How to drop frame rails?

[totalamature]

As the title says..

How do you drop the frame rails? I've seen a few trucks on here with it done and it looks good. I would like to tuck the guts up into the body for a more scale look.

Cheers

[AC_Crawler]

I'll post some pictures but basically you do what your title says. You unbolt the framerails, and lower them on the ladder frames then use some spacers for the gap in the frame rails and then setup your links accordingly.


That was during the process. Dat toe stand works good .

That's what it looked like after. Currently awaiting shocks for a droop setup. If you want to run springs like the one in the 2nd picture, those are the short barrel springs, but they are pretty sloppy. Do not try and cut your stock springs to size, I did that in the first pic and they were basically blocks, no flex at all.

[totalamature]

huge help.. Thanks!

[totalamature]

Did you have to adjust the length of the links?

[totalamature]

Ps dont you find it really wobbly without dampers?

[AC_Crawler]

No I just relocated the mounting positions of the links. So the lower links have 3 holes in which they can be mounted, you can mount them anywhere in those 3 depending on the wheelbase of your body. As for the upper links. You need to mount them in a location that has an ok pinion angle so your driveshaft doesn't bind or not work at all. So the rear upper links is now mounted in what used to be the lower frame rail mount on that side. Below those rail mounting holes my front one is mounted in the next group of holes on the outer edge of the ladder frame in the highest hole in that group, should be able to see in the pictures. As for the springs, yes it was very sloppy without dampers lol I had really bad binding issues in the front because I had so much articulation that my tire would be completely stuffed into the wheel well and would get hung up. I am expecting some rc4wd shocks in the mail tomorrow, after I put them on I can post some pictures of how I will mount them if you want.


This picture might help you see where the upper links are mounted. I'm not sure what body you are wanting to run or the wheel base but you should be fine from around 10.9" to 12.3" just my moving the links.

[totalamature]

Cool thats awesome. I had a play and know where your coming from. Ive also ordered some shocks from rc4wd so will wait untill they arrive to do it.

[AC_Crawler]

Nice sounds like your well on your way to making it into a scaler lol. Mine with the Hilux body looks like it has 1 ton axles under it. Would be nice if there was a way to either put SCX10 axles under it or narrow the axles, but that would take a lot of work.

[AC_Crawler]

Just thought I would throw this in here for an update. Got my new shocks today. I am pulling up on the frame to show articulation, it is a droop setup.

[totalamature]

I think someone on here has used those rc channel hi lift axles on a cr-01. Pretty sure they come in a few different widths and mate up without drama. That will be my next purchase..

[jeepnvinny]

Looks similar to mine, except I have longer shocks. I'll get some photos up latsr

[AC_Crawler]

I went with the 80mm shocks because I don't have any metal laying around I can fab into new mounts. And I don't currently have the tools to fab. But if I mount them at an angle I should be able to get more flex out of them and be lower to the ground.

[OSRC]

Cut myself new sideplates out of some 2mm 6061. Same geometry, just moves the entire trans mount and link mounts up about 3/4 inch relative to the upper suspension mounts. Very easy to do, just traced out the original parts. Very easy rig to mod btw.

[totalamature]

Yeah I like that. Something to think about down the line. Id love to fab up an even more scale looking chassis. Bit of a mission though!

[AC_Crawler]

Yeah custom stuff is fun. I need more tools and fabbing machinery. Here's some pics after the droop.

[OSRC]

Hacksaw and a drill are all I use. Would love to have some more fab capability! Building/creating new stuff is the best part for me.

Back on topic, I just ran the chassis above for the first time last night. Really makes a difference, especially in breakover - very worth the time to do it.

[AC_Crawler]

I have a hacksaw, but not the proper blade. And man all that with a hacksaw no thanks lol. I hate how Tamiya did the frame rails though, I wish they were flat instead of [ shape.

[OSRC]

Lol - sorry Jigsaw, not a hacksaw. Good lord, I'd still be tooling on it in that case.

[AC_Crawler]

Lol that makes more sense haha. I was like man you got some patience lol.

[jeepnvinny]

I used metal electrical box covers from Lowe's for make drop the frame rails. I also make shock brackets, used AX10 shocks in full droop, and lengthened the wheelbase. Works really well.
[IMG][/IMG]