Darkstar's Wraith based Ultra 4 Build Thread

[darkstar]

Ok, Been a while since I posted a build thread here.

The Wraith is the standard RTR, but I have been throwing parts at it for a while now.

I'll list up what I am using, and where I got it from, I didn't take a lot of pics at the start of this build, but I'll get some pics of all the stuff I have done so far.

I'm building this to compete in the U4RC racing over in Glen Helen Raceway.

I'll start at the front, and work my way back, as to what parts I'm using.

Front Axle;
VP Currie Axles - Black (Bought from CFM)
VP Ti Upper and Lower links (Bought from CFM)
VP Orange "C"s and Knuckles (Bought from VP)
VP Gray Ackerman Steering arms (Bought from RPP)
VP Titanium ackerman steering linkage (Bought from RPP)
Hot Racing front CVDs(Bought from Hot Racing)
Savox SA-1230sg (Bought from RPP)
Locked Up Scale Hardware all around (Bought from Locked Up)

Drivetrain;
Stock Axial Trans
Robinson Racing Steel Gears (Bought from Amainhobbies)
Robinson Racing 48P pinions (Bought from Amainhobbies)
Axail 87T Spur Gear (Bought from Amainhobbies)

Electronics;
Mamba Max Pro (Bought Local)
Castle BEC (Bought Local)
Tekin 3300kv Pro4 Sensored Brushless (Bought Local)
Spekrum DX4S (Bought Local)

Rear Axle;
VP Currie Axles - Black (Bought from CFM)
Blue Monkey RC v2 Trailing Arm suspension (Bought from Blue Monkey)
Blue Monkey RC Titanium Upper links - (Bought from Blue Monkey)
DLUX Carbon Fiber sway bar kit (Bought from DLUX)
Locked Up Scale Hardware all around (Bought from Locked Up)

Suspension;
GMade 103MM Piggyback shocks - Front and Rear (Bought from Amainhobbies)
Level3 RC Wraith droop kit for front (Bought from Level3 RC)

Body;
CFM Side Panel Set, KOH Style (Bought from RPP)
CFM Boat Side (Bought from RPP)
MS Tech RC Tire Carrier (Bought from RPP)
Home made sheet metal roof cut for tire carrier
Wraith Electronics Box (Bought from The Crawl Space)
Freqeskinz Custom Wrap (Bought from Freqeskinz)
HPI Interior (Bought from RPP)

Wheels and Tires;
VP 2.2 OMF Beadlocks, Orange ring, gray centers (Bought from VP)
Pitbull 2.2 Rock Beasts II w/ Pitbull Foams (Bought from RPP)
VP SLW Hubs .425 (Bought from VP)

That about sums it up, parts wise, I'm sure I'm missing something, if I am, I'll add it at a later time.

A few minor items that I noticed when I was building this up, I had to shave the stock wraith skid plate to accommodate the Tekin Pro4 550 motor, if I was using a 540 motor, no shaving would be required.

I also had to trim the wraith electronics box up front for make room for the Level3 RC front droop kit.

I also had to remove part of the front stinger bumper, to allow the front axle to fully cycle the suspension, with the 103MM GMade shocks, and the Level3 RC droop kit, the servo was hitting the stinger, I don't see this being a problem with the VP chassis mounted servo kit.

I have pics of all the most recent stuff, which is uploaded to my Flickr album, I will update it with more pics as I do more things to the Wraith.

On to the pics! - Wraith - a set on Flickr

Whats up next for the U4RC Project.
A full custom tube chassis
A new hood
On the fence about a light bar, since it's not getting dark so soon any longer
Upgrade to different lockers, just not sure which ones yet

[darkstar]

Not much to update, I did work with Neal from freqeskinz.com to get a custom wrap done. This is the end result. I dig it a lot.

[axx]

Very nice skins there, were they pricey?

[darkstar]

Originally Posted by axx

Very nice skins there, were they pricey?

It was $80US. $35 for the design fee, and $45 for the printing, which is what he normally charges.

I supplied the Logo.

[darkstar]

Finished and ready to beat on for the next U4RC race.

[darkstar]

A few changes were made during the first race.

Added a rear sway bar I had in my parts bag, made by HR. Decent sway bar, but was way stiff. Also the set screw stripped out very easy.

Had turning issues, which didn't allow me to do very well in the race.

Changes made and prepped for next race.

Front links gave me issues, the HR ones did not do a good job, a lot of slop in the links.

Going to be changed out to a set of VP Ti uppers and lowers, got in on a group buy with CFM for some VP gear.

Went to a DLUX sway bar, works much better than the HR.

Changed from Ackerman steering to standard steering.

Went back to a axle mounted servo setup, previously had a chassis mounted. Did not work well in U4RC.

Swapped out my MMP for a RX8.

[darkstar]

Latest update.

Added some Locked Up RC scale hardware to the VP OMF beadlocks.

