Belly Dragger Sawback
 

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

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

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.

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

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.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...pscxyhfatx.jpg

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.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps10vzl0jg.jpg

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.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...pssihlqqvb.jpg

Holy COG! Best part of building a belly dragger....Everything is super low weight-wise.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps7uxfhypg.jpg

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.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps7s0fzds3.jpg

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

foot rests... screw it I said it

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

Very nice, always enjoy your builds! Front inner fenders and that's a....see below...footrest! 8) "thumbsup"

8)"thumbsup"

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

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.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...psumfn3skj.jpg

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. :).
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...psjvn9ngbm.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...psvuhbi8xk.jpg

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!
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...psfufknsne.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...pstjdbhlhm.jpg

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.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...psdeqo2d0c.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...psfxusbfez.jpg

Posing with big brother...
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...pspnghuo2o.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...pswexpdccc.jpg

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!

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

How much flex did you get

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

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

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

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

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

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.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...psan7cfm51.jpg

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.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...psxkdqvjov.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...psfoubpzkq.jpg

Ended up with about 1.5" clearance.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps6viyb7m5.jpg

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.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps2akdy4tb.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...psfhtplksv.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...psnhwr7orv.jpg

And Boom! Test run over....sharp eyes will see why.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...pshkfo3zoy.jpg

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.

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

Really digging this build. Great work!

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

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?

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

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

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

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.

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

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

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

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.

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

Finally all my parts came in! New front driveshaft installed, brass axle inserts and CVD's installed as well.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...pshvzqi4cn.jpg

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.
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...pstcueq5hk.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps0fjhyv3q.jpg

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....
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps1xwywuoc.jpg

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!

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

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.

http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...psjvsi4fsb.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps3utqcylh.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...psfxpenmc1.jpg
http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/r...psk1olj40h.jpg

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

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.

Re: Belly Dragger Sawback
 

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