JIA's IFS Ultra4 build
 

We got to Hawaii and it didn't take long for DTP and Kila to get us back into crawling.

Started with a Wraith kit and built that with electronics donated by DTP and Kila. That was to be Jeff's rig. He drove it and decided he liked his old AX-based rig that's in our household goods better, but he kept driving the Wraith.

Megan decided she wanted her own rig, but she wanted something more along the lines of her old 1.9 Chevy, so she got a RTR Honcho.

THEN one of the local guys had a Wraith listed on CL with VP stuff, lipos, charger, and some other stuff. Price was a steal so I picked that thing up.

I wanted to build an Ultra4 rig with the Wraith, but with the Exo front end.

So I bought an Exo. :roll:

Pics tell the story. I'm staying in a hotel right now. Hack saw, cordless Dremel, cordless screwdriver with a few hex bits, X-acto, and pliers were the tools used.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...71634573_n.jpg

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Re: JIA's Wraith build
 

:shock:

That is badass, all that done with just those tools? Will be watching for more.

Re: JIA's Wraith build
 

Holy crap!! Details details details!!! Des the 4wd work?any pics of where you cut and exactly how you mounted everything? That's exactly what I have been wanting!!

Re: JIA's Wraith build
 

Yeah, it didn't take long, either. Did it while watching the Heat/Thunder game. Mostly watched the game.

Here's the actual tools used. I never used pliers. Or that tape measure.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...16181792_n.jpg

Don't have the 4WD ran yet. Will get that going here in a few. My good camera is charging so I'll get detail shots of everything tomorrow.

I placed the Wraith rear and Exo front next to a stock Wraith, eyeballed where I needed to cut the Exo chassis and made the cut. Removed the top center section of the Wraith cage, removed the tranny, and put the Exo chassis and front suspension back in place to mark the four holes for the transmission bolts. Drilled those, bolted the transmission/Wraith chassis/Exo chassis together with longer screws (4mm chassis thickness requires longer screws to be used here) then drilled other holes in the Exo chassis and Wraith skid to strengthen it all before working on the front end. Bolted the top center section of the Wraith cage back in place and started on the front tube work.

I tied the Wraith cage to the Exo front end with a mix of the Wraith and Exo front tube pieces.

I cut each Wraith "main frame side" (AX80074) down about an inch on the front. I cut these JUST in front the forward mounting point for the front shock hoops (AX80077[2]).

I cut the Exo cage "center top and front" (AX80110) right behind where the step is at the rear of each leg. I then fish-mouthed the legs so they could bolt to part number AX80076[2] on the Wraith cage. I used a Sharpie to mark where thru holes needed to be drilled in the Wraith piece to bolt the Exo piece in place. Be careful here, there's a screw that comes up into the stock Wraith part (AX80076) and you'll need to make sure you're above that screw. Or use a slightly shorter screw.

Exo part number AX80110 bolts in place just like in the Exo instructions to the front shock tower. At the rear the legs bolt to Wraith AX80076 using the holes drilled earlier.

The Wraith shock hoops were also re-used in their stock locations. There's a small hole on each side of the Exo center and top front (AX80110) that is like the Wraith sway bar holes. I marked/drilled the Wraith main frame to run a 3mm screw into these holes.

With the whole thing bolted together, it's solid.

I wanted to use the stock Wraith front bumper and lights so I placed the piece over the Exo upper bumper mount, marked the area to be removed, and cut. This means it'll just require a longer screw to mount the Wraith bumper/lights on the Exo bumper/skid.


I'll get pics to clarify things later. It's not hard at all, but there's a bit of rake in the thing now. The rear sits a little higher than the front. I know this will change as batteries and crap are placed, but for now I ran the pre-load all the way down on the front shocks. I'll sort out suspension once it's running. I'm using borrowed electronics for now so everything is in flux until I get a definite setup.

Re: JIA's Wraith build
 

Thqnka Jason, pics would be great.

Re: JIA's Wraith build
 

looks awesome

Re: JIA's Wraith build
 

Nice job Jason!

If you are ok with non-beadlock wheels up front stretch those tires over the EXO wheels to keep the front width in check. "thumbsup"

Re: JIA's Wraith build
 

Any chance you would sell that Exo cage and body? I've been looking for one to put on my Losi SCTE chassis.

Re: JIA's Wraith build
 

Pretty cool, thanks for the detailed description and waiting for more pics. :)

Re: JIA's Wraith build
 

MX304, I'm keeping all parts.

Just got this thing out to mess with. As promised, a pic showing how it's all tied together. Pretty simple. Whenever I get the urge I'll clean up the cut-off portion of the Wraith side chassis and round it down. Not bothering with it now.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...56890938_n.jpg

Even though I'm in a hotel and working with limited tools, I'm looking for a way to tie the Exo steering posts to the aluminum chassis plate. I think Axial missed the mark on the Exo's steering. The lower steering post mounts should've been mounted to the aluminum chassis plate instead of the soft plastic sides.

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Another Exo part that might get put to use until I can start the real build.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...10051322_n.jpg

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

More work.

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Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Can we get some pics of where and how the frame mounts.

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Not sure I understand what you're looking for. Where the frame mounts to...what?

Maybe this will help.

