bilinvic's Wraith Rock Crawler

[valheru]

You guys are not cool, you're making me want to spend more money I don't have before I even get the chance to go BL! LOL

[bilinvic]

Vanquish Products recently released a new pair of machined brass knuckle weights to fit their own AR60 (Wraith/Bomber) knuckles. Note, these do not work with Vanquish scale knuckles.

I immediately ordered up a pair because I wanted to narrow the track width of my DMG Wraith. I was using RC Bros' knuckle weights; these mount on the outside face of the knuckles which results in having to use longer wheels hub to clear. My Wraith was 13.2 inches wide with the RC Bros knuckle weights. By no means I am not knocking the RC Bros system, I have them on other RCs and love how they work. With the VP weights, my Wraith is now at 12.36 inches wide.

Each VP brass knuckle weight weighs in at 3.1oz

The VP weights are beautifully machined from solid brass. The VP knuckle fits inside the brass weight and is "sandwiched" into place by the use of four button head screws. The fit is extremely tight and it took quite a bit of effort to fully seat the knuckles. You have to turn each screw from side to side in small increments to get the knuckle fully seated. The other thing to keep in mind is that brass is a very soft metal and over-tightening the screws could result in stripping the threads, so getting the knuckle fully seated takes a gentle approach.

Assembly onto the C-Hubs is straight forward, no issues. It is a little more difficult to get the tie-rod bolted back onto the Ackerman arms since the brass is directly below the nut, so pliers or a mini 5.5mm wrench must be used to hold the nut while the screw is turned to tighten the assembly. I'm using Incision 1/4 inch SS steering links with Revo link ends and I did have to slightly sand the outside edge of the link end because it was rubbing on the brass knuckle throughout the turning cycle.

There was one major annoyance when re-assembling the 12mm hexes and pins.....the driver's side hex went on without issue, but the passenger side was not so easy. There was no way I could get the pin through the VP VVD axle because of the brass face. I tried pulling the axle out while attempting to insert the pin as well as ensuring the knuckle was fully seated into the brass weight....but it just wasn't going to go in. I had to use a round diamond rotary bit to grind a slot for the pin to sit in so that it could be inserted straight into the axle. I didn't have to remove much material, but nonetheless I shouldn't have had to do any grinding at all, especially with a $50.00 USD price tag for these two knuckles.

Once everything was re-assembled, I checked for any binding or clearance issues and none were found, the brass doesn't even come close to altering the turning radius of the VP C-hubs and knuckles.

I haven't had a chance to test drive yet, but I'm sure their won't be any issues and this additional non-rotating mass will definitely help to keep the nose planted on some crazy steep crawls.

[chipgibbs]

Jeeze, you should get that truvk dirty. How else are you gonna know if it works?

[bilinvic]

Trust me, it gets dirty.

[SCREAMER]

Really loving the narrowed up stance Bil, much more scale. It's always my goal to run the smallest hub I can because it reduces steering scrub and puts a lot less stress on the axle shaft ends.

[valheru]

Looks good, but if the knuckle weights are that tight to install, maybe they are intended to snap onto the knuckles (light press fit like Lego blocks) and the screws are just there to hold?!?

[bilinvic]

Originally Posted by SCREAMER

Really loving the narrowed up stance Bil, much more scale. It's always my goal to run the smallest hub I can because it reduces steering scrub and puts a lot less stress on the axle shaft ends.

Thanxs Brian. I like wider than stock for additional stability, but too wide in our part of the world sometimes creates unnecessary difficulties out on the rocks.

Originally Posted by valheru

Looks good, but if the knuckle weights are that tight to install, maybe they are intended to snap onto the knuckles (light press fit like Lego blocks) and the screws are just there to hold?!?

Regardless, I just hope I never need to get the knuckles out of the brass weights! It's extremely tight.....tight like a tiger (in a Dutch accent)!!! lol

[SCREAMER]

That has me thInking, I wonder what the trade off is for stability when you compare 3+ ounces of weight at each corner as opposed to a 1 inch wider track width. Any math wizs out there want to take a crack at that one? I'm willing to bet your rig is more stable now even with the narrower track. Can't wait to hear your first drive review.

[valheru]

Originally Posted by bilinvic

Regardless, I just hope I never need to get the knuckles out of the brass weights! It's extremely tight.....tight like a tiger (in a Dutch accent)!!! lol

And they are goooooooold colored!

[valheru]

Bill, a question on the limiting straps, are you matching the shocks or going shorter/longer for their length?


Thanks

Denis

[Levesque87]

I am glad you build rigs like this. So I can see what parts look like I cant afford. Everyone of your trucks is down right awesome.

[bilinvic]

Originally Posted by valheru

Bill, a question on the limiting straps, are you matching the shocks or going shorter/longer for their length?

I want the limit straps to be just slightly shorter than the eye to eye length of the shocks so that the shock cannot be fully extended.

[valheru]

Thank you Sir.

[rcmattster1971]

Originally Posted by Levesque87

I am glad you build rigs like this. So I can see what parts look like I cant afford. Everyone of your trucks is down right awesome.

