Joe's BJ4 Berg Build

[new2it]

Hi Folks -

This is my first real build from parts (I've built from a kit before). Here's what I started with:

CF BJ4 chassis
Axles built by Dlux
Chaotic Crawlers ti links
Big Bore shocks
45t HH motors
Tekin FXR, Punk dig and CC BEC
Hitec 7954 servo (on order)
Dlux wheels

[new2it]

I'd love to get some feedback/tips on the setup and anything else. Don't let the fancy parts fool you - I'm still a noob. I was a little worried about how far I needed to stand off the front shocks to stop them from binding.

[ittybitty]

The standoffs like good...I wouldn't think you'd need any more than you've got on there already. I ran a Revo ball end between my XR shocks and the BJ chassis when I had it. I've got another one sitting here and it's set up pretty close to yours. I think you might find that you will want the rear uppers raised a hole at the chassis...but you won't know until you try it out.

I would recommend assembling it and leaving the side panels off until you get the links where you want them...otherwise it's a pain to remove the panels to get to just the front or rear uppers.

[Tgreer]

Nice looking rig, you will love those tubes! The new SDS axles are awsome, but the dlux tubes are cheaper, lighter, and slicker on the rocks!

[sourdojack]

Originally Posted by new2it

I'd love to get some feedback/tips on the setup and anything else. Don't let the fancy parts fool you - I'm still a noob. I was a little worried about how far I needed to stand off the front shocks to stop them from binding.

I would recommend doing the "rod end mod" to your big bores, then maybe put in a Delrin internal limiter of 5 or 8 mm.

But definitely a great start! Those are all awesome parts!

[new2it]

Originally Posted by ittybitty

I would recommend assembling it and leaving the side panels off until you get the links where you want them...otherwise it's a pain to remove the panels to get to just the front or rear uppers.

Good call - I just ditched the side panels for now and reassembled

Originally Posted by Tgreer

Nice looking rig, you will love those tubes!

Thanks! Can't wait to get it on the rocks. I had a JR steering servo in but it was too wide and I couldn't fit the front motor. Just ordered a Hitec - will probably be a week before I have it up and running.

Originally Posted by sourdojack

I would recommend doing the "rod end mod" to your big bores, then maybe put in a Delrin internal limiter of 5 or 8 mm.

Here comes the noob question: I just searched on the rod end mod - saw a bunch of pictures of it but didn't find any threads that showed you HOW to do it. Can you tell me or point me to a good thread? I heard from a few people that I should internally limit the 4in shocks. I'm going to run it for a little while and see how it feels first. In the end, I'll probably limit it though. Thanks!

[sourdojack]

File down the tops of your shock caps. Then drill a 3/32" hole through the center of your shock cap from the inside out. Grease up a 3mm tap and run it through the hole.

Then locktite in a 10mm long button head screw from the inside out, and thread on a rod end to the exposed screw.

[new2it]

Thanks sourdojack! Sounds easy. I'll have to grab a tap this weekend.

[new2it]

Roller...

[new2it]

Looking a little wide. 11 in the rear and just under 11.5 in the front. Need some shorter hubs. I think I'd like to shave a half inch off each.

[JeremyH]

Looking good! Yeah, put your rear hubs in the front and get some smaller ones for the rear.

Also, no front motor? Or have you just not redrilled your motor mount screw holes to make room for the servo?

[4xFord]

Can you raise your lower links at the axle to the middle hole? Seems like you could take advantage of all that gearbox clocking that way.

[Erik D_lux]

Originally Posted by new2it

Thanks! Can't wait to get it on the rocks. I had a JR steering servo in but it was too wide and I couldn't fit the front motor. Just ordered a Hitec - will probably be a week before I have it up and running.

Looks great Joe!

For the above comment, the JR servo should fit. I am running a 7980 on my car right now until my 7950 gets back from Hitec but I doubt that JR servo is thicker than my 7980. You might have to run a slightly bigger pinion though, I run a 14t front and rear. Let me know if you need any help.

Only thing I think I would switch up from what you have going on is I would move those shock mounts up in the rear. I like my links to be ABOVE the axle. This makes it so you dont get so much variation in wheel base and I like the geometry too. I tried it in the front but did not like the way the car felt.

Edit:

Looks like you have not set your rear link mounts into the tubes yet? I would also push the mounts all the way out to the lockouts.

[JeremyH]

Originally Posted by Erik D_lux

For the above comment, the JR servo should fit. I am running a 7980 on my car right now until my 7950 gets back from Hitec but I doubt that JR servo is thicker than my 7980. You might have to run a slightly bigger pinion though, I run a 14t front and rear. Let me know if you need any help.

Really? You didnt have to redrill the motor mount holes?

[Erik D_lux]

Yeah, I did re drill the motor mount holes and move the motor up and back. His just happen to be the exact same as mine Sorry, it was easier for he and I to follow along then everybody else.

Edit:

I doesnt look like holes are there anymore. LOL. Did you switch the gear boxes front to rear? The gear box that has extra holes where the motor mounts would be the front.

[JeremyH]

Ahh....ok, gotcha.

[new2it]

Gotta love the RCC forum! Thanks for all the help guys. I don't really know any local crawlers so all the info I get comes from here.

Here's a pic of the gearbox. The front one does have the extra hole. I couldn't get the motor to fit, but maybe I didn't try hard enough. I'm running 12t gears so that may be the problem.



I didn't drill the set holes in the axles yet for the mounts. I'm holding off until I get the placement right - don't want them to look like swiss cheese!

I raised the lower links at the axle a little and I pushed the mounts out to the lockouts. I'll eventually get them further up, but that will take some work.





I see what you mean about moving the links above the axle. I went back to the Dlux build thread and found the pic below - that's what I'll shoot for.



I'll work on it more later today. My wife is going to take the kids for a haircut and then the park - should buy me a few hours to play.

[Erik D_lux]

My gear case is not that clocked up anymore and I would guess that my lower links are about where your shock mounts are. Not too much higher and definitely not as high as my picture was.

[Chaotic Crawlers]

Looks awesome!

Tell me more about those body panels.

[new2it]

Originally Posted by Chaotic Crawlers

Tell me more about those body panels.

I bought some thin CF sheets from Protech Composites and cut the panels out with a sharp scissor. I just found the receipt - they were the 0.5mm sheets. The panels are really light and strong.

The ti links are awesome - thanks for making a Berg version!