Harley's Guide to a Bulletproof Wraith

[Harley]

This is on a whim as I sit here laid up on the couch after being too hard on my ankles yesterday at a comp. I'm doing this as it could be helpful to a handful of people that really feel like throwing some parts at a Wraith. And of course you can just do certain areas as a time. I may also do what I will call "stages" to how I would go about upgrading.

Keep in mind that "bulletproof" isn't a 100% reality as with big power you can still blow up parts, especially wear items (like bearings and gears) over time. This is just what I consider the best available options. There are also options for larger pieces that I will often ignore as my goal is almost always to maintain the Wraiths appearance.

Each post will be on a specific area of the truck. So I'll get started with the typing now. Check back later.

[Harley]

Axles:

Front Axle
Housings: Vanquish Products - Wraith Axle
Bearing Caps: GH - TowerHobbies.com | 05270 Golden Horizons Aluminum Internal Diff Holder Silver Wr
Diff cover: Vanquish Products - WRAITH DIFFERENTIAL COVER
C-hubs: Vanquish Products - xr10, xr-10, axial,
Knuckles: Vanquish Products - axial wraith steering knuckles
Bearings: I actully recommend replacing the bearings on the pinion shaft with BUSHINGS, trust me - Just search for TRA1675 - For the rest, use FastEddy
Axle Shafts: Axial Universals - Axial Wraith Universal Set
Lockers: Hot Racing - Hot Racing Axial SCX10 AX10 Wraith Unibody SHD Differential Lock
Gears: Axial HD Axial HEAVY DUTY BEVEL GEAR SET
Truss: Vanquish Products - (pair) Wraith Axle Truss
Link Mounts: Axial - Axial Wraith AR60 OCP Machined Link Mounts
Servo Plate: No need to change
Servo Posts: GH- TowerHobbies.com | 04056 Golden Horizons Aluminum Servo Mount Black Axial AX10
Tie Rod: Vanquish Products - Wraith 3/16 Titanium Tie Rod
Drag Link: Vanquish Products - Wraith Drag Link


Rear Axle
Housings: Vanquish Products - Wraith Axle
Bearing Caps: GH - TowerHobbies.com | 05270 Golden Horizons Aluminum Internal Diff Holder Silver Wr
Diff cover: Vanquish Products - WRAITH DIFFERENTIAL COVER
Lockouts: Vanquish Products - Wraith Aluminum Lockouts
Bearings: I actully recommend replacing the bearings on the pinion shaft with BUSHINGS, trust me - Just search for TRA1675 - For the rest, use FastEddy
Axle Shafts: Coming soon
Lockers: Hot Racing - Hot Racing Axial SCX10 AX10 Wraith Unibody SHD Differential Lock
Gears: Axial Underdrive Axial HEAVY DUTY BEVEL GEAR SET 43T/13T
Truss: Vanquish Products - (pair) Wraith Axle Truss
Link Mounts: Axial - Axial Wraith AR60 OCP Machined Link Mounts

[Harley]

Transmission & Driveline

Replacing Wraith style case with AX10 style case and extended outputs
Case: Vanquish Products - VP Axial AX-10 Alum Trans Housing
Top Shaft: SuperShafty #SS-112A - AXAIL BOMB PROOF MODS
Spur/slipper: Robinson 32p 56t Gen 3 Steel Slipper - Robinson Racing HP Slipper Unit 56T Gen 3 Slash
Idler gear: Robinson Racing - Robinson Racing Hardened Steel Idler Gear Wraith
Final Gear: Robinson Racing - Robinson Racing Hardened Steel Bottom Diff Gear Wraith
Outputs: SuperShafty #SS-111 - Needs to be modified to 6mm AXAIL BOMB PROOF MODS
Bearings: Teamfasteddy.com
Motor plate: BWD - FOFF Motor Plate
Driveshafts: MIP - MIP C-Drive Spline Set for Axial AX10 Scorpion (2)
Driveshaft hub: MIP - TowerHobbies.com | 08137 MIP Drive Hub 6mm E-Revo/Maxx

[Harley]

Suspension:

Lower links: Vanquish Products - Wraith Titanium Lower Links
Upper links: Vanquish Products - Wraith Titanium Upper Link Arms
Shocks: Proline Powerstroke
Lower Ride - Pro-Line POWERSTROKE SLASH FRONT SHOCKS
Taller Ride - Pro-Line POWERSTROKE SLASH REAR SHOCKS
Chassis side shock ball: Dlux - Big Bore Shock Ends
Sway bar: Axial
Front - Axial Wraith™ Sway Bar Set Front (Soft, Medium, Firm)
Rear - Axial Wraith™ Sway Bar Set Rear (Soft, Medium, Firm)

[Harley]

Chassis:

This is a little more complicated area. The stock chassis has a couple weak points but most can be solved without much trouble. However the fixes aren't always readily available.

