Scorpion/SCX-10 Rig

[toyman1994]

Bear with me, this is gonna be long...

A little background...

Well, I started out wanting a rig for a long time. While I was in Iraq in 06-07 I thought it would be fun to have something to crawl around on the rocks like my 1:1 toyota buggy to help fill the voids. During this time I was living in AZ and once back, I didn't have much of a need anymore so the thoughts kind of passed. Well, then 2008 rolls around, have to move to MD, a pending divorce, seperation from my kid, I needed something to do besides work. In Jun 08, shortly after moving to MD I went and bought a TMAXX. It was fun, if I could get it running good, but got tired of the tuning quickly. So it sat. I do have my 1:1 buggy with me, but with work schedule and money, it's a little difficult to get it out. So Dec 2008 I start looking on here again for something.

I found the SCX-10 was coming and it looked fun so I waited for it and picked one up when it came out. That was fun for a little while but it just wasn't filling the void I was feeling.


I started more searching and decided to upgrade my SCX with scorpion stuff...then decided, why not just get a whole scorpion, all the parts I needed were in it, plus if I didn't like it, I could swap chassis PLUS I would have the ability to do rear steer. During the SCX build with the Scorpion links and shocks, I quickly decided to just ditch the SCX chassis and build the Scorpion. So I built the Scorpion with the SCX drivetrain plus swapping the straight axle lockouts for the knuckles for the rear steer. So at the end of that build I had:

Scorpion with SCX axles, SCX tranny, 4ws, mamba max ESC, 45T integy motor, 645 servo front, traxxas steering servo for rear (raped from my TMAXX), Traxxas RCV and TQ3. I did a mod on the TQ3 that I found on here to give me the 3 pos 3rd channel required for the 4ws. As you can see, I kept my SCX-10 body and cut it up for the clearance.






Well, I soon found that I wanted to do comps and discovered my "stock" Scorpion/highly modded SCX-10 wasn't exactly ready to do them. So I ditched the 4ws, ditched the high batt mount and lowered the electronics, moved the lower links to the inside of the chassis, built my own 4 link plate for the rear out of my batt plate and added 12 oz of weight to each front wheel and decided to go from there.





At the comp I soon realized I have more work to, COG is still to high, tires suck, and need dig (that one I kinda already knew before hand). For my first time though, I didn't do as bad as I figured I would.

After the comp, I decided to try something, why not put my stock SCX shocks on? In doing that, I ended up having to relocate my upper links, which to do that I had to use my SCX upper links (they are slightly longer). When I did all that, the truck def went lower, by a ALOT, limited the flex quite a bit, and cut the body up some more then went on a little test run. The belly actually was hanging lower than the axles by just a bit, oh well, I decided to try it. Bottom line, it did much better, but as figured the belly hung up ALOT.





After that trail run, I had another thought, taking the Scopion shock shafts and putting them in the SCX shaft bodies. The shafts are the same diameter, but the Scorpion shafts are aprox an inch longer. After putting them all back together, it brought the belly just above the centerline of the links. On the test run yesterday, I was pretty happy with the outcome, but more running is going to be required.



I'm holding the stock SCX shaft...



You can see my link angles here. Yes I know my upper links are a little off but I'm leaving them there for now. It helps limit the flex a little bit more.



Also yesterday, I was informed that the stock Scorpion tranny does not come with the slipper clutch and maybe I should think about getting rid of mine. So in prep of my new dig coming in this week along with new tires, I tore everything down last night and found that the scorpion input (spur gear shaft) is shorter. Well, I like my SCX tranny and the slipper clutch, plus it's all metal vs the Scorpion plastic spur gear mount. I got to looking closer and I found that I could drill and tap my slipper clutch for 3 small screws and it would give me the ability to take them out when I wanted so the clutch could be used or keep them in for comps.







On an additional note, when I moved my links around, I ended up having 2 issues, first, I could only use 1 tab on my axles as i didn't have long enough bolts or any spacers to take up the room. Plus, I HATE having to mess with both the link and the shock when I want to work with one or the other. So, I got some alum rod, cut some spacers, then tapped them from both ends. This allows for a single bolt to be used for the link and a single bolt to be used with the shock.



