My Wraith Monster Truck build

[Borgador17]

I didn't see an introduction thread anywhere. 1st post.
I sold my last 2 RC cars on eBay last week (RC10b4.2 and a scale car series Lamborghini Countach) I decided I wanted a monster truck to bash around with. I've done the modded clodbuster in the past so I started looking for something different but still with solid axels. There isn't much out there. after reading a few threads here and on RCMT.com (that forum is sure is dead), I decided to use an Axial Wraith as the base of my build. I got the kit since I wanted my own electronics in it and I don't need another RTR transmitter laying around. My Futaba 4pl is great. Plus the kit has some upgrades like universals instead of dog bones.
So here is what I have so far:


-Wraith kit
-CPE clod hub adaptors
-stock clod chrome wheels
-RC4WD rumble clod tires
-diff gears and shafts
-hitec hs-7955tg servo
-hobbyking esc programmer
I am waiting for my motor and esc to arrive from hobby king. I went with a 5600kv 4 pole Trackstar Sensored Brushless motor and an X-car 120A brushless esc. The orings to seal up the diffs are backordered right now so I am waiting for those too.

I probably went overboard on the motors KV rating but I can always gear it down and detune it with the esc.
I started building last night and got both axels mostly built.


It has been a LONG time since I have built a kit so I am taking my time and enjoying the build.

One concern though...

Do these holes in the diffs get plugged eventually?

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[Revoasian]

There should be a very small grub screw that goes into those holes, check out your scew kit again it's in there. They are the same grub screws that go under the long side of the axle tube. Looking forward to your final build. Parts are looking good so far.

[Borgador17]

You are correct sir! If I had looked ahead to steps 5 and 6 I would have seen the set screws being added.
Some more progress tonight.

I can see the shocks being upgraded to something with aluminum bodies. The bottom seals were a total pain to get to not leak.

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[Borgador17]

My motor and ESC finally arrived!
I finished the rear axel assembly and started on the transmission.


What is the purpose of the plastic piece I circled?
It isn't glued into the diff gear, it isn't big enough to be held by the bell shaped piece on the right, and there isn't a shaft passing through the diff either.
It looks to me like it will just come loose and rattle around in side the diff once it is screwed together.
I left it out and continued with assembly...till I got to putting the pinion on the motor.
I didn't realize the motor shaft was 5mm.

Oops.
Quick eBay visit and 3 Robinson racing hardened steel pinions on the way (17, 18 and 20 tooth).
Back to waiting....sigh.

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[Borgador17]

Well it is starting to look like something now...

Just waiting for a few parts to show up now:
Sealing o-rings for the diff gears.
Barrel nuts for the wheels.
And my new body.

As soon as the barrel nuts show up, I am taking it for a test drive.
I am pretty sure it will need sway bars as its first upgrade.


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[Borgador17]

Barrel nuts finally arrived! They are so much better than the CPE threaded tube and screws the hub adaptors came with.


I did a quick static no load current draw with the motor at full throttle.

28 amps with stock gearing. I will still need to check the motor and ESC temp after running it a bit.

Got my first test drive in my basement tonight, it's too dark and raining to go outside. First thing I bumped into stripped the splines on the kit servo arm, lol.

I put an arm from the servo's packaging on it, and hit up eBay for a hardened aluminum servo arm...my first upgrade

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[Borgador17]

Got my AE big bore shocks mounted up. They are shorter than the stockers. They sure look nice, AND no leaks!


10wt oil all around. Black 1.9 rate springs up front, and green 2.0 rate springs out back.

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[Sevastra]

Looking great!


...And I'm willing to bet the first upgrade you do is a steering link before the sway bars. xD The plastic tie rod flex's too much.

[Borgador17]

That plastic steering link is abysmal. It definitely needs to go at some point. I still haven't gotten in a good test run yet to see just how bad it is. Monsoon season here in Indiana isn't over yet...sigh. At least my basement isn't flooded, like a few of my friends.


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[Sevastra]

General Wire 4F Flood Guard Float Model, 4-Inch, Small

Get something like that to install in your basement drain. It'll act as a check valve, allowing water to leave but not come back in. Had one of these in Michigan, and loved it. My basement there use to flood all the time, being in a dip between hills. Installed that, and my neighbor's basements started flooding. (I didn't tell them what I did.)

[alexchen86]

This build should be very interesting. Basically you are focusing on the huge big bores and the oversized Clod wheel/tire setup to absorb most of your jumps, rolls, landings, and crashes.

This would be a great test to see how long Axial's plastic can last with a strong brushless setup, stock 48p tranny and motor plate, stock axles/axle components, stock aluminum links, plastic uppers, and stock drive lines.


I think the first to go on a bad roll would be your upper links snapping in half. That and if you're easy on the throttle I think 48p should be okay with the slipper set correctly...plus you have open diffs.

[Borgador17]

My back ordered o-rings finally showed up so I am opening up the diffs today. My slipper is set to slip for about a foot when I nail the trigger. So it should protect the gears as long as I get off the throttle before landing from jumps.
It is raining AGAIN today, when I finally have time to test things, go figure.
It is going to get VERY interesting next week...pics to follow...


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[Mudsy]

Nice start. When, not if, you shattered your Axial bevel differential gears, consider replacing it with the HPI bevel differential gears, it's a direct fit.

It is mention in my build thread which it is very informative and cool.

Mudsy's MT Wraith Build Thread

[Borgador17]

Originally Posted by Mudsy

Nice start. When, not if, you shattered your Axial bevel differential gears, consider replacing it with the HPI bevel differential gears, it's a direct fit.

It is mention in my build thread which it is very informative and cool.

Your build is one of the ones I used as reference while doing research for my build!
Did you ever get the BWD Beast chassis? I looked at it, but it is a bit too expensive IMO.

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[Mudsy]

Yes, I got the beast chassis. Got the derlin version.

Still have to order Kimbrough #124 servo saver, a set of Vanquish Products Ti links, body mounts, and Rc4wd D44 knuckles and C hubs.

The reason I wanted the D44 knuckles is that it has a double shear which would increase the strength for monster size tires.

My sportsman project is slow going and currently have the Vanquish knuckle and C hubs on it.

I will post some more pictures in beast chassis soon.


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[Borgador17]

Made a couple of changes. I am not sure how I want to mount the battery yet.

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[Mudsy]

Nice Barbarian chassis.

Hope you gonna to use a servo saver horn. I used a aluminum horn and it destroyed my servo gears within a couple run.

Had way too much stress due to large tires at high speed.

[Borgador17]

I still have the stock plastic st eering links on it so that is my servo saver for now. They are incredibly flexable. If the bump steer is too bad I will swap them out for aluminum or Ti links and a servo saver.
I was going to go test it this afternoon, but it is raining, again...maybe it will dry out later (my electronics aren't water proof).
I mounted the battery holder. It is sitting pretty high up. I went for an easier time changing the battery instead of max low CG.
Now to get my body painted.

Don't knock the bug. I have always had a soft spot for VW beetles.
The truck will be named Buggin' Out.


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[rustneversleeps]

Originally Posted by Borgador17

Made a couple of changes. I am not sure how I want to mount the battery yet.

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I'm sure you will find a spot....this sounds like a new scale class.
Great stuff man i'm liking the wheel and tire combo to.
I can see it now a coarse with old 1/10 bodies buried half way in the ground and jumps just like the 1:1 and watching them do the double bounce off a jump when they land...
Cool stuff man liking this build...