Droopy the K2-3S

[bRIBEGuy]

Well, I figured I should finally write this up, since progress had started.

A while back, I convinced a couple of my buddies to break down and build up crawlers so I wouldn't be the only one creeping around the rocks of Calgary. A fair bit of descussion latter, we all decided to build up 14" wheelbase clod rigs using the ReignRC K2-3S chassis.

Sadly, the chassis got ordered, and then sat around for 3 months as I've been focused on other things.

Anyway, a week or so ago, the three of us sat down and started to build up our crawlers, each taking a different approach. I decided for mine, to try out a "droop" suspension.

And yes............this is how it begins.

Axles and bits are from RCP Crawlers inc. Me and one of my friends both ordered the stage 4 axle kit.

Overall, they went together well, though both kits were each short 2 e-clips and 2 washers for assembling the knuckles. :( On top of that, one of my diff locker gears requires some filing to fit the clod axles (the silly little brass pieces that plug in either side...), and the upper link mounts did not include the aluminum sleeve shown in the pictures (they just showed up with the plastic bit and screws). Grrrr..................

Motors are Integy 35t matched up with RC4wd 8t pinions on CPE adjustable motor mounts.

Wheels are something I found lying around in a box, cut up and narrowed, and sporting Proline Badlands tires and CPE wheel adaptors.

[bRIBEGuy]

The chassis, links and suspension are coming along, but still require alot of tweaking.

Shocks are from an old E-Maxx, and have 100wt Trinity oil and custom trimmed internal compression springs. So far the system leaks like crazy.

LOL.

Yes I know the lower links are mounted wonky.

Yes I know half the screws are falling out.

;)

[bRIBEGuy]

This build will be a bit lengthy as spare time is rare right now, but I'll be updating the thread as I go.

Any comments or questions are appreciated.

[kaetwo]

That looks killer!

[STANG KILLA SS]

more info on the wheels. i dont recognize them at all........

[dieselfuel]

Dude i like that thing! Looks like it'd be fun to drive. I just might put my clod axles on that extra 3S ive got laying around.

[Renslipevol]

Originally Posted by bRIBEGuy

... so I wouldn't be the only one creeping around the rocks of Calgary.

You aren't the only one in Calgary. Need some guys to ride with...Nice build so far tho. Looks like you need some rock rash on the gearcase's and tubes

[bRIBEGuy]

Thanx for the kind words so far.



STANG KILLA SS: I have no clue what the wheels are.

I found them in a box of spare parts in my basement.

Heck......I honestly don't even remember where I got them from! LOL.

They're a standard "maxx" size rim though. I sectioned the middle, and narrowed them down to 1.5" wide.

Renslipevol: I agree, the axles are far to new and shiney! Then again, it'll only be a matter of time before they've been beat to snot like the axles on my other two clod rigs!

I was hoping to get some more work done on the thing over the weekend, but I didn't have the chance. :(

Oh well, hopefully sometime this week I can get the shocks rebuilt (again), and start working on the steering set-up.

[Renslipevol]

I even have the same chassis as you. Thats crazy. I guess I got the first one of the new batch! Nice chassis. I really like it.

[bRIBEGuy]

Managed to get a bit of work done on this thing today. Booty fabbed the ugliest BTA steering link the world has ever seen!

I'll post some pics tommorow.................

[bRIBEGuy]

As promised.........a picture of the worlds ugliest BTA drag link.

3mm aluminum should be plenty strong..........

[bRIBEGuy]

So the "Behind the Axle" steering set-up is getting ditched.

I played around with it for about an hour, and I just can't get the servo to fit where it needs to be. Because of the placement of the lower shock mounts on my links, I just can't squeeze enough room to mash a servo in. :(

Oh well. So I'll be using a "standard" steering set-up front & rear, but with a bit of a twist....................

Here's some new pics too.

Got the servo mounts done (good old 1/8" x 1" aluminum "L" bracket...), got the links all sleeved.

Slowly this thing is actually starting to come together.

Servo's will be a pair of TowerPro's, and ESC is a Moped V16.

[Racer4Life]

Nice job. I like it. Way to use the chassis. Alot different than the norm!

[bRIBEGuy]

Thanx Racer4Life.

I felt that the K2-3S chassis had a lot of potential, and so far I'm really happy with the progress.

The fun thing is that two of my buddies are using it also, and their builds are 100% different, yet it looks like all 3 will work well.

Mine is obviously all droop, as the build shows so far.

My one friend is doing more of a "typical" build, and is in the process of roughing in some shock towers to allow for maxx shocks to be run more vertical.

My second friend has come up with a seriously wacked out design that uses 6 shocks, but only 2 springs. It looks odd, but I gotta say, it works buttery smooth so far.

It'll be interesting to see them all on the rocks.

Here's a couople pics of the other builds.......but don't get to excited, this thread is about me!

[bRIBEGuy]

Alrighty, back to the topic at hand: Droopy the Clod.

Wheelbase has ended up at 13.75", so a little bit shorter then the 14" I was shooting for. Oh well.

Still playing with the wheels/tires, and foams, so I slapped on a set HPI Hellfire tires I had sitting around. They are a bit smaller in diameter then the badlans, and a bit wider. Still gives an idea of the stance that droopy will have however.

[bRIBEGuy]

Lifted the steering drag-links a bit to allow for more front/rear clearance since the BTA set-up didn't pan out.

The CPE wheel adaptors are too wide for my tastes also, so I have gone to a set of ThunderTech ones instead.

[C-MURDER]

Looks good. I see you posted a pick of my ride. I've joined now so I'll post more about mine for anyone interested in the six-shock setup. This is my first build of an RC Crawler and so far its working far better then I ever hoped. the chassis is very basic in shape, but I'm getting some very slick articulation with my setup and it seems to work well with this project. Thanks bRIBEGuy for helping me with the basics. Who would have thought that going slow over rocks would ever be this fun. I'm so used to flying with my hair on fire or driving like I stole it.

[bRIBEGuy]

Welome aboard RCC and the mad world of rockcrawling, C-MURDER!

[bRIBEGuy]

Well, I managed to get a bit more work done on the crawler today. Stumbled across a chunk of 5lb memory foam that was just begging to get hacked up.

Needless to say, the wheels are one step closer to getting mounted up with proper tires. Think I might spray bomb the rims first though......the yellowish white is kinda freakin' me out a bit...........

[bRIBEGuy]

Got some more work done on the wheels & tires. Hacked up the foam to make some custom inserts.