Tummy Tuck

[Therichardpowell]

I just recently got a used Wraith and have been having a blast with it. I tend to be a bit of a tinkerer and I keep looking at the skid plate and thinking that I could drill 4 holes in the bar above where the skid mounts and I could move the skid up and cut off the existing skid mount, in essence raising the belly up approx. 1/2-3/4". The suspension would still sit at the same ride height as far as I can tell, and the only negative impacts I see are raising the weight of the motor/tranny up a bit, and increasing the link angles. I don't run the interior plastics anyway so that's not an issue. And I run a very droopy suspension so I don't think moving the weight up will affect me that much. I also plan on mounting the battery sideways in the cockpit where the driver and passenger seats used to be. I want to do this over the battery forward mod because it would put the bulk of all the weight directly in the center of the rig, hopefully giving me a very neutral setup.

It seems like the tummy tuck, in combo with some high clearance links I am working on could really free up the belly of this thing from hanging up so much.

I was curious if anyone has tried this or if any of you have any input.

I will post a picture of what I mean as soon as I can, but I am having technical difficulties with my phone right now.

[Sevastra]

It's do-able. One of the 1.9 Wraith builds has picks of the process, just can't recall which one. Really makes it look more scale as well.

Mounting the battery near the skid wouldn't be bad if you can keep it low. Having to mount it over the transmission would likely cause some top heavy issues vs doing the battery forward mod.

Only other issue (looks like you're already aware of) is the shocks. Tummy-tucking the skid would increase pinion angle, which could be corrected with either a droop setup or shorter shocks.

[Therichardpowell]

I will get pictures of the area where I plan on putting the battery but it should be lower than the battery forward mod. Only thing is I haven't looked at it with raising the skid in mind.

I have an entire spare chassis so if I do it and hate it I can always go back.

Pictures to come.

I also am working on installing some longer shocks in the rear with the mount flip and a pair of droop kit brackets that came with all the spare parts. I have figured out how to run dual rate springs, 1 full length 1.04 lb spring under a chopped stock spring on the longer shocks. It should give me the same amount of up travel but increase my droop travel quite a bit. Again, pictures to follow hopefully.

[Silvek]

I like the idea and would be very interested in seeing how this turns out. My back garden has a bunch of stairs and, while I can eventually climb up them all with some patience and planning, the biggest issue I run into is dragging the "belly". It's annoying after about the 5th step.

[Therichardpowell]

Thank you for turning me onto the 1.9 thread. I found it.

AND THIS IS SO HAPPENING TO MINE. IT'S BEAUTIFUL!

1.9 Wraith a bit different

[Therichardpowell]

"I ran a pack through this today in the backyard, the high clearance skid mod makes a huge difference, easily clearing thing's that I used to get hung up on." - GREENJK about his tummy tuck.

[Sevastra]

Another 1.9 Wraith

Same concept, different thread. This is the build that came to mind.

[Therichardpowell]

So I did the tummy tuck last night. It made a ridiculous difference. And it took about a half hour to do.

If you like to crawl with your wraith, I highly recommend this.

[winnerone23]

That's nice! I think I found something else to do to the Sexo..
This will make a great deal of a difference!

[thirdeye]

That's pretty dope.

[Sevastra]

Hrm.. debating doing this with my metal chassis now. Go figure.. just got the link lengths & ride height set too.

[Therichardpowell]

It was super easy to do and I wouldn't think twice about doing it again. The only problem I've run into is it tilted the front axle and caused the caster to be a bit funky. I have a couple notches that I can roll the knuckles to help correct it. Well worth the benefit. It's nuts how much better it made it.

[Sevastra]

If you've got the clearance I'd lower the ride height a bit more now. Should help with the castor too.

[Therichardpowell]

I have been slowly lowering it. It's working really well.

I saw this steering setup on the Rcsparks channel and I've been looking at the wraith and I think I can make it happen. Anyone ever tried it?
And a gratuitous flex shot just because.

[flatfoot]

that is a great idea, in fact, I'm just finishing up doing mine also.thanks or sharing your' idea.

[flatfoot]

and now for the results, all I can say is wow! I have a small concrete ledge(about 5" tall) at the end of my sidewalk.before I could climb up, but it would struggle, now it crawls right up, even with the reduced ground clearance.i tried about 5 times, and everytime, right up, with no trouble.i will post pix of mine, after the mod as soon as I take some.definetly worth the time to do it!

[Therichardpowell]

Right?!? I ran a comp yesterday with a couple wraiths without it and there is no comparison.

[flatfoot]

I already had his pic posted in my thread, but thought i'd throw it in here also.

[Therichardpowell]

Mine is coming along nicely.
Just threw in some strc cv's' sand new front wheel bearings. It cranks the wheels nice and sharp now.

It will drive to where both tires are on the wall and it is right on the balance point.

I can't wait to take it out.

I did an informal comp the other day and I didn't do great in the comp but the ok wraith crawled some things that had veteran guys winching. I was happy with that.

[Therichardpowell]

Originally Posted by flatfoot

I already had his pic posted in my thread, but thought i'd throw it in here also.

I dig the Spawn body. I want one. Gonna be too much work to get an interior in to hide the electronics for scale comps so I want to get a body.