TCS Boulder Chassis Build

mann0mann · 07-27-2009, 01:58 AM

The crew at my HobbyTown decided to do a TCS Boulder Build this weekend.

I've always enjoyed building up all of the TCS chassis kits for the AX10. My first rig was an Edge tuber, my second big build was a scaler based on the X-Trail chassis and since the Eclipse came out that has been my comp rig for some time. I love my Eclipse. So I was excited when Kevin announced the new Boulder TVP Unibody. I snatched up a prototype and decided to get one built for the store.

Enough with the TCS-love talk

...on with the build.

Here's what we started with, a fresh Ready-To-Crawl RTC Ax10 -

All the parts opened and a quick little mock up....

Also just too, note I ordered not only the prototype kit, but I also had to order three packages of there chassis spacers. They come two to a package and you need six of them

http://www.tcscrawlers.com/TCS-Crawl...h-p-16906.html

These are 80mm in length for the DIY'ers

mann0mann · 07-27-2009, 02:06 AM

A quick disassemble of the RTC to get her down to axles and a tranny -

I usually mock up all my tube frame builds first and paint panels last, this build seemed like it was smart to do the opposite. So we painted the panels first and proceeded with the build post-paint.

The top hood, interior and "trunk" is all one single piece, so to get the black interior cab look you have to mask off that area and paint it the separate color.

The paint is one of Pactra's new spray colors for Polycarbonate that just came out. It's called LIME ICE, you have to use a black backer with it to achieve the color. I think it came out pretty nice. It's basically a dead on match to Axial's green.

mann0mann · 07-27-2009, 02:08 AM

I won't bore you with a ton of commentary on the assembly, not a ton of rocket science tech here, but for those curious here's some shots as we went along....

mann0mann · 07-27-2009, 02:12 AM

Here's a shot of the electronics installed for those wondering where it fit.

We used the optional lexan 3-link mount included with the RTC to mount the ESC and put the rx on the side panel.

and this came out kinda nifty...the switch we mounter here. It's slighlty deceiving in the pic, but it's completely out of the way, but still easy to get to if needed.

mann0mann · 07-27-2009, 02:13 AM

more to come in a bit...

oldhippie · 07-27-2009, 05:27 AM

I am confused about the chassis. Want is it made of? Are there side panels that fit over the chassis plates or are the plates and panels one piece? Did ya paint the outside of the side panels? It looks like the shocks are hitting the side plates? Does look like a easy & cheap way to get rid of the body.

kevinlongisland · 07-27-2009, 07:00 AM

mann0mann, great build so far.

oldhippie, structural side plates and paint-able side panels are separate pieces.

oldhippie · 07-27-2009, 08:18 AM

So the side plates are alum plate?

mann0mann · 07-27-2009, 11:11 AM

Side plates are Delrin. The body panels that go over them are lexan that you paint.

mann0mann · 07-27-2009, 02:12 PM

Here she is all wrapped up, need to get some decals/stickers on it.

mann0mann · 07-27-2009, 02:27 PM

I'd like to get it out on the rocks in stock form just to test the new RTC.

I'll get some pics of that asap.

I think I'll keep this ones simple in terms of upgrades, just do an triangulated skid, upgrade the servo and esc.

I really like the way this came out and looks. I also think durability will not be an issue (unless your name is Gunnar).

Lastly....this is how I think they should ship them from the factory :-P

thomas · 07-27-2009, 03:32 PM

so is this just cosmetic or does it actually help the climbing abality, a just got the rtc and i cant deside between the edge, eclipse, and now this.

2500hdon37s · 07-27-2009, 03:46 PM

looks good bro, nice color pick!, ive always liked the rtc

oldhippie · 07-27-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mann0mann

Side plates are Delrin. The body panels that go over them are lexan that you paint.

Kool! I'm liking this thing more.

Harvo · 07-27-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomas

so is this just cosmetic or does it actually help the climbing abality, a just got the rtc and i cant deside between the edge, eclipse, and now this.

Being a direct bolt on... it's for looks. But I want one for a rock racer experimental build up. Looks nice and light... smaller than a bodied rig and will easily hide and protect electronics.

