JIA's IFS Ultra4 build

[JasonInAugusta]

Can't have a generic fuel cell.

[JasonInAugusta]

One more piece to make. Get that made and bolted in and it'll be done. Still need to cut all the 00-90 bolts to length. Will do that after the last piece is made.

[Jayzrc]

Bravo! That is an amazing cell JIA.

[gbean]

You up for a TTC nomination? LOL

[hobolarry]

Sweeet build! That fuel cell is the most realistic I have seen! Great job!

[JasonInAugusta]

Thanks, guys.

gbean, TTC? Not sure this is a TTC rig.

[k9popo]

Gay...

Just sayin

[JasonInAugusta]

Originally Posted by k9popo

Gay...

Just sayin

Been watching the Hammers and working on the last piece.




Too small to file. Drilled a series of holes with a 1/32" bit and used it like a router bit/endmill to open up and trim the Axial logo to shape. A little work left to do to this piece (speed holes and clean up the edges) and then it'll be time to mount it.

[KillerBlackbird]

Fuel cell is insane. I'm having a hard time putting a scratch in mine, good god - like a hot wife, that thing would never leave the house if it was mine.

[k9popo]

Unreal Jason!!! Your fab skills are second to none!!! Nice work *

[JasonInAugusta]

Thanks, guys.

Did some work around the house, got wrapped up in the Hammers, and finally got some work done on the last plate for this fuel cell.

It's patterned after the Artec Industries unit.

Anyway, more pics. Can't decide whether or not to dimple die the eight holes in this piece. I might drill them out slightly larger. Started with 7/64" just in case I want to dimple die them. At 7/64" holes the dimple die doesn't wander and is always centered on the hole.







Now I need to do a little finish work with a file, trim all those 00-90 bolts to length, install nuts (with loctite) and mount it in the car. Might wait and shoot some clear gloss over the dry transfer letters. Not too worried about it, though.

So...should I dimple die the holes in the rear bracket, enlarge them slightly, or just leave them as is?

[JasonInAugusta]

Decided to leave the holes as is. They're too close to dimple die and I've already bolted it all together.

[KillerBlackbird]

I say dimple the bracket holes. Gives it dimension and depth and matches the fuel cell brackets.

[KillerBlackbird]

Awwwwww, still looks good.

[XSRCdesign]

Damn...

[JasonInAugusta]

At home in the rig.


Still need to do a tiny amount of filing so the new bracket fits flush with the lip of the fuel cell.

Also need to plumb it.

[alaskancrawler]

Astonishing as always. Thanks for the advice on the rear lights the other day. Soon as I get home from prudhoe bay I'm gonna get started on it again. This summer should be fun with the sa and the ifs. The Rc part of me can't wait for the snow to melt the snow mobiler side of me cant wait for another 2 feet of snow. Guess its time to put my indoor course back together.

[JasonInAugusta]

Thanks, man. I can't wait to get this thing completed. Once Neal gets the skins to me I can get it wrapped up.

[BadWagon]

That fuel cell is sick. Just sick. I have a generic in my wraith now holding the esc and led board, etc, but your give me some ideas. Very nice bud. Keep going.

[JasonInAugusta]

When we came to the island DTP gave me a couple of sheets of scale expanded metal. I gave one sheet to a local guy for a build and used the other sheet to make this a few minutes ago.

This piece of expanded metal will serve as a floor for the rear cargo area. I'll cut a pocket for the servo to tuck up into the fuel cell when the suspension is under compression and some blind mounts will go inside the edges of the fuel cell. Screws will pass through the expanded metal into the fuel cell to hold it in place and the entire floor will be bolted to the chassis.

I took a series of pics to show the process for those that are interested.

Use the chassis as a template to make a paper template. Cut, check fit, then finalize the paper template.


Place the paper template on the metal and trace around it with a Sharpie.




Used some sheet metal snips to cut the new floor out of the sheet then cleaned it up with an nylon mesh abrasive belt (like a green pad) on the belt sander to remove surface rust.


Used the Sharpie to trace the servo footprint on the expanded metal and trimmed it out.


Not sure if I should shoot this with clear or spray it black. Thinking about spraying the fuel cell brackets and mounts black as well.

What do you guys think? Silver or black?