Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

I got this kit a couple months ago and I've been meaning to post it up. I won't bore everyone with the basic build, only thing that stood out was the bad trans output gear. Mine split when I tried to install the bearing, but Traxxas warranty covered it with no problems. Then the steering servo burnt out on like the third time out, but they covered that too. :roll: Anyway, it started out like this ....

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psnquwazzg.jpg

and after a few changes, it now looks like this. 8)

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psobitctlc.jpg

I used the Defender shock mounts and eliminated the inner fenders. It has YR sliders and bumpers, but I milled a slot in the front one for my winch. I mounted one of the big warn's behind the bumper mount and fed the line out thru a RC4WD fairlead.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pspamww4el.jpg

I'm running Xspede beadlocks and BFG Krawler T/A's. Right now it just has brass knuckles and portal covers all around, but I have alloy axle housings and I've got the rest of the metal axle parts on the way that should be here in the next couple of days. As always, I'll try to answer any questions about the build. Meanwhile, here's a couple action shots. :ror:

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psd8noadir.jpg

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psh98zvpp6.jpg

And a shot during my very first comp, with the SMRCRC guys. Lost a llittle paint too. :roll: :lmao:

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psva7pk3j0.jpg

I'll be adding pic's and info, so check back. Thanks for lookin' and likin'.
jim 8)

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

I want to give a big Thanks to Al at heyok. I got one of his new winch/light controllers and I love it! I'm running the 3W LED headlights, so Al set me up a regulator to go with my controller. That way I can run an occasional 3s without my headlights starting a fire. You can see 'em tied on the battery restraint for now. I pulled the light wiring back out to re-paint the body after last months comp, and haven't gotten them wired back up yet.
Here's a better look at the winch setup.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psobxradjq.jpg

I just made a simple bracket to mount behind and below the stock bumper mount, using it's screws to secure the winch plate. I had to pull the big side gear off of the Warn and even grind the case a bit to get the spool centered in the frame rails. I left the top and bottom rollers on the stock fairlead, but cut off the sides to tuck it snug into the bumper mount. I ground off some of the front of the mount and flipped it to get the bumper tucked back in for better approach angle. Then I cut off the bumper mounts to make room for the winch. Then I bent the RC4WD plate down at the ends and re-drilled it to mount right onto the new plate, at the right height to center the line thru the bumper and mount. I wanted to keep the "free-spool" feature, so I made sure to position the winch so that when I extended the shaft (release button) it would clear the frame rail and be easy to get to under the fender.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pswinv7mhv.jpg

After milling the front bumper and polishing the new fairlead nice and smooth, It's ready to help out when needed. :D

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Hey Doc. Your rig is looking pretty tough. I really like that Bronco body. Keep up the good work. How do you like that winch? Been thinking about adding a winch to my truck, and I really like the looks of that one.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

No problem viewing from my Iphone

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Sorry, I didn't realize there was a problem. Mine displays Ok, if anyone else has trouble, let me know and I'll see what I can do, or maybe a mod' can help. Anyway thanks for lookin' and lettin' me know. 8)

[QUOTE=slickwill16;5873068]Hey Doc. Your rig is looking pretty tough. I really like that Bronco body. Keep up the good work. How do you like that winch? Been thinking about adding a winch to my truck, and I really like the looks of that one.

Thanks, I know some were expecting the "other" Bronco. I call it "the Leetle Jalapeno". I always liked the late '60s - early '70s body more.
I like the winch so far, but I haven't actually "used" it yet, so I can't give you much of a performance review. I'll post up whenever I do get a chance to try it. :D


Thanks for lettin' me know. Glad to hear not everyone is having trouble. "thumbsup"

And Thanks, to everyone, for lookin' and likin'. 8)

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

How can you stand to work on this with it so huge?? I'm surprised you even have full size tools after all the micro stuff!! lol

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Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Yeah, I know ... these M3 screws seem HUGE! :lmao:
It IS easier to work on tho'. :roll: :ror:

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

When you finish I'll expect to see a video on your crawling terrain coffee table. :lmao:

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

That body and wheels look good on the truck. "thumbsup"

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Oh yeah, Bud, I tried it ... it takes about a second and a half ! :mrgreen: In LOW gear!! :lmao:


8)

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Thank You :) I looked at a few sets of wheels before I found these. I think they go together pretty well too.


