Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

Here's the plan, tell me what you think or if you have any ideas:

-Add 3/4" x 1/8" aluminum rails to the top of my stock AX10 chassis, that will kind of look like frame rails. Put pieces across the ends to possibly serve as bumpers.

-Keep suspension set up about the same (unless adjustments are really needed), except mount the shocks on the new frame, perpendicular to the axles. Will look more scaler-ish.

-Do a 50/50 droop shock setup.

-Use new frame rails to mount new body posts for HPI '73 Bronco body.

-Add 5.5" tires.

-Add Hot Racing front dig unit. The dig unit is about 2 cm long. This means I'll have to cut 2 cm off of the rear drive shaft. I read that this can cause binding. Therefore, I would like to drill new holes (will only be room for 3) in the skid plate and move the transmission forward 1 cm. I will split the difference in the drive shaft cut, cutting 1 cm from the front and 1 cm from the rear.

I plan to post photos along the way. I welcome you to chime in with any input; having typed all this out it seems exciting yet a little intimidating, because I want it to turn out good. Also, I've never installed a dig unit before. I don't intend to mount the dig servo according to the instructions with the provided battery plate.

Currently, I have all of the parts / pieces in my possession or on their way. I have one of four colors sprayed on the body. For reference, here's what I'm starting with:

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:mrgreen: Josh

Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

Here's a paint sketch of what I have in mind:

Attachment 185482

Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

OR, I guess I could extend the rear suspension links by 2 cm....if the wheel base lines up with the body. ???

Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

Any certain reason why u want to run a dig unit?

Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

To be honest, there isn't really one major reason. I would say it's just a few minor reasons:
-turn on a sharp radius if needed
-can drag rear tires to slow decending
-would be handy if my local hobby shop ever sets up a comp crawler course

I kind of just want to try installing it, and setting it up. I like mechanical things, and I like messing with servos. I also like the Hot Racing unit because it has three positions - normal, rear tires free, rear tires locked.

So I guess that's about it...sorry for the long answer!

Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

I had one on my sons buggy and really wasn't impressed with it.

Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

Do you remember what brand or model of dig it was? Or you just didn't like the whole concept of a dig?

Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

Here's a pic of the new body sitting on the truck. I haven't trimmed out the material in the fender wells yet, so it will sit lower once that's done.

Attachment 185523

Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

I saw a kit some where the had frame horns that bolted to the ax10 frame allowing you to mount bumpers...proline???

Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

Thanks, that would be perfect! I will have to google.

Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

I mounted the 5.5" tires this weekend and drove around some. They seem very effective "thumbsup", but they definitely add some rubbing I'll need to address.

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I also got some very light, internal springs. I put them in the shocks to do a regular / drop combination. To be honest, I don't like it. I feel like the shocks behave almost exactly the same, except they have less travel. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Here's a photo of how the shocks are when the rig's sitting level:

Attachment 185906

Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

Almost done with the new Bronco body. I gotta say, body work, whether scale or full-size, is always humbling. I have these great aspirations, and really give it a good effort, but apparantly I am lacking some education or skill in this department. At least there are stickers to help hide the bad spots! :)

I hope to mess with the shock springs soon, maybe even today. I want to try running only the internal springs, but on top of the piston, so it would be a traditional setup, just with internal springs. The reason is because those springs are very light, so maybe the rig will sag a little under it's own weight, and I'll still end up with a 50/50 droop setup. We will see.....

Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

I finished painting the body; I guess it didn't turn out as bad as I thought. Here's a few pics:

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Here's a close up of the roof. Originally, the roof was to be white. Seems like a lot of the old Broncos had a white or cream colored top. When I found that my white paint was too old and wouldn't spray, I found some brown and decided on a brown top. It looked nice, but when it got the green paint on it days later, it wrinkled up like tissue paper. I was running a little low on patience, so I just tried to scrape it off and paint the green body color under it. At first I was bummed about this, but now that it's done, I think it kind of looks like rust.

Attachment 186359


Still trying to figure out what to do about the shocks - normal, droop, misture....does anyone have any advice?

Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

Time to dig in....disassembled a lot of the rig. Made a paper template of where to drill new holes in the skid plate to shift the tranny forward 1 cm. Bought 6mm Axial spacers and longer screws to raise it up if it interferes with the lower suspension links.

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Shocks - I am thinking of just going with a full droop set up, so the body can sit as low as possible.

Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

Well, I drilled the new holes in the skid plate in the wrong direction, so I had to do it a second time and now it looks like swiss cheese, but it works. If it ever breaks, maybe I'll replace it with aluminum. Here's a photo of the transmission with dig unit, shifted forward 11 mm:

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I spent some time in the garage last night, and here is the frame I came up with ($9.99 spent on aluminum - not a bad price for an AX10 frame):

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......and here is the frame with the axles, tranny, and suspension all mounted up. IMO, it looks pretty close to my paint sketch. Going from idea to reality is an AWESOME feeling "thumbsup"

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Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

I'd recommend cutting the corners of the frame at 45* and having them tig welded for squareness, strength, plus it'll just look cooler :)

Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

Thanks man, great idea....would like to get into welding aluminum, maybe I could do that.

Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

Mounted the servo for the dig:

Attachment 186588

I like having all of this frame to mount stuff on :mrgreen:

Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

Not to hate or anything, but doesn't that frame seem a little high?

Re: Project: AX10 + scaler features + dig
 

No problem :) Yeah, it does look high, BUT when compared to frames like this one TCS X-Trail Scale Chassis for the Axial AX10 Scorpion*-*Chassis Kits*-*-By Truck: Axial AX10 Scorpion, SCX10, Honcho*-*The Crawlers Store LLC, I like that my tranny / motor have stayed in the original, low location and have not been raised up, know what I mean?

I haven't driven it yet; not sure if it'll drive like it has a high CG or not, but will try to post about it.