New BWD Proto XR Chassis...Unveiled at Crawlapalooza 2011

[billet works]

Originally Posted by highlucks

Looking good man, did you see any flex in the uppers when you ran it on the week end?

I saw no issues at all. They are more rigid than machined 1/4" delrin uppers.

Originally Posted by MitchellY

LOL I don't think there are enough link/shock mounting holes...... Can't you put in one or two more? :P JK!

That looks amazing! Now all we need is a CF pro version of this! Then Id be hooked!

I only needed one set of holes for my rig...and that becomes my neutral point for my chassis kits. Folks that wanna run different shocks or ride height than me will require the additional holes. They also may come in to play depending on how much extra weight ends up in the chassis of a user's build.

Thanks! CF has it's advantages and disadvantages. The main one being I can't affordably and efficiently produce CF parts in house...so I end up at the mercy of other shops cutting those parts for me. That said, don't put the cart before the horse my friend.

Originally Posted by Ola

Is this a 3.5" or 4" shock chassie?

Yes. The extra shock/link mounting holes are so you can run a 3.5" or 4" shock and can tune the upper links depending on the ride height you desire. Mine is set at neutral on 4" shocks. I'm assembling a clone currently, except on 3.5" shocks.

[Farmer]

Nice work Don that beast looks sick It was great to meet you in Vegas. Keep up the hard work on these excellent products.

Later,
Farmer

[The Crawl Space]

Don was kind enough to share some details of his new chassis with me the other day and it sounded awesome to start and now the pics confirm that is straight up badass!

Great work Don

[Ola]

Originally Posted by billet works

Yes. The extra shock/link mounting holes are so you can run a 3.5" or 4" shock and can tune the upper links depending on the ride height you desire. Mine is set at neutral on 4" shocks. I'm assembling a clone currently, except on 3.5" shocks.

Sounds great! If you made youre side panels even longer, so they fill out more backwards, this will be one of the VERY best looking chassies out there today

What ride height where you at with this 4" setup?

And if possible, i would love to see a pic or two of youre complete rig, on flat ground?

And when will it be available?

[EverettY]

Wow another great chassis from BWD. When are you going to make it production?

[DRCrawlGood]

Don you been on a roll with all these chassis's of late. Can't wait to see the LCC chassis you have in the oven.

[TC09mini]

Looking good! That sucker is narrow!

[JimmyJam]

Originally Posted by ROLANDROCKSHOP

thats nice don!

sadly i didnt get any video of it at crawlapalooza..

Yes..... yes that is sad...... sniffle, sniffle, bahhhhh haaaaa haa j/k hopefully we'll have some next week

[jeepsohigh]

Originally Posted by billet works

for durability...jeepsohigh was running it, to give me his opinion of it, yesterday afternoon and graciously launched it off a small 15' cliff to a flat rock...breaking nothing but a Revo rod end on my steering

Come on Don, that cliff just jumped out in front of me....

This chassis is sick, Dons XR just stuck to the side hill like glue. The weight seemed very low and it "popped" the ledges with ease. I love the look of the cab but more importantly it recovers very well when on its roof. I definitely think this will be a winner.


I only drove it off the cliff because BWD doesn’t make a berg version But after the "sweet jump" I was assured that one of those will be in the works so I did feel bad for a minute or two.


Thanks Don for the test drive

[billet works]

Originally Posted by Ola

Sounds great! If you made youre side panels even longer, so they fill out more backwards, this will be one of the VERY best looking chassies out there today

What ride height where you at with this 4" setup?

And if possible, i would love to see a pic or two of youre complete rig, on flat ground?

And when will it be available?

Thanks. Ride height squatted where I'm running it is 3.0" at the rear of the skid and 3.4" at the bend in the rear lowers. Fully drooped out it's at 3.55" at the rear of the skid and 3.75" at the bend in the rear lowers.

Soon my friend

Originally Posted by EverettY

Wow another great chassis from BWD. When are you going to make it production?

Thanks...very soon.

[billet works]

Here's some more detailed pics

[EverettY]

It's got some good clearance on it. How does it compare overall to the Mantis?

[Hittman]

That looks pretty dope!! Topper reminds me of the wicked cricket.

[MitchellY]

Originally Posted by billet works

I only needed one set of holes for my rig...and that becomes my neutral point for my chassis kits. Folks that wanna run different shocks or ride height than me will require the additional holes. They also may come in to play depending on how much extra weight ends up in the chassis of a user's build.

Thanks! CF has it's advantages and disadvantages. The main one being I can't affordably and efficiently produce CF parts in house...so I end up at the mercy of other shops cutting those parts for me. That said, don't put the cart before the horse my friend.

Well isn't it easier to push then pull? :P

Anyway, I just love CF and it would be cool to have one of these in CF, but I guess there are more than a few guys here that can cut me custom ones if need be

I love the stance on your rig! So how does it compare to your Mantis?

[murderface]

did i see a new rear brace too?

[Ola]

I want one, yesterday lol

Will you have templates ready for making panels/custom designs also?
Pleease make them side panels alittle bigger.. ;) It really would look so much better with more panels/colours on the side..

[Highlucks]

Originally Posted by murderface

did i see a new rear brace too?

You did.






Love it

[Oz Bruiser]

Looks real nice. So Camo when you grabbing one?

[jimmyshor]

Dont get me wrong, but Mantis will hold your flag for a long time. It has a "fluid" design, yet innovative. It just ROCKS. I speak now as the first romanian who bought Mantis. Slick looks, impressive behaviour almost flawless design.

Respect !!!

[billet works]

Originally Posted by EverettY

It's got some good clearance on it. How does it compare overall to the Mantis?

Originally Posted by MitchellY

I love the stance on your rig! So how does it compare to your Mantis?

It doesn't quite have the break over of the Mantis but is a serious performer. It's glued to the rocks in most any position...in fact, I ran it this past weekend at our local comp, since it was still RTR from Crawlapalooza, and it did rather well against mostly Bergs

At BWD, I try not to force drivers into one chassis...my goal is to have options that suit many driver's styles and desires. I drive most styles of chassis' and very much like them all. As far as true 4 link setups go, at this point I'd put this setup against any other chassis on the market with confidence. This chassis design actually preceeded the Mantis but the Mantis made it to market first.

Originally Posted by murderface

did i see a new rear brace too?

You do...the new Blade 5 point rear brace

Originally Posted by Oz Bruiser

Looks real nice. So Camo when you grabbing one?

His should ship out tomorrow...just waiting on some more ti upper links.

Originally Posted by jimmyshor

Dont get me wrong, but Mantis will hold your flag for a long time. It has a "fluid" design, yet innovative. It just ROCKS. I speak now as the first romanian who bought Mantis. Slick looks, impressive behaviour almost flawless design.

Respect !!!

Thanks, as I stated, this is an option for those who prefer true 4 link setups...and this will hold it's own quite well. I too love the Mantis, but I also want to have new products to offer those who feel the need for traditional chassis setups

You need to send me some pics from your Romanian crawling spots with your Mantis for my website by the way!

BW