Another Losi Scaler..."Left Hand Path"

[GiJoe]

My son Cameron has been after me to build him his own full blown Class 3 Comp rig. I guess is good to start them young!

He got the bug when he competed in the GURUS Fall Brawl, Now he cant wait to do it again.

With all my builds, It will be Losi axles and Trans...with a "TWIST". More on that later!


This rig will be Leaf Spring...with a "TWIST" More on that later!

It will have 4 Wheel Steer and most likely 3S, but maybe 4S!


The truck has been named "Left Hand Path". Cuz I always gotta do things the hard way!

[GiJoe]

This is my buddy Pigfart... Yes, he HATES that nickname!
Piggy had a truck in the Mudd'n Militia called "The Whore". This bitch was a train wreck on 4 wheels, but it was a BEAST none the less.
Here are a few pics of The Whore stuck in a hole. If you look close, notice how bad the frame flex is! The cab and bed would be off as much as 8 to 10" at times. My plan is to duplicate this. Just going about it a different way.

[dentonmac]

Dude! Can't wait.

[GiJoe]

Making a few spring hangers out of unused TVP'S
THAT = $$$ Saved!







Leaf springs from a Tamiya Highlift. I mocked up with the springs further out towards the wheel, but like this set-up for several reasons.
1.) Very stout mounting position
2.) With the springs closer together, the leverage increases and allows more flex from a stiffer, more robust spring (as compared to a soft RC4WD Red Spring)
3.) Increased tire clearance for steering angles.
4.) I didn't have to fab (or buy!) any lower brackets to mount axle!






Had to grind off the little nubs on the servo plates that dropped into the upper link mounts.







Lightweight Aluminum Frame Rails

[dentonmac]

Where is that 'Awesome button' when you need it?

Raising the bar....again?

[GiJoe]

Originally Posted by dentonmac

Where is that 'Awesome button' when you need it?

Raising the bar....again?

Haha, You aint seen nuthin yet!

[pajey]

How much flex are you gonna get out ta that thing? Looks like a killer design and build can't wait.

[GiJoe]

Originally Posted by pajey

How much flex are you gonna get out ta that thing? Looks like a killer design and build can't wait.

Well, I don't have pics yet, nor do I have a 100% concrete plan. I'm waiting on parts to show up to finish my mock-up.

In a nutshell, I'm going to use a center mounted torsion bar. Almost like a 3rd framerail running down the center and parallel with the regular frame rails.

The difference is, the outer framerails will be cut, right where the truck cab and bed meet. Essentially giving me 2 subframes (front and rear) with a torsion bar tying them together.

The full weight of the vehicle will rest on the leaf springs, thereby making them a legal, functional component.

What this will give me (in theory) is a 2 stage suspension system...the leaf springs will flex and act as normal. When they get maxed out, the torsion bar will take over and begin to "TWIST" the two subframes.

When the truck is at full flex, you should see the cab and bed out of alignment just like the Camo truck in the pics above!

[pajey]

That sound pretty cool. Hopefully it all comes together nicely.

[GiJoe]

Metal gear LNC Trans and a Novak 17.5 Brushless.

I think is safe to assume the direction the drivetrain is headed!

[pajey]

I don't think the lnc driveshaft is gonna quite cut it.

[GiJoe]

Originally Posted by pajey

I don't think the lnc driveshaft is gonna quite cut it.

"Cut it" is how I'm gonna make them work! Lol

[GiJoe]

While this may not be the Backbone of the rig, it's most definitely the "Spinal Cord"!

[ghtpdm5]

it isn't too often i'm stumped on your projects, but damn man, you are out there. i like it

also, i could see about a spring mount on the existing shock mounts. would use the 2 bolt holes and then wrap the axle tube. been thinking about that one for a while, just never really did it lol. depending on the material the wrap of the mount could add some resistance to the rotational opening of the tubes (as the axle sees torque, the halves can spread open...i'm long winded.). delrin would look at it funny, aluminum would take the load well, and steel would do it while adding axle weight. the front half of the tube could have a set screw threaded in too.

[GiJoe]

Originally Posted by ghtpdm5

it isn't too often i'm stumped on your projects, but damn man, you are out there. i like it

also, i could see about a spring mount on the existing shock mounts. would use the 2 bolt holes and then wrap the axle tube. been thinking about that one for a while, just never really did it lol. depending on the material the wrap of the mount could add some resistance to the rotational opening of the tubes (as the axle sees torque, the halves can spread open...i'm long winded.). delrin would look at it funny, aluminum would take the load well, and steel would do it while adding axle weight. the front half of the tube could have a set screw threaded in too.

All in due time, the pieces of the puzzle will fall together! Lol

I tried the leaf springs at the shock mounts when mocking up and had lots of issues. The main problem was the tires hitting the springs at full steering lock. They didn't look as forgiving as say a tire rubbing on a round shock tube.

The other problem I ran into was the clearance of the drag link. I want to keep the Servo on the axle for lower C.O.G. and the leaf springs were interfering with this. Mounting the springs at the top of the pumpkin seemed to solve all my issues.

With that, the narrow chassis rails now give more side clearance of obstacles.

[ghtpdm5]

ahh, didn't know if you had fiddled with the shock mounts or not.

and you're killing me here, it looks like a torsion bar, but i'm just not sure lol. can't wait to see you work your magic here!

[GiJoe]

Your right on the money! It is a torsion bar!

[GiJoe]

Mig Welded some 16ga.steel to some 3/8" nuts





Cleaned up into a useable piece(s)


Doctor, your patient is prepped and ready for surgery....


Uh Ohhhh.....Here come the surgeons!


AAAHHHHH!!!!! WHAT DID YOU DOOOOO!!!!!!

[thomass14]

looks like another person has to deal with crappy neighbors so whats your plan with camo truck? did you find a safe place to park it?

[GiJoe]

Haha, that sign was from years ago. My 1:1 Camo Truck is long gone now. Rotted away so I parted it.

But yeah, the condo association HATED me and that truck! Lol