K2-5 Comp build/rebuild

[rckjeep]

A few weeks ago I received a new K2-5 chassis from Brett (aka Kaetwo) at ReignRC. I quickly built a scaler modeled after my latest 1:1.
Here's the K2-5 scaler


After driving this thing and seeing all the BlackJacks out there I started looking into making the new rig into a competition level crawler.

So here's what I came up with. I made a very rough steel skid/tranny mount to lower the tranny & motor for a lower CG.


I did use the Mini LST shocks from 3Racing. I mounted them on the outside of the new narrower frame to keep it stable. I also angled them in using the stock K2-5 shock mounting holes.


I used the black Traxxas steel pushrods which made the WB a bit long. So in an attempt to shorten the WB and reduce steering interferance I bet the front lower links. Sorry for the bad pic but you get the picture.


As far as the rest of the rig. I used TLT axles built with all the goodies: CVD's, Straight axle adapters, bearings and RCP pinions, AX10 tranny w/a 35t Lathe 87t/13t combo, Novak Crawler ESC yada yada yada. Oh I forgot I also used my old trusty Proline CJ8 body of my TXT.

Here's some pics of how it sits.

[grob23]

sweet jeep body!

I love those bodies... prolly wouldn't trade it for anything...

[drumbeater]

Looks good Dave, Is this going to be the set up for Folsom ? What are you going to do with your tuber ?

[rckjeep]

Originally Posted by drumbeater

Looks good Dave, Is this going to be the set up for Folsom ? What are you going to do with your tuber ?

I think it may be, but I've kept the tuber together in case it doesn't work well enough. I love my tuber so it'll be around for a while. If it does work well I'd like to make a 1.9 buggy. But we'll see.

[JBHardwear]

Nice Rig, Ford body looks good on it

[kaetwo]

Very cool!!!!!!!

I think you've done an awsome job with it and can't wait to hear how it does.

[rckjeep]

So I took the rig to my testing grounds and WOW! the first thing I tried was a steep climb that has always denied Mugsy. It walked it without slowing down. Here's a pic of the climb from the side


Here's a pic from a distance


After that I tried a side hill climb that has also been trouble for my rigs. It did that as well. Being a stock uncut trail rig chassis it is very comp worthy. Brett did an awesome job with this one.

Here's a few pics from the outing. If anyone wants a comp rig but doesn't want to spend a ton of cash a K2-5 is definitely going to be the chassis for you. Plus it's an easy swap into a trail rig.

On to the pics.





oh a few things I'd like to do is figure out a way to smooth out the bottom. The buttonhead screws hang up a bit. Also some stiff springs would be nice, I'm just not sure which ones to use. Any tips would be great.

[Brandon]

Looks cool Dave. Nice job With that thing gauge skid there is not much you can do as far as better harware since you cant counter sink anything. Although Associated makes a chassis skid protector. Its a slick sheet thats sticky on one side, works great for skid plates and you can just cover the screws right up. Easy fix Until you have to take the tranny out

[rckjeep]

Thanks B, thats a good idea. Hey what springs are you running on your Mini LST shocks?

[Brandon]

Same ones you are. They are nice and soft. Although I cut down a losi yellow for the torque side in the rear.

[rckjeep]

I knew I saw one different colored spring

[dieselfuel]

nice! when i got my prototype k2-5 i thought it could easily be a competition chassis.

[rckjeep]

Originally Posted by dieselfuel

nice! when i got my prototype k2-5 i thought it could easily be a competition chassis.

I was thinking of cutting off the front and back to shorten it up a bit but then I couldn't figure out where to mount the batt and the rear body mount keeps the body from rattling. The only downside to the uncut chassis is the limitation on body choice. Ain't no bug body gonna fit on this.

[TxCruzr]

nice and simple, i like it
those shocks are sweet too. I think I'll be using them on the rest of my builds. They're so easy to mount being so short yet still allow just enough flex and work so smoothly.

[nj05nismo]

nice job...i had done that for alittle while with a k23l...but decided to go tuber. You did a better job of it than i did...lol. Something to consider, go to mcmaster.com and order some self adhesive delrin in 1/8th inch...its uber slick. then just drill your trans mounting holes in that and counter sink them. you now have a super slick skid and you dont have to worry about removing your tranny...

[rckjeep]

Originally Posted by nj05nismo

nice job...i had done that for alittle while with a k23l...but decided to go tuber. You did a better job of it than i did...lol. Something to consider, go to mcmaster.com and order some self adhesive delrin in 1/8th inch...its uber slick. then just drill your trans mounting holes in that and counter sink them. you now have a super slick skid and you dont have to worry about removing your tranny...

I have some slick HDPE in 1/8" that might work. I did the same thing on the Hustler. The Delrin has a higher density it would work better. I think I'll upgrade the wheels on this thing too.

[cuban b]

I think the no bug body factor might be the best part.

[rckjeep]

Originally Posted by cuban b

I think the no bug body factor might be the best part.

I hear ya. While at my LHS yesterday I grabbed some Proline Soft Memory foams. I installed a pair in the front and the tires contact patch is huge now. I think they maybe too soft. So I'll try them up front only and see what happens.

Oh while there I saw a Losi Grappler body, nice lookin body but it's also too short for this chassis.

[rckjeep]

So I installed the soft Proline memory faoms and went out to my test spot saturday. I snapped a few pics of just how soft these foams. Now the eight of the vehicle will have some effect on the these foams performance, this rig weights 6lbs 13oz. with 4.32lbs up front the rest in the rear. On to the pics




Now this pic is kinda funny, while crawling over a small rock the grabby Losi Rock Claws with the help of the uber soft Proline foams grabbed this rock and sucked into the fenderwell.


These foams will work a lot better in a tire with a stiffer carcass. The Losi carcass as well all know are quite flexable. I have not had the chance to try the new Proline tires yet I'm pretty sure these foams will work great in the
tires there were intended for.

[rckjeep]

Here's a few more pics of the test run