Da Build Thread

[Nicklepimp]

I started on this build in early December and finished it about a week or two before the Midwest Challenge. I took some pics along the way as I was building it, I’ve just too dam lazy to do a thread. Now that I’ve had a little free time, I figured I’d put together a build thread.

Quick specs on what I ran at the Midwest Challenge:
Chassis: Da Bull
Tranny: Axial
Axles: Axial
Wheels: Erickson’s Beadlocks
Tires: Losi Rock Claws
Foams: Kreepy Krawlers
Shocks: HPI 4.25”Nitro MT2
Body: HPI Baja TT
ESC: Quark 33
Motor: Holmes Hobbies OG Revolver
Servo: JR ds8611a
Batteries: [8] ib1400’s
Radio: DX3

[Nicklepimp]

It began with Da Bull from Double J.





Before this, I had been running TLT axles, but I wanted to go with the Axial drive train for my new rig.



Da Bull leaves plenty of space for the dinky Axial tranny.

[Nicklepimp]

Time for mock-up. I aimed for about 2.75” of clearance at the chassis.



Time for links. Still in mock-up, I just made some straight links. High clearance links come later.

[Nicklepimp]

I decided to make my own upper mounts. For my front mount, I used some 1.25” L-bent aluminum I had laying around. I counter sunk the holes after this pic was taken.



For the rear mount, I went a different route. I had originally planned on making my own dig system. This was before the VF dig was announced. So, I cut out a section of flat delrin leaving plenty of space to mount a servo. I was going to trim it once I mounted my dig servo.



Mounts are mounted.

[Nicklepimp]

For shocks, I used some HPI 4.25”Nitro MT2 shocks. They were anodized purple…not happening. Same with that Axial green. So I broke out the Easy Off and got to scrubbing.

Before:



After:





Shocks before:



After:

[Nicklepimp]

Mount the shocks and make some upper links. I played with link placement, and eventually lowered the uppers to the bottom holes. With the shocks and links now attached I slapped some old rims/tires to make sure it was sitting where I wanted it to. You can also see how I off-set the tranny. This was originally to make sure a brushed motor would clear, but this will also come in handy for my VF dig.

[Nicklepimp]

My rims arrived. I acquired a set of ‘used’ Erickson’s from 62PYRO. Don’t look very used to me.



I couldn’t leave well enough alone. I beveled the outer edges, and used some more counter sunk screws.

[Nicklepimp]

Mounted up some Claws, a JR ds8611a servo, and a Mamba Max (for now). You can also see the bent links I made.





Tradition:

[Nicklepimp]

I cut some of that angled aluminum again for the body mounts. I don’t like my mounts sticking out the side.



Cut up some more delrin for my battery mounts. I got ( ib1400’s from MaxAmps.



I trimmed my servo mount and beveled the edges.

[Nicklepimp]

I didn’t have much time to test this rig out before the Midwest Challenge. In the short time that I had, I couldn’t dial in the Mamba Max to a point where I like it. I tried it with an OG Revolver, Integy 55t, different settings with each… never got it right. So I went with my trusty Quark 33 and OG Revolver combo.

[Nicklepimp]

I purchased an HPI Baja TT body and had Farakai (Paul) paint it for me. Something special for the Midwest Challenge.







Da Pimp:

[Nicklepimp]

There you have it. It runs great. I placed 5th at the Midwest Challenge with it, so I can’t complain.

[Trimmy]

Looks good and congrats for the placing in the top five in the midwest

[Stormin2u]

Nice build thread Kevin Da Bull served you well It was good to see you do well at the challenge.....

[dezfan]

Nice looking rig, look like a solid build and congrats on the top 5!

[Nicklepimp]

Originally Posted by Trimmy

Looks good and congrats for the placing in the top five in the midwest

Originally Posted by Stormin2u

Nice build thread Kevin Da Bull served you well It was good to see you do well at the challenge.....

Originally Posted by dezfan

Nice looking rig, look like a solid build and congrats on the top 5!

Thanks guys.

[PapaGeno21]

Awesome looking truck man!

[TK421]

Great looking machine mate!! I am glad to hear you did well at the comp. Did you have any hiccups with the Axial drive line?

Lou

[Nicklepimp]

Originally Posted by PapaGeno21

Awesome looking truck man!

Originally Posted by TK421

Great looking machine mate!! I am glad to hear you did well at the comp. Did you have any hiccups with the Axial drive line?

Lou

Thanks guys.

Lou, I haven't had any problems with the Axial drivetrain. I have noticed a little slop, but I'll try shimming the pinions and see if that helps. Otherwise I'm loving these axles and tranny.

[cyberhog05]

Good choice with Da Bull..Im lovin mine!