New guy, SCX10 Honcho RTR, a few questions about my Honcho

[dan188]

Hi everyone,

I just recently (yesterday) got my hands on a new SCX10 Honcho RTR and I have a few questions as I get started.

Before I list my questions I will give you a quick idea of what I am trying to do. I would like to make a nice, scale rig that fits the requirements of the SORRCA "street" class. I care about performance to some extent, but I'm more focused on keeping everything scale, clean looking, and well built. I have a Proline Bronco body that I would like to mount on the Honcho chassis, and I am waiting on a set of 1.9 Flat Irons and white "stock-looking" steel wheels from rc4wd.com.

My questions are:

1. I've noticed that the front shocks are almost half way compressed after putting the battery in, and I only have a 1/2 inch or less of suspension travel before the steering linkage hits the frame rails. This seems fine for the Honcho's raked stance, but for the Bronco I'd like the ride height to be level front to back. I have adjusted the spring retainers so that the springs are compressed and stiff. This brought the height up so that the shocks are now almost fully extended with the battery installed. This is great for the ride height but obviously it is way to stiff. I believe the stock shocks are 90mm eye-to-eye, so should I go with a slightly taller aftermarket shock/spring to get the height (was looking at the Proline 90-95mm), or maybe just get stiffer springs from Axial so that the front doesn't sag as much?

2. Aside from the ride height, I'd like to replace the upper and lower control arms with adjustable metal versions. I've seen the arms from Axial and read about others on the forum, and my questions is are there any brands that you recommend that will give me some good adjustability? I couldn't tell if the Axial arms are adjustable or just one length. I would like to be able to adjust the pinion angle on the axles as well as fine tune the wheel base to fit the body by adjusting the arms (similar to 1:1 adjustable control arms). Also, I have not been able to find any replacement for the stock plastic front 3 link. Can you recommend any metal versions, aside from going to a 4 link?

here are a few pictures of the Bronco body mocked up on the chassis. The front springs are very compressed in these pictures in order to get the front end from sagging. I really like the stance and height, but I need to get the shocks figured out so that I can keep the height and get some suspension performance.







Thanks in advance for any help guys. I have been into 1:1 crawling and off-roading for a few years now (running a built up Jeep TJ) and I am blown away at how realistic and similar these scale rigs are.

Dan

[TrailSnail]

For links you can use 8/32 threaded rod covered by 3/16 brake line, this will allow you to make them the exact length you need for your axle angle and wheelbase to fit the Bronco body. I'm not sure what length shocks you would need, but longer ones should help get rid of the front rake. Liking the body, not a huge fan of the honcho body myself.

[therealrsr]

Rather than adjustable you could use the above advice to build links to the exact length you want. It certainly could be done with treaded rod, some ball ends and filed down threads in the middle for grip.

Integy makes the 3 you are looking for. I don't use their stuff but for light scaling it will probably hold up fine. Billet Machine Alloy Upper Y-Arm for Axial SCX-10, Dingo & Honcho for R/C or RC - Team Integy

Shocks, I'd go with stiffer springs over preloading 5mm but that is just a preference. Another option is to use a smaller/lighter lipo battery.