HPI Venture Axles Vs The Competition

[JatoTheRipper]

Do any of you have the dimensions of this axle housing? I'm specifically looking at the diameter of the axle tubes at the thickest point, the height and width of the pumpkin, and the side of the aluminum mounting points.

Photos with side by side comparisons to Axial SCX10 II and Vaterra Ascender axles would be even better.

Thanks!

[LSXGMC]

You weren't kidding when you said you bumped your head, I didn't think you hit it THAT hard!

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by LSXGMC

You weren't kidding when you said you bumped your head, I didn't think you hit it THAT hard!

You got me there!

[JDM74]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

Do any of you have the dimensions of this axle housing? I'm specifically looking at the diameter of the axle tubes at the thickest point, the height and width of the pumpkin, and the side of the aluminum mounting points.

Photos with side by side comparisons to Axial SCX10 II and Vaterra Ascender axles would be even better.

Thanks!

Let me know what else you need. If you want those measurements I can get them later tonight.

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by JDM74

Let me know what else you need. If you want those measurements I can get them later tonight.

Thank you, sir! Much appreciated.

The HPI punkins are definitely larger than the Vaterra punkins by quite a bit. It looks like they hang a lot lower. That's unfortunate.

What are your thoughts on the Venture compared to the Ascender and SCX10 II if you have one?

[JDM74]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

Thank you, sir! Much appreciated.

The HPI punkins are definitely larger than the Vaterra punkins by quite a bit. It looks like they hang a lot lower. That's unfortunate.

What are your thoughts on the Venture compared to the Ascender and SCX10 II if you have one?

I’m not sure how much bigger they are and how much lower they hang because the tires on my venture are 4.19 Braven iron sides while the ascender is on OG rock beasts which are listed at 4.45.

As far as my thoughts on the truck overall, I think it is a pretty good effort. Torque twist is much less than the ascender, about the same as the scx10.2. Shocks are nice and smooth but mine leak a little. Not like axial shocks but not perfect either. I really like the layout of the divorced transfercase and motor up front. The stock servo is the worst i have ever seen on a rtr, lol. I replaced it immediately. Front dogbones really limit the steering. I’m patiently waiting on a cvd to be made so I can replace these. Links are plastic and in single sheer but for the way I drive they are durable enough. Honestly, the truck is just cvd’s away from being my favorite truck. Maybe that will change once I get to run my scx10.2 more.

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by JDM74

I’m not sure how much bigger they are and how much lower they hang because the tires on my venture are 4.19 Braven iron sides while the ascender is on OG rock beasts which are listed at 4.45.

As far as my thoughts on the truck overall, I think it is a pretty good effort. Torque twist is much less than the ascender, about the same as the scx10.2. Shocks are nice and smooth but mine leak a little. Not like axial shocks but not perfect either. I really like the layout of the divorced transfercase and motor up front. The stock servo is the worst i have ever seen on a rtr, lol. I replaced it immediately. Front dogbones really limit the steering. I’m patiently waiting on a cvd to be made so I can replace these. Links are plastic and in single sheer but for the way I drive they are durable enough. Honestly, the truck is just cvd’s away from being my favorite truck. Maybe that will change once I get to run my scx10.2 more.

Good point, but just comparing the pumpkins the Ventures look larger.

CVDs aren't available yet? That's concerning. It's possible that HPI won't make any option parts for this truck because, after all, it's HPI and they haven't had their crap together in probably a decade. CVDs are a must.

Has anybody been able to modify other brand CVDs to fit this truck?

The aftermarket probably won't do too much with the truck because of the SCX10 II and TRX-4 so it better be good in stock condition.

I love the divorced setup as well. That, alone, is the only reason I have had my eye on this truck.

[JDM74]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

Good point, but just comparing the pumpkins the Ventures look larger.

CVDs aren't available yet? That's concerning. It's possible that HPI won't make any option parts for this truck because, after all, it's HPI and they haven't had their crap together in probably a decade. CVDs are a must.

Has anybody been able to modify other brand CVDs to fit this truck?

The aftermarket probably won't do too much with the truck because of the SCX10 II and TRX-4 so it better be good in stock condition.

I love the divorced setup as well. That, alone, is the only reason I have had my eye on this truck.

SSD has said that they were developing cvds and they would be out in a “few months” a few months ago, lol. They did come out with heavy knuckles. Somebody on here successfully fit ascender cvds in a venture but it involves modifying the cvds and the knuckles for clearance. Not really what I am interested in. I also am a fan of the behind the axle steering. I think strc makes aluminum bits for it also and there are some battery tray relocations on shapeways. Aluminum links are available on Ebay. So stuff is there, just a little harder to find. Really the cvd’s are the missing critical part of the puzzle to me.

The whole drivetrain is metal so I’m not worried about that. I’m sure people will find ways to break it though. Steering links and the panhard and 3rd link on the front are aluminum.

