Imthatguy's Axial Yeti KIT Build

[imthatguy]

Originally Posted by Rockwolf

Uhm.... I realize that I have about half the smarts of a box of hammers, but what exactly is "an official brand ambassador"? You say it like everyone knows...(which is entirely possible). I may well be the only one who has never heard of such a thing, but if you would indulge this villiage's idiot, I would appreciate it.

I represent the Axial brand, and work closely with them on a number of initiatives. That's about the best I can do.

Originally Posted by PeterH828

Could you provide more pictures of your witch install? I have a 4pls and wanted to know if I needed any switch to run the winch?

Thanks

Sure thing, see below. I only have a 3 channel radio (3PM-X) and it's just fine for a winch controller when paired with the HeyOK 3 position winch controller.

Here's how I mounted the winch. Simple really, just threaded a couple bolts through the front bulkhead and a couple servo mounts. Easy peasy. Since this is a rather light build, I don't think I'll have any issues with things shearing off.



Before I put that piece back on the rig, I swapped out the plastic steering rack for Vanquish's aluminum one. Strong.



Winch mounted and ready for winching. As usual, with the Tzi winch, I'll be running HeyOK's high voltage winch controller. I love analog relays.



Nice, obstruction free path straight out the front. Hooray! Now I just need to locate a Fairlead. I believe Harley was 3D printing one...



Vanquish front knuckles help firm up steering.



I also added a bright GearHead LED light bar to the front as well.




More to come.

[Lukescb7]

Awesome build here. Sending you a PM now.

[imthatguy]

It's all buttoned up.



2900kv Sensored motor paired with a Mamba Max Pro for professional level burnouts. Rather than ask if I needed a BEC, I added one anyway, because yes. Axial supplied me with the aluminum motor mount. A man named Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuude hooked me up with a Delrin tube that locks out the servo saver, and Vanquish got around to making the caster blocks to further embiggin the front steering. That makes me quite happy. I'm going to take it out for some stress testing to see if aluminum arms are required. HeyOK KoH light kit controller and winch controller round everything out. I moved the receiver up to the rear ballast tray as there were way too may wires snaking around to feed them through the bottom, and that "waterproof" box in the tray made me nervous.





Harley was kind enough to provide the file so I could print my own Yeti fairlead. Thanks sir.

Plopped the old RTR body on it for now. Without battery truck weighs 6.4 pounds.



I'll report back with weak points.

[trig n tahoe]

Ok ambassador

[CamaroTom]

Nice looking setup. The only thing I would do different is shorten all those wires.

[imthatguy]

Originally Posted by trig n tahoe

Ok ambassador

Glad you're amused. I'm not sure why, but I'm from Canada, and most people think I'm slow, eh?

Originally Posted by CamaroTom

Nice looking setup. The only thing I would do different is shorten all those wires.

Agreed. Want to make sure all is working as expected then I'll clean it up.

I took it out to a washed out riverbed the other day and wow. Amazeballs. Tons of low end for cwalring, gobs of torque, and speed when I need it. The overdriven locked front pulls beautifully. Held up to some reasonable abuse too. I'd like to raise it up a bit for clearance and limit the rear shocks. Still likes to kick up a bit.

[briang]

how are you liking the servo...is it strong enough??

[imthatguy]

Originally Posted by briang

how are you liking the servo...is it strong enough??

It seems "okay" for goofing around, but for comping, I'll definitely want something 2 or 3x more powerful. There were a number of times I was unable to get the steering to do anything. Not fast or torquey enough.

[briang]

Originally Posted by imthatguy

It seems "okay" for goofing around, but for comping, I'll definitely want something 2 or 3x more powerful. There were a number of times I was unable to get the steering to do anything. Not fast or torquey enough.

thank you for the reply! Im in the middle of building mine and i was trying to pick out a servo..i guess ill pick out something a little stronger

[imthatguy]

HemiStorm's started on the paint for the bug body I'm going to be running. Pretty excited to have this in hand.

[DTB1]

Hemistorm does some slick painting!

[imthatguy]

He sure does.

[kingfuzz]

So awesome! I wish I could be an ambassador... haha seriously tho, well done. I think we need some videos of this thing on the trials now!

[imthatguy]

I competed with the Yeti at this weekend's RC4WD Canadian Scale Challenge in the TTC. While there were a couple shortcomings, I'm pretty sure I can overcome those issues. I did manage a very respectable 1st overall in the hill climb, so that's some encouraging news!



Gearing was spot on, gobs of power, decent crawl-ability, tons of grip. If there's anything I could change, it'd be width and steering strength - but those are pretty easy swaps to make.

[klampykixx]

width? narrower or wider?

[imthatguy]

Originally Posted by klampykixx

width? narrower or wider?

Definitely narrower in the rear. Already have the SLW hubs to do so.

[binaryterror]

Narrower is good for racing and crawling. Though the amount of difference shouldn't be too far off.

My Comp truck I like 1/4" narrower rear.

Yeti seems to be ok with more, but I'm currently at 1/4" difference.

[imthatguy]

Originally Posted by binaryterror

Narrower is good for racing and crawling. Though the amount of difference shouldn't be too far off.

My Comp truck I like 1/4" narrower rear.

Yeti seems to be ok with more, but I'm currently at 1/4" difference.

I'll give that a shot - one more big test before the end of the month.

And here it is, all ready for it's maiden voyage to the ECSC this August (it's August now).







I'm really pleased with how it's turned out. Hemistorm did an amazing job painting this ProLine Yeti Beetle body by hand. He truly is an artist. I double checked and this truck has 39 scale points for SORRCA events - not too shabby for what's essentially a off the shelf kit. Sure there's a few upgrades here and there, but with minimal changes, it could hold it's own. Ragin' Ron is very excited about driving.

One other note, I went for the firm springs all the way around - definitely made a big difference not just in ride height, but handling.

[Stormin2u]

That sure is some super sweet tricked out paint it's just terrific.

[Hfrajuncajun]

Love the rig man looks awesome.
Not a fan of the beetle body but Hemistorm really made that look amazing!

I'm in the Tdot area as well in Mississauga. Any good spots you know of for crawling/bashing/stress testing?