Johnny's had a Wraith for almost 4 years and is only now posting about it.

[JohnnyAnguish]

I feel like a heel. All of my other rigs have build threads, but the one that got me back into the hobby (for a third time) hasn't gotten much love beyond the occasional post in the official photo thread. Time to correct that. Here's a thread. The details my be hazy, but I'm done being lazy. Let the healing begin!

This is how it looked the day I finished building my first kit in probably a dozen years. It didn't stay this way long performance or cleanliness-wise. It was pretty much bone stock at first. The kit parts were rounded out with a Castle Sidewinder 3 ESC, Castle sensorless motor, Spektrum servo, a simple lighting kit, some shiny red paint and Han Solo behind the wheel.


Axial Wraith Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Axial Wraith Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Axial Wraith Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[JohnnyAnguish]

Things didn't stay stock for long. I quickly set about making some basic updates that greatly improved the truck's performance. Those changes included (not all at once, but done in a pretty small window of time):

- Tekin Roc412 sensored motor
- Castle MMP
- Pit Bull RBII tires
- CI Deuces Wild foams
- Gearhead beadlock wheels
- Metal transmission gears
- MIP drive shafts
- ProLine Slash front shocks
- Rear sway bar
- Moving the battery forward
- Vanquish steering links
- Double clamping servo horn

Nothing revolutionary, obviously, but enough to make it a bit more durable, a little more stable and a lot more fun. It's seen action on the trails, the crawler course at my LHS and some general bashing. It's my #1 pick when the snow starts to fall. Other than the occasional broken link end, the rig held up great and stayed this way for a long time. Even with my preference for 1.9 rigs, this tiny truck has logged a bunch of trail miles. It's my older son's go-to truck when we go for a hike. The fact that he can strap his Star Wars action figures into the passenger seat might have a little something to do with that. So might the fact that this thing can roll over just about anything in its path.


Axial Wraith by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Axial Wraith by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Axial Wraith by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Axial Wraith by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Axial Wraith by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Axial Wraith by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[slowmethinks]

I like the pics! Especially your serpentine friend...

[The Dark Knight]

That's a good looking rig & nice/simple build.

Which ROC412 KV did you get? And what power are you running on, 2S? 3S?

[JohnnyAnguish]

Originally Posted by slowmethinks

I like the pics! Especially your serpentine friend...

Thanks. He's rather fond of you, as well.

Originally Posted by The Dark Knight

That's a good looking rig & nice/simple build.

Which ROC412 KV did you get? And what power are you running on, 2S? 3S?

Thanks. It's the old 3100kv motor. I treated the MMP and motor sensor board with CorrosionX. The boy runs it on 2s. I run 2s or 3s depending on my mood.

[JohnnyAnguish]

About 10 months ago I beefed up the Wraith with Beef things and beef things.

The axles got Beef Tubes, HD gears, and Locked Up spools. That'll do nicely. I also changed from CI Deuces Wild to some Double Deuce foams (by this time I had built my Yeti for more of the bash-y stuff). Lastly, I added some Incision stainless links (kept the titanium steering links). No more broken link ends!

Graphic photos of the surgery...


Axial Wraith Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Axial Wraith Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Axial Wraith Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Axial Wraith Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Axial Wraith Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[JohnnyAnguish]

Here's the patient post surgery (I even cleaned it!)...


Axial Wraith by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Axial Wraith by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Axial Wraith by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[PoorManRC]

Johnny does some great work!!
I JUST started mine, and still looking for ideas... Is Han Solo 6" or 7"? I know these interiors are pretty big....I'm figuring what Figures I want.

[JohnnyAnguish]

Originally Posted by PoorManRC

Johnny does some great work!!
I JUST started mine, and still looking for ideas... Is Han Solo 6" or 7"? I know these interiors are pretty big....I'm figuring what Figures I want.

Johnny thanks you for the compliment!

