Chiefs Sawback Build - Spring-Under Susp

[Chief]

Here is my build-up of the sawback. I'm not doing anything too different except it's going to be spring-under, and the body is going to be cut a good amount for clearance. I'm running the body as low as possible.
Specs:
Tekin FXR, cheap atomik 35T motor, traxxas tx/rx, 3s lipos
Going to be painted flat olive drab. Hoping to swap to TSL XL's or Rock Crushers pretty soon, maybe try some wideners. I'll post pictures later this afternoon.

[Chief]

The kit was super simple to put together. I like the overall fit and finish of everything. The shocks that come with the kit are too long for spring-under applications. Steering still clears everything, even when fully flexed and turning eithery way. I did the cms mod using the stock servo, which is almost a have-to to run spring-under. Here are the pics I've got. The body is drying right now, I'll have some pics of that in the next couple days.

[Chief]

[Chief]

That's all I've got for now. I'm thinking of using some RC4WD scale shocks, they look the part and come in the right length. Let me know what y'all think.

[old man 52]

I really like how their setup but that chrome frame has got to go. IMO

[atf300]

What's the benefit of spring under suspension besides the lower cog . I am asking as I'm not that familiar with leaf based trucks

[Chief]

The only real benefit is the lower cog. It should also help with axle twist due to where the leafs are mounted. I mainly mounted them that way because thats how the original Willys came, plus I knew I could make it work. Both my CJ7 and J10 were sprung-under from factory, and both performed very well with 35's and lockers. I'll try and get some pics with the body mounted tomorrow to show how it looks.

[Chief]

Old man, I agree that the chrome frame isn't perfect, but I'm still undecided as to what I want to do. I'll probably run it like that for now. I'm too lazy to prep it correctly for paint, and don't really want the rusted out look yet, so chrome will have to do. As low as it sits, it might as well be chromed out like a low-rider.

[Alpha Male]

I'm not trying to be a smart a$$, but don't you think that belly-dragger will not only bottom out all the time, but also hang the ends of the u-bolts on everything?!

Don't get me wrong, it looks cool, but it just seem impractical for anything other than even surface driving.

[Chief]

Alpha, most of the terrain we have here is either rocky or just trail riding. My Jk tuber only had about 2" of clearance at the skid with a 13" wb, so I'm gonna wheel this as is. The moment I saw the sawback, I knew I was going to run spring-under. The u-bolts will prob snag on some stuff, but with wheel placement, I can eliminate some of the negatives of running it this way. Plus, it will be getting TSL XL's in the next, which will help alot in clearance.

[BigSki]

I wonder if some old Bruiser square u-bolts could be used to have the ends and nuts pointed upwards? I like your idea of building it spring-under.

[Chief]

I didn't know about the availability of square u-bolts. With those, I could point the u-bolts up and put the spring plate on top. Thank bigski. I'll get some pics of it with the body painted and stickered and post them tomorrow.

[Chief]

Here are some pics of the finished product. Don't mind the shady body trimming in the rear fenders, I'm not very good at that stuff. Just waiting on my esc to show up, and I'll have pics of its maiden voyage.

[Scottd9990]

Very interesting! Have you had it out yet? Whats your ground clearance look like?

[Scottd9990]

Here is mine. I think we used same paint

[BigSki]

Originally Posted by Chief

I didn't know about the availability of square u-bolts. With those, I could point the u-bolts up and put the spring plate on top. Thank bigski. I'll get some pics of it with the body painted and stickered and post them tomorrow.

The Tamiya big rigs use square u-bolts on the front axle, maybe these might be a bit easier to find.

[Chief]

Originally Posted by Scottd9990

Very interesting! Have you had it out yet? Whats your ground clearance look like?

I will hopefully have it running by this weekend. I haven't measured the clearance under the skid yet, but i will. I'm currently doing a flat-belly on it. My lhs also has a stock of 1.9 tires coming in, hopefully pick up new shoes for it. I used testors flat olive drab paint. I like all the black on your rig, thats on my list.

Bigski, thanks for that info. I'll look into it. Between a flat belly and ubolt flip, i'll have more clearance than what i was planning on.

[Alpha Male]

When I saw these I thought of your rig. Kind of an expensive replacement, but they might be an option if they measure up with the Sawback parts:

RC4WD U-Bolts Kit for Blackwell Axle RC4Z-S0062RC4WD U-Bolts Kit for Blackwell Axle RC4Z-S0062


I really do like the look of your Jeep!

[Chief]

Thanks Alpha, I appreciate the info. and the comments. I'm gonna get some measurements of those and the tamiya bigrig ubolts, and see if they will work.
I'm working on the flat-belly this week, and getting shocks mounted on the rig, and hopefully this wknd coming up I'll have it out!! WOO-HOO.

[raceeng18]

I'm very curious as to how this is going to work for you, please keep us informed.