MFM Wheely King

[kdubb88]

I started out with a MFM chassis and going for the leafer build. Rubicon - WK Leafer

Scraped that idea after attending a local crawler event. Decided to make a competition crawler with the MFM chassis and the R2 tranny. My first crawler, F150 Wheely King did not fair so well. not enough torque and to top heavy with the stock motor/tranny setup.
F150 Wheely King


With this MFM chassis and the R2 tranny, I have an extremely low COG along with some bb's in the front wheels. I am waiting on RC4WD to fab up some 5mm to 6mm output shafts so I can install the drive shafts.

(FYI - for all you thinking of using and R2, the R2 transmission comes with 5mm output shafts, WK and REVO shafts are 6MM)

I am using Associated T4 shocks with 80 wieght oil. It sits low, but has plenty of droop.


Here are some pictures. I built this in just about 2 weeks. SO I still have to trim most of the bolts.


Since the chassis rides low. I had to make a servo mount that would allow me to have a axle mounted servo, yet give me chassis clearance.

I used the Tamiya suspension stays and doubled monted them back to back to create the upper 4 link mounts. I had to do this becasue the motor is real close to the chassis rail that a ball end would not fit on the inside of the chassis rail.



I made some simple brackets so I could use the stock body mounts.



Motor is just about riding up against the bolt. It has a 8 tooth pinion in it, if it is geared to low, I will have to redesign the link mounts so I can move the motor out.



I used one of my WK bodies to keep the costs down. I figure after a few tumbles, why waste money on a new body. Idon't think it looks all that bad, a little short, but it gives great approach and decent angles.







Fabed up some steering block-outs for the rear. I did not shave the spindle arms incase I try 4-wheel steering some day.




Articulation is good.







Once I get the drive shafts mounted, I will mount the battery and clean up the wiring.

Not sure if I will have all the parts for this weekends PARC comp.
RC4WD, if you are looking, I need some parts!

[Turblankas13]

looks pretty nice, how does that chassis work because i was thinking about getting it for my scale crawler?

[kdubb88]

Originally Posted by Turblankas13

looks pretty nice, how does that chassis work because i was thinking about getting it for my scale crawler?

The chassis is real nice to work with. I had to drill and tap my own holes for the R2 trans. You will have to figure out a way to mount the WK trans. The frame the way it comes is a tad to narrow to laydown a WK transmisison. A few 1/8 spacers ought to do the trick. I think it was manufactured to run the Stampede setup. One of the rails is cut a little different in the center section and MFM offers a tranny bracket. As you can see, there is a hole just about everywhere you could wish for. As soon as I get it running, we will see how it performs.

[tsaun987]

is it possible to use Harley's servo mnt w/ that chassis or will there not be enough clearance? I ask because I see yours it mounted in the middle of the axle.

[kdubb88]

It will hit, unless you have the chassis up higher. Check out 4x4Dodge's build using the MFM chassis with mount like Harley's.

Scale Jeep MFM Build

[Natedog]

Nice start, but seems like it would be better if the steering servo is tillted back and up so that the servo horn and links have more ground clearance.

[4x4dodge]

That looks REALLY good. You should do alot better at the next comp. Only thing that will hurt you is not having 4 wheel steering. The next comp is a pain to get to since it's up at the very top of South Mountain.

[Harley]

Looks real good man. Everything looks like it was well executed. I agree the WK body looks pretty good on there, I would keep it as long as they allow it in your local club. I think this chassis has been overlooked long enough, I bet we see quite a few of these start to pop up very soon

I have a new 4x4 wk, and a black MFM sitting at home right now. Mine is going to use the WK trans though. It will not be laid down, like you said there isn't room with the stock width. I am having plates machined to hold the trans, then I will clock the motor around front probably.

I am going with the stock steering configuration, just lengthing and strengthing everything.

I am pretty happy with the chassis, this will be my 3rd wk build and I think it will be very fun.

[elbo]

Kdub, the MFM chassis looks great with the Wk axles underneath. you're right i think it is mostly designed for the stampede chassis, but now i see the chassis begs for WK axles. my tlt axles just looked to puny for the chassis. i am designing a tube frame that basically bolts to the MFM chassis. i want mine to shake the ground(when it falls) like JIA's.

i agree with harley the stock steering config should be retained. and it would be relatively easy on this chassis. i want to try to use the battery box as well.

[johnathan c]

nice wk im building 1 just like that but with a jeep body and a roll cage

[kdubb88]

Originally Posted by Harley0706

Looks real good man. Everything looks like it was well executed. I agree the WK body looks pretty good on there, I would keep it as long as they allow it in your local club. I think this chassis has been overlooked long enough, I bet we see quite a few of these start to pop up very soon

I have a new 4x4 wk, and a black MFM sitting at home right now. Mine is going to use the WK trans though. It will not be laid down, like you said there isn't room with the stock width. I am having plates machined to hold the trans, then I will clock the motor around front probably.

I am going with the stock steering configuration, just lengthing and strengthing everything.

I am pretty happy with the chassis, this will be my 3rd wk build and I think it will be very fun.

I had the stock steering setup in this truck for the most part, but I had the servo in the rear. I ran into problems with the center portion being to long (the upright pivot arm), it would hang below the lower links under compression. I felt it would get hung up on rocks. I am sure that it could be worked out by changing locations of the pivot arm. The stock servo mount fit great on this chassis with a couple of spacers.

I will look for your future post.

[tsaun987]

Will the short shaft for the r2 work if you are mounting it on its side like the way you are? I was under the impression that using the short shaft required you to mount the tranny upright... thanks man

[kdubb88]

Originally Posted by tsaun987

Will the short shaft for the r2 work if you are mounting it on its side like the way you are? I was under the impression that using the short shaft required you to mount the tranny upright... thanks man

Yes,
I have chooped the long end down to match the short end. I am using the Revo half shafts for drive shafts. They are larger and a tad longer at the universal joint so there is clearence. I might have to shave the future skid plate a bit to allow for the drop angle. Plus, with the 5mm to 6mm adapter, that will push the shafts out even further. No problems.

[tsaun987]

if you dont mind, what are the part #'s for the shafts you used. I have the jato shafts and they are just barely too short. How are yours in length comparison to the jato shafts if you know what ones im talking about.
thanks

[kdubb88]

Originally Posted by tsaun987

if you dont mind, what are the part #'s for the shafts you used. I have the jato shafts and they are just barely too short. How are yours in length comparison to the jato shafts if you know what ones im talking about.
thanks

I have never seen a Jato shaft. The Revo Shaft is 5451X. It is 6-1/4" long. If you get these, the splines are keyed so they only go together in a certain way. The tolerance in the slip joint is very tight, so, when you trim them down, I recommend using a razor blade. Saw blades roughen up the edges and they don't slip inside each other well. Then you have to go and clean them out. Learned that on my first set.

[chip cross]

that thing is sharp

[elbo]

i used tmaxx shafts. traxxas #4951x. they required very little mod.

[kdubb88]

I decided to play by the rules and go with a 1/10th body since everyone else in the club does. Here it is.

I

It sits nice and low. I might remove the springs and see how it does.








I am still waiting on the drive shaft adapters. I will give an update as soon as I can get it running.

Does anyone have input as to foams with bb's or no foams with bb's? BB's up front or all around?

[SACCO]

I want an MFM chassis:-(

If you remove the springs, stand the shocks up a lil more

[Kranberry]

Is There Any Touqe Twist With The Shocks Laid Down That Much?