AX2 2 Speed Transmission

[Sevastra]

Anybody have one of these yet? I've been crunching numbers for how to gear the rest of my rig if I get one. Now what I'd like to know is what this would stand up to abuse wise?

This gearbox offers a high and low gear.

1st gear = 5.05
2nd gear= 1.78

For comparison I'm going to use the stock wraith specs.

20t / 80t (4:1)pinion and spur for motor
20t / 52t (2.6:1) transmission gears (Can anyone verify this is correct? Had upgraded mine to steel, not sure if they are the same.)
13t / 38t (2.92:1) ring & pinion gears.

So.. 4 x 2.6 x 2.92 = 30.37 rounded off..

AX2 1st gear:: 4 x 5.05 x 2.92 = 58.98 VERY slow..
AX2 2nd gear:: 4 x 1.78 x 2.92 = 20.78 Not sure exactaly how fast this would be, but a good improvement over stock.

Please keep in mind that this would be harsh on a stock motor. Overheating would be an issue in either gear.. Also, more moving components introduce a bigger chance of mechanical failure in the drivetrain.

[Slowpony]

The AX2 comes with a 60/15 spur/ pinion, I have swapped mine down to a 60/11 it seems to do better in high gear with that. I'm still running the stock 20T motor for now. It's never gotten hot though.

[67mustang]

I've got one. You need a decent motor to run 2nd gear with punch. The 1st gear is much deeper than stock. Obviously numerically, but also in function. Torque multiplication is always good.

[Sevastra]

I'm trying to decide on a gear set to run with it. I'm using a Tenkin 35t HD motor, and want to run 32p gears.. Was thinking of a 18/54 combo (3:1) but after a couple PM's I'm doubtful if it'll run 2nd gear.

[Slowpony]

The spur and pinion that come with the AX2 are 32p. I'm guessing that 60/18 will be too high. Mine didn't have any get up and go with the as delivered 60/15. I have a handful of 32p pinions laying around from my Emaxx so I've tried a 9T, crawls great but kind of slow, even in high gear. I tried a 13t and it still felt like it was struggling in high gear, so I dropped in the 11t. That seems to be a pretty good balance for my rig. I'm sure that'll change when I upgrade my motor.

[dna4engr]

I've had one for about a year. I put the HD output shaft in as I bent mine right away. Luckily found before it broke.

I've run everything from a 35t tekin HD motor to a 1/8 scale 2650kv to the current 3500kv pro4 HD motor. Second gear is too much for the Tekin 35t motor if your rig is heavy. I burnt up a set of brushes. Sold it to a buddy who put it on his wraith with the ax2 and he burnt up the new brushes I put in.

The best setup is a brushless motor, sensored of course.

I run a 32p rrp gen3 slipper/spur for the slash, 56t with a 11t pinion. No heat issues. Of course the pro4 has gobs of torque for my 9lb wraith.

Dna

[Sevastra]

Originally Posted by dna4engr

I've had one for about a year. I put the HD output shaft in as I bent mine right away. Luckily found before it broke.

I've run everything from a 35t tekin HD motor to a 1/8 scale 2650kv to the current 3500kv pro4 HD motor. Second gear is too much for the Tekin 35t motor if your rig is heavy. I burnt up a set of brushes. Sold it to a buddy who put it on his wraith with the ax2 and he burnt up the new brushes I put in.

The best setup is a brushless motor, sensored of course.

I run a 32p rrp gen3 slipper/spur for the slash, 56t with a 11t pinion. No heat issues. Of course the pro4 has gobs of torque for my 9lb wraith.

Dna

You've got me looking at a Pro4 for my upcoming build now..

How is this transmission standing up to the abuse? Metal internal gears? Notable problems?

[R/C Bashist]

I've been running one for a while, I'd say you need at least a 27t motor if you're running brushed, and 13.5t if brushless (and sensored obviously). My only real complaint is that second gear is too high, I'd like to see RC4WD come out with close-ratio gears for it. I'd like to see second half way between where first and second are now (about 3.46).

[Slowpony]

I've tired to gear mine for high gear and just accept the low gear.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[67mustang]

Originally Posted by Slowpony

I've tired to gear mine for high gear and just accept the low gear.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

You would be better off with the stock transmission. If you are gearing for normal crawling in 2nd gear, you have a less than ideal trans ratio. That 2nd gear is too high for the rigors of rocky crawling.

[Slowpony]

What I meant was I'm gearing for good speed in 2nd and so far crawling in 1st is still acceptable.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Harley]

Spend the money on a good brushless system and beef up the transmission. The 2 speeds are unneeded and you can get more reliable performance out of standard transmission.

[Breat 1.8T syncro]

Originally Posted by Harley

Spend the money on a good brushless system and beef up the transmission. The 2 speeds are unneeded and you can get more reliable performance out of standard transmission.

Good to know, I was maybe to go in the 2 speed transmission way, but I'll follow your advice!

Thanks, so much good info here!

[dna4engr]

Originally Posted by Sevastra

You've got me looking at a Pro4 for my upcoming build now..

How is this transmission standing up to the abuse? Metal internal gears? Notable problems?

I've run the pro4 HD for a while now on 3s. With the HD output its held up nicely. I thought I had an issue after a comp but it was the front axle gears that had gone bad. So while I had it apart I changed the bearings. Nothing else done to it.

I quite like the gear difference. The low gear even with the 3500kv motor is just past walking pace at full throttle. High gear is perfect for jumps or when rooster tails need to be flying.

Harley is right in that you don't need an ax2. But it is sure dam fun in high gear. Actually a lot cheaper than building up a bombproof trans too. You get an aluminum case and hardened gears for $105-120 then another $20 for the HD bottom shaft. Vs. $200-260 for a bombproof trans.

Dna

[arevir]

is there any cutting to do on the interior to fit the AX2 or the servo?

[Turn'Nburn]

No. But, if you use a full size servo for shifting, you will have to remove the hardware for the faux shifters and glue them on. If not the middle of the interior will bulge upwards slightly.

[Slowpony]

I've seen guys use the traxxas micro servos, and they will fit.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Turn'Nburn]

Correct, the mount is drilled for standard and micro servos. Add another hole and a mini will fit.