C.I. builds Big Jeff's Alumi-Fighter Comp Crawler

[Nova's Ark]

This project was started in February 2011. At least that's when the axles were paid for, upfront, in full. The axles arrived to CI in February 2012. Over the next few months I collected needed parts for the build. There were several times where I thought my schedule would clear so I could build this, only to have something else urgent pop up. Finally it's done. At least my part of it anyways. It still needs skinz.



Axles:
SDS Customz Alumi-Fighter Axle Set w/ all the good stuff, 300M CVD's & 300M Straight axle shafts
custom 10Tooth metric berg pinions
Vanquish Products, 8*, Zero Ack, High Clearance Steering Knuckles
Stock Berg gears
Traxxas bearings
SDS 300M 3rd gears



Motors:
Holmes Hobbies 40T custom hand wounds x 2

ESC:
Tekin FXR x2
C.I. HD 4S Cap x 1

Electronics:
WAS Mix unit by OverKill RC
Castle Creation BEC - wired directly to servo
Hitec 7955 - programmed
Sky Lipo 40C, 800MAH, 3S

Chassis & links:
Rock Logics Carbon Fiber Custom Chassis with titanium upper and lower links that are designed specifically for these axles.
Traxxas Revo rod ends

Shocks:
3.5" customized shocks - Traxxas #2660
Because of the lighter weight of this truck all four shocks use traxxas 3 hole pistons.
15w oil in front / Pink springs
25 weight oil in rear / Red springs
Jeepindoug Machined Mini T delrin 2.2 spring cups
Losi Mini T Front Spring set - LOSB1117
The shock caps have been modified to accept Traxxas #2742X Short rod ends

Wheels, Tires, & Foams:
Front - Vanquish Products DH1, 4 ounces total weight (3 VP, 3 CI); HB Rovers, CI Double Deuce Foams
Rear - Vanquish Products SLW V4 1" width, HB Rovers, CI Double Deuce Foams


The day they arrived:



And several more months of tracking down parts and planning a time to actually build it.
Finally it starts:






I started by building the shocks first:


The chassis arrived assembled, the links only needed rod ends attached;


Front Links below (the SDS custom lockers are also pictured);


Rear Links;


Awesome 40T Holmes Motors;


Vanquish Products Items:

[Nova's Ark]

Started on assembly of axles:

I lost track of how many times I had to dis-assemble and re-assemble the cases and gears in order to get proper tolerances. The tolerances are extremely tight for these axles. The four screws that install the fourth gear to the locker had to be cut shorter for clearance. The pinions also had to be cut shorter for clearance. These axles are very well made with good design, but they are not for a beginner (IMO).





Axles finished and ready for chassis & link:


As nice as these are, it's hard to think of everything. I did have to modify the Hitec servo case by removing the angled supports on the mounting tab in order to fit into the mount. I was also not able to use the VP 8* Knuckle weights because of the machined steering stops on the C's. I left it up to Big Jeff to either remove the steering stops or machine the knuckle weights if he still wants to use them. Big Jeff wanted to use BWD motor savers, but the tolerances are so tight they would not fit.

The steering link is a VP Titanium XR-10 straight steering link.

[Nova's Ark]

How it looked the day Big Jeff received his new Alumi-Fighter crawler:

[EverettY]

Wow nice... Very pretty I'd have to say... I've always loved the looks of the Fighter axles... Just could never bring myself to spending the money...

[Hittman]

Holy crap that thing is sick! Looks so mean. Excelent work

[Nova's Ark]

Below is a video of the maiden voyage of this alumi-fighter. Big Jeff went from a single esc, punk dig, t1e version 1 moon buggy berg to this . I was very surprised how quickly he picked up the dual esc mixing and the lines he was driving with this crawler. The last segment in the video is an off-camber up hill climb and break over. It's not an easy line to do. Many people who have been on the C.I. rocks know this line. Big Jeff and this alumi fighter completed the line on it's second attempt and every attempt after. The entire design of the axles & chassis are impressive.

[sally1800]

Very nice pic's Eddie. I sure wish I bought those axle when SDS had them for sale..


What CI Double Deuce Foams?

[Nova's Ark]

Compilation of photos from one long line:

[Nova's Ark]

A couple random photos out on the rocks:





These axles have some great steering:



Some photos from the last climb in the video:




opposite angle, same climb:


over the top and on the other side:

[Nova's Ark]

Originally Posted by EverettY

Wow nice... Very pretty I'd have to say... I've always loved the looks of the Fighter axles... Just could never bring myself to spending the money...

Thank you for the compliments and I completely understand about the up front costs.

Originally Posted by Hittman

Holy crap that thing is sick! Looks so mean. Excelent work

Thank you sir

Originally Posted by sally1800

Very nice pic's Eddie. I sure wish I bought those axle when SDS had them for sale..


What CI Double Deuce Foams?

Thank you. SDS has several sets of these left. He plans to release those remaining sets once they have been assembled and checked for quality control. Maybe now is a good time to send SDS Customz a PM.

5.25 Double Deuce
Wide / Soft - Front (1.25" VP DH1)
Narrow / Med - Rear (1" VP SLW V4)

[bigjeff1313]

Oh no, I have a bad a$$ crawler now. Maybe now I won't get last place no more. Bigjeff is movin on up. Look out... Oh, that was sooo much fun. With the Berg I didn't have that much fun. With this one, more gooder.

[sally1800]

Originally Posted by bigjeff1313

Oh no, I have a bad a$$ crawler now. Maybe now I won't get last place no more. Bigjeff is movin on up. Look out...

You can't drive that.

Way to pretty

[bigjeff1313]

Originally Posted by sally1800

You can't drive that.

Way to pretty

What you talkin bout Willis? That was me driving it in the video. Wait till you see the skins. It'll be more per-t-er.

[JeremyH]

Originally Posted by bigjeff1313

Wait till you see the skins. It'll be more per-t-er.

They'd better be pink!

[mindless]

One of the better looking trucks ive seen on the hr fighters, looks like they set up nice on that chassis. Nicely done!

[Nova's Ark]

Originally Posted by mindless

One of the better looking trucks ive seen on the hr fighters, looks like they set up nice on that chassis. Nicely done!

Thank you. I did several searches looking for information on these axles and chassis during the construction of this one. Unfortunately, there really isn't a lot of information out there. That only motivated me to do a decent build thread on this one.

[DickyT]

Nice build Eddie! too bad you didn't get to keep it.

I like your work space too I have workshop envy. I have a 3x5 area to work and fabricate in.

Very well put together though and a great selection of parts on that bad boy.

[JeremyH]

Originally Posted by DickyT

I like your work space too I have workshop envy. I have a 3x5 area to work and fabricate in.

That room is nice and spacious! I've slept on that floor more than once...

[Premix]

Those axles are sooooo nice!

How did you like the 3 hole pistons and shock oil set up?

[bigjeff1313]

Works great. Only have 2 batteries through it, but I love it.