And so it begins... sneak peek

[mjderstine]

why not, i couldnt say really, just think about your total weight and go from there.

[simon170]

Total weight or sprung weight?

[mjderstine]

what do you tihnk your total weight of the truck will be?

[simon170]

Just popped her on he scales, with chassis, wheels/tyres, axles, links, shocks, body, trans and two 6 cell packs... she tips the scales at 17.1 lbs.

Still have to add all other electrics, (big) motor and driveshafts. Probably going to be 20lbs all up.

[simon170]

Little update, just made some rear shock mounts and got them bolted on, got the front mounts made at the weekend and have just put them on, front and rear tie rods made and installed.
I think its sitting to hig as with the wheels thrown on its looks a little goofy, so going to lower the suspension height a little, and possible raise the body to keep tire clearance. I got a quote for some springs, basically works out at about $80! Bit too rich for me, so going to use some smaller ones internally on the shock body. Got a few different rates coming, 4, 5.5 and 7 lbs/in, will see what works I guess.

The rear mounts will have a joining round bar like the front, hopefully get that made this weekend.

Opinions welcome!

[mjderstine]

heavy!

does it make sense to get a spring twice as strong as a stock axial then?

[simon170]

It sounds logical captain...

The only variable I have found is spring length, if you change the length you change the spring rate. Gone for 50mm springs as this will give me a slight drop from the ride height at the moment, plus give a small amount of droop as well. The cool thing is, I found there is spare space in the top of the shock body, so when the spring is fully compressed it wont take up any extra room and reduce the travel of the piston.
Might get some external ones made as a later date, as I think it looks better, but will have to wait for that.

How much does the Deuce weigh?

[mjderstine]

i think at least 10 pounds, buts its a a 1/10th rig, not huge like yours, but she is really heavy for what is it.

[Cordwood]

Spring rate doesn't change with length on a linear rate spring. Find a spring that is the right rate and long, then. It it to length. If you run a little forward bias with motors/battery and such it sounds like those 7 lb/in should work good in the front with either of the softer springs in the rear. Only trial and error will tell. I little droop sounds good to lower it as those link angles are pretty steep. Is there a lot of side to side axle movement?

[mjderstine]

yeah, one thing that doesnt look all that scale is that link angle. i would put some limiters int he shocks, and probably make the shock mounts taller. all said and done you want about a tire's height of articultion when its maxed out.

[simon170]

Originally Posted by Cordwood

Spring rate doesn't change with length on a linear rate spring. Find a spring that is the right rate and long, then. It it to length. If you run a little forward bias with motors/battery and such it sounds like those 7 lb/in should work good in the front with either of the softer springs in the rear. Only trial and error will tell. I little droop sounds good to lower it as those link angles are pretty steep. Is there a lot of side to side axle movement?

I agree, the link angles are too steep. The shocks are a little longer than I would have liked, but with some droop is should sit right and have good flex. No there's no side to side in the axles at all, tight as a drum

Originally Posted by mjderstine

yeah, one thing that doesnt look all that scale is that link angle. i would put some limiters int he shocks, and probably make the shock mounts taller. all said and done you want about a tire's height of articultion when its maxed out.

I can move the fronts up two holes and make some new taller mounts for the rear if needed, can do that if needed. I did think about limiters to bring it down, but seemed a waste to loose the travel on the shocks.

Where's there bloody postman with my springs! It's been at least 10 hours now...

Think I should call this the truck that eBay built, as most of it has been posted through my door at some point.

[klampykixx]

what are these rims off mate? are they 24mm hex?? and how tall is the tire?

[simon170]

They are Pro-Line 40 series commandos, 23mm hex. Tire is 8" tall

[klampykixx]

so are they the RC4wd 40 series mud slingers too?

[simon170]

Spot on mate, really cool looking tire

[Cordwood]

You're probably going to find that youll have to limit a lot of the travel out of those shocks. The tires are gonna be up into the body pretty quick, especially turning with those wideners.

[simon170]

True. Going to get a bit further along and see what rubs and where. Might lift the body a touch to show off the chassis some more and gain a bit more clearance.

[simon170]

Ok, so...

The external springs have been replaced with shorter internal ones, giving about a 26/27mm drop, I've moved the links further towards the tranny to keep the WB right, and I've added a brace between the chassis rails and the rear shock mounts. Not major, but getting there.

Need to remake the rear mounts, as the back is sitting a little too high and the shocks are leaning back after these latest changes.

What do we think for ride height, about right?



Does anyone have any idea for driveshafts? I'm stumped! Need them about 200mm going from a Traxxas output, to a TF outfit (8mm I think)

[vwmopar]

I think you should change the angle of your links. I have found on my builds the axle will try and walk its way under the truck. Also with the links more parallel to the ground you won't have as much of a pinion change during axle articulation. Cool build man I always like the builds with one off parts. It's not what you buy its what you build.

[simon170]

Thanks for the kind words mate, much appreciated you reckon go lower then? I'll see what I can do with it, cheers.