The Star Wars figures are 6". They're a little small for these rigs, but I just can't help myself (Luke drives my G6 and Finn drives my Dingo). I did see a 7" Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard figure at Toys R Us the other day that was tempting for this rig. I'm not a huge fan of the original Blade Runner film (haven't seen the new one yet), so I passed... for now.

[JatoTheRipper]

I'm not sure if it's your camera or your filter, but I love your photos! What are you using?

I also love the look of your Wraith. I need to buy a new body and put some real power in mine because right now I hate mine.

[PoorManRC]

X2 on the Photo skillz!! :thumbup:
I thought Han looked a little "malnourished".... But I can see why you kept him. I'm going to HAVE to find a 7" Figure before I'm done building. I've given a few people CRAP for wheeling "autonomous Rigs - so if I see any, I'm sure they'll retaliate!!

[JohnnyAnguish]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

I'm not sure if it's your camera or your filter, but I love your photos! What are you using?

Thanks. I like taking photos. Live music is my main photography passion. Shooting energetic rock bands in dark clubs can be a humbling experience. Tiny trucks offer their own challenges.

I'm a firm believer in "the best camera is the one you have with you." Most of my shots out on the trail are just using my iPhone. I'll do a quick pass with VSCO Cam, but I try not to get too heavy-handed (although I'm a sucker for vignetting). Build photos are usually my little Sony RX100 because it's small enough to leave on the work surface without getting in the way. For shots in the back yard (usually only when I've just finished a build or a bunch of upgrades) will be with my Canon 6D. The Sony and Canon shots will get a quick once-over in Lightroom before I post them.

[mewalsh100]

Always cool to see the evolution of a rig as it goes from stock to modified and personalized!

[JohnnyAnguish]

At the start of the winter I picked up a set of 2.2 Mud Bashers for snow runs. They're not my favorite look on the Wraith (I would like to build a mud truck with them!), but it's hard to argue with their effectiveness in the snow. Easily the best tires I've ever run in the white stuff. They work pretty darn well in other conditions, too.


Axial Wraith by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Axial Wraith by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Axial Wraith by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[throttlejock27]

Those mud bashers look awesome on that rig and I bet they perform great in the snow

[JohnnyAnguish]

Originally Posted by throttlejock27

Those mud bashers look awesome on that rig and I bet they perform great in the snow

They really are great in the snow. The Rock Beasts would just clog right up. I'd run 2.2 Proline mashers occasionally, but they left a lot to be desired on the trails. The Mud Bashers work as well as could be expected. I'm running Deuces Wild foams in there since they get real wet.

It's a good thing my wife doesn't want a mud pit in the yard 'cause I'd be tempted to build a truck just for those wheels and tires. I've got enough projects I'd like to do already.

[Digital]

Looks great man, really like it.

I'm updating my sons Wraith, will get some pics up soon.

[JohnnyAnguish]

Originally Posted by Digital

Looks great man, really like it.

Thanks!

Trailing my new Bomber has rejuvenated my interest in 2.2 rigs. I took the Wraith out for some frozen fun the other day. It got me thinking about some more modest upgrades. Why is it so much fun to tinker with these things?


Axial Wraith by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Axial Wraith by johnny anguish, on Flickr


Axial Wraith by johnny anguish, on Flickr

[slowmethinks]

Originally Posted by JohnnyAnguish

Thanks!

Trailing my new Bomber has rejuvenated my interest in 2.2 rigs. I took the Wraith out for some frozen fun the other day. It got me thinking about some more modest upgrades. Why is it so much fun to tinker with these things?

I feel the need to try a set of those tires! They look fantastic!

[JohnnyAnguish]

Originally Posted by slowmethinks

I feel the need to try a set of those tires! They look fantastic!

Looks are subjective, but they're nice for what they are. If they fit the look of your rig, then great! I've definitely been impressed by them. They don't clog up and they've been surprisingly grippy. I haven't tried them at the crawler course at my LHS yet due to the weather. That will be a good test.

In the end I like the look of some other tires better, so I'll probably swap them out when I'm reasonably sure snow/mud season has passed. Options are fun, though. I'm a wheel/tire addict.