Multi-transmission Capra chassis

[JSterrett]

So. This whole can of worms was opened by mjensen’s VFD Capra...Can I Still Call It A Capra? project. Made some aluminum chassis plates for him and he was nice enough to share the rest of the files so I could build one myself. That of course led to a few adjustments, which led to a few more, which holy crap led to a completely new chassis…

I started by buying a Capra kit and building one of mjensen’s chassis, which went together great, except for my total brain-fart that the VFD trans requires an offset front axle.



Designed some new chassis plates using mjensen's VFD skid.





Unfortunately I didn’t have the $500+ dollars for the Vanquish axles, so I started looking at alternatives. TRX-4 portals have the offset front, but I was able to get a deal on a new, partially assembled 10.3 kit. Stole the axles and replaced them with the straight axle kit, then sold the 10.3 to someone else. Brand new set of AR45s is ended up costing me just over $50. Made a few attempts at CMS, then decided it would be easier to just design a SOA mount for the AR45s.







Eventually got it all bolted together. Posted some pics to FB and a few places here on RCC.













A few people asked me about using the stock axles and stock trans or a 3-gear trans. More people actually seemed interested in this than the VFD, so I changed gears (pun not intended) and adjusted the design for that setup. Designed a skid that can bolt up to either transmission.



Added some more upper link mounts to get the axle geometry correct. I’m now calling the 3 gear trans version of it “done”. The whole thing is a mix of .125” and .048” aluminum, as well as 3D printed parts in PETG. Unfortunately it does require quite a bit of hacking at the cage.



















I used an Element Stealth X transmission, which sits a bit taller than an Axial 3 gear, but I wanted the overdrive in the trans, not an axle.

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[JSterrett]

If I ran it in droop it’d be pretty low…




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[GA Dawg]

Looks amazing.

[twade984]

Very nice! I wouldn’t mind trying out a Capra with vfd and 10.3 portals


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[mjensen]

I'm happy to see that you didn't give up on this. It looks incredible. Looking forward to seeing how it performs.

[JSterrett]

Originally Posted by GA Dawg

Looks amazing.

Thanks

Originally Posted by twade984

Very nice! I wouldn’t mind trying out a Capra with vfd and 10.3 portals

My next task will be setting up the stock transmission version (shouldn’t be too much work), then I will be going back to working on the VFD version. If I get enough interest on here, I may renew my vendor star.

Originally Posted by mjensen

I'm happy to see that you didn't give up on this. It looks incredible. Looking forward to seeing how it performs.

Thanks man. Had a bit of a delay because I had to focus on finishing rigs for a local event and PLBTF.


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[B-MOW71]

Lovin' the look of it! Great job on the design and getting everything fitted in there! Very nice looking and clean setup!

[JSterrett]

Got the 3 gear version out on the rocks for a bit the other day, did pretty well, still needs some tuning. The low speed control was great, but wheel speed was a bit lacking. I don’t really want to gear up, so first I’m going to try replacing the Stealth-X with a standard 3-gear and throwing OD gears in the front portals. If that doesn’t work for me I ordered some 4S batteries, just need to figure out a 4S capable brushed ESC. Only one I’ve found so far is the Hobbywing 880…





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[mjensen]

It's great to see your Capra come together and out on the rocks. I'm really impressed with how it turned out. I finally found someone to make me some transmission shafts so I can get my VFD version put back together if I can ever remember where I put all the parts.

[JSterrett]

Originally Posted by mjensen

It's great to see your Capra come together and out on the rocks. I'm really impressed with how it turned out. I finally found someone to make me some transmission shafts so I can get my VFD version put back together if I can ever remember where I put all the parts.

This is still the 3-gear version, VFD has a couple more kinks to work out, it’s pretty close though


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[boldfin]

Originally Posted by JSterrett

Got the 3 gear version out on the rocks for a bit the other day, did pretty well, still needs some tuning. The low speed control was great, but wheel speed was a bit lacking. I don’t really want to gear up, so first I’m going to try replacing the Stealth-X with a standard 3-gear and throwing OD gears in the front portals. If that doesn’t work for me I ordered some 4S batteries, just need to figure out a 4S capable brushed ESC. Only one I’ve found so far is the Hobbywing 880…

Impressive work there. Looking forward to seeing how that VFD version works out.

Holmes Hobbies Torquemaster BR-XL and Castle Mamba X are both 4S capable ESC's.

[soze]

Really interesting build!

[ferp420]

Originally Posted by JSterrett

, just need to figure out a 4S capable brushed ESC. Only one I’ve found so far is the Hobbywing 880…

ive been running the newrain 480a escs for about 5 years one rig im running a 775 can motor and ive ran it on 4s and it did fine i think its rated for 18t 775 can on 4s max but i would have to look that up but there definitly rated 4s i would run a external bec though if going 4s
and the best part you can get them for $15-$20 on ebay depending were you get it from
if you like changing settings its not the right esc for.you there stupid simple but if you want something that just works all.the time there great
heres a link to one on ebay if you want to see what it is the discription says up to 4s dosent give the motor turn limits though
https://www.ebay.com/itm/480A-3-Mode...-127632-2357-0

[JSterrett]

Progress! It moves under it’s own power and dig is functional. Need to fine tune the shocks and get some better electronics in it. The plan is to bump it up to 4S and drop the pinion a couple more teeth. Will probably also have some custom links made at some point.










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[mjensen]

You've done an amazing job of getting everything to fit together. I'm really happy you decided to take things beyond what I started. It looks great!

[JSterrett]

Working on a stainless skid plate. Should help it slide over rocks and gives me something to attach the bottom of the motor mount to.




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[JSterrett]

Also had to change up the front brace… new brace allows the servo to tuck in much higher.






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[smog]

Fabulous build. The whole thing is cool and a lot to chew on, but seriously If all it had was rails and a flip up cage you would be miles ahead

[JSterrett]

Originally Posted by mjensen

You've done an amazing job of getting everything to fit together. I'm really happy you decided to take things beyond what I started. It looks great!

Thanks. I’m still running largely off of the dimensions from your original design, so you have a nice chunk of the credit coming your way too.

Originally Posted by smog

Fabulous build. The whole thing is cool and a lot to chew on, but seriously If all it had was rails and a flip up cage you would be miles ahead

Thanks. Every time I think I’m close to done, some new feature or refinement occurs to me, lol.

Most recent take on the skid plate. Tabs wrap up and around on the back edge, then one screw secures the plate in the front. Unfortunately the extension that attaches to the motor plate doesn’t really stabilize it as much as I was hoping, and looks a little weird since it’s centered and the motor and plate are not… I may just eliminate that part of the skid…






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[JSterrett]

Changed up the mount in the rear of the cage to provide clearance for rear steer. Running a Torquemaster Expert on 4S. Really wish there was a good mid-priced 4S capable brushed ESC on the market… Mamba X is a bit overkill, but it’ll work for now.







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