Trying to get the weight down low (56K'ers, 12 pics)

[CSR]

I modified my motor plate and 'clocked' my GD-600 this evening. The motor isn't much lower but every 'lil bit helps



The top link gets real close to the motor and I can make it touch while cycling the suspension by hand. It doesn't touch with the body on, the 'cruisa acts as a bumpstop.



Body off shot....





I also lowered the body as much as I could. Cantilevers keep me from going any lower..... they might be going away soon.

[SR5Dave]

Looks sweet dude!! And you're right, every little bit does help! Every time I build a new rig I make it lower, and I'm yet to regret it

[Highmark]

That thing is really starting to scare the craps out of me- and it proformed a little to well for my taste at the October thing ! 8O

Time to trade the clod for a TXT

[CSR]

Originally Posted by Highmark

That thing proformed a little to well for my taste at the October thing !

I need to make some improvements, the AL & GA guys made me work too hard for my win at the Southern Fun Run II

Originally Posted by SR5Dave

Looks sweet dude!!

Thanks Dave!

[badger]

Looks good! You should lower your electronics while your at it. I would put them above your battery towards the tranny.

[JasonInAugusta]

CSR, if you ditch the cantis and go for a standard shock set-up, you'll lose a hair more weight and lower the shocks...then you'll be able to slam that body down a lil' more.

[CSR]

Originally Posted by badger

Looks good! You should lower your electronics while your at it. I would put them above your battery towards the tranny.

Thanks! Your rig and the other Nor-Cal rigs have been an inspiration for me.

Originally Posted by JasonInAugusta

CSR, if you ditch the cantis and go for a standard shock set-up, you'll lose a hair more weight and lower the shocks...then you'll be able to slam that body down a lil' more.

That's my plan Gotta go to the hobby store this weekend, I'm running low on 3mm hardware or that would have been done already. There's a new set of blue Integy piggyback's sitting on my workbench Beggin' to be put on my truck!

[rckjeep]

I've got Piggy backs on my TXT and soon to be Maxx rig, but the piggyback gets in the way for mounting. It's a pain in the @$$. Just an FYI. I bet the INTEGY will be better because the ball ends in both ends of the shocks. I'm going to trade my shocks for INTEGY's

[CSR]

Originally Posted by rckjeep

I bet the INTEGY will be better because the ball ends in both ends of the shocks.

My Integy's only have a ball on the lower end? :( You're right, the piggyback made them a pain to install. I hacked away more chassis than I really wanted, but the front is done and from my workbench testing it looks like it's gonna work good. Looks like I only lost 1/8" of tranny skid clearance. I left enough chassis to go back to cantilevers if I don't like the new shocks, so I'm not to the point of no return, yet.

[CSR]

OK, I found time to work on my truck tonight, cold and miserably full of 3 different Thanksgiving dinners.

The cantilevers are gone. I left enough chassis to mount them back on the truck if I don't like the new suspension, but I doubt I go back. I tested the truck with the front suspension modified and the rear still stock w/canti's..... the front worked good so I went to hacking on the back. I ended up with 4" of tranny skid clearance with the suspension loaded, 8" of articulation, with the wheelbase still at 15.25".

No body-off shot this time, gotta keep a few secrets from the competition



8" tall spray paint can

[CSR]

[crawler]

looks good

[EeePee]

Better than good.

Now you can move the tranny up to the top hole, and gain more clearance.
Then you can lower everything even more.

[CSR]

My plan was to go crawlin' today to try out the new suspension but it has rained all day today. :( So I worked on my truck instead.

I lowered the body another 5/8" or so. I made some brackets to drop my front bumper down. I cut off some more chassis and and filed everything smooth. I hope the suspension works good like this, 'cause there's no turning back now.

[CustomCrawler]

Nice. I like the look of really low crawlers. Does you're bumper limit articulation? It looks like its only about 1/2" above the axle.

[CSR]

Originally Posted by CustomCrawler

Does you're bumper limit articulation? It looks like its only about 1/2" above the axle.

No, I guess it's the camera angle. there's plenty of room for everything to move and work like it should.

I was gonna leave the bumper off when I dropped the body but it just didn't look right without it. It also makes a good carrying handle.

[kona_joe]

Looks Great!

Keep us posted on how it performs without the cantilever setup.

Joe

[CSR]

Originally Posted by kona_joe

Looks Great!

Thanks Joe!

Originally Posted by kona_joe

Keep us posted on how it performs without the cantilever setup.

I ran the truck for a few minutes yesterday evening in the front yard. Torque-twist is almost completely gone but it looks like I lost a lot of flex. The amount of flex it has now might be enough for most situations, I think crazy mad flex is overrated anyway. I'm thinking a smooth well controlled suspension will get the job done. That's my theory anyway, we'll see once I put it in the rocks. :?

I followed Badger's advice and moved the electronics tray down in front of the transmission. I was kinda hesitant to do this since I do play in water some. I'll have to be careful and not get as deep now.

[CSR]

I barely did get in some crawlin' time today before it got too dark. It's gonna need some minor 'fine tuning' but I think the new suspension configuration will work awesome. I think it works better than before but I won't know for sure 'til I crawl against a cantilever truck. I got into some nasty tough spots and was able to drive out of every one. I can lay the truck nearly completely over on the side without going over. Low COG = Good The truck balanced here while I snapped this picture.....



then I backed out, turned the rear tires right, and crawled right up. A couple of minutes later I stripped a servo gear which ended my fun for today. :P

[RXcrawler]

SO taking first just wasn't good enough. Now you go and make your truck better, and I thought we were buds.

Looks good