NOR-CAL Feather weight XR build

[J-FAB NOR-CAL]

I decided instead of going through all the trouble of trying too make my current rig a feather weight,(since it works just fine right under 5.5 lbs.) I would start from scratch with a whole new build.
I scored a killer deal on some xr axles here on the board that hav'nt even been used with RC4WD gears and Axial aluminum upgrades.Im going to throw in some VP motor plates and some Traxxas bushings and they are ready to rock.Hope they show in the mail tomorrow.

I managed to get one of my other new prototype chassis sideplates cut out tonight.I cut this out with my scroll saw and dremel.3/32'' Makralon poloycarbonite.

This thing is gonna have some crazy long and arched like a rainbow rear links.Not too mention insane breakover.I could'nt help but notice EGRESSors breakover with his rig so i went with something similar to his ''skidless'' design.

Hope he does'nt have a patent on this.

Heres a couple meezly pics of my quite possibly LIGHTEST BODILESS SIDEPLATE FOR A 2.2 CRAWLER OUT THERE. IM SURE IF I GO TO 1/16'' CF
IT COULD BE LIGHTER.


12.3 GRAMS


More coming soon.

[Hittman]

Wicked cool bro. That'll be a light rig for sure.

[J-FAB NOR-CAL]

Originally Posted by Hittman

Wicked cool bro. That'll be a light rig for sure.

Thanks man,yeah im shooting for a 2.5 lb rig.

JUST KIDDING

[TSK]

Pretty interesting premise.

Curious to see how you make it 3" wide and still run the lowers at one location.

[J-FAB NOR-CAL]

Originally Posted by TheSCorpionKing

Pretty interesting premise.

Curious to see how you make it 3" wide and still run the lowers at one location.

I think i can, i mean I KNOW i can make it work.I just reread the bodiless rules again today.I cant remember the dudes thread i checked last night but he did a similar thing on the bottom links to a BJ chassis and his side plates were under 3''.

Too make the 3'' he simply added some delrin slider do hickies to protect the shocks.My first bodiless i made a few years back had this concept.

So back to reading the rules today it sunk in a little deeper.I think us chassis builders have overlooked this rule.

USRCCA RULES SECTION 2: VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS
.2.1.4.1.7-BODILESS VEHICLES MUST REACH A MINIMUM OF(A)WIDTH,(B)LENGTH,(C)HEIGHT.MEASUREMENTS MAY INCLUDE,BUT NOT LIMITED TO BUMPERS,STINGERS,FRAME-RAILS,SIDE-RAILS,SKID PLATES,ROOF,HOOD,AND SIDE PANALS.

So the delrin ''shock slider extensions'' fall under SIDE-RAILS is my thinking.

[J-FAB NOR-CAL]

heres what im talking about on tuners rig.

[TSK]

I guess that'll doo

[ManxCrawler]

This is now in my subscribed list

[Krawler23]

Is that stuff that you made it out of temporary?

[J-FAB NOR-CAL]

Originally Posted by Krawler23

Is that stuff that you made it out of temporary?

Probably not,its super strong,light,and cheap,and my current bodiless top is made of the same stuff and holding up strong.I may try some 1/16'' cf though.

[leather]

This is going to be cool, love the creativity on this site. How much do you have to change on the axles from stock to get them as light as possible?

[J-FAB NOR-CAL]

Originally Posted by leather

This is going to be cool, love the creativity on this site. How much do you have to change on the axles from stock to get them as light as possible?

Don't add every aluminum mod there is for them and that will save you some weight.Just the necessities,hardened gears,motor plates,bushings,and upper link mount,knuckles,and you should be strong and fairly light.The stock plastic chubs are pretty dang strong but i prefer aluminum.

[J-FAB NOR-CAL]

Well my axles werent on the porch when i got home from work,but i got something to mount them too.



Assembled and 4'' wide with shock side-rail skids.



62 grams minus skins with steel screws,should be able too get her under 2 ounces with aluminum screws. I found some .015'' lexan that im useing for the feather light skins.




I need the axles so i can figure out the links,this is going to be fun.Im thinking for the bottom rears im going to have to use some Lunsford 135mm or 140mm Ti links.

[Hittman]

Nicely done man. It looks like it is coming together nicely

[J-FAB NOR-CAL]

Originally Posted by Hittman

Nicely done man. It looks like it is coming together nicely

Thanks man,im having fun with this build so far.

[Hittman]

Originally Posted by J-FAB NOR-CAL

Thanks man,im having fun with this build so far.

Fo sho man, I cant wait to see those rear lowers Those things should be impressive.

[ManxCrawler]

Originally Posted by J-FAB NOR-CAL

...3/32'' Macralon poloycarbonite...

Don't you mean Makrolon polycarbonate - Lexan to the rest of us

...you can get it in round rod too

[Chaotic Crawlers]

Looking pretty bad ass

Tuners rig seems to work well for him. He had a couple complaints about it at first, but I think it's just a new driving style he needs to adapt.

I believe that rule is fairly new.
I noticed that it had changed just a couple weeks ago.
I don't recall the rules being like that last year.

Looking forward to seeing the rig come together.

[J-FAB NOR-CAL]

Originally Posted by Chaotic Crawlers

Looking pretty bad ass

Tuners rig seems to work well for him. He had a couple complaints about it at first, but I think it's just a new driving style he needs to adapt.

I believe that rule is fairly new.
I noticed that it had changed just a couple weeks ago.
I don't recall the rules being like that last year.

Looking forward to seeing the rig come together.

Thanks man.Really you noticed the rule changed? I just referred to the 2011 rules when i stated that,and then i just went and checked and nothings changed in these guidelines for 2012.

[J-FAB NOR-CAL]

Originally Posted by ManxCrawler

Don't you mean Makrolon polycarbonate - Lexan to the rest of us

...you can get it in round rod too

Thanks for the correction,you must of done your research on it.Yes its Makralon,not Macrolon.And yes its a high quality lexan.