This brings my SCX comp rig fully up-to-date here. Next on the list is the new dig and Losi Comp Claws (which will be here this week) and then when I get the money again, I will be going to a new XMT/RCV, prob the DS3R.

Could this be called a Scale Comp rig??

I'll update as it progresses and tell ya what I find, but it looks promising so far. I know the scorpion chassis isn't the best, but it certainly is fun and keeping me occupied. As it so happens, I like to polish turds

[Xtant3150c]

Nice story.

Any reason why you did'nt go with an aftermarket Comp Chassis like the MFM Black Widow etc.?

Does the SCX-10 stock skid work with the stock AX-10 chassis?

With the longer Scorpion shock shafts inside of the shorter SCX shock bodies are the shaft/piston hitting the top of the Shock (inside)?

[toyman1994]

I didn't use an aftermarket chassis just really due to I didn't know what I wanted and now due to cost and trying to see what I can do I kept with what I got. Everything I have done so far with the exception of the coming dig and tires is what I have been able to combine from the 2 kits. Eventually I'm sure I will change the chassis but I'm having fun with this so far. I want to see how far I can actually take it.

As far as the SCX trans plate, yes I believe it would bolt up to the scorpion chassis but I didn't use it. i wanted to keep the flat belly of the Scorpion plate. I did think about it though due to the lower link mounts are slightly more in-boarded but I ended up selling the SCX frame to a friend so he could build a scaler.

Yes the longer shafts I'm pretty sure are hitting the tops of the caps but I have springs adjusted all the way down the threaded body to keep the shocks stiff and the shock fully extended, which hopefully limits the contact. I guess the other thing I could do is add some fuel tubing to the outside to limit up travel just enough so there is no contact. If this works out I will switch to the annodized alum SCX shock body though.

I'm trying to use what I have, do something different, be able to compete and keep some cost down. I'm still trying to gather some money to get my 1:1 fixed before I buy anything else for the SCX. The new DMG tuber does have my eye though.

[toyman1994]

thank you, much appreciated

[abadk9420]

If it works then run with it as far as it will take you One thing you might think about doing is running the stock ax10 shocks and just limiting them with spacers inside to get the ride height you want...Plastic spacers work better then fuel tubing because over time fuel tubing will split.

[toyman1994]

thanks but if I do switch out shocks again I will sacrific my TMAXX, part it out and take the big bore alum shocks from it and put them on the SCX.

[Tugboatjoe]

I did the same thing.

[toyman1994]

ARGH!! UPS IS KILLING ME!!!

I have been waiting for my new dig and tires to show and I have been tracking it. Well, last night it left Louisville KY, went PAST me in MD to Harrisburg PA, then went FURTHER away to Philly and had an arrival time of 8 am this morning and hasn't moved since!

[toyman1994]

oh ya and in case you can't tell...I have ZERO patience

[toyman1994]

Well this past weekend I was out testing the rig with the new Comp Claws and the shock setup and testing some new grounds. I didn't get all my parts with my dig so that is on hold until the rest of it arrives. The new tires are great, much better than the stock tires. The shock setup works really well and I was really happy with it but the truck ended up taking a nasty fall and the bottom of the shock broke on the right rear. I put some traxxas shocks on the rear and left the SCX shocks on the front. For now I will run this, seems to be working good. It stiffened up the rear a little. At this point I'm not sure if I will put the SCX shocks back on the rear or not but I will get the alum bodies for the front at a minimum.

I also scored some mayhem wheels for a really good deal and got those put together yesterday.

I got some pics and I will get those up hopefully tomorrow.

[toyman1994]

The rest of my dig parts came in today. I finished putting it together, got the servo lined out and everything set. all that is left is take out my spare tranny and put it all back together. I was switching between positions and the dig seemed to shift smooth but we will see once I get it all together. I've got my traxxas servo for the dig duties but I'm not sure how long that will last. Once the first rolls around I will prob get a new 7955 for the steering and move my 645 to the dig.

I still need to get some pics going, working on this and working nights...well I run out of time.

[blue bronco]

nice build. i like those shocks. i might have buy the upgraded aluminum ones for my comp rig. do they perform well?

[toyman1994]

I really do like the SCX/AX shock setup, it works pretty well, but def get the alum bodies. Another benefit of using the SCX shock is they are a bit smaller diameter and my links or tires don't contact them in movement like they did with my AX shocks. I'm sure the same is true with the TMAXX shocks. They are a bit larger in dia than the AX ones.