The edge is heavy and will make you tumble alot. The eclipse is pretty awsome though and would be my first choice for a racer chassis if this thing wasn't just so dang inexpensive

thomas · 07-27-2009, 05:03 PM

here is a link for it http://www.tcscrawlers.com/TCS-Crawl...s-p-17752.html in the description of it it said you need the spacers http://www.tcscrawlers.com/TCS-Crawl...h-p-16906.html do the spacers come with the screws for them? thanks

gunnar · 07-27-2009, 05:10 PM

Can I drive it? I promise I'll only jump it a few times

I need to practice my "air" gates!

mann0mann · 07-27-2009, 06:24 PM

You'll have to comment on it after you see it wed/thursday. I think you'll be impressed. It's pretty cool looking.

poorboyrc77 · 07-28-2009, 12:50 PM

Just ordered mine today so I'm reading close.

poorboyrc77 · 07-29-2009, 04:29 AM

Any news on the performance ??

07-27-2009, 01:58 AM	#1
mann0mann Who Me? Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 967	TCS Boulder Chassis Build The crew at my HobbyTown decided to do a TCS Boulder Build this weekend. I've always enjoyed building up all of the TCS chassis kits for the AX10. My first rig was an Edge tuber, my second big build was a scaler based on the X-Trail chassis and since the Eclipse came out that has been my comp rig for some time. I love my Eclipse. So I was excited when Kevin announced the new Boulder TVP Unibody. I snatched up a prototype and decided to get one built for the store. Enough with the TCS-love talk...on with the build. Here's what we started with, a fresh Ready-To-Crawl RTC Ax10 - All the parts opened and a quick little mock up.... Also just too, note I ordered not only the prototype kit, but I also had to order three packages of there chassis spacers. They come two to a package and you need six of them http://www.tcscrawlers.com/TCS-Crawl...h-p-16906.html These are 80mm in length for the DIY'ers __________________ HobbyTown - Concord, CA Bay Area's Largest Indoor Rock Crawling Facility MANN Gears Heavy Duty Replacement 2nd & 3rd Berg Gears HobbyTown on FaceBook

07-27-2009, 02:06 AM	#2
mann0mann Who Me? Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 967	A quick disassemble of the RTC to get her down to axles and a tranny - I usually mock up all my tube frame builds first and paint panels last, this build seemed like it was smart to do the opposite. So we painted the panels first and proceeded with the build post-paint. The top hood, interior and "trunk" is all one single piece, so to get the black interior cab look you have to mask off that area and paint it the separate color. The paint is one of Pactra's new spray colors for Polycarbonate that just came out. It's called LIME ICE, you have to use a black backer with it to achieve the color. I think it came out pretty nice. It's basically a dead on match to Axial's green. __________________ HobbyTown - Concord, CA Bay Area's Largest Indoor Rock Crawling Facility MANN Gears Heavy Duty Replacement 2nd & 3rd Berg Gears HobbyTown on FaceBook

07-27-2009, 02:08 AM	#3
mann0mann Who Me? Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 967	I won't bore you with a ton of commentary on the assembly, not a ton of rocket science tech here, but for those curious here's some shots as we went along.... __________________ HobbyTown - Concord, CA Bay Area's Largest Indoor Rock Crawling Facility MANN Gears Heavy Duty Replacement 2nd & 3rd Berg Gears HobbyTown on FaceBook

07-27-2009, 02:12 AM	#4
mann0mann Who Me? Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 967	Here's a shot of the electronics installed for those wondering where it fit. We used the optional lexan 3-link mount included with the RTC to mount the ESC and put the rx on the side panel. and this came out kinda nifty...the switch we mounter here. It's slighlty deceiving in the pic, but it's completely out of the way, but still easy to get to if needed. __________________ HobbyTown - Concord, CA Bay Area's Largest Indoor Rock Crawling Facility MANN Gears Heavy Duty Replacement 2nd & 3rd Berg Gears HobbyTown on FaceBook

07-27-2009, 02:13 AM	#5
mann0mann Who Me? Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 967	more to come in a bit... __________________ HobbyTown - Concord, CA Bay Area's Largest Indoor Rock Crawling Facility MANN Gears Heavy Duty Replacement 2nd & 3rd Berg Gears HobbyTown on FaceBook

07-27-2009, 05:27 AM	#6
oldhippie What? Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: 20 miles southeeast of downtown Sacramento Posts: 2,309	I am confused about the chassis. Want is it made of? Are there side panels that fit over the chassis plates or are the plates and panels one piece? Did ya paint the outside of the side panels? It looks like the shocks are hitting the side plates? Does look like a easy & cheap way to get rid of the body.

