SPV2 - FLM Chassis Tuber'ish Build
 

The Fast Lane Machine SPV2 Chassis
Designed by Tony Arnold - StampedeProject.com

Born out of a a want and need for a more universal style chassis, I developed and designed the SPV2 chassis. Currently it's licensed the design to FLM (Fast Lane Machine) and hopefully available via all your favorite crawler retailers very soon. Sorry I don't sell anything - you'll have to wait until it available from one of the crawler retailers. Holmes should have access right away, although what I have been told pricing isn't finalized.



HOW IT CAME TOGETHER

It all started when I heard of Losi's crawler several months back. I though a mini-scale crawler would be cool, but how about a true 1/12th scale... durable and easily based build via Wheelie King parts and a Traxxas Stampede tranny. The reality was my below 1/12th scale FrankenCrawler with parts from just about everywhere and the need from extreme flexibility in link and shock placement to be able to use what I had.



It suddenly occurred to me that if a plate style chassis was flexible enough it could be used on anything from a mini to super class builds and satisfy everyone from the Clod, Berg, Wheelie King, Axial, and other builds with about every hole you could need all in one chassis and still be USRCCA compliant. The result was the SPV2 - StampedeProject Version 2 Chassis.


http://stampedeproject.com/FLM-V2-CR...S/Imgp6714.jpg
http://stampedeproject.com/FLM-V2-CR...S/Imgp5917.jpg


The FrankenCrawler is very capable considering it has a Stampede tranny, Wheelie King axles, mix and match driveshafts, EMaxx Shocks (later Axial Shocks) and of course the first prototpye SPV1 chassis I made.


http://stampedeproject.com/FLM-V2-CR...S/Imgp6712.jpg


I worked up the first below test version on CAD and had Jamie at FLM cut the blank. I mentioned to Jamie that John Robert Holmes would provide un-hindered feedback and we ended up with the second version thanks to some excellent recommendations from Holmes. What we realized was that not everyone wanted all the prolific perforations in the chassis and extreme adjustment capabilities probably were not needed for most people, but we decided to offer two chassis side plate versions one Universal chassis with all the holes in the below chassis, and then a cleaner Standard version like the one Holmes ran at nationals and pictured a little further down. We also beefed up the lower windowsill and moved the front windshield forward for those people that are running a slipper clutch. The chassis plates will all bolt directly to a stock Axial chassis.
[Below is the original Universal SPV2 Prototype]
http://stampedeproject.com/FLM-V2-CR...-CHASSIS-1.jpg

http://stampedeproject.com/FLM-V2-CR...-CHASSIS-2.jpg

http://stampedeproject.com/FLM-V2-CR...S/Imgp6672.jpg
http://stampedeproject.com/FLM-V2-CR...S/Imgp6674.jpg
http://stampedeproject.com/FLM-V2-CR...S/Imgp6680.jpg


Another thing Holmes pointed out right away was how cool the chassis worked with on a Berg setup. We are going to offer the chassis in either Universal (above) or the less holy Standard version (shown below on Holmes chassis running Nationals in Moab with a Berg setup) with either Axial width chassis spacers or narrower spacers for Berg, Clod, Gmade or other Dual tranny builds.


http://stampedeproject.com/FLM-V2-CR...IS/index.1.jpg
http://stampedeproject.com/FLM-V2-CR...IS/index.2.jpg


Both chassis are shown here. The Axial mounted chassis is the final design of the standard chassis. The unmounted version is our first prototype of the Holey Universal chassis with the shorter Berg/Clod spacers.


http://stampedeproject.com/FLM-V2-CR...S/Imgp6709.jpg
http://stampedeproject.com/FLM-V2-CR...S/Imgp6710.jpg


Templates will be supplied for cutting body panels from standard Lexan. In the pics above I just used some scrap cut-off from a Pro-Line body. Each spacer has tapped screw holes to secure body panels, lights, or anything else you might want to bolt on.


Let me know what you guys think. I am not selling any of these directly, so you will need to go through FLM, Holmes, or whoever else pics them up.


OK let the beatings begin... :)

I want. When? How much? Where do I sign?








Nice chassis!

Good lord man it has more holes than a lite-brite.:shock:


Look's good Tony."thumbsup"

Where is the blue star?

Yep, no bitching about adjustment or "what if I run this shock/link setup". If you can't find the hole you need, in the Universal chassis you are not looking. Basically I held up the chassis and fired my 1/8" caliber Mini-gun into it :ror:


Ya only need a blue star if you offer stuff for sale. I am not selling anything... nor do I want to deal with that. 8) Gotta go though a retailer.

I though someone would bring that up. I could have been all covert and stuff and just posted a build, but I thought everyone might enjoy the story behind the chassis. Much to my detriment, I am often too honest and up front.


Thanks.

I hoped to create something a little different in a chassis design - variety is the spice of life and all that. There are a ton of great chassis all unique in their own way and I have been fortunate to fondle a number of them. What I have always like is the truly unique designs each manufacturer brings - Death Metal, HBZ, RCP, Bender all are just kick ass. Hopefully you guys will have fun with the SPV2 as well.

