Building aluminum links question

[PIMPNROCKS]

I'm building my own aluminum links and had a question. I purchased a couple bags of the Traxxas Revo rod ends (part #5347). Does Traxxas or anyone sell some all-tread that directly fits those rod ends? I've searched and cant find just the all-tread pieces. I know I can buy some at Home Depot but I like the exact length pieces with an allen head on one side.

Let me know if you know where to find some.

Thanks in advance.

[Mrdick]

I use these with the Traxxas 5347 rod ends to make my links.

M4 20mm long threaded shaft (set screws) (10)


Cheers,
Dick

[666]

These should work!

https://store.rc4wd.com/mobile/M4-20...-10_p_590.html

[6sharky9]

I bought mine off ebay..just type in "8-32 all thread" and you find great deals on it..Buy in a small bulk of like 10 1ft pieces...If you bend one you have material to replace them with.

Also unless you've already bought sleeves to go over the all thread I recommend steel brake line instead of thin aluminum tubing...The aluminum tube sleeves bend fairly easy.

Or another option is a plastic plumbing tube/line you can find in the plumbing department..The material glides easier over the rocks than metal will and cheap to replace when worn down.

you will need an 8-32 tap for those traxxas ends..i use the same ones...they don't come threaded.

If youre using aluminum threaded tubing as the main link, then what they suggested above to screw into the link and the rod ends.

[Propane]

8/32 all thread from the hardware store and cover it with 1/4 brake line from the auto parts store. Make any length suspension and steering links easy. Helps to have a 8/32 tap to run into the rod ends to keep your threading straight.

[Duuuuuuuude]

Originally Posted by 6sharky9

Or another option is a plastic plumbing tube/line you can find in the plumbing department..The material glides easier over the rocks than metal will and cheap to replace when worn down.

If youre using aluminum threaded tubing as the main link, then what they suggested above to screw into the link and the rod ends.

If you truly want to be helpful, try speaking from experience instead of arbitrarily throwing out things you've read somewhere.

Plastic plumbing and aluminum tubing are poor choices to cover your links. Both will get gouged up and grab more than they slide. Even the pretty anodized factory aluminum links become worthless once the coating is worn off.

Originally Posted by Propane

8/32 all thread from the hardware store and cover it with 1/4 brake line from the auto parts store.

[sgtsteve]

Originally Posted by Propane

8/32 all thread from the hardware store and cover it with 1/4 brake line from the auto parts store. Make any length suspension and steering links easy. Helps to have a 8/32 tap to run into the rod ends to keep your threading straight.

x2

I get my 8/32 threaded rod from Home Depot, but I believe Tractor Supply and Lowes probably have it as well. I never used a tap, just rounded the end of the rod to help it get started, but certainly see how a tap would make it easier and keep the rod end nice and strait while being threaded.

[GRIMGREG]

I never tap mine because the rod ends feel to lose and never seem to stay snug when I tried once.

[Propane]

Originally Posted by GRIMGREG

I never tap mine because the rod ends feel to lose and never seem to stay snug when I tried once.

If you have an 8/32 thread and a 8/32 tap it will be plenty tight.

[Red Rockcrawler]

Use 8/32 all thread and stainless steel brake line from a auto parts store

[6sharky9]

Originally Posted by Duuuuuuuude

If you truly want to be helpful, try speaking from experience instead of arbitrarily throwing out things you've read somewhere.

Plastic plumbing and aluminum tubing are poor choices to cover your links. Both will get gouged up and grab more than they slide. Even the pretty anodized factory aluminum links become worthless once the coating is worn off.

Let me redeem myself for you.

To the OP....only buy VP links...Anything else material wise you try to make links from will just be garbage and worthless.

My suggestion to use extremely hard slippery plastic tube was just un called for and would never work and I only told you that because I read about it and never tried it ..nor did I suggest not to use aluminum tubing because I never tried that either..My trying the plastic tubing and finding it to be a lot better than the aluminum tubing is just a lie as well.

I chose not to recommend steel brake line as an option because I want you to do it my way as its best and I invented it..i didnt want to give you other options if you wanted a stronger sleeve in general but still catches and scratches and gouges on rocks also.

So my apology to the OP for giving you worthless information.

Only buy the best and you will never regret it.

[johnnyh66]

Snarky, your douche nozzle is showing again.

[Duuuuuuuude]

Originally Posted by 6sharky9

I only told you that because I read about it and never tried it.

The most truthful statement you've made yet.



I actually have experience using plastic plumbing and aluminum tubing. Both worked for a short time but were ultimately less than ideal. In the many years since those ideas were thought up, much better options and materials have come along. Steel tubing has always been solid and long lasting.

I made no mention of any specific product, brand, or vendor. I simply pointed out that aluminum (raw or anodized) is not an ideal material for lower links.

Your insistence that I only promote high-dollar products is born from complete ignorance and completely unfounded. There is absolutely nothing wrong with going low-budget or DIY, just don't disrespect the people that support this community in the process.

[johnnyh66]

I recommend using stainless steel all thread. I had the Home Depot stuff snap on me during a TTC...

[Red Rockcrawler]

Originally Posted by 6sharky9

Let me redeem myself for you.

To the OP....only buy VP links...Anything else material wise you try to make links from will just be garbage and worthless.

Really How do you think we made links before VP opened? All thread, stainless steel break lines, aluminum tube, Delrin, carbon fiber arrow shafts to sleeve them.

Maybe you need to look back in the old threads and see how we pieced crawlers together back 10 years ago before all these rtr kits came out.

Don't get me wrong Ti links are great. But for the guy that wants to build them on the cheap those are the ways and they will last.

If you don't know what your talking about maybe you should keep your mouth shut instead of trying to raise your post count. You have only been here less than a year and you think your a know it all!

[chattinfarms]

Oh jeez douchce snark is back being a dumb ass with no helpful insite.

[Noll11]

Thanks for posting this, op. been wondering this myself.

[KillerBlackbird]

Harley just uploaded a good video on making different types of links:

How-to Build Custom Links - Crawler Basics - YouTube

[M1tch]

Just watch Harley's video. A very good explanation of the methods. I use the first type with allthread in 4mm as 8/32 is difficult to get hold of over here. I dont tap out the rod end as metric thread is finer and screws in ok. Also if you dont have a cut off tool then a hacksaw and file will do fine.

6mm x1mm stainless tube fits over the M4 after running an M4 drill through with loads of lube.

Upper links I use aluminium tube as they dont rub on rocks etc.

The most difficult links I made were for my foff truck (Version 2) as I had to bend the links to go over the driveshafts. They really took some measuring and calculating radius of bends (2 on each link) to get the right shape. Used a brake pipe bender to get the shape, but a roller jig could have been used if I could have been bothered making one.

[PIMPNROCKS]

Thanks for all the help and tips. I'll be building some links this weekend with the recommended 8/32 thread and stainless steel brake line. Back when I was first on this website in 2007 we/I always built the links out of aluminum stock from the hardware store. The new method sounds much better!! Thanks again.