This is the Wraith chassis with the Exo top center brace bolted in place. The Exo brace bolts to the back side of the Exo shock tower.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...79438288_n.jpg

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

From GA to the scary land of volcanoes and palm trees :mrgreen: Wraith is looking awesome, and very different from any wraith before it! I expect nothing less from you JIA. Keep up the good work, glad to see you back at it "thumbsup"

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Thanks man.

Was cleaning up the room a bit (searching for the damn steering servo that was right in front of me) and decided to see how it flexes while empty.

It does alright.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...65338075_n.jpg

Now that I've found the servo I guess I'll start sorting out the steering.

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Steering is done.

Stuck a Traxxas servo in the stock Exo servo mount and mounted it in the stock Exo servo location.

I used small pieces of the Exo's plastic chassis plates to mount the posts for the steering bellcranks.

Then entire steering assembly is from the Exo -including the servo saver that's built into the bellcrank. It'll do for now.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...93536992_n.jpg

Bottom view.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...49767964_n.jpg

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Sizing things up out back.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...12928283_n.jpg

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Sorry man, meant where yu cut the exo chassis, how does the exo chassis bolt up to the wrath chassis. A pic from underneath would be awesome.

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Very cool project! Can't wait to see how it runs.

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Very nice build. Should be great when it's done!

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Totally loving it! Looks very tough. Keep it up

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

sweet. more pics and a vid soon please."thumbsup"

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Dremel action.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...93024776_n.jpg

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

damn JIA, (JIH??) outbuilding everyone else with hardly any tools, in a hotel room.

looks good man.

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Thanks.

Kila says I'm doing it Tony Stark style. :lol:

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

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Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Haha!!! Nice job J.

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Spent about 10 minutes on this thing tonight.

After the above photos I trimmed the parts to fit with a saw blade in the Dremel, center drilled "tubes" with a 1/8" bit, and let it sit until today.

Made a trip to Home Depot and got a 3ft length of 1/8" steel rod and some Gorilla Glue Epoxy.

Came back, cut off a couple of lengths of the 1/8" rod, and pinned the two different cage sections together.

Only got the passenger side pinned, and it's still not 100%, but this is how it'll look. I still need to clean up (round off and debur) where I cut sections off the Exo cage. I'm going to trim down the Wraith's B pillar and pin it in the corner of the Exo cage I spliced in. Also need to trim the "tubes" that the rear shocks mount on. These will tie in to the Exo cage pieces I'm installing.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...71704743_n.jpg


The top portion of the Exo's cage is being modded for use here as well.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...06338640_n.jpg

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

this is such a killer build jason!

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Build is coming together great J!

Lots of reasons for the way it was done. You just happened to find the only spot where its inconvenient :ror:

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Thanks.

Yeah, I figured it had to do with the angle of the steering posts. Having them mount to the aluminum chassis would've required a bit more machine work...which would drive up cost. The plastic is also more forgiving on impact. Take the hit and return to shape.

I'll make new mounts in the future. For now, while building at the hotel, this will do. "thumbsup"

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Very innovative build.
What is the wheelbase of this mashup? Can the wheelbase be set differently depending on where you cut the front end? Or is it set with one wheelbase for this mod?

Edit, found a picture in the first post. Looks like the IFS front version wraith is close to the 13.5" wheelbase.

...

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Just skimmed through the build, so I may have missed it, but how close to a runner is your rig

I thought about this type of build as I own a wraith and an exo.... I just don't have the financial ballsack to pull it off! Congrats man.

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Matt, he brought it over to my house last night, it's exactly as the most recent pics. I do have to say it is totally badass. I am on the hunt for an exo now.:ror:

If you have both & some basic hand tools, it'll only cost you time & effort."thumbsup"

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Matt, I could have ran it right after the IFS swap, but I decided to keep going and do tube work as well. Instead of running it just to say I ran it, I'd rather build it completely then run it. I still need to find shocks I want up front and I have a shock idea in my head for the rear. Will have to see how it shakes out.

Soulo, like DTP said, it's just tools and time. I'll say I originally intended to use the Exo chassis and front suspension then get new parts to finish the robbed Exo, but I'm to the point that I've pretty much used a large portion of the Exo to build this.

I'm going to get back at it here in a few. Cage will be done today.

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

This is just badass!!! I cant wait to see how this turns out JIA or is is JIH??? Anyway this will be my next project if all works out, I have a untouched Wraith chassis waiting for it"thumbsup"

Now get back to work:flipoff:

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Anxiously waiting for pics and updates!!

Re: JIA's IFS Wraith build
 

Started work and only had the chance to make three cuts before the Dremel battery died. Stuck it on charge for now, but here's a few more pics.

The rear shocks are just stuck in that location for now. I don't have the rear shocks I want to use on hand so I'll have to track some down.

Also swapped the front Exo shocks out for the stock Wraith front shocks. They're longer and the spring rate is better for this rig. Powerstrokes might be in the future - still debating. Everything is in flux so we'll see how it shakes out.

Anyway, more pics.

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Still plenty of work to do.

For those wondering what I'm using to make cuts, Dremel makes a neat little tool that's intended for use with wood.

I've found it cuts plastic instead of melting it.

Works well. "thumbsup"
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...23292486_n.jpg