Front bumper braces: RC4WD - https://store.rc4wd.com/mobile/Front...h-_p_1808.html
Bumper: Custom bumpers are your best choice, search RCC vendors
Other upgrades: DMG stiffy kit, hard to acquire but worth it! PM "the DMG"

[Harley]

Upgrades (assuming RTR) in order of importantance.

Stage 1:
Axial Universals
Knuckles
Chubs
Lower links
Upper links
Steering links

Stage 2:
Tires
Wheels
Lockouts
Transmission gears
Driveshafts
Lockers
Diff covers
All bearings

Stage 3:
Shocks
Transmission Top shaft and slipper
Axle housings
Axle truss
Axle Gears
Bearing caps
Lower link/shock mounts

Stage 4:
Transmission housing swap to AX10 style
Heavy duty outputs
Swap driveshaft ends for 6mm revo style
HD rear axle shafts

[dezfan]

Are you going to do a write up an how to get approved for the loan you need to buy all that crap?

[Harley]

Originally Posted by dezfan

Are you going to do a write up an how to get approved for the loan you need to buy all that crap?

Organ trade - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Blue Monkey RC]

wow. that's awesome.

i had forgotten how fun the wraith was while waiting 3 months for universal shafts. now i'm ready to start beating on it again and you just gave me a ton of new ideas

[ik632]

Before I bought mine I had read over and over that you need to do the links and I was skeptical. Well, they do need to be replaced. I'm making my own because it's more fun for me, but the VP ones listed above are extremely nice looking.

[Harley]

Originally Posted by ik632

Before I bought mine I had read over and over that you need to do the links and I was skeptical. Well, they do need to be replaced. I'm making my own because it's more fun for me, but the VP ones listed above are extremely nice looking.

I generally make custom links for my builds but for a bulletproof setup nothing I would be machining is going to be as strong as the titanium option from VP. Sleaved links are just not strong enough and stainless bends too easy. I put my wraith through hell and I've been surprised at the strength.

[ik632]

I totally agree that the titanium ones are going to be stronger than the aluminum (I thread end links into thick wall tubing instead of the threaded rod with sleeve). I think the big weak point for building your own links is the set screw that threads into the link. With the VP ones, it's machined from one piece. I was looking at Ti rod and it isn't too expensive for links, but you need to buy a ton of it. Then threading the ends can be tricky. To make it cost wise worth it, you'd probably have to make about 5 sets for your trucks. Until you've done 5 sets out of Ti, then the VP is actually cheaper too.

[flyingrc]

Well looks like im gonna need to save up about 600 dollars, HAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!

[Taper]

Past Saturday I build my own Wraith kit, and I want to konw if exist an upgrade for the skid plate to avoid the stock attaching of the lower links to the skid plate with set screws...

The ball ends have play once the set screw if fully screwed

[Harley]

Originally Posted by Taper

Past Saturday I build my own Wraith kit, and I want to konw if exist an upgrade for the skid plate to avoid the stock attaching of the lower links to the skid plate with set screws...

The ball ends have play once the set screw if fully screwed

Just use a normal screw and tighten it down. I have been impressed at the strength of the stock skid. RPP does carry and aluminum version but you won't be able to tighten them down to take out the slop.

[Land Crab]

Do you have a recommendation for a certain type or brand of grease/lube to use (or not use) when assembling the differentials?

[Harley]

Originally Posted by Land Crab

Do you have a recommendation for a certain type or brand of grease/lube to use (or not use) when assembling the differentials?

Slick 50 from most auto parts stores is great, buy it once and you'll have plenty for a year or 5!

I have been using Rock Lube lately because it's handy little squeeze bottle.

[Land Crab]

Do you mean this stuff?

[hatefulboy]

I'm guessing that you are using the revo MIP Hub to attach the drive shaft to the AX10 gear set? Because the AX10 set doesn't have the hole in the pionion shaft? I thought Axial made a HD gear set for the wraith?

[Harley]

Originally Posted by hatefulboy

I'm guessing that you are using the revo MIP Hub to attach the drive shaft to the AX10 gear set? Because the AX10 set doesn't have the hole in the pionion shaft? I thought Axial made a HD gear set for the wraith?

No, in talking about at the transmission output. Axial has drilled outputs on their new gear sets.