Ralph Ver 2.5

[JasonInAugusta]

Originally Posted by Unholy

I just finished and threw away a Rockstar can... Should I dig it out and send it to you? :-P

Thanks for the DX6 tips by the way. That set up feels more natural! Now I just need to upgrade to brushless for the drag braking...

I already sent a can through the band saw so I could scan it for paint masks.

What's great about having the DX6 set up like that is that you can't accidentally hit throttle while steering.

[Unholy]

Originally Posted by JasonInAugusta

I already sent a can through the band saw so I could scan it for paint masks.

Nice! I seriously think I am going to use a Monster paint scheme on my 2.2 comp lid!

Originally Posted by JasonInAugusta

What's great about having the DX6 set up like that is that you can't accidentally hit throttle while steering.

That was the problem I was having with using a stick per axle setup!
The only twist I added to your hints was setting the mix to one of the switches so i could turn it on/off as needed. As I said, no brushless yet, so no drag breaks... so I turn it off to give a little revere throttle to the back axle during a dig. And I can do zero turn and back dig!
Thanks again!

[JasonInAugusta]

Originally Posted by Unholy

As I said, no brushless yet, so no drag breaks... so I turn it off to give a little revere throttle to the back axle during a dig. And I can do zero turn and back dig!
Thanks again!

Problem with that is accumulating reverse penalties.

But yeah, turning within the wheelbase is cool.

[slobin3d]

How strong is the stock bell crank? it looks like in a good smack or bind it would snap.

[JasonInAugusta]

I beat the livin' snot out of the truck on the last trip to Pointes West.

Several jumps off the bank onto the rocks below and then into the water.

Not too worried about the bellcrank.

If I break that thing I've got bigger issues.

[md99taco]

Do you know how those all t tires work in the mud or snow?

[eric113]

Any updates on Ralph ? Have you got to test him out ?

[JasonInAugusta]

Both of the kids have been sick so I haven't messed with RCs much lately.

Next time Ralph is out and about will likely be the scale comp here in Augusta.

[Creep]

JIA, The rebuild is looking good! I was looking at mounting my link/shock mounts like that but the taper of the axle tube and the width threw me off. What did you do to get them to stay located? If U don't mind me asking! Yes, this is a repeat post from a different thread; I can't see what you did to accomplish a 90 degree rotation.

[JasonInAugusta]

Originally Posted by Creep

What did you do to get them to stay located? If U don't mind me asking! I can't see what you did to accomplish a 90 degree rotation.

The two lower links have ball ends just like any other suspension link.

The upper 3-link has a ball end at each chassis mounting point.

The axle end of the upper 3-link has a 4-40 screw that passes through the upper link mount at the axle. Inside that upper link mount is a ball that rotates inside the link mount...just like a ball in a ball end. Think of the way the heims on a Stick work and you'll understand.

[Creep]

Oh I see... you thought I meant something else! What I was talking about is the little sandwich clamps that hold the links and shocks onto the axle. In stock form, the shock mount is above the axle while the link mounts are below the axle - I know this can be rotated 180 degrees and still mounted normally. But I was wanting to rotate them 90 degrees and couldn't because of the taper of the axle tube and different width (it is not square) - then I saw you were able to rotate them 90 degrees and was curious how you kept them from sliding around on the axle tube...? I have decided to drill a hole in the pinion-side of the axle tubes to mount my shocks that way instead. Still curious how you did it though... I hope this makes my question clear...?

[JasonInAugusta]

Oh chit! I fugged up!

The axles do taper but HPI was smart enough to put three bosses that run front to rear on the axle housing.

The two outer bosses serve to "level the shock/link mount while the third, taller boss keeps the mount located laterally...it won't slip left/right on the housing.

The axle measures 18mm x 16mm so it's not perfectly square. 2mm is nothing more than .079" and some change. A couple of carefully placed pieces of .040" lexan sheet (bwteen the outer bosses) work great to get things back in shape.

After using the lexan as a shim you might want to attach a couple of pieces of lexan to the axle housing on each side of the mount to keep it from sliding left/right. I haven't reached this point in the build yet but that's my initial plan.

We'll see how it goes from here.

[JasonInAugusta]

Rear suspension is complete, just needs upper brace.

14.5" wheelbase.

[william g]

what did you end up doing to lock the brackets in place on the axle? I think it's a shame it holds on with just a groove and notch for stock.

[JasonInAugusta]

Originally Posted by william g

what did you end up doing to lock the brackets in place on the axle? I think it's a shame it holds on with just a groove and notch for stock.

Shimmed the stockers for now.

Have new ones roughed out in aluminum, they'll need more milling before I'm ready to install them.

[Trikster]

Ralph looks awesome!

[looneybin]

common jason lets see some progress. ralph is famous but thats no excuse for being slo. j/k gonna have him done befor the comp?

[JasonInAugusta]

Yeah, he'll be done by Saturday.

I'm finishing up fab work tonight. Final assembly will be Friday.

Have new paint masks in hand and some sweet decals as well.

[EeePee]

You're such a ricer.

I knew it since I saw your DSM!

RIP to that DSM...

[JasonInAugusta]

Originally Posted by EeePee

You're such a ricer.

I knew it since I saw your DSM!

RIP to that DSM...

The panels say "RockStar", not "NOS".