WK Tuber... it is going to take a long time

[Creep]

I have begun my WK tuber project. I have life in my way right now so I can't focus much on this every week. Anyway, I am using the Wheely King axles and tranny, trans, transmission (that's for the people who actually use the search feature). RC4WD BL01's or whatever they call them this month (might have to get the other option to lessen my track width though), Moabs, Savage shocks (will probably go for the aluminum option later), Revo shafts (might be too big for my suspension idea though), Lipo of some sort, original Revolver and Mamba until I decide on either the Novak or Hyperion brushless. I know, PICS ALREADY!

1/8" aluminum skid plates. Not much else to say but DAMN that looks good!


This is the new motor mount/tranny mount I made which also acts as a subframe that I will be able to remove from the tube chassis for maintainence. Not seen is the 72t 32p Traxxas spur gear - I needed a big diameter to allow the motor to clear the tranny. I had to drill new holes in the spur to mate it to the HPI hub.



I removed the stock mounting posts and mounted the tranny using the forward plate. A second plate goes on this side of the tranny. You can see the beginning of my gear-forced articulation suspension housed in there too!

[Creep]

This is a simple example of the stance I am shooting for:

The link mounts are attached to the front axle by screwing them into the housing which gives a very smooth bottom side to the axle housing.






Notice that I switched the knuckles on the rear axle (they are at more of an angle to the ground now and not vertical) to gain a bit more clearance at the ends of the axle. I have not stabilzed the steering parts on the rear axle yet though.

[xjwalt666]

looks good. what is the difference in the width of the wk axles compared to tlt axles?

[supercrawlerfreak]

ok you know you have to elaborate more on the gear forced atriculation idea cuz that just looks strange with a traxxas ring gear on the bottom of a skid

[JasonInAugusta]

Originally Posted by xjwalt666

looks good. what is the difference in the width of the wk axles compared to tlt axles?

Search general scale for wheely king axle breakdown.

[xjwalt666]

Originally Posted by JasonInAugusta

Search general scale for wheely king axle breakdown.

ok will do

[Creep]

Originally Posted by supercrawlerfreak

ok you know you have to elaborate more on the gear forced atriculation idea cuz that just looks strange with a traxxas ring gear on the bottom of a skid

I used the ring and pinion (with a second pinion) from a CEN Nemesis (left over parts from another build). I was trying to install a locker in the CEN diff but they use red locktite on the diff cup so I had to section the ring gear with my dremel. Anyway, I had been looking for a way to mimic the Scorpion MK 1 suspension and realized how the gear would turn the pinion one way but another pinion on the other side would rotate the other way. So I figure I will add lower wishbone links to the pinions, mounted through a hinge point to allow up and down travel. I will use the stock upper control arm mount on the axle for a wishbone splitting the other way to keep the axle located laterally. I am trying to set the ride height perfectly to locate the point of swivel on the chassis and the point of swivel on the axle at the same above-ground height to limit axle steer when flexing. Like 1:1 rock buggies use the winch to limit downward travel for hillclimbs... I will use thin braided line to maintain the ride height (f&r) which will keep my shocks at half travel when sitting, so there is equal droop and compression. This way neither corner will limit the travel of the other end (front, rear, left, right) allowing each corner equal travel at all times. The opposing shocks should force travel of the other shocks this way. I am hoping this suspension will knock out torque twist, body lean on sidehills, and anti-squat while allowing good droop and stability. Longwinded, I know, but I think you get the idea!

[Natedog]

Really interesting looking build...nice idea on the geared suspension linkage...should work great to eliminate torque lean. Nice use of the WK tranny too.

[JIA's Dad]

Looks like you've already chosen a name for this one in pics 5 & 6. DISTURBED!!!! Just a thought since it showed up. What did you use to make the motor/trans mount.

[Creep]

I kinda like that idea for a name! I could make a 'DISTURBED' graphic for it like Jason did for Ralph.

[Creep]

I forgot to mention I used 1/4" textured polyethelene for the subframe - my camera sucks so it's hard to see the texture.
Here are some renderings!
Even the 3D model is a work in progress...


Lots of complex curves but I used the radius of my bender to create most the curves in my design so I think I can build it!

[JasonInAugusta]

Originally Posted by Creep

I kinda like that idea for a name! I could make a 'DISTURBED' graphic for it like Jason did for Ralph.

Then you'd be down with the sickness!

I was on the phone with dad today...for some-odd reason he thought this was one of my builds.

Probably has something to do with him browsing the forums at 4AM.

[Reflection]

pictures ain't working for me. What gives?

[Creep]

None of them work? I don't know what to tell ya. I can view them from 2 different computers.

[Creep]

Originally Posted by JasonInAugusta

Then you'd be down with the sickness!

I was on the phone with dad today...for some-odd reason he thought this was one of my builds.

Probably has something to do with him browsing the forums at 4AM.

That's alright, I'll just take it as a compliment!

[Creep]

I got some bending done! I'm using 3/16" brakeline. I need to order some safety-silv or something. I know there is a link to it on here somewhere... Anyone have any better suggestions or tips? This is my 1st tuber and my third crawler - of course, I didn't finish the 1st or 2nd ones. I think its looking good though... I am straying from my drawing just a bit to smooth things out but I am pleased with how it is going so far! Give me some feedback - I feel all alone here!!

MORE FUZZY PICS!

[NickRummy]

Looks awesome Creep! Are those scale drawings from CAD helping with bending the tube? I have all the stuff to braze but haven't tried it yet. I gotta jump in and go for it. The problem is, If i'm decent at it, I don't think I'll ever put the torch down and actually drive what I make!

And yes, you do need a better camera!

[Creep]

Thanks Nick! The drawings help out a ton! I place a straight piece on the drawing and mark where the beginning of the bend needs to be, start bending, and adjust the bend by hand to match the drawing. Anything that is angled in the Z plane and can't be measured accurately on paper can be measured in the DWG file and I use calipers to transfer that dimension to the tubing. My angle finder fine tunes everything after that! I am excited to start brazing too, but I am about to start a new job, buy a new house, move, and go to Moab for the Safari! I just hope I finish this crawler...

[AARONA40]

Creep, i love the cad drawings. great idea and near perfect way to get you bends correct. all 3 dimensoins is sweet!!!!! any way to show the articulation with the cad? Cool idea and keep up the good work. aaron

[Creep]

Thanks Aaron, it has been a lot of fun! I appreciate the feedback. Here is a link to a 3D modeling software thread in the tools and procedures section that goes into several programs that can help you get started with modeling parts and ideas. 3D modeling/rendering software
For this design, I started with a basic 2D profile of an idea and then started guessing the other views until I finally started designing in the "3D world" to get things to work perfectly. I produce less waste by having the tubing lengths already measured in front of me. The pics below show 60* of balanced articulation which is my goal. The pivot points I picked in the model mimic the pivot points I should have in the real world.