DNA's SMT10 from the ground up

[dna4engr]

Since the announcement of this rig I've wanted one so bad. However I couldn't justify buying one as most of it would be changed out of the gate. Plus i have almost all the parts laying around except the chassis.

So why not build one from the ground up!!

Tower finally posted the chassis components for sale so I ordered them a week ago. Most are on back order and will be delivered in September but the first part showed up yesterday.

The skid plate. I put a basically stock wraith trans with metal gears and a two motor mount.



I had to order one more set of trailing arms. I'm also using the set that came with my bomber kit. Along with the aluminum stiffening plates. Instead of 2 per link, using 1 per link. That way I can put them to the inside and you won't really see them




Using proline destroyer wheels and some kyosho USA-1 tires I've been holding onto for about 10 years.



I plan to dye the chassis once it arrives. Presumably black but we'll see.

Rest of the parts list
Wraith axles with 38:13 gears and hpi diff gears. 1 million wt diff oil.
Maxx and wbhd drive lines.
HH brxl running two 550 motors (3s or 4s - tbd)
Servo - tbd
I have some proline power strokes I could use, but I may use the hpi savage xl shocks I have laying around so it looks more scale.

Not sure on the body yet. I may use the yeti raptor body as I saw it on another smt and I have one already. We'll see. Want to do something unique.


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[chino]

Looking forward to this build.

Pro-tip: That chassis dyes really easily. I did mine black and it came out awesome.

[CM9000]

4ws???

[dna4engr]

Originally Posted by CM9000

4ws???

Well I basically have all the parts......

Well have to see. I need to decide which radio I'm going to use and find some servos. Been doing so much multi axle steering on my other rigs I've run out ;)


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[CM9000]

spectrum has a cheap stick radio under 100 I believe

[dna4engr]

Oh it's not a decision of what to buy. It's a decision of what to use.
I have a 4pls and an mt4. Just don't know which I want to use. I have a futaba rx laying around. I would need to buy another Airtronics rx to use the mt4.

The mt4 would be much better but the futaba can do the job also.


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[dna4engr]

I think I know what direction I'm taking this rig now (need the chassis parts from tower first of course, lol)

I have a 1/8 Parma gd body I painted a few years ago. I don't want a normal gd scheme for this rig so I'm going to replicate the gravedigger "the legend" that has been on the circuit for a couple years.

In addition I have an rjspeed 49 ford body I'm going to paint up to match the original original gravedigger. And throw some mud tires on the rig. It'll be dual purpose.

I just need to decide which of the legend bodies to mimic.







And of course the original rig from mr Anderson




The body I have is painted but I'll just paint it anew on the outside.



Of course this assumes the smt10 chassis looks ok with the big body on it.

Oh yea I have the motors mounted.




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[chino]

You might run into clearance issues with that dual motor setup :(

[dna4engr]

Originally Posted by chino

You might run into clearance issues with that dual motor setup :(

Yea I'm kinda worried about that.

But that's what God invented the Dremel for ;)


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[dna4engr]

Well after 2 months of patiently waiting, tower finally got the rest of the cage in stock.

And it was immediately time to dye it black.



Roughing it out on the axles.



Sadly the 1/8 gravedigger body is just too big for the chassis.

I'm going to do a hybrid of the og original gravedigger and the legends version. Using a 49 f1 body but painted the same as the legends panel body.




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[snapon boy]

What size are the motors? Are they Dewalts?

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[JatoTheRipper]

How much did it cost to buy the chassis components separately like that?

This looks like it's going to be a fun truck with those two motors!

[dna4engr]

Originally Posted by snapon boy

What size are the motors? Are they Dewalts?

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Hey Fish, nah they are just some 550 size motors. I think in the 20-21 turn range.

Originally Posted by JatoTheRipper

How much did it cost to buy the chassis components separately like that?

This looks like it's going to be a fun truck with those two motors!

The chassis pieces retail for about $85 at tower when you pick them individually. With a super saver discount it's down to about $70-75. That's shipped since I get free shipping. I've heard you can buy a complete chassis from an rtr on eBay for around $83-$95 with shipping.

I ordered these back in august before the rtr were being torn down. They were all supposed to be to me in September but kept moving out.

Sadly I may have to go away from the double motor. The battery tray is in the way. I'd like to keep the stock one as it'll fit the stick packs I plan to run.

Guess I'll just have to go with a single brushless motor ;)



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[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by dna4engr

The chassis pieces retail for about $85 at tower when you pick them individually. With a super saver discount it's down to about $70-75. That's shipped since I get free shipping. I've heard you can buy a complete chassis from an rtr on eBay for around $83-$95 with shipping.

I ordered these back in august before the rtr were being torn down. They were all supposed to be to me in September but kept moving out.

Sadly I may have to go away from the double motor. The battery tray is in the way. I'd like to keep the stock one as it'll fit the stick packs I plan to run.

Guess I'll just have to go with a single brushless motor ;)

Thanks! Yeah I saw the ones on eBay and I've been tempted to buy one for a second build which is why I asked. I like your method better, especially since it's cheaper. That way you know you won't get any stripped out plastic and you can start with machine screws for everything. For some dumb reason Axial still uses course threads when they should all be machine threads in my opinion.

Brushless is the way to go. You'll get much longer run times than dual brushed motors too. HobbyWing makes great, inexpensive systems that are waterproof.

[dna4engr]

I have a Castle 3800kv just laying around that will probably work quite well in this rig. Just need to Scavenge an ESC off of something else lol

[JatoTheRipper]

Originally Posted by dna4engr

I have a Castle 3800kv just laying around that will probably work quite well in this rig. Just need to Scavenge an ESC off of something else lol

I have a 3900kV sensorless system in mine. Yes, it will work great! I think on 2S it's a more realistic scale speed for monster trucks since they have an insane amount of power these days. On 3S it's nuts and eats driveshafts and wheel hexes.

[dna4engr]

Got the body trimmed up and wrapped around the cage.

And I'm using hpi savage xl shocks





Now I Need to start laying out the sway bars.

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[OurJK]

Body fits it well, cant wait to see her all done!!!

[dna4engr]

I couldn't resist putting it together for a quick drive last night.

Using some deadloc steel driveshafts. They are plenty heavy. We'll see how they hold up.



Put the trans back together. It's a almost bomb proof setup. Still running a slipper clutch as I'm sure there will be some need for it when jumping and bashing this rig.

Castle 3800kv on 3s with a sidewinder esc. It's geared pretty low but I need to tweak the throttle curve some more.



The torque twist is massive with these long shocks. Probably need to identify something shorter. Also realized I didn't order the retaining clips for the sway bar itself so I need to order or make my own.


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[JatoTheRipper]

I love that way the body sits on your truck. You have it trimmed perfectly. That's going to look sick!

Heavy driveshafts, in my opinion, are not good at all. It takes a lot to get those spinning and takes even more to get them stopped. I will be very interested to see how they hold up though since they're a new brand.