Chassis modification/suspension questions

[proraptor]

Ok guys so I bought a TXT1 when they first came out and messed with it a little and then it sat in my grandma's garage for many years.

I found it last week and decided I want to make it an awesome crawler. Ive decided I want to cut the chassis to make it more low profile. I also read that mounting the lower links on top of the axles helps? Wouldnt that raise ride hight though?

I wanted to know though what is the best configuration for suspension? I have a set of savage shocks and 2 or 3 sets of Tmaxx shocks I can use.

I also want to lock the diffs. Can someone please point me in the right direction to get them locked?

Thanks in advance for your help

[PEDEcrawlerguy]

this should get you started...

Basic TXT build up

[proraptor]

I did see that thread and am planing on cutting the bottom of the chassis like in that thread. But Im not sure I like the suspension setup he has on it. IT doesnt seem like it has a lot of flex.

Is there a better setup?

[EeePee]

That truck in the link is mine, and actually works really good.

You'll find you can have too much flex and it will cause problems. Typically, flexed out until a tire can sit on top of a tire is perfect, and I think that truck did just that.

[proraptor]

Originally Posted by EeePee

That truck in the link is mine, and actually works really good.

You'll find you can have too much flex and it will cause problems. Typically, flexed out until a tire can sit on top of a tire is perfect, and I think that truck did just that.

Oh ok thanks for the reply. Do you still have the truck? Any new pics? Im going to modify the chassis tonight hopefully. Just need to figure out where to mount the upper links. Got any measurements or pointers?

[EeePee]

I got nothing at all except two built axles.

I have everything here for it, but it's just a pile of parts.

The upper links are an eyeball and drill a hole job. Make sure to get your axle's castor angle near zero.

[proraptor]

LOL... Thanks Ill go ahead an eyeball it. Can you please explain what castor angle is?

[EeePee]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caster_angle

http://images.google.com/images?clie...N&hl=en&tab=wi

[proraptor]

So I did the mods in that thread and the truck is a much better rock crawler.

I ended up going with RPM 2.2 wheels and Hot bodies white rover tires and they work awesome.

I bought a Hitech 645 and its working really well for the price paid. I ended up mounting it behind the front axle with an aluminum mount I made.

I locked the diffs with JB weld. Im running one stock motor on a modified emax ESC with a venom 7.2 3600 NIMH and it has pretty good torque. (but I do want more!)

I crawled 3 popular places out here in socal and the truck performed really well but does need some other mods.

Does anyone else have any good ideas for mods?

[EeePee]

Originally Posted by proraptor

and the truck performed really well but does need some other mods.

Like what? What's not good?

Then we can help.

[proraptor]

Originally Posted by EeePee

Like what? What's not good?

Then we can help.

I got all the issues fixed last night.

I got rid of the bar that locks out the rear wheels and locked out each rear wheel individually to improve ground clearence.

I did the fuel tube mod on all balls on the truck

I reworked the center skidplate and now it has 45 degree bends on the front and rear so it doesnt get stuck on rocks.

I made 2 aluminum braces for the upper balls links so the tabs dont break off the case.

I installed a 12 tooth pinion.

The torque is pretty good now with the new pinion and can easily crawl a 45 degree angle. Im thinking though of maybe getting the GD600 or a 55turn motor (maybe the Integy) but Im loving the stock motor run times (about 35 mins with a 3600 NIMH) not to mention it runs very cool. If I do go with a GD600 or a 55t motor how will it affect run times and how cool everything runs?

Im also thinking of scrubbing the tires with simple green to make them stickier.