Steering link and drag link - what's the best bang for the buck?

[Matthewboerner]

Looking to upgrade the steering linkage and drag link. I have the Axial aluminum C hubs and knuckles on it already. Anyone have these parts with upgraded linkages? Some I've seen have been messing with toe in/out. I want to avoid that! Obviously! So so there is the Vanquish and the Level 3rc. Any others? Thanks! Oh and pics if you have them!

[FlightInstrukta]

Dollar for dollar, i'd say you cant go wrong with the Level 3... its only 17.00 bucks. and it looks pretty good, and is hella strong. only weak point i can see is that it has square edges, so it might get hung up a bit more often than a round steering link, in real rocky conditions. but it hasn't really bothered me.

[strap624]

^^How well do your baja claws grip? Vanquish link on mine with a CKRC drag.

[stricker76]

I see ckrc isnt very well liked around here, but has anyone tried the suicide switch set-up? Ordered a pile of stuff from them before i found this place, then saw all the negative reviews. Lol. Guess ill see.

[Matthewboerner]

Originally Posted by FlightInstrukta

Dollar for dollar, i'd say you cant go wrong with the Level 3... its only 17.00 bucks. and it looks pretty good, and is hella strong. only weak point i can see is that it has square edges, so it might get hung up a bit more often than a round steering link, in real rocky conditions. but it hasn't really bothered me.

I like the look of the black link with the polished lines, you did that right? Also with that link which drag link are you using since the Level3 doesn't seem to come with one?

[hoghead5150]

best bang for the buck can mean different things. cheapest now, or cheapest in the long run. i went with the vanquish links. a little more expensive, but they will last. no worries about having to change them later due to bending or wearing out. so for me that is the best bang for the buck. the level 3 works pretty good, a friend of mine had it on his but swapped it out for the vanquish. he was running the stock drag link until it broke at the mount. swapped that with an aluminum one we made, then he broke the level 3 tie rod after jumping his wraith and landing the tie rod on a rock. it broke at one of the bends next to the diff cover.

that said, i would guess the cheapest route would be to just build your own.

[strap624]

Originally Posted by stricker76

I see ckrc isnt very well liked around here, but has anyone tried the suicide switch set-up? Ordered a pile of stuff from them before i found this place, then saw all the negative reviews. Lol. Guess ill see.

That'd why you see I have 1/2 a vanquish kit and 1/2 a CKRC kit. The CKRC kit hit the diff cover and the rod ends were to fat and they rubbed the stock wheels. I just bought the Vanquish link and kept the drag link from CKRC. Seems to work very well.

[OntarioCrawler]

Originally Posted by hoghead5150

best bang for the buck can mean different things. cheapest now, or cheapest in the long run. i went with the vanquish links. a little more expensive, but they will last. no worries about having to change them later due to bending or wearing out. so for me that is the best bang for the buck. the level 3 works pretty good, a friend of mine had it on his but swapped it out for the vanquish. he was running the stock drag link until it broke at the mount. swapped that with an aluminum one we made, then he broke the level 3 tie rod after jumping his wraith and landing the tie rod on a rock. it broke at one of the bends next to the diff cover.

that said, i would guess the cheapest route would be to just build your own.

I am going to run two drag links to the servo arm and see how it works. will post pictures when its setup, will be sometime later in the week.

[strap624]

Originally Posted by OntarioCrawler

I am going to run two drag links to the servo arm and see how it works. will post pictures when its setup, will be sometime later in the week.

Two drag links and the steering link?? That will bind wont it?

[Matthewboerner]

I see what our saying about bang for the buck vs value and longevity. The vanquish seem to be the best of all. With both tie rod and drag link and being made of Ti, they will last for the long run rather than having to buy more aluminum ones multiple times.

How strong are th Vanquish plastic ends?

[stricker76]

Originally Posted by strap624

Two drag links and the steering link?? That will bind wont it?

Think he means something like this. Its the one i have on order.

CKRC's Suicide Switch Steering Upgrade Kit (Wraith) [ck180020] - $31.99 : CKRC Crawlers, RC Rock Crawlers

[hoghead5150]

Originally Posted by Matthewboerner

How strong are th Vanquish plastic ends?

very strong. my 9 year old daughter was running it flat out and caught a tire on a fence post. pulled the tire out of the beadlock, spun the truck around and flipped it a couple times. no damage at all (except having to remount a tire!)

[bikeboy]

Originally Posted by hoghead5150

very strong. my 9 year old daughter was running it flat out and caught a tire on a fence post. pulled the tire out of the beadlock, spun the truck around and flipped it a couple times. no damage at all (except having to remount a tire!)

nice - thats how i drive. I too went with vp, the rod ends are strong 4mm i think

[FlightInstrukta]

[QUOTE=strap624;3333502]^^How well do your baja claws grip? Vanquish link on mine with a CKRC drag.

the claws were ok, but with this new cut job, im assuming they will be better?

Originally Posted by Matthewboerner

I like the look of the black link with the polished lines, you did that right? Also with that link which drag link are you using since the Level3 doesn't seem to come with one?

the L3 link was done by the previous owner, its painted, ans sanded for that look.
and the drag link is an axial 70mm link i had lying around from previous projects.

Originally Posted by Matthewboerner

I see what our saying about bang for the buck vs value and longevity. The vanquish seem to be the best of all. With both tie rod and drag link and being made of Ti, they will last for the long run rather than having to buy more aluminum ones multiple times.

How strong are th Vanquish plastic ends?

the rod ends that come with VP links are traxxas revo 4mm rod ends. they are known for being the strongest endrods available. cant go wrong with VP, they make awesome products, and ya get what ya pay for 100%!!!

[BLKXJ 96]

I made my own out of 1/4 .049 wall aluminum tube, seems pretty strong so far.

[R/CMaxximus5.0]

Originally Posted by stricker76

Think he means something like this. Its the one i have on order.

CKRC's Suicide Switch Steering Upgrade Kit (Wraith) [ck180020] - $31.99 : CKRC Crawlers, RC Rock Crawlers

No offense to you, but that is prob. the most RETARDED thing I've ever seen CKRC try to push...

How long do you think a stock servo would last with that setup? Esp. if you want to crawl a little...

The Traxxas Stampede has a similar setup, & it sucks! (mind you it is almost a 20 year old r/c design)
There is a reason they put bellcrank steering on the Slash, when it was designed, instead of the Stampede setup. Even though the Slash/Stampede are nearly identical except for the chassis.

And for $31.99, you could get a QUALITY steering setup like the Vanquish

[stricker76]

No offense taken. I wasn't sure, thought it might work well for a rear steer setup. And my stock servo only lasted 1 outting anyhow. LOL

[Harley]

There are a ton of problems with that CKRC setup. It is a terrible design. It makes each tire turn differently throughout the cycle. That's a huge DO NOT BUY.

[R/CMaxximus5.0]

Originally Posted by Harley

There are a ton of problems with that CKRC setup. It is a terrible design. It makes each tire turn differently throughout the cycle. That's a huge DO NOT BUY.

Glad you chimed in Harley... I knew you would like that one!

Seems like CKRC will sell any crap they can to make a buck!

[stricker76]

Originally Posted by Harley

There are a ton of problems with that CKRC setup. It is a terrible design. It makes each tire turn differently throughout the cycle. That's a huge DO NOT BUY.

Anyone wanna buy one? Lmao! Wish i had found this place before i placed that order! Live and learn i guess.