8)

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

A few more details .... Some of you prolly noticed the steering servo. After it smoked, as I waited for the Traxxas replacement, I found these 20kg servos listed on ebay for robotics. Same servos as the Rc truck ones, just $17 ea. They came with a new heavy duty aluminum arm, but when I installed it, the panhard link would hit it at compression. So I got out an old dead servo and cut the mounting horns off of it, and used them to shim the servo up about 2mm and presto. Oh, and I did have to get the "pro-line tire" rings for the beadlocks to fit. The stock tires need 'em too, I tried one. :) And I cut about 1/2 in off of the frame rails at the rear, to get the bumper pulled in to the body. It's the ProLine '73 Bronco, for anybody wanting to know for sure. I did stretch the rear links a couple mm to fit how I like it.
These came in today :D ....

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6empyimy.jpg

... and with these pieces that I got a couple weeks ago ....

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psjxczaf0n.jpg

I've got my next project. :) I'll post 'em up as i go, so tune in next time.

In the mean time, here's a couple more action shots. :D

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pshsdeeizj.jpg

comin' at ya

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psgfdcrpnv.jpg

Thanks for all the looks an' likes.

8)

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Well, I started lookin' into the axles. I want to build the front first, partly because it'll be more difficult to tweak and set up, mostly because I have an idea to get just a little camber into the rear wheels and I'm waiting for screws. :) But more on that later. The housings came with red covers, so the first thing I did was paint mine silver. I noticed the front one has a few degrees of caster built in (6 or 7 degrees positive). When the c-hubs got here I looked them over and noticed they seemed to be clocked about 5 degrees .....but if you go by their L & R markings, it's negative caster. :( So IF I mount them with the Chinese L & R, they end up like this ...

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pse2gvcz6o.jpg

... but if I swap them around, they end up like this.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pscbi3texl.jpg

Goes from 1 or 2 deg to 11 or 12, here's one with the mark showing.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psgatsy0j3.jpg

I've done lots of things backwards in the past, why stop now? :D
The c-hubs also have about 10 deg of camber too.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pszu8pslch.jpg

As I assemble these, I'll post up pic's and info. I'll get to my ideas on the rear after the front one's together.

Thanks for lookin' and stay tuned.

8)

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

I got the front axle together today and tweaked it just a little. I wanted to know how much weight it was adding so I threw the stock housing and c-hubs on the scale ....

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psgkiqpiv8.jpg

... then tried the new alloy setup.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8szcvxzv.jpg

Nice hunk of fat, hopefully in the right place. :) At least that's what it weighed before I started filing on it. I checked the factory axle, and with the brass knuckles it showed to be getting about 30 degrees of steering arc on both forward and back swing. When I checked the all metal setup at first, it was only getting about 28 deg. So after a few trips to the garage, for the vise and the file, I came up with about 35 deg or better. :D And I didn't have to take off that much from the c-hubs.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7c83zutu.jpg

While I had the axle out I took a shot of the bottom of the winch mount set-up. You can see the bumper cross-member a little better.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pszpih4uac.jpg

The new c-hubs have shock mount holes in them. If I had mounted them with the L & R on the L & R sides, they would've been on the wrong side of the axle to mount the shocks so I'm still puzzled by the markings. Anyway they have a centered hole and a drooped hole, so I used the drooped. They also spread the bottoms of the shocks and angle them out a little. It also takes the strain off of the link mounts.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psanhbdyt6.jpg

I like the look and it should improve performance a little too. The rear set I got has a similar set-up, but that'll be later. :) For now it's back together and ready to go crawlin' tomorrow.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pslduaqvbr.jpg


Tune in next time.

Thanks for lookin' and likin'.
Jim 8)

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Went crawlin' with a buddy yesterday ...

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psmzj19say.jpg

...and had a lot o fun.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psp3htol4d.jpg

Also learned a tough lesson. The new brass knuckles limit the turning too much. That outweighs :D the gain from the added "heavy". It climbs well ...

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pshafqnnr1.jpg

... but losing the turning radius isn't worth it.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pszvktldof.jpg

So today I put the stock knuckles back on, now my tight turns are back. :) Got some goodies in the mail today too. New alloy shock towers ...

front ...

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psjxm3v8mi.jpg

and rear.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psefuyujbw.jpg

I really like 'em. They have lots of shock mounting holes, with 2 rows of drooped positions. I put mine in the middle row, then raised the lower mounts to the upper holes in the c-hubs.
Also got these today.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pszkyjtrdu.jpg

They were listed for the Bronco too, but the rear shaft was Defender length. I say "was" because I cut it down a bit, and now it IS Bronco length.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pslajpdrzg.jpg

So next time, maybe follow the leader will be the other way 'round. :)

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6tomdpoi.jpg

See Ya's next time. 8)
jim

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Well, the rain got here this past week and I was still waiting for parts for the rear axle, so I got out the dremel and worked over the c-hubs and knuckles again. Then I ground a little off of the drag-link ends