Duke's Banana build

[raul duke]

Originally Posted by e-hills4x4

so how you liking the 3s dave? they got more in today

Great, don't know why I stayed with two cells so long. Might have to make a run for another one.

Originally Posted by Tupers

You've got a great looking truck there. I want to get a set of thoose wheels just for the box they come in. Hows the VF working for you I'm thinking of getting one for my black jack.

Thanks, the VP wheels are worth the money for sure. I like the VF, I was running the rc4wd R2D in my SW3 and the VF seems to be smoother and a little more reliable. I have not had any issues so far during my testing.

Got my custom grappler today, should not have a problem seein this one. I think it looks good cut down. Turn the color down I can't be held accountable for eye damage.

[CrawlerGraphics]

That body looks awesome...
Thanks...

[fletch]

looks good Duke

[raul duke]

Got my 5955 servo and Panther Cougars yesterday. Man these tires look and feel nice, very different from the Rock Claws evan though they appear similar. The grip is outstanding, only problem I saw was the tire tended to fold a bit on sidehills, I am sure nothing that a hybrid reach foam or similar wouldn't fix. Still need to test them at all the regular haunts before drawing a conclusion. But for now.



Ummmmmm grippy.



Still concerned about a couple week spots in the drive train. Need RCP lockers front and rear and CVD's in front. Lack of CVD became apperent last saturday when I took about a foot fall and snapped the TLT stub axle in half. At least there is no sortage in those.

[CrawlerGraphics]

Looking good...

[raul duke]

I decided against my better judgement to give the ol' Banana the comp test this past weekend at the SoCal series final. I figured if I didn't give up to many points I would be ok for the series standings. The Banana deffinatly held it's own, everything I took on it performed well, until I got a little excited on the second gate of the first course and flipped. So I busted a front axle and shreaded some R&P and finshed the course on three wheels. Rest of the courses went great.





Memory foams all around on the Panthers were a bit to grabby for my liken, front end wanted to lift a little on the steep stuff, need somthing a little firmer in the rear. Gonna try some proline foams for now. Also decided to try out some Poulson axles to see how they mate with the Banana chassis. Should be in the mail today. That should prove fun!

[Del Monte]

Originally Posted by raul duke

I
...Also decided to try out some Poulson axles to see how they mate with the Banana chassis. Should be in the mail today. That should prove fun!

Cool!! That should be pretty interesting

[Stormin2u]

Nice set up very clean build. Keep us informed with your Poulson axle upgrade I'm also interested in them and I'd like to hear your opinion. I'm juggling the idea of max built Axial or Poulson axles for my rig right now, I'm currently running maxed out TLTs.

[littleskull99]

nice nana, cant wait to build mine up.

[rckjeep]

where'd you get the springs for the Mini LST shocks? I've been trying to find something that will be a bit stiffer than the stockers.

[raul duke]

Originally Posted by Stormin2u

I'm juggling the idea of max built Axial or Poulson axles for my rig right now, I'm currently running maxed out TLTs.

That's what happend to me, build another set of maxed out TLTs or go with something different. The Poulson axles just look to good to pass up.

Originally Posted by rckjeep

where'd you get the springs for the Mini LST shocks? I've been trying to find something that will be a bit stiffer than the stockers.

The fronts were off a 1/18 scale buggy, I think an aftermarket spring for the Vendetta. The rears are off an old 1/18 scale Cen Mini madness truck.
http://www.customrccars.com/product_...at=24&custom=0 Had all this stuff leftover from my 1/18 scale days.

[raul duke]

Got the Poulson axles in yesterday, thanks Mike, great work. Basically usin the same set up as before, I just had to re-make all the links. Still need to make new delrin lowers. Hope to get out soon for some testin.





Still need to round all the corners and take the nubs off the diffs to make them more rock freindly.

[73mule]

Lookin good

[BILLYGOAT]

Poulsons Look Good. I Got Some A Month Ago And Went Out To Test Yesterday And Wohlford. I Really Like The Ground Clearence. Your Rig Looks Great.

[tanmonster]

Those revolver wheels look great, but I didn't see on the vp site that they had any means for venting the tire. Did you have to drill holes in your wheels?

[raul duke]

Originally Posted by tanmonster

Those revolver wheels look great, but I didn't see on the vp site that they had any means for venting the tire. Did you have to drill holes in your wheels?

Yep, that was the first thing I did. You need to put them close to the outside edge so you don't block the holes with the weight slugs like I did at first.

[raul duke]

Finally got some time to finish work on the Poulsons. Got all the hang up spots smoothed down. I have had to tweak the suspension a bit to compensate for the extra hieght you get with the axles, but so far I am very happy with this set up. The axles deffinatly have their advantages.





Just got some NTC Rock hammer hybrid foams in the mail today so I will be giving those a try with the Panthers shortly.

[KRAWLR4life]

Looks great David
Wow, what a contender... Look out WCCC competitors!

Just got my TopBanana built this week... working out the bugs and fine tuning it as we speak

See you next week!

[Nova's Ark]

Were you able to use stock mini LST springs to tune the suspension? Or did you have to modify some? Your crawler looks very nice

[raul duke]

Originally Posted by Nova's Ark

Were you able to use stock mini LST springs to tune the suspension? Or did you have to modify some? Your crawler looks very nice

You can use the stock springs but I am using a combo of 1/18 scale cen racing springs and associated buggy springs.

Got to test the Rock hammer foams out today and will have to say they are a good combo with the Panther Cougars. Runnin the #8 and #5's. Only bad part about today was when one of those big a$$ beefy cvd's exploded on me. Have to question wether they are hardend or not. Now I'm in a pinch to find a replacement before WCCC next week.