R1 Frankenstein new project
 

I've just finished my first crawler kit build (Wraith kit bomb-proofed with MIPs, Robinson Racing, etc. etc.) and am getting ready to start on a more ambitious project. I love the look of the Gmade R1 but realize after reading up on it that's it's not a particularly durable platform and has limited aftermarket mod options (esp. for the tranny and portals). So...I've ordered the chassis and Delrin skid plate so that I can start on an R1 Frankenstein project.

Goals for this build are:
1) preserve the look of the stock R1 (angry extraterrestrial insect)
2) bomb-proof tranny, axles and links from another established, well-supported platform
3) waterproof electronics so that I can go through streams
4) very strong crawling with a top end in the low- to mid-teens
5) at least 45-min runtime

So far, here's what I'm thinking:
SCX10 or Wraith axles (Burly tubes if I go SCX10)
Vanquish C-hubs and knuckles
MIP driveshafts
Wraith or tranny with Robinson slipper and gears
Possible custom-fabbed links unless I can find something off-the-shelf that will work
MMP waterproofed
Tekin ROC12 or Holmes Trailmaster
Hitec 7950 waterproofed
3S Lipo with Castle 10A BEC
Front headlights plus 3-bar light kit

I'll post updates as I start building. In the meantime, I'd love any/all input on the above, as well as on the following:
- Motor recommendations
- Battery (would like to fit within chassis if possible or mount on front axle, but definitely not a big brick sticking out the back)
- Widening chassis with spacers to create more room for tranny & electronics
- Shocks

Wish me luck!

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

That is pretty much exactly where I'm headed with my R1. I can't wait to see your progress!

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

I`m looking forward to seeing your build.
I have a XR10 and couldn`t decide between a R1 or wraith,the best of both worlds might be the direction I head in I think.

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

Just putting the finishing touches on a bomb-proof Wraith build. That thing is a blast. I'm looking forward to seeing how the R1 Franky will compare. The chassis should be coming in next week along with my G6 kit. Mockup photos will follow shortly.

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

I did it with SCX axles and trans. Let me know if you want me to remove the pics...."thumbsup"
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j8...k/DSCF2504.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j8...k/DSCF2505.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j8...k/DSCF2520.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j8...k/DSCF2521.jpg

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

That looks great. I have a few questions:
What did you use for links? Something off the shelf or custom-fabbed?
What battery/motor/ESC combo did you use and what gearing?
Did you have any issues getting everything to fit and run?

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

I used the links from a AX10 kit...The first AX10. I bent them myself.
I ran a 18.5 brushless Novak goat setup. For a battery I used a saddle pack up front on each side of the servo. It was a 7 cell pack.Something Like this only 4 cells on 1 side and 3 on the other.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j8.../Fd93367-1.jpg
I ran 87/20 gearing. The only problems I had was I had to re drill for the trans, and cut the skid plate for the bottom links to fit right..It wasn't bad at all.And it's fun as hell to run. Soft springs to keep the CG low you love it.

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

Good info to have. I just ordered a set of XR10 aluminum stage 3 links on close out ($57) and will see if some of those can work. Also have the stock aluminum lowers leftover from my Wraith build and will have stock SCX10 lowers leftover from my G6 build. Among all of those, am hoping some combination will work. If not, will probably go custom.

Once I get axles sorted, I'll play around with mockup battery placement. You said either side of the servo, correct? Did you stand them upright on the axle?

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

Like this...
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j8.../untitled1.png

There's also a tray on the rear of the R1's cage that a small lipo fits on too.

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

Well...the chassis finally arrived, as did my SCX10 G6 kit and some of my mod parts. So I've started mocking up. So far, I'm not sure if I like the geometry of SCX10 axles using various combination of XR10, Wraith and SCX10 links. I may decide to try Wraith axles instead.

In the meantime, I started playing around with a battery placement idea. Using an extra saddle pack from my SC10 4x4, I think I stumbled upon something that may work. Flipping the rear battery tray upside down allows me to get both halves of a full-size saddle pack (this one happens to be a 5700 mAH 2s) in the rear, half above the tray and half below. Ignoring the wires for the moment (I can clean those up easily), what do you think? Will this work once I add tranny, motor, links and axles?

Attachment 281703

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

Would I be able to have a wraith tranny with a dig unit installed that will fit in the R1 chassis?

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

I Don't think there's enough room. Unless you do some major cutting.

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

It's been done, check out the tips and tricks sticky.

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

Thanks mate,it looks pretty easy,just a tad of cutting and in it all goes.

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

As for the links I used ax10 links. The old school ones from an original ax10 kit. The top links are different and not a one piece design like the "Y' looking link they put in now.It was still a "Y" shape but was easily made into a 4 kink.And all I did to the lower ones was bent them. The wheelbase was right around 12"
And as for the battery.Other than being a tad tail heavy...Yeah it'll work...."thumbsup"

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

You might want to read both of those threads in there about the wraith trans.One seems to make it sound easy and the other one seems to tell a different story. No matter what one you read there's more to it then a little cutting.
There's driveshaft issues spur gear issues link issues spur cover issues. just wanting to let ya know the real work you'll be doing. And like the one says it's for more speed not crawling."thumbsup"

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

I'm thinking that I like that placement for the battery, but I can definitely see the tail heaviness issue (as well as some top heaviness). I might try to offset that with some added weight up front, but we'll see.

In the meantime, I got my G6 axles and links assembled and tried several different combination of G6, XR10 and Wraith links and couldn't get the axle rotation right. Seems like the upper and lower mounting points require a greater difference in length between upper and lower links. Using the shortest links I have for uppers and the longest ones I have for lowers, I'm still too short on the lowers or too long on the uppers. I'm thinking of cutting down the upper XR10 links to get the right offset. So 2 more questions for you out of curiosity:

-- What lengths are your upper & lower links front & rear?
-- What length shocks did you use?

And thanks for all of your input on this, Tiny. Much appreciated... "thumbsup"

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

Thanks mate I`ll read it all and decide what to do."thumbsup"

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

My links were just the factory ax10 length.The original ax10 links are different then the scx10 length. Plus I had the 4 link mounts.And for shocks I used the ax10 shocks as well.
NO problem ... I'm glad to help."thumbsup"

Re: R1 Frankenstein new project
 

Baby steps... After playing around with an assortment of links that I have sitting around from other builds, I think I'm going to go with Wraith aluminum lowers for the lower front links and, fingers crossed, XR10 uppers for the rear lower. I say fingers crossed because I like the look of the XR10 links but am not sure if they will knock upper links once I install the uppers. Worst case, I substitute the stock G6 aluminum lowers (which are straight) for the XR10 links and won't have any clearance issues.

This setup should give me a wheelbase of ~12.5". The Wraith lowers are shorter than the XR10 uppers by over 10mm, which will help add some front weight bias. The geometry should look something like these pix. I have a set of Wraith axle housings coming this week so that I can pin this down and order custom-length Vanquish links for the uppers.

Attachment 282340

Attachment 282341

Attachment 282342

Attachment 282343

Next up will be starting to sort out tranny (need to decide on SCX10 vs. Wraith), motor & ESC. Let me know what you think...