Wraith Noob and subsequent build...

[gbean]

Picked up an RTR wraith from the Editor of Crawl Magazine.
Will post pics tonight, just wanted to get this started.
Came with a Lectronic 2S 5200mah pack, (which was discharged to 1.19V per cell!) a Hyperion EOS 0606i AC/DC charger, and the magazine it was featured in. (nice unexpected touch John!)
Gotta get a hold of him about the bad battery though. I've heard there are questionable ways of tricking the charger into charging it as it throws a low voltage error now.

Before it even arrived in the mail I went down to the best LHS in the state Jake's Performance Hobbies in Rohnert Park and picked up some 7/32" music wire and black VP c-hubs and knuckles.
Good thing I did, as it looks like the right knuckle was already split in the lower mount hole and an attempt to fix was done with shoe goo. Didnt work.
Became immediately apparent when I couldn't dial in the steering trim.
Then started the tear down to check all screws and clean the Nevada dust out of the thing. I think I finished at 3AM.

All in all, this should be fun, and a money burner.
Any suggestions lemme know.

Got some pics taken. Got into the Mission Ranch Inn too late, no daylight left. I hate DST.


Got some goodies installed already...

[Fink]

Nice! Building my RTR (sounds funny) as we speak.

Sounds like getting it torn down and up to par is your best bet. Worry about upgrading and mods later once it's dialed in as-is. Just like when you buy a used 1:1, always get it in tip-top shape before doing anything with it.

Post up some pics when you get a chance!

Fink

[gbean]

Travelling to Carmel tonight for work, will take lots o pics from the Hotel.

[snelson]

Welcome to the addiction of an rc, I just bought another wraith today finally decided to get a rtr to see the difference.

[gbean]

Originally Posted by snelson

Welcome to the addiction of an rc, I just bought another wraith today finally decided to get a rtr to see the difference.

I think you will be dissapointed.
I already have quite a list of things to change and replace.
This thing was barely used as well. Well, if you consider a couple sessions for a magazine review "barely used."

[snelson]

Originally Posted by gbean

I think you will be dissapointed.
I already have quite a list of things to change and replace.
This thing was barely used as well. Well, if you consider a couple sessions for a magazine review "barely used."

I'm not worried i already have one with most of vanquish's parts and a tekin 6.5 figured this would be an extra for a friend, plus I have most of the parts from my kit i can use.

[gbean]

Added a couple pics to first post.

Sent from my SGSII E4GT

[Fink]

Originally Posted by gbean

I think you will be dissapointed.
I already have quite a list of things to change and replace.
This thing was barely used as well. Well, if you consider a couple sessions for a magazine review "barely used."

What are you not happy with? Have you driven it yet? Out of the box the Wraith RTR is actually quite capable. Just like all of Axial's other rigs, in my opinion.

Originally Posted by gbean

Added a couple pics to first post.

Sent from my SGSII E4GT

Pics look good!

Fink

[gbean]

Originally Posted by Fink

What are you not happy with? Have you driven it yet? Out of the box the Wraith RTR is actually quite capable. Just like all of Axial's other rigs, in my opinion.

The shock springs are way too stiff.
The tire compound is WAY too hard. Even my 3.3 T-Maxx came with softer tires.
The front steering linkage is a total joke, and they know that along with the suspension links. Hence why they made these parts beefier on the kit version along with the universal front axles and R35 compound tires.
The AX-3 Tx feels as cheap as some I've seen come with Tyco and New Bright Toys R Us toys.


The RTR wraith is just Axial's way of maxing out their profit on an entry level (if you an call $400+ MSRP entry level) rig.

If Traxxas can make the T-Maxx RTR as beefy as it is for around $400 there is no reason why Axial cant do the same on an electric RTR.
I would never have bought the RTR version, except for that the price was right and it came with a great charger and some nice tools.

[Fink]

Originally Posted by gbean

The shock springs are way too stiff.
The tire compound is WAY too hard. Even my 3.3 T-Maxx came with softer tires.
The front steering linkage is a total joke, and they know that along with the suspension links. Hence why they made these parts beefier on the kit version along with the universal front axles and R35 compound tires.
The AX-3 Tx feels as cheap as some I've seen come with Tyco and New Bright Toys R Us toys.


