Chaotic Switch build "ESPER"

[Orph3o]

Hi all,

I ordered the Switch in march but got an accident and droped the ball as I couldn't move one arm (getting too old for hill bombing on a long board obviously).

Long story short, surgery, physio and starting getting better. I finally completed the order a month ago.

I spent the summer reading your amazing builds, witnessing the great support from Chaotic and Chaotic Drivers, and while this is my first build and I am still inexperienced in the crawling scene, felt confident I could go somewhere solely based on all the insights and support found here (Not many cats crawling around here).

This is now "The ESPER"


I will not detail every steps as there are already many amazing thread on switch builds and I don't think I can really ad something new.

Anyway, a quick shot for the Chaotic wiz regarding my link/shocks placement (As a starting point, I'll finally go crawling this weekend).



Here is however the "shopping list"

Mecanics:

• Axes Axial XR-10
  Heavy duty Gears (front and rears)
  Vanquish rear lockouts
  Vanquish steering knuckles
  Vanquish front hubs
  Vanquish Servo Guards
  BWD servo arm
  BWD Reinforced Servo tray
  Chaotic titanium steering link
  Vanquish DH II wheels
  Sedonas (shaved)
  Crawler Innovation foams (soft front/medium rear)
  Holmes Hobbies Crawlmaster 16T

électronique:

• Tekin FXrs (2x)
  Castle BEC (7.4V all system)
  Hitec 7950TR
  Rx/Tx Futaba 4pl
  Turnigy 3S nanotech 1000mah

For now I am using VP DHII, I also have a set of SLW with Shaved Donas, however, I have planned to have Santa bring me D-lux or Vanquish knuckle weights.
I am waiting for the vanquish tower links (in the mail from Chaotic).


All on, the build is 5.7 pounds with 3 slugs front.
With the SLW I should drop to 5.1 (my objective was 5.5 so I am quite happy).

Clearance is 3 1/8th front of the plate, 3 1/4th rear of the plate.

Shocks are modded big bores, limited to 3.5" front and unlimited in the rear (3.8").

Weight balance is a 3 milimeters out front of the plate side screw.



I am always looking at ways to "repay" the amazing people and content found on RCCrawler.
I am a french speaking person, so I decided to bring as much of the knowledge I find and compile from here and translate it.

I made a full How To on Big Bore mod (in french yes
HOWTO - Big Bore Mod pour XR10

And also a very detailed build thread, trying to provide not only the how to but also the "logic" behind it.
Build Chaotic Switch "ESPER" (Xr10)


I know this is not much but as many in this forum have spent time helping me getting up to speed, I felt that this knowledge has to be spread.

Anyway, I'll keep on reading and asking and share one circle further.


A gazillion thanks to all, especially to Chaotic (whom have been more than patient, thanks for your trust) and Chaotic Drivers.

Time to eat some rocks!


BTW, ESPER comes from Blade Runner
Esper Photo Analysis - YouTube

[losiking1]

Looks really good, man. I see we have the same sponsor... Team Wallet!!!

[slowride1]

links look good man . i didn't see the VP front an rear link mounts in there , although there not necessary they help a bunch an i recommend them. I'm also not a fan on the big bores but to each an his own. I'm a big fan of the scx alum shocks but Marc run the big bores an loves them . this truck will do nothing but impress you .

[Orph3o]

Hi Slowride1,

The link mounts are in the mail from Chaotic.

Quick question to you, I read top hole for front and before top hole for rear on the link mounts.
Would you recommend a basic (starting point) placement for uppers to chassis once hooked to the link mounts.

Can't wait to ride her!

[slowride1]

an here is the thing i dint like about them shock, i run mine lower than you do but i like my shocks rite where you have yours all but i run the top set of holes . not everyone likes the same setup for sure but that truck will work like that for sure

[Orph3o]

Originally Posted by losiking1

Looks really good, man. I see we have the same sponsor... Team Wallet!!!

Thanks and Yes, not a reliable sponsor though, its CEO (Wife) has some other priorities than sponsoring me from time to time

[slowride1]

leave them rite where you have them my friend

[slowride1]

Originally Posted by Orph3o

Thanks and Yes, not a reliable sponsor though, its CEO (Wife) has some other priorities than sponsoring me from time to time

lol lol

[chevotafun]

What advantage do you get from running the vp link mounts Randy?