Sorry for the randomized memory dump. Lol

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by JDM74

SSD has said that they were developing cvds and they would be out in a “few months” a few months ago, lol. They did come out with heavy knuckles. Somebody on here successfully fit ascender cvds in a venture but it involves modifying the cvds and the knuckles for clearance. Not really what I am interested in. I also am a fan of the behind the axle steering. I think strc makes aluminum bits for it also and there are some battery tray relocations on shapeways. Aluminum links are available on Ebay. So stuff is there, just a little harder to find. Really the cvd’s are the missing critical part of the puzzle to me.

The whole drivetrain is metal so I’m not worried about that. I’m sure people will find ways to break it though. Steering links and the panhard and 3rd link on the front are aluminum.

Sorry for the randomized memory dump. Lol

No sorrys. I appreciate the input!

I'm not interested in hacking and taping things together either.

SSD makes awesome stuff so that would be great.

My crawlers are sane motors on 2S. If I break parts its my fault not the truck's. I'm not somebody that likes to jump up rocks.

[JDM74]

After posting these photos, I think I am going to try to powder coat the diff covers this weekend, lol.

I typically run the stock 35T motor with a hobbywing 1080 ESC. So breaking stuff is on me.

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by JDM74

After posting these photos, I think I am going to try to powder coat the diff covers this weekend, lol.

I typically run the stock 35T motor with a hobbywing 1080 ESC. So breaking stuff is on me.

I think that would really make a huge difference in improving the looks!

[soze]

Originally Posted by LSXGMC

You weren't kidding when you said you bumped your head, I didn't think you hit it THAT hard!

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

What are your thoughts on the Venture compared to the Ascender and SCX10 II if you have one?

Me thinks you're becoming like me.

COLLECT THEM ALL!

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by soze

Me thinks you're becoming like me.

COLLECT THEM ALL!

Well unless I was born first and in that case you'd be like me!

[johnnyluv]

CVD's are definitely the key to this platform becoming more sought after. I've been teetering on putting mine up for sale, because I have a plethora of scale trucks, but the one that thing that currently sets this one apart is that divorced transmission w/fwd motor mount. I don't even care that much for the FJ body, because it didn't come with LED mounting pods or anything, and I'm not into buying 3d parts on Shapeways. It's too bad that the China Jeep JK bodies are so short, because this would be a good platform for doing one of those builds(due to having that divorced transmission), except that the frame rails are too long, and there are no forward mounting points for the rear shock mounts. I attempted to mock it up with my unused JK body, and made that observation.

Well, I just found a full 313mm wheelbase China Jeep JK body that would most likely fit this chassis, but it's $99. I'm going to go outside now, and play with the Venture. hahaha

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by johnnyluv

CVD's are definitely the key to this platform becoming more sought after. I've been teetering on putting mine up for sale, because I have a plethora of scale trucks, but the one that thing that currently sets this one apart is that divorced transmission w/fwd motor mount. I don't even care that much for the FJ body, because it didn't come with LED mounting pods or anything, and I'm not into buying 3d parts on Shapeways. It's too bad that the China Jeep JK bodies are so short, because this would be a good platform for doing one of those builds(due to having that divorced transmission), except that the frame rails are too long, and there are no forward mounting points for the rear shock mounts. I attempted to mock it up with my unused JK body, and made that observation.

Well, I just found a full 313mm wheelbase China Jeep JK body that would most likely fit this chassis, but it's $99. I'm going to go outside now, and play with the Venture. hahaha

The divorced setup is the only reason I'd even consider one. If it was center transmission like the rest of them it would be completely overlooked IMO.

[MOmo]

I've posted Pics of my Modifed Vaterra CVDs on the Venture FB Page. Its a pretty easy mod.

The CVDs aren't overly expensive, but IMO it is a HUGE improvement over stock.
That combined with a better servo, My Venture is pulling lines that many of the TRX4s are doing with all the fancy gizmos.

I just picked up the BOWHOUSE Center Diff mount- and I hope the smooth skid will improve some of the spots the stock skid hangs up.

Really digging this rig.



MOmo

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by MOmo

I've posted Pics of my Modifed Vaterra CVDs on the Venture FB Page. Its a pretty easy mod.

The CVDs aren't overly expensive, but IMO it is a HUGE improvement over stock.
That combined with a better servo, My Venture is pulling lines that many of the TRX4s are doing with all the fancy gizmos.

I just picked up the BOWHOUSE Center Diff mount- and I hope the smooth skid will improve some of the spots the stock skid hangs up.

Really digging this rig.



MOmo

Got a link to that post?

[soze]

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

Got a link to that post?

Post it here when you mod yours!

[QuesoDelDiablo]

Putting the Ascender CVD's in the Venture is a ghetto-fab fix imo. It involves deleting one of the knuckle bearings (I think you might even have grind some of the inner knuckle race) and I can't bring myself do that.

Several people have posted on FB that they've done it and they seem to have no problems resulting from the mods, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

HPI has officially released their CVD's now so as far as I'm concerned it's a non-issue at this point.


Even with the dog-bones, I just ground the cups down by about .020" and that got me close to 10.2 steering angle.

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by QuesoDelDiablo

HPI has officially released their CVD's now so as far as I'm concerned it's a non-issue at this point.

No, they haven't.