07-27-2009, 07:00 AM	#7
kevinlongisland The Wheels Keep Turning Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 2,770	mann0mann, great build so far. oldhippie, structural side plates and paint-able side panels are separate pieces. __________________ RcCrawler Vendor of the year - TCScrawlers.com TEAM TCS - Kicking butt since 2006. 06, 07, 08, 09 Champions

07-27-2009, 08:18 AM	#8
oldhippie What? Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: 20 miles southeeast of downtown Sacramento Posts: 2,309	So the side plates are alum plate?

07-27-2009, 11:11 AM	#9
mann0mann Who Me? Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 967	Side plates are Delrin. The body panels that go over them are lexan that you paint. __________________ HobbyTown - Concord, CA Bay Area's Largest Indoor Rock Crawling Facility MANN Gears Heavy Duty Replacement 2nd & 3rd Berg Gears HobbyTown on FaceBook

07-27-2009, 02:12 PM	#10
mann0mann Who Me? Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 967	Here she is all wrapped up, need to get some decals/stickers on it. __________________ HobbyTown - Concord, CA Bay Area's Largest Indoor Rock Crawling Facility MANN Gears Heavy Duty Replacement 2nd & 3rd Berg Gears HobbyTown on FaceBook

07-27-2009, 02:27 PM	#11
mann0mann Who Me? Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 967	I'd like to get it out on the rocks in stock form just to test the new RTC. I'll get some pics of that asap. I think I'll keep this ones simple in terms of upgrades, just do an triangulated skid, upgrade the servo and esc. I really like the way this came out and looks. I also think durability will not be an issue (unless your name is Gunnar). Lastly....this is how I think they should ship them from the factory :-P __________________ HobbyTown - Concord, CA Bay Area's Largest Indoor Rock Crawling Facility MANN Gears Heavy Duty Replacement 2nd & 3rd Berg Gears HobbyTown on FaceBook

07-27-2009, 03:32 PM	#12
thomas Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Underground Crawling...Boise Id Posts: 483	so is this just cosmetic or does it actually help the climbing abality, a just got the rtc and i cant deside between the edge, eclipse, and now this.

07-27-2009, 03:46 PM	#13
2500hdon37s I wanna be Dave Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: sittin in the sky Posts: 3,063	looks good bro, nice color pick!, ive always liked the rtc __________________ HD Losi comp crawler, HD Honcho HLOMES POWERD! what are them lipo thingys???

07-27-2009, 05:03 PM	#16
thomas Quarry Creeper Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Underground Crawling...Boise Id Posts: 483	here is a link for it http://www.tcscrawlers.com/TCS-Crawl...s-p-17752.html in the description of it it said you need the spacers http://www.tcscrawlers.com/TCS-Crawl...h-p-16906.html do the spacers come with the screws for them? thanks

07-27-2009, 05:10 PM	#17
gunnar is the dog! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Mateo, CA. Posts: 2,427	Can I drive it? I promise I'll only jump it a few times I need to practice my "air" gates! __________________ Berg build:http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=208105 Body Mounts:http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=204254 CVD pins: http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=196257

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07-27-2009, 06:24 PM	#18
mann0mann Who Me? Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 967	You'll have to comment on it after you see it wed/thursday. I think you'll be impressed. It's pretty cool looking. __________________ HobbyTown - Concord, CA Bay Area's Largest Indoor Rock Crawling Facility MANN Gears Heavy Duty Replacement 2nd & 3rd Berg Gears HobbyTown on FaceBook

07-28-2009, 12:50 PM	#19
poorboyrc77 Sponsored by VISA Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: talladega AL. Posts: 616	Just ordered mine today so I'm reading close. __________________ Looking for a win in 2010 !!!! Proud member of THE EMPTY POCKET CLUB !!!

07-29-2009, 04:29 AM	#20
poorboyrc77 Sponsored by VISA Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: talladega AL. Posts: 616	boulder Any news on the performance ?? __________________ Looking for a win in 2010 !!!! Proud member of THE EMPTY POCKET CLUB !!!

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