The TMAXX big bore shocks are def a bit stiffer and the rear doesn't seem to flex quite as much, now if it hurts or helps, I'm not sure yet.

[toyman1994]

Ok, so some new changes.

First, I changed my upper links around and I was able to get the dig servo back down directly on top of the tranny like it's supposed to be. You can also see, I replaced my links with bent ones. The rears I bought, then I ended up making a set using the ones I bought as templates for the front.



I then built a new front batt/4 link/servo plate. I had it straight across, but then thought my batt would fit better if I just bent the one side. Works much better. I found the template in one of the tips/tricks threads here.





When I put the TMAXX shocks on the front I tore them all down and did the end link mod to them. Doing this gave me a little bit more belly clearance, going up from 2 1/4 to 2 5/16. It also allows the upper and lower links not to come in contact while flexing quite as much.



In this photo you can see the S3R dig and the modded the slipper clutch. The blue line on the slipper is so that if I take the screws out I can line it back up when I put them back in. I know my wiring mess isn't quite as nice as some of the other trucks out there...only so much I can do with it.



I modded my servo arm to shorten the throw on my servo. Even with this traxxas servo I can shift my S3R dig between all modes while under power. It has never got stuck on me yet. The grey spring on the shock is a stock AX10. I put it one because since I changed my uppers and the front to 4link, I hellish TT again. If this spring doesn't fix I will go back to my old 3 link setup in the front.



Another shot of the shocks. You can also see that I put the bodies on the bottom. Still working on getting the weight lower on this thing.



And last but not least for now, the new to me Meyhems with Losi Comp Claws. So far in my testing, I love them. They sidehill and climb everything I've wanted to so far. I put one 1/8 hole in each wheel for venting, using stock memory foams, 4 balls in each front and 1 in each rear.



Thanks to JPH Racing for hooking me up with the tires and the dig. My dig didn't come with all its parts but a quick call to Jake over there and 3 days later I had the missing parts. Emails were quick and he kept me updated on all that was going on with my shipments.

[801FuNk801]

nice job on the build and good choice on the wheels and tires

[toyman1994]

Thanks, someone sent me some ideas to try on the 4link setup to help get rid of some of the TT. I will work on doing some of the things he suggested before my comp on Sun.

[Tatau]

Originally Posted by toyman1994

I really do like the SCX/AX shock setup, it works pretty well, but def get the alum bodies. Another benefit of using the SCX shock is they are a bit smaller diameter and my links or tires don't contact them in movement like they did with my AX shocks. I'm sure the same is true with the TMAXX shocks. They are a bit larger in dia than the AX ones.

The TMAXX big bore shocks are def a bit stiffer and the rear doesn't seem to flex quite as much, now if it hurts or helps, I'm not sure yet.

I'm looking to purchase either the Axial scorpion (AX kit?) or the SCX 10, and since you've purchased and even mixed both, if you had a choice of only one which kit would you reccomend for better crawing performance out of the box.

[toyman1994]

For better crawling out of the box, def the AX. The SCX has some good parts to help but the basis is the AX. The parts from the SCX can be purchased seperately and really isn't really necessary, just a preference. In reality the parts I am using from the SCX were used cause I had them already. I wouldn't spend the money to purchase the SCX shocks to run them the way I do. Spend the money on Losi's or the TMAXX shocks can be had cheap. The better parts though IMO is the tranny/slipper, the straight axle, and the lockers.

Get the AX, run it, and upgrade what you think needs to be upgraded...Here is a couple hints of what I have found that helps though..

COG-it's to tall stock, get it lower, get the battery and electronics lower on the chassis. The major player in this is shocks. Shocks will determine your ride height.

Link setup-switch to at least a 4 link rear. You can use the stock battery tray to build the mount yourself. Adjustment of the upper links will assist in getting rid of the TT a great deal. Again, shocks play a major roll as well.

Tires-the stock tires are terrible, swap them out ASAP. I really like my comp claws but I am impressed with the rovers. I may end up getting a set of them next month.

Weight-get some weight in the tires as soon as you can

Dig-if you want to comp, get a dig. I would suggest the S3R. I have had zero issues with mine binding even with a traxxas servo putting out 42 oz.