What makes the SPV2 unique for AX10 guys are the very light overall weight combined with the bodiless design and mounting options. For the Berg guys the Berg spacers allow plenty of adjustment, light weight, and a very narrow chassis.

Friggin sweet!! Where are they available?

I got to tell you......i was not a fan of the hybrid TVP/Tuber chassis until I saw this. Really, really cool. I want one now! Any chance in making one in Delrin?

Thank you thank you. I really owe RCCrawler a lot. Damn this place is a freaking wealth of knowledge. I just spend hours reading and reading to understand what the heck I should be doing, tinker a little and this is what happens. Working on some other ideas as well - should see those out soon as well - the protoypes performed great.

I sent an email to Holmes to ask if he was picking any up? Typcially he doesn't do the chassis stuff so I don't know. I am kinda in the dark on what retailers will/might pick them up - kinda between FLM and the retailer. Jamie at FLM said he wanted to push as much of the sale as possible to the crawler dealers/retailers.

Dirk - Thanks. The original black prototype shown at the top was Derlin that I cut out with a bandsaw (went through 4 bandsaw blades). I already brought it up to FLM. The big problem is that the Derlin is a pain to mill due to the chips forming a 1000 yard sprial and wrapping around stuff.

Ohh forgot to mention that this is a direct bolt on to the AX10 chassis and uses the existing stock Axial skid plate. The only change will be swapping the axle link and shock positions so the shocks can mount outside the chassis.

I wanted to get Jason's opinion and dropped him an email, but I think he is still out there screwing around in Moab.

i want it i want it i want it that thing is awesome it is the thing i have been looking for to go to my ax10 im goint to keep a eye out to see what happened with it great job

hahahahahahahaahahahah:shock:

http://bp2.blogger.com/_nOB-BlXdkvc/.../s400/ATHF.JPG

Naaa the lite brite has more.... :)

All them lovely holes reduce weight. Either chassis should be right at about 5oz.

Just an update.

The Berg/Clod focused chassis will be including body panel spacers to assure the skinnier chassis will be 3" width legal.

It's only a matter of time someone puts LEDs in each of the un-used holes in this chassis. :ror:

Update

Talked with FLM yesterday to see when the chassis will be available. The Universal version will be available, however I think FLM is going to run with the less holey Standard SPV2 chassis first (shown installed on the last two Axial Rig photos).

FLM will also include machined shock standoffs like the ones used on FLM's front Stampede shock towers, 14 machine screws, 7 chassis spacers, and of course the TVP chassis plates.

They were expecting to have more info on the site later today (Wednesday), but then we started talking about FLM offering a full kit with Derlin skid plate and links, honestly I am not really sure where we left things. Jamie just said, "let me see what I can come up with". Maybe today, maybe not.

I was told what the pricing was, but I am going to leave that the retail (blue star) guys to announce. All I can say is that the price was typical FLM pricing and was extremely reasonable.

The Universal (super holey) chassis was designed so that pretty much any shock setup could be used, however messing around last night I was happy to find that I could still set up a droop suspension with the (Standard less Holey) chassis using Axial and Emaxx Shocks.

Holmes and I talked yesterday about how he felt the chassis performed. Overall he really liked the rigs performance and it really got some positive attention/comments. I talked with FLM about adding a Derlin skid plate to the Berg units and maybe some links.

Interesting process of starting with a design and walking it through design updates/tweaks to production - quite a learning experience.

Any suggestions complaints that you would like to see addressed?

Full Derlin?
Link construction and types?
Double triangulated vs. standard inside chassis mounts. vs stock?

Just got back and settled in from Moab, and I was very happy with how my rig performed! I like the design and chassis enough that I will be picking up 10 of the first run to sell, and we can get them made in any way you guys want. The question is which version would be preferred? Do you guys want the Holey Universal style, or the v2 comp style? This pic compares the two.

http://stampedeproject.com/FLM-V2-CR...S/Imgp6709.jpg


There is also the option of a bolt on AX10 replacement or a narrow version with 55mm standoffs. It can be used with any motor on axle design, and it is legal width at the shock mount bolts. If you want the chassis wider to please your local judges you can have 8mm standoffs to support the body panels like I did at the nationals.


I just can't say how much I love the look of this chassis! It is also a very easy build. I had the v2 made to accept both AX10 geometry link setups and allow longer link setups for guys that want to tweak the anti-squat characteristics of the rig. Here is a pic of mine at Moab. Notice the boat sided panels supported by 15mm standoffs at the lower window line.

John's rig looked sick at nats, super cool guy too.

I'd like to pick up an AX10 v2 Comp style if you plan on stocking it!

My notion is that the v2 with AX10 width will be most popular. Bolt on to the stock setup and wheel it!!. I may change the final v2 just a bit more. Clean up some lines, take away material, and make sure everything is as clean as possible.

I will take pics of the origional and the v2 bolted up to a stock AX10 when I get the chance to take my rigs apart.

lol? looks killer man nice chassis

Im just tickled to see this. Not too long ago I found a similar chassis, I think they called it a ?hybrid?,in the photo archive. Its perfect for the person like me who doesnt like the plastic bodies but hasn't the skill to braze a tuber. It has such clean lines, I just love it. Nice job. Hope it goes over with great success. I'll be lookin forward to buying one.