I really dig the look the scale hardware.

[evan03]

Love your wheels

[snicklefritz]

How do those scale screws attach to the VP hubs? Is there a nut on the back? I've stripped out two sets of VP hubs so far on my u4rc wraith and I'd feel a lot better with a nut back.

[darkstar]

They just replace the 4-40 screws. I put some blue lock tight on them. I haven't stripped out any screws as of yet.

[snicklefritz]

Yeah I loctited mine and just stripped out the second set. Now I added CA glue. I know that will break apart eventually but it made it through one slow crawl. I'll bring plenty of zip ties with me on the 28th!

[darkstar]

Originally Posted by snicklefritz

Yeah I loctited mine and just stripped out the second set. Now I added CA glue. I know that will break apart eventually but it made it through one slow crawl. I'll bring plenty of zip ties with me on the 28th!

There ya go!

I'm not sure if you can even put lock nuts behind the SLW hub. should look into that.

[axsand]

Originally Posted by darkstar

I'll start at the front, and work my way back, as to what parts I'm using.

Front Axle;
Stock Wraith axles
Hot Racing Steel upper and lower links (Bought from Hot Racing)
VP Orange "C"s and Knuckles (Bought from VP)
VP Gray Ackerman Steering arms (Bought from RPP)
VP Titanium ackerman steering linkage (Bought from RPP)
Hot Racing front CVDs(Bought from Hot Racing)
Savox SA-1230sg (Bought from RPP)



Electronics;
Mamba Max Pro (Bought Local)
Castle BEC (Bought Local)
Tekin 3300kv Pro4 Sensored Brushless (Bought Local)
Spekrum DX4S (Bought Local)


Suspension;
GMade 103MM Piggyback shocks - Front and Rear (Bought from Amainhobbies)
Level3 RC Wraith droop kit for front (Bought from Level3 RC)

Hello darkstar,

I order soon axial wraith and make "fast" car.
Thank you good part list.
Now i know that axial wraith stock axles ( plastic ) and Vanquish wraith knuckles and Chubs parts work together.

But i`m not sure work Vanquish Knukckles and Chubs axial stock AR60 OCP universal axle set !?
OR
I order example vanquish or hot racing axle ?

Electronics i order later, when i have more money.
i think same speed control my future wraith > Mamba Max Pro.
You motor be > Tekin 3300kv Pro4 Sensored Brushless... go fast ??

[darkstar]

Originally Posted by axsand

Hello darkstar,

I order soon axial wraith and make "fast" car.
Thank you good part list.
Now i know that axial wraith stock axles ( plastic ) and Vanquish wraith knuckles and Chubs parts work together.

But i`m not sure work Vanquish Knukckles and Chubs axial stock AR60 OCP universal axle set !?
OR
I order example vanquish or hot racing axle ?

Electronics i order later, when i have more money.
i think same speed control my future wraith > Mamba Max Pro.
You motor be > Tekin 3300kv Pro4 Sensored Brushless... go fast ??

The AR60 OCP will work with Vanquish gear.

The electronic combo, when geared for speed, is indeed fast.

[axsand]

Originally Posted by darkstar

The AR60 OCP will work with Vanquish gear.

The electronic combo, when geared for speed, is indeed fast.

Thanks asnwer.
I order soon Vanquish Knuckles and Chubs and Ackerman parts.

I forget to ask you warith > Gmade 103mm Piggyback shocks.
My old scx10 be Gmade 93mm Piggyback shock and think to put them on wraith, but maybe too short ?

[evan03]

93 will work, nice and low

I'd love to try a sensored tekin for go fast power someday

[darkstar]

Another Update.

Picked up a set of VP Currie Axles during a group buy with CFM, couldn't pass it up this time.

Also threw some Locked Up RC scale hardware at the axles as well, after seeing DMG's Cannibal build, and Dirty Yota's Death Star 2.0 build.

Big thanks to DMG and Dirty Yota for getting me the info I needed on what scale hardware I had to order.

However, when I started putting the rear together, I noticed the retaining clips did not make it into my parts bag. Quick call to VP and now I have some on the way!

On to the pictures.

[Guesstrain]

Nice! Love the colors...think I'm drooling worse than my 8 month old boy

[darkstar]

Another update.

I received my snap rings in the mail from VP today, only took 2 days! That's some CS right there.

Had to do a little grinding of the lower link/shock mount on the right side, as it wasn't sitting flush. Not a big deal at all, took all of 2 minutes with the Dremel.

Installed the DLUX sway bar, and made some small adjustments to it, so now it works much better. I would highly recommend it over the Axial or HR ones.

Got everything installed and buttoned up.

Here is the finished product.

[evan03]

Love the axle and your use of scale hardware.

As much as I love the rock jok axles vp's truss really brings the axle down. Does dinky or dmg make something that looks good.

Keep the build updates coming