The RTR wraith is just Axial's way of maxing out their profit on an entry level (if you an call $400+ MSRP entry level) rig.

If Traxxas can make the T-Maxx RTR as beefy as it is for around $400 there is no reason why Axial cant do the same on an electric RTR.
I would never have bought the RTR version, except for that the price was right and it came with a great charger and some nice tools.

The stock steering linkage is actually better for bashing as it gives a little bit. Once you get aluminum or titanium links, there will be zero give and a higher change of breaking stuff. For amateurs and kids, the plastic links are actually better. Makes sense that they would make the RTR more forgiving for the beginners. I knew that going into it so I've got VP's Titanium Links ready to go.

I completely agree on the shocks but only because of the springs. Once those are replaced and you adjust them, they are actually pretty decent. Way too stiff and way too high out of the box, though.

I actually love the Axial AX-3. Light, durable, basic. I've had it out in the rain with no issues at all. I'd be hesitant to take the expensive radios out in the weather.

The price difference between the RTR and Kit just didn't make sense to me. You get a full radio system, ESC, servo and a decent bashing motor for only about $90 more. Killer deal, in my opinion.

Anyway, not trying to argue, you just seemed very unhappy with it when I find it to be a pretty damn good RTR with some minor upgrades.

Fink

[gbean]

Yeah man now worries, I totally agree.
The reason the RTR is only $90 more is that you trade the kit version's HD parts like links and universals for inexpensive electronics.

I picked up VP c-hubs and knuckles before I even had the rig delivered!

[Fink]

Originally Posted by gbean

Yeah man now worries, I totally agree.
The reason the RTR is only $90 more is that you trade the kit version's HD parts like links and universals for inexpensive electronics.

I picked up VP c-hubs and knuckles before I even had the rig delivered!

Check out my Wraith build - I know what you mean.

Fink

[gbean]

Kid brother wants to play too !

[gbean]

Just stripped my first servo horn. Time for aluminum.



Sent from my SGSII E4GT

[Fink]

Originally Posted by gbean

Kid brother wants to play too !

Love it!!

Originally Posted by gbean

Just stripped my first servo horn. Time for aluminum.



Sent from my SGSII E4GT

So frustrating, ain't it?!?! Which route you going to go? Axial? Those Robitronics one look pretty bulletproof. Not sure if I regret not going with them or not...

Fink

[gottorque]

Originally Posted by Fink

Love it!!



So frustrating, ain't it?!?! Which route you going to go? Axial? Those Robitronics one look pretty bulletproof. Not sure if I regret not going with them or not...

Fink

If ya can go with a Robitronic. Ive had mine for years with no issues

[gbean]

I'll see what the lhs has.
I've read many cases (so far) of needing to trim things to make the robitronics horns fit a stock wraith well.
Hangar 9 and axial look good to me so far... for now I press fit the spare 24t horn on the stock servo... works good.


I just can't believe the stock horns are made from the same material as the tube frame.
That's just shoddy.
They should at least be reinforced nylon.

[gbean]

So JPH (lhs) was out of stock on all Futaba (25t) servo horns, except this one duratrax... It was cheap and will do until I decide in a servo upgrade...
Also, the universals are no longer on backorder!

And got some 55mm posts to brace the rear shock mounts when I move the battery tray under the hood.

[gbean]

Got my battery under the hood, drilled out the stock hood mounting holes to take 1/8 x 1" pins with cross drilled tips for cotter pins.
Also removed the stock battery tray and flipped the rear shock mount. I restored the lower shock mount to the stock config. So the lowering stays the same with a little more clearance under the rear axle.

Thinking about throwing in some maxx hard body shocks I have laying around, but they are about 3mm shorter. I'll have to try it and see how I like it.

Truck is dirty, too much wet fun scale night crawling at flat rock with the SCSRC






The boys and I went out and had some fun by ourselves.

[gbean]

Got some candy tonight.
The LHS here is awesome, got me the stage 1 VP link set. Their price is also less than list. Find that at your lhs!

Lower gearing and a Dinky drop down box too...