just build in my own skid plate mounts and suspension mounts...