[slowride1]

better link angles

[slowride1]

seems like moving the front or rear make more of a change than moving them on the chasis to me an it also dosnt slam the links togather so the hit when you are tring to get more bit like it would if you moved the links at the chasis. most guy evan shit the front mount higher like 2 mm evan . i dont have mine shimed yet but i sure have thought about it really hard

[RockMafia]

nice choice of rig mate :thumbup::thumbup:

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk 2

[paystin]

Looks good man! The link placements are right on as are the shocks. Like slowride, I use SCX shocks but others have made the Big Bores work.

So I got a little lesson from Del Monte this past Saturday while running some courses. Moving the Upper links in the VP mount affects a couple of things-

1. The lower the mounting position, the less axle steer you'll get. Basically meaning the axle will stay centered more when articulating instead of diving underneath one side or the other. It's kinda one of those visual things so sorry if it isn't to clear from my explanation.
2. The lower the mounting position, the more "unloading" you'll get from steep climbs. This might require a bit more weight on the knuckles to counteract the unloading tendancy.

Congrats on the new rig and update us as you test it out.

[Orph3o]

OK...
I couldn't wait and went playing in the driveway...

temperature outside is 40F... no tuning, crappy camera so sorry about that.

I am just... flabbergasted...

ESPERFIRST - YouTube

[slowride1]

looks like a good start

[HARDKNOCKZ]

Originally Posted by chevotafun

What advantage do you get from running the vp link mounts Randy?

What the...? Isn't this question in another thread? I coulda swore I answered this a little more detailed.

Edit: I did. I did. I did saw a putty tat.

Here's my answer from the other thread that this was asked in. You guys are making my brain hurt.

The main reason most of us go to the VP upper link mount is for better mesh & overall rigidity of the transfer gear vs main gear. Thats the most common fail area. The mount DOES offer a couple more link positions which DEFINITELY helps to tune yer rig but a tuned rig with broken gears doesn't crawl very well.

So Randy's answer is PARTIALLY right but you can easily get away with running a stock link mount IF they offered the same durability & strength that the VP pieces do.

J.D.

[HARDKNOCKZ]

Besides your cab being on backwards & your front shocks being upside down...you have a decent start.

I can't stress this enough...ya GOTTA tune your rigs to YOU. Meaning your drive style, your terrain, your rigs weight, bias, power etc. You have some good jumping off points but you'll notice that most of us are CONSTANTLY changing things & trying new link or shock positions. Ya gotta find that happy balance but the serious compers are never satisfied & we're always chasing that better setup.

J.D.

[redrokin00XJ]

Originally Posted by HARDKNOCKZ

Besides your cab being on backwards & your front shocks being upside down...you have a decent start.

I can't stress this enough...ya GOTTA tune your rigs to YOU. Meaning your drive style, your terrain, your rigs weight, bias, power etc. You have some good jumping off points but you'll notice that most of us are CONSTANTLY changing things & trying new link or shock positions. Ya gotta find that happy balance but the serious compers are never satisfied & we're always chasing that better setup.

J.D.

Very well put!!!!

[Orph3o]

Originally Posted by HARDKNOCKZ

I can't stress this enough...ya GOTTA tune your rigs to YOU. Meaning your drive style, your terrain, your rigs weight, bias, power etc.

J.D.

Hi J.D.
Absolutely I heard that loud and clear

I will compare that to Nitro. When I started what saved my life a couple time while I was learning how to tune a mill was "the factory setting".
Thing is that I need a "basic ground" to start from. The idea is not about copying another rig, it is about having an average start and go from there. Eventually getting back there if things get out of hands.
So many parameters to look after, If I start with something "stupid" it'll just be a neverending loop of frustration.
At least, I can revert back to a safe place even though not optimal, and start again.

I only wish I had a seasoned driver to hang out with, not only for the settings and "you should try this", but also for the driving

Again thanks all, time to go out and crawl (and tune I promise).

[Orph3o]

Hi All,
still buried under metric tons of snow in here (just had an additional 6inch today...).

VP Mount Links are installed, I played with it indoor, but without rocks and this rig efficiency, hard to have a ton of fun.

However, I have a quick question.
Back of the chassis is hitting the upper links when stretching. Links finaly can "pass by" but this gives a real bump to the rig when it passes over it.

Has anyone of you dealt with this?
Would it be OK to lightly dremel the end of the chassis (behind shock mount) to round it a bit and allow bind free mouvement?

Thanks in advance!

Can't wait to go out and play!