Belly Dragger Sawback

[OSRC]

I had a spare Sawback kit sitting here (I bought a Sports kit for the body and spare parts) and inspired by Chief's build, I decided to build this one up as a spring under "belly dragger." Definitely building this one on the cheap...but I don't think it'll take much to make it a good trail rig.

EDIT - thanks for nothing photobucket. Updated pics on page 2

[Jeepiac]

Looks like a good thread to watch. I've done about everything possible to my Sawback and am looking for ideas for a rebuild. Might copy some of what you've got going on.

[OSRC]

Got a bit more work done.

Cut down some Axial shocks and used some Tamiya 35mm shafts to get a 70mm shock. Perfect size, cheap, and works great. Oddly though, I only have 3 SCX10 shocks...somewhere I lost one so I had to order some parts.


cleaned up the chassis and got the electronics mounted. Pretty clean layout...I was hoping to get the ESC on the chassis somewhere but it was just a hair too tall. On the skid for now, though might end up moving it later.


Mounted up some tires and got a flex shot...running all three springs. Might take one off, not sure. Don't want a ton of flex as I don't have a lot of clearance.


Holy COG! Best part of building a belly dragger....Everything is super low weight-wise.


Waiting on some parts before I can go any further so started some bodywork. Al least got some color on it. Going to have to do something about that hole behind the front wheel.

[VR6 BeelzeDub]

foot rests... screw it I said it

[Natedog]

Originally Posted by OSRC

Mounted up some tires and got a flex shot...running all three springs. Might take one off, not sure. Don't want a ton of flex as I don't have a lot of clearance.

Best part of building a belly dragger....Everything is super low weight-wise.

Waiting on some parts before I can go any further so started some bodywork. Al least got some color on it. Going to have to do something about that hole behind the front wheel.

Very nice, always enjoy your builds! Front inner fenders and that's a....see below...footrest!

Originally Posted by VR6 BeelzeDub

foot rests... screw it I said it

[OSRC]

Thank you Natedog for the kind words! Having a lot of fun with this one.

Some parts are finally rolling in...CVD's and brass tubes - but I ordered the wrong set. These are for the R1 axles (which I thankfully have a set and will gladly install!) ....but doesn't help here. I ordered the correct ones and they are on the way.


Think I like the look of the stock gmade tires the best...I tried out a bunch and these seem to have the best stance, as well as won't rub everywhere. Performance on the other hand...well, we'll see. Wheels are still up for debate. Got a lot more body work done as well. Not sold on the Rubicon decals....There's an old willy's around here that has them on as a goof, but it pulls it off much better than I do here. .



The body wouldn't sit flush with the wires routed where the ESC was initially...drives me crazy. So I made a little bracket and mounted the ESC up under the hood. Much better!



Front bumper on, and winch mounted. A belly dragger needs a winch for sure! At least on the rocky-ass trails we have around here. Got the roll bar mounted here too..really changes the look of the body.



Posing with big brother...



Shocks for the front and a driver should be here tomorrow. Still need a rear bumper of sorts yet and a bit more body work, but it's getting there!

[PorkChop88]

How much flex did you get

[OSRC]

Flex pic above says it all. I'm sure the springs will free up a bit after a run or two.

[VR6 BeelzeDub]

that sits real nice, and looks like it would be awesome to drive in real life.

[OSRC]

Definitely a different kind of truck from what I'm used to.

Front shock built and installed. Rear bumper fabbed up..I wanted to use delrin, but I didn't have a long enough piece. Some 3mm 7075 will have to do.


I solved the problem of hat to do with the hole in the body by cutting it off and just boatsiding it up a little further. Took some creative bending, but it got it pretty well lined up. Really happy with it overall.



Ended up with about 1.5" clearance.


Test run time! Not sure what's with the gears, but it sounds like a ball bearing in a blender. Hopefully that calms down with time...did great otherwise. Tires did really well on my rocks, I was very surprised.




And Boom! Test run over....sharp eyes will see why.


Well, that's why you test I guess. No biggie, have a few others to try out. Driver showed up, though he's way too small. Still searching for another.

[soze]

Really digging this build. Great work!

[rngrchad]

Yeh Im liking it alot too. Think maybe this gmade will be my next build although in the LS option as I've got two leaf rigs already. I couldn't see what ended your test run?

[OSRC]

Hard to see with the light angle, but popped the front driveshaft.

[chopfather]

yeah, my stock drive shafts were about as strong as wet noodles. I love this build, I have another set of sawback axles and I thought about doing a build like this with 2.2 tires but I'll probably just keep the axles as spares.

[OSRC]

Take a look at Chiefs Sawback thread, he has 2.2's and a spring under setup. Looks badass.

[Natedog]

Looks great with the side body trim and bend up nerf/skids. Maybe some Pitbull Rockbeast tires and white spoke wheels? Retro wheels and street/trail looking tires that work well.

[OSRC]

Finally all my parts came in! New front driveshaft installed, brass axle inserts and CVD's installed as well.


Driver came in...Hunter Dan is absolutely perfect for this truck size-wise...though he kinda looks perpetually stoned. Found this guy in a lot in Ebay with a bunch of clothes and what not. Got rid of the camo (gave it all to the kids - I don'y play with dolls, I swear!) and he dropped right in.



Hmm...white Jeep, 8" action figures, anyone know where I can get a Golden Eagle Dixie decal? Bo and Luke want to play too! A nice theme to keep in mind at rebuild time....


Have a few more scale details and some inner fenders to add, but it's basically done. Jeep came out at a lightweight 2900g (6.4lbs) with a 59/41 weight split front/rear. Little nose heavy, but with it sitting so low, I don't think it'll be a problem. I only put every other screw in the beadlocks so I can swap around foams easier...I suspect after a run or two the RC$WD stock foams I stuffed in the tires will collapse, though they feel ok now.

Now for a real test run!

[OSRC]

First run in the wild. Did pretty good! Really, really have to watch the terrain...but it's super low and stable. I was way off in the gearing, got some changes to make for sure. Needs foams too...but all in all, a good shakedown run.

[Natedog]

Did you make the changes after this shake out run? What did you change and how's it now?

Edit: some old syle slot mag wheels would look pretty good on here too.

[OSRC]

No sir, haven't touched it. Been busy working on some other rigs.. it will get some love eventually.