SCX Long-Travel Defender build........

[ridepate]

Got my hard-body from RC4WD today, so it's time to start. I'll keep this thread up-dated.... Might make some of the purists mad but this one's going Pre-Runner style!!

The wheel-base needed to shrink-





Got the new links fabbed-up and installed-Wheel-base now correct!!

[NFA Fabrication]

The links look clean! Shortened kit links?

[ridepate]

Originally Posted by NFA Fabrication

The links look clean! Shortened kit links?

Homemade links. Traxxas #5347 Revo ends,8-32 all-thread, sleeved with 1/4 brake line.

[NFA Fabrication]

Originally Posted by ridepate

Homemade links. Traxxas #5347 Revo ends,8-32 all-thread, sleeved with 1/4 brake line.

Nice! The tubing looked the same color as the kit/optional SCX10 Axial links. That body is awesome, wish I had time for another project...

[ridepate]

Got the winch mounted to the bumper- Have to releive the skid some for the fairlead.




Re-located the shock-hoops and got the shocks on. Rear-end complete!!!

[heinie_21]

Originally Posted by ridepate

dude i'm LITERALLY in the process of doing this exact thing!!! haha. i just need to drill the holes for the front of the shock hoops. that cross-member you added between the front of the shock hoops, does that hit your upper links?

[ridepate]

Originally Posted by heinie_21

dude i'm LITERALLY in the process of doing this exact thing!!! haha. i just need to drill the holes for the front of the shock hoops. that cross-member you added between the front of the shock hoops, does that hit your upper links?

No, the pumpkin hits the bottom of the "Splash-Box" right as the shocks bottom, but it's got great travel, I think more than enough. I cut the x-bracing out of the rear cross-member and got the front hoop mount.

[ridepate]

Got the front 4-linked and finished.........I'm glad too. While cuttin and making links I managed to get a shard in my left eye...........Doh...






Got the front plate clearenced for the fairlead.











.

[NFA Fabrication]

Originally Posted by ridepate

One thing you overlooked. I assume you were trying to straiten your front pinion angle. When doing so, you drastically worsened you steering caster angle. See how the steering pivot point is leaning really far forward? Just a heads up, build looks good, definitely watching this one.

[ridepate]

Originally Posted by NFA Fabrication

One thing you overlooked. I assume you were trying to straiten your front pinion angle. When doing so, you drastically worsened you steering caster angle. See how the steering pivot point is leaning really far forward? Just a heads up, build looks good, definitely watching this one.

Thanks NFA, I considered that and sorta met it half-way. I think. I can leanthen the lowers and shorten the uppers to bring it back-up some if needed. I plan on some hi-steers, which won't affect the caster of course at this setting. Think I should go back forward an 1/8 or so?? Won't affect the wheel-base enough to matter. Thanks for the input.

[ridepate]

Here's a side-shot. What if I just shortend the uppers some and rolled a little pinion-angle back in. Should'nt hurt anything.

[NFA Fabrication]

Originally Posted by ridepate

Here's a side-shot. What if I just shortend the uppers some and rolled a little pinion-angle back in. Should'nt hurt anything.

On most crawlers, anything with the angle tipped anything back of zero should be reasonable. High speed cars are much pickier on the caster angle! If correct, your front pinion angle won't look ideal, but it is just the way it goes.

[ridepate]

What have I got my self into.......I did not intend for this build to be too "scaley" but with this shell, it's hard to resist........I'll have 80 hours in the body alone when it's all said and done........sheesh...

[Bowler]

Originally Posted by ridepate

How does it perform with so short links in the back??
IMO I would have extended the links back and shortened the ones in front.
I think you will have a more balanced car

[ridepate]

Originally Posted by Bowler

How does it perform with so short links in the back??
IMO I would have extended the links back and shortened the ones in front.
I think you will have a more balanced car

Shortening the front would have been more difficult due the the frames radius, it drops a lot steeper than the rear. Also chassis-mounting the steering servo would have become more complicated so would have the front-bumper.. IMO I think it's more about weight placement to get "balance". It static-flexs the same on both ends and has the same travel.
I've looked at a lot of these builds and a lot of them are built around the body, i.e placing electrics and related so you can hide them. Mines chassis-first, we'll cut the body as-needed. Thanks for the input.

[ridepate]

Lost two of the rear-seats. Changed from-side-mounted to forward facing.

[The Infidel]

Really looks good... keep up the great work

[ridepate]

Still waiting on chassis-stuff, so more bodywork.....Got the spare and rear bumper sorta worked out.

[ridepate]

This ain't gonna work...........




After some Dremel-Love........




I'm going to have to move the rear axle back about 5/16.....

[ridepate]

All wired-up and no place to go...............(Waiting on knuckles)....