hobbez84's Yeti Kit Build

[hobbez84]

Hello RCC members!

I wanted to take some time and share with you my first Axial Yeti Kit build. I was pretty excited that Axial came out with a IFS/SRA RC, and was even happier that I waited to see if they would come out with a kit. Thanks to the fine folks @ Hobby Hangar, in Chantilly VA, I was able to get mine on pre-order, along with many of the VP & Axial option parts. Please bear in mind that this will be my first official boxed kit. I've previously done a spare parts build with an MT4 G3, but that's a different story all together.

Before we begin, a big thank you to RC Network, RC Overload, & Harley for the always excellent youtube videos & information. A lot of my build will mirror thier builds & modifications.

Please excuse the i-potato pics. I wish I had a better camera, but for now, we'll make due with my HTC One.



For the electronics, I decided to go with the Tekin RX8 Gen 2, a Tekin Pro4 HD motor (3000 kv), a Futaba S.Bus Brushless Servo. It will eventually be paired with a Futaba 4PX Tx/Rx combo (waiting on Tower backorder)

[hobbez84]

Day 1:

For now, I wanted to get the diffs and rear axle out of the way.

Front diff & housing finished:



Bolted on alum. front shock tower & body post mount:


Rear diff w/locker


VP axle, VP bearing caps, & a smattering of grease:


VP lockouts & VP diff cover installed. For now, I kept the plastic Axial Truss until I get the black VP truss & link mounts on Saturday.


That's it for tonight, will post more on Friday

[tapped-out]

You've forgotten the most important upgrade on the rear axle.
That stock iron cross locker won't last long with the power you have.
Hot Racing steel locker under 20.00 eBay.

[hobbez84]

Originally Posted by tapped-out

You've forgotten the most important upgrade on the rear axle.
That stock iron cross locker won't last long with the power you have.
Hot Racing steel locker under 20.00 eBay.

Noted, LHS doesn't carry HR products, so I went with the VP solution instead.

[hobbez84]

Day 2:

Since I'm still waiting on the VP truss & link mounts, I decided to skip ahead and proceed with the front end.

I purchased the Exo F1 front toe block. The kit comes with an extra insert to accommodate the alum toe block. (Tree: AX31112 Part: 4)


Hinge pins require plastic inserts to fit flush with the alum. toe block: ETA: circular inserts I used does not work. Unfortunately I cannot find a oval piece that would fit. Might need to give Axial a call. Did some research, looks like I need AX80100.


Using VP front links:


RPM Arms & VP knuckles all installed:


VP Steering rack & double sheer rack:


That's all for tonight!

[hobbez84]

Day 3:

Light day of wrenching; added o-rings to out drives and bearings will replace the servo saver spring:



Servo installed, along with a bunch of plastic pieces:





Waterproofing RX8 Gen 2, conformal coating is easy to apply and will work well in puddles and such. I'm not 100% confident it will work completely submerged, but I don't plan on dunking it in deep water. Either silicone or acrylic lacquer will work:


That's it for today, tomorrow looks like transmission day

[hobbez84]

Minor progress today, conformal coating has cured on the ESC and Pro4 HD sensor board.



Proceeded build with transmission. Pictured with Axial 64t steel spur, motor mount, slipper plates, and Robinson hardened 14t pinion.



All mounted up, I love the black Tekin ESC case.



That's it for today

[hobbez84]

Small update, VP products have arrived. Truss and link mounts are in, allowing me to complete the rear axle tonight.



VP, if you're reading, I could use some black trailing arms and 2.2 Method 105 wheels.

ETA: Axial parts tree came in, which I need for the Exo F1 toe block inserts. Includes a nifty M4A1 rifle.

[hobbez84]

Big day of wrenching to share

Comparison of the proper F1 toe inserts (bottom) to the incorrect inserts I used from the Kit tree:


VP Truss & VP link mounts installed:


Rear of of chassis built up:


MIP drive shaft built and test fitted:


VP links, Axial trailing arms bolted on:

More Axial option parts:


All bolted together:


Still waiting on VP trailing arms, and super shafty built kyosho velvet shocks. Debating if I want to build included ICON shocks for kicks and giggles

That's it for today

[Briansshop]

Looking good,lots of upgrades. I also picked up my Yeti kit at the Hobby Hangar, in Chantilly VA this last Saturday! Been wanting one,road tripped to get some miscellaneous stuff and saw the kit and jumped on the last one they had. Mine is all built,just waiting on some parts to get it up and running.

[hobbez84]

Great seeing another member close by.

Something I noticed tonight. I was rolling the spur gear by hand, and saw that the front & rear hubs were traveling in the opposite direction. The rear diff was built correctly per Axials instructions, however the front diff was put in backwards.

Checking the manual (Pg. 12) the diff pictured in the main assembly section is the correct orientation of the diff, however, the "Note Direction From Top" is the opposite.

[hobbez84]

Fun times from the UPS man



4PX will be binded to the Yeti and my MT4 G3 project.



More to come tonight, I'll start on the shocks & stock wheels & tires.

[hobbez84]

Shocks built, shame the caps were not aluminum. Will be replaced ASAP once Super Shafty shocks arrive.


Installed, need to find the hopup spacers & screws that were included with the shock tower.


No time for wheels today, but I did find out that RPP has VP trailing arms in stock, so I got those on order.

[hobbez84]

Small update for the weekend.

Got the Falken tires setup with the Axial Method wheels + CI foams (thank you CI for the blem. spare! )



Rear sway bar links complete, used TRX rod ends + Associated 42mm turnbuckles. Big thank you to Grichardson152 for the sway bar link info.



Currently the kit is with my LHS, who will be doing the wiring job. Looking forward to picking it up on Monday to test/tune electronics and finish up with the stock cage + body.

[hobbez84]

Exciting day of building. LHS got the wiring done early, and I was able to pick it up this afternoon.

Before I begin, I should mention I built the shocks wrong. The rubber bump stock (AX30113) were installed the wrong way. (refer to page 36 on the manual) I will be fixing the error later tonight.

VP trailing arms are in, this completes the VP set on my Yeti. Debating if I want to spend extra on the new Currie axles for the Yeti. (So sexy)


The wiring job was done by Colin @ Hobby Hangar in Chantilly, VA. I asked for a blackout wiring job, and he went above and beyond what I expected. Very satisfied customer. My crappy photos do no justice.


VP trailing arms are installed, along with the steel sway bar links.


Wheels are on, everything locks up tight and feels solid.


Servo is aligned, ESC is calibrated, and the Yeti lives!!

[hobbez84]

Got some small parts in today, including some TRX Jato rod ends. I suppose you can officially call me a VP addict.

[difflocker]

What are the Jato ends used for? Is it just to have more of the turnbuckle threaded into the rod ends? I noticed that VP has them listed under the Yeti section.

[hobbez84]

booyah!



The TRX jato rod ends will be used to connect the upper links to the axle.

"For Axial Yeti installation, use Yeti Titanium Rear Upper Suspension Link Kit VPS07201 with Traxxas Jato Rod Ends TRA5525"

[difflocker]

That makes sense. I could not find out what they were used for since I never considered Curries for my Yeti. Lol.

[hobbez84]

Super Shafty shocks are in!



They included plenty of spares for rebuilds.



Compressing them...they're undoubtedly smooth. Much better than Axial's offerings, and better than Proline power-strokes. I never had a chance to build/use Proline's pro-spec shocks, so I have no basis for comparison.