2.2 comp wraith a.k.a. CRAWLBETTA updates with pics

[cooterwrenchen]

So, A long time ago I realized I just don't have the capacity to leave things alone. I like the wraith its a fun basher. But I like crawling better than bashing and have missed my ax10 since I traded for a welder. The wraith axles are really cool looking but for my style of driving, and the terrain around here they're just too wide. I'm sure its not the only way to do it but this is what I came up with.
This is what it looked like yesterday.



First I disassembled the axle. I then cut 1" out of one housing and 1 1/8" out of the other using my pittsburgh pipe cutter. I used this tool because it was an easy way to assure the cut would be square to housing. I did have to smooth out the flat spot where the factory truss bolts down to use the pipe cutter.I also wanted a slightly narrower rear hence the 1/8" difference. Anyway heres some pics hope you guys like it. If not thenlol



Here's A couple pics of the stainless steel tube i bought for 6 bucks at a hardware store





Then I clamped visegrips to the end to make it stand up' obviously a vice would be better but this worked well enough.



I used my small butane torch to heat up the end of the tube till it was red hot. I pushed the housing down on to the red hot tube as far as it would go keeping it as straight as i could and pulled it off quickly before it bonded permanently. I did this because excess plastic oozed out and needed removed, I did this twice. the third time it went in far enough.



After that I cut the tube so it was as long as possible without interfering with the screws that hold the link bracket on the housing. Oh and I beveled both ends of the stainless with a grinder before heating.





Then you heat it up again an repeat. Once its on the stainless and cools for a few seconds I could not remove it. You don't need any adhesive. It will slide apart a little if you don't hold it together for like 5 seconds. After that I heated up a peeling knife and welded the seam and sanded it smooth.





I haven't tested for brittleness but I don't think it will be a problem this stuff seems to want to melt not burn. Well I hope you like it.

[BoardN88]

Very interesting, Want more pics! installed and wonder how they will hold up as well... Love the 1 piece design with the Wraith axles but the scale of the sxc10... best of both worlds!!!! NICE

[cooterwrenchen]

Ya that's why I did it for sure. I'll definitely keep you posted on the strength. I'm going to start a build thread using these axles but it might be awhile, i'm still waiting on some parts.

[BoardN88]

Right on man keep it up!

[dunerinaz]

What are you doing for axles?

[cooterwrenchen]

Until my lhs gets the wraith universals I'm going to have to cut, sleeve, and weld the stock axles I guess.

[cooterwrenchen]

Hello again. I've made a little progress on my build so I thought I would start the build portion of this thread. I'm using the the stock skid for this one. Here's a few spy pics. The first one is of the axles mocked up with the lower links in the 12.5" wheel base jig



I'm using Acetel for my lowers as you can see. I'm not sure if I should dye them or leave them white. I've also offset the skid towards the front.



Here you can see the the plate steel i'll be welding the tube to.

[dunerinaz]

It's hard to see anything with those small pictures.

[Natedog]

Originally Posted by dunerinaz

It's hard to see anything with those small pictures.

x2.....................and when I click on them they stay small. However it sounds like a great build, like to see some full size pics.

[cooterwrenchen]

Sorry about that there from my phone ill enlarge them on Photobucket when I get home

[cooterwrenchen]

Here ya go. Made some sliders and tried to bend the main tube for the chassis... but that was a disaster.So I made a bender to make things easier, I broke the dial down to 11.25*. that should make it easy to duplicate bends.
sliders

overall

SBC

piece de resistance

Hope you guys like it. because I sure do.

[BurningMaverick]

Nice Bender man! I am def keeping a eye on this build, hell of a good start!

[cooterwrenchen]

Thanks man. I just hope it keeps moving along as quickly as it has.

[leather]

Don't think you'll be calling that a wraith for much longer. Should be petty cool.

[cooterwrenchen]

I finally have some progress to show you guys.
new parts list as follows

RRP gears for my wraith transmision
CC BEC
CC sidewinder SV2
HH expert torquemaster 35t
eco power 30c 3s 2200mah battery
VP chubs
strc nuckles for now
savox digital SA-1283sg





i also got some tube work done. The back isn't done, thats just as far as i made it last night. That's about 3 1/8" belly. I think i'm going to lower it a half inch













This is my first go at a tube chassis so be kind. The guys that do these often have some major talent. I throw away 1 out of 5 bends. Ill have more progress to show you guys tonight i hope

[cooterwrenchen]

Started on the front end today, got far enough to mock up the shocks and see how she flexed. It seems i will be limiting them. Here's some pics. Let me know what you guys think, and any suggestions would be welcome because i've never built a tuber before.

Here it sits at like 3 1/8". Should i lower it?


I think this is more than enough flex







Thanks for any imput

[cooterwrenchen]

If you were making your own tie rod would you want a little toe in, or toe out?

[jeremyfowler33]

a little toe out would be more stable for sidehills but more toe in would help your turning radius. i guess its all in what your looking for out of it

[cooterwrenchen]

hmm. I was thinking toe out would pull me off of side hills.

I got it pretty much even this morning