Papa's Switchback Sawback

[papabash]

After all this work, I was anxious to throw it down on some rocks and see how it did, so I took it out to one of my favorite comp spots yesterday and took a few quick photos.
The difference in performance over the stock chassis is nothing short of amazing, and to say I was impressed is a drastic understatement. This little rig is an absolute blast to drive now and will be seeing a lot of run time in the future.

[papabash]

I still have some work left to do:

*Rear bumper
*Overdrive mod
*Winch hook
*Additional lights for night runs
*Whatever else I deem necessary after a few more miles of driving.

[papabash]

[Jeepiac]

Dammit Dave! Now I'm wanting another 4LS! I threw this together for a trail rig and never took the time to actually explore improving it and making it a true contender. Horrendous and inexcusable are the kindest words I can use describing the stock suspension and link geometry. The chassis designed to be used with leaf springs was the whole problem all along, and I stuck my head in the sand and never even thought about swapping it out for a different set of rails. Looks like I'm needing to build something to compete against my old rig now. All I have is C1 rigs and Buford. You do know if you compete with this thing and win while running a Sawback body it's really going to make people wonder what the heck just happen Great build! As is with everything you do

[papabash]

Originally Posted by Jeepiac

Dammit Dave! Now I'm wanting another 4LS! I threw this together for a trail rig and never took the time to actually explore improving it and making it a true contender. Horrendous and inexcusable are the kindest words I can use describing the stock suspension and link geometry. The chassis designed to be used with leaf springs was the whole problem all along, and I stuck my head in the sand and never even thought about swapping it out for a different set of rails.

I have to agree with you on horrendous and inexcusable, the stock geometry was awful.
I'm glad you stuck your head in the sand, though, otherwise you wouldn't have traded it to me!

Looks like I'm needing to build something to compete against my old rig now. All I have is C1 rigs and Buford.

Probably not. What I love about this rig most is the body and Al driving it. To be truly comp-worthy for large events I would need to change to a lighter, lower COG body, and I really don't want to do that.

You do know if you compete with this thing and win while running a Sawback body it's really going to make people wonder what the heck just happen

Funny you say that, because when I got back from testing yesterday, I told Caleb that I will probably run it in our next local comp just to see how it fares. It really impressed me!

Great build! As is with everything you do

Thanks bud, that means a lot coming from a great builder like yourself!

[Jeepiac]

I'm sure you could be competitive with the heavy body. I've seen you drive, so you can't get by with that excuse. I on the other hand have to have a great performing truck cause I'm a choke artist when it comes to crawling for a trophy

[papabash]

Dug through my boxes of extra stuff looking for a rear bumper and found one from an Axial Dingo (I think) that had somehow remained unmolested. The fit is pretty good other than the mounting posts being too short. I started to make some brackets to extend the mount backwards so the bumper would be in the correct position, but the more I looked at it, the more I liked how it sits. It's not where it should sit for strictly scale realism, but it protects the body and gives a lot better departure angle stuffed inward like it is. I think I'll run it like this for a while, but I may decide to extend it out sometime down the road...

[Jeepiac]

I just remembered to check the mail and I got a package! Thank you Mr. Dave! I owe you one

[papabash]

Got a couple pair of pod lights in the mail today from Powershift RC Technologies. These things look amazing with the tiny bolt details. One pair will be for this build, can't wait to get them mounted and hooked up.

[papabash]

Got the pod lights hooked up. On 3S lipo they are insane! I've seen a lot of 5" light bars that aren't nearly this bright. VERY pleased with this purchase!

I'll try to get a proper outdoors nighttime shot posted later:

[Jeepiac]

I think I need some of those lights!

[papabash]

Originally Posted by Jeepiac

I think I need some of those lights!

They are seriously the most impressive lights I've seen!

[papabash]

Got around to making some front inner fenders:

[Soundboi]

Wow, amazing build. Thank you for sharing.

[papabash]

Originally Posted by Soundboi

Wow, amazing build. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks, glad you're enjoying it.

[papabash]

Finally got around to making rear inner fenders to match the front ones:

[JatoTheRipper]

The more I see this chassis the more I want to try one. It would be more work to fit the leaf springs though.

Those lights are awesome!

Are those Motoworx wheels?

[papabash]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

The more I see this chassis the more I want to try one. It would be more work to fit the leaf springs though.

I've never had a leaf-sprung rig so I can't speak to that, although I'm sure you're right. I would guess it would be worth the extra effort, though, as it has made a night-and-day difference in how this rig drives.

Those lights are awesome!

Yes, they are! My pics truly don't do them justice on how bright they are. Powershift RC lights are the only ones I will be buying from now on.

Are those Motoworx wheels?

Absolutely, all my scale wheels are Motoworx. Here's a link to the ones on this rig: 1.9 9 Hole SLW Wheel