Aint that the truth. Currie axles, chubs, knuckles, etc etc etc. that thing has to be approaching $1,200 . After seeing the list below I am estimating more around $2,000

[bilinvic]

Here's the updated Specs:

Vehicle Build Specs: DMG Wraith

Chassis / Body:
Modified Wraith Chassis
Axial Wraith Skid
DMG Trailing Arm Stiffy Kit w/ Black Pearl Skull
Battery Relocated to Front
AMF Racing Aluminum Axial Wraith Half Side Panel Set
AMF Racing Aluminum Axial Wraith Hood
Pro-Line Body Mount Secure-Loc Cap Kit
Custom Fabricated Aluminum Curved Rear Panels
BGR Fabrications Wraith T-2 Front Bumper W/Frame Mounts & Gussets
BGR Fabrications Wraith v3 Sliders
RC4WD King Kong Tow Shackles (x2)
Axial Wraith Spawn Interior w/ Skull Head
RC4WD Billet Aluminum Fuel Cell Radio Box; Red
Yeah Racing Aluminum Nitrous Oxide Bottle; Blue
Hardware / Spacers: RC Screwz, Team KnK
Team Fast Eddy Bearings

Electronics / Motor / Transmission:
Tekin ROC 412 3100 kV Brushless Motor
Tekin Sensor Cable
Mamba Max Pro ESC
Axial HD Motor Mount
ESC Relocated to Beneath Driver’s Seat
HiTEC HS-7950TH Servo
Axial Machined 24T Aluminum Servo Arm
Custom Fabricated Aluminum Servo Mount
Vanquish Servo Mounts; Black
Fullforce-RC Full Servo Clamp Set
Castle 10 Amp BEC
Robinson Racing Pinion 12T/32P
Associated 56T/32P Spur
Robinson Racing Hardened Steel Idler Gear
Robinson Racing One Piece Steel Bottom Gear
MIP Drive-shafts
RC4WD 1/10 Baja Designs Squadron Pro LED Lights
RC4WD 1/10 High Performance SMD LED Light Bar; 4 inch
Axial Universal 5 Bucket Light Bar Kit; Modified to fit RC4WD 4 inch Light Bar
Axial LED Light Pods x8; Front Amber Lenses; Rear Red & Amber LEDs
Axial Simple LED Controller w/LED lights, x2
2S 1300 mAh Battery for RC4WD Lighting; Mounted Forward of Main 3S Battery

Suspension:
Front Links: Incision Wraith ¼ inch Stainless Steel (Upper and Lower)
Rear Links: Vanquish 3/16 inch Titanium Wraith Lower used for the Upper Links
Blue Monkey Trailing Arms for Wraith; Twin Hammers Length
Link Ends; Traxxas Revo, Jato; RPM
Front Shocks: Pro-Line Powerstroke Short Course Shocks; Rear Length
Front Shock Springs: Pro-Line Pro-Spec Yellow Stripe; Rear Length
Rear Shocks: Traxxas SC GTR Shocks
Rear Shock Springs: Traxxas XXL Blue Stripe
KBess Mfg Wraith Limiting Straps; Blue (4 inch)
Gear Head RC Front Shock Mount Plate; Modified
DCW Wraith 4 Link Skid Riser Kit

Front Axle:
Vanquish Currie Axle; Silver
Axial Heavy Duty Bevel Gear Set 38T/13T
Vanquish Wraith VVD V1-HD 4mm Stubs
Incision ¼ inch Stainless Steel Tie Rod
Incision ¼ inch Stainless Steel Drag Link
Locked Up FI Spool
Vanquish Wraith Scale Chubs; Black
Vanquish Wraith Steering Knuckles; Clear Anodized
Vanquish Knuckle Bushings
Axial Aluminum Hex Hub 12mm; Black
Vanquish AR60 Knuckle Weights

Rear Axle:
Vanquish Centered Currie Axle; Silver
Axial Heavy Duty Bevel Gear Set 43T/13T
Vanquish Wraith/Yeti Centered Pumpkin Rear Axle Shafts
Locked Up FI Spool
Yeah Racing Heavy Duty Shackle w/Mounting Bracket; Red

Wheels / Tires:
Gear Head RC 2.2 BTR TT Beadlock Wheels w/ Standard Hubs
Gear Head RC 2.2 Aluminum Beadlock Rings; Anodized Blue
Pit Bull 2.2 Rock Beast II Scale Crawler Komp Kompound
Crawler Innovations Double Deuce 5.5” Comp Cut Inner / Firm Outer Foams
Axial M4 Serrated Nylon Lock Nuts; Black

[valheru]

It's not as much a build spec list as a dream list... "Star bright, star light, I wish I may...!"

Still the nicest Wraith I've seen so far and by far.

[bilinvic]

Thanxs valheru....I'm quite proud of my DMG Wraith.

BTW, I weighed it with batteries and it came in at a hefty 10 lbs 3 oz....no lightweight here!

[valheru]

Its Denis if you want, and just like me it keeps getting fatter with age!

[valheru]

Originally Posted by bilinvic

Mr. Bill, what other springs are you able to use with those threaded body GTR shocks other than the Traxxas ones?

From what I've been able to find so far, only the Losi TEN-SCTE rear springs are a match in diameter, but they end up being too long.


D

[bilinvic]

The only ones I have been able to find are the Traxxas springs, they are quite larger in diameter. Traxxas has a good selection of spring rates. I wish they were a little longer, but it's not a big deal because you can see there is still lot's of threads on the shock body below the upper spring collar.