Chassis and Skid Plate for DNA Dig

[jrad142]

Can someone please point me in the right direction for which chassis and skid plate I can successfully install the DNA dig into? DNA says that you can just drop it in and run it in the stock chassis, but if you have changed anything in regard to the skid plate or your linkage placement, it won't fit at all!

If anyone has any pics to show me how you may have altered the stock chassis to fit, or just suggestions on what chassis works best, that would be appreciated.

What is the true benefit of a tube chassis vs a plate chassis?
Thanks.

Jared

[glondark]

I found with my stock chassis and my longer upper links and my inboarded lower links, it was challenging but it can be done.

The lowers were easy, I put a straight lower link end on the back uppers, and it cleared no problem.

The upper was harder, I had to take the bolt out, put a button head on there in reverse (coming out from the interior of the chassis with the nut on the outside) and it fit great.

I ran that setup for almost 6 months.

that being said, my SW3 that I just got second hand everything dropped right in with no mods or weirdness. VERY clean. I know the swx's are very similar in that regard, except you have to redrill the stock skidplate.

[jrad142]

Thanks for the quick reply. I think I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and get a chassis...may as well to take advantage of all of the customization in the suspension and set-up.!

[helhedded]

It will work with the stock chassis if you put 4mm spacers underneath your tranny. Don't forget the longer screws

In this pic, there are no spacers in between the tranny and skid. You can see that it leaves no room for inboard mounting. I don't see how you couldn't do what you wanted with your links as long as you had the spacers.

nevermind the gnome.

[helhedded]

I almost forgot to add that the right upper link mount can be a little discouraging, but if you were to mount the screw backwards( from inside to the chassis to outside) and use a button head screw, it will clear your drriveshaft.

[crazy_kanaka]

The chassis that is specifically designed to fit the axial trans and dna dig is the Slingshot. Only problem is that it can get hard to find these chassis in stock. Also that the chassis typically run between $95 and $130 depending on which style you choose. Currently there is an Aluminum, Delrin, and Carbon fiber versions. I have the Delrin version and all I can say is that I'm am very happy with it and it was worth every penny.

Last I checked RPP Hobby had the delrin one in stock.

Just to be clear though, you do have many options in chassis that will work just fine.

[GTIMM74]

swx chassis, it fits like a glove, to bad i just sh$t canned my dna dig ( thank god for that) but it will fit no problem. i just put in the new r2 trans with built in dig so far so good.

[jrad142]

I see that you moved your rear linkage to the outside of your chassis plates. Are you happy with that configuration? I was able to get the clearance underneath using the spacers, but then the drive shaft does not clear the upper links. Did you change to a 4-link in the rear?

[helhedded]

Originally Posted by jrad142

I see that you moved your rear linkage to the outside of your chassis plates. Are you happy with that configuration?

not at all, and it was only temporary. I just did that so i could test the dig

Originally Posted by jrad142

I was able to get the clearance underneath using the spacers, but then the drive shaft does not clear the upper links. Did you change to a 4-link in the rear?

I touched this earlier when I said

Originally Posted by helhedded

I almost forgot to add that the LEFT upper link mount can be a little discouraging, but if you were to mount the screw backwards( from inside to the chassis to outside) and use a button head screw, it will clear your drriveshaft.

and FYI, my rig had a 4-link before and after the dig.

[jrad142]

Well, I ended up using 3mm spacers under the tranny, and that seemed to help with the clearance for the lower links. As for the upper links, I removed the spacers (I'm still using the Y-link, not the four-link), stretched it out with a spacer at the axle mount, and now it's working, but needs to be replaced. Everything is in the chassis, now time to test!!

[TheSinastirOne]

call this number and ask for John: 706-442-8577 look here first and if it will help you give him a call:
Sinastir Crawlers

[bjanzen]

Get a Black Widow......price is great.....finish is wonderful powdercoat......and the skid plate has plenty of room for the dig. PLUS the torque twist of the stock chassis is all but gone!

[goldmember]

I was just reading the install instructions, on dna's site and they installed it on a stock chassis and it doesn't look like there was any install issues or spacers needed

[ynmech]

Originally Posted by GTIMM74

swx chassis, it fits like a glove, to bad i just sh$t canned my dna dig ( thank god for that) but it will fit no problem. i just put in the new r2 trans with built in dig so far so good.

Where is the can I want to dig it out.
The Slingshot chassis from DNA fits fine...
Like a glove
Take a little more time and work it out, try the spacers or a new center plate.
Also hit up www.dna-rc.com

[nonstopboost]

Chaotic Crawlers has a new chassis out call the El Nino... I just bought it and put my dig in with no problems. The chassis is about an inch narrower than a stock chassis but the skid is made of thicker stronger material. plus the chassis does not have those huge restricting sides so it is easy to work on too.. I think they are a vendor on this site...

Pic of mine below...

[jrad142]

Originally Posted by goldmember

I was just reading the install instructions, on dna's site and they installed it on a stock chassis and it doesn't look like there was any install issues or spacers needed

I have their install instructions, and they would work fine if I were to mount my lower links outside of the chassis. That wouldn't work for me so I got the STRC skid plate and used the spacers to make room for them. I fabricated a mount for a full size servo to activate the dig...tested everything and it's working great on flat ground!

I've got a few chasses that I'm looking into now...most have already been suggested.

Thanks again for all the input...I appreciate the advice!

[goldmember]

Hmm, I was planning to run the CDW triangulated skid with my DNA. I may have to rethink this.

[beni]

It fits just fine in my GC-2 (double triangulation). I didin' really have any issues with it fitting in the stock chassis either.

[helhedded]

Originally Posted by goldmember

Hmm, I was planning to run the CDW triangulated skid with my DNA. I may have to rethink this.

uhh why? The CDW skid is long enough to fit it all with no problems. You can't see it in the pic, but my DNA dig fits fine with no spacers or problems.

[jrad142]

Originally Posted by goldmember

Hmm, I was planning to run the CDW triangulated skid with my DNA. I may have to rethink this.

I would think you could get away with it. 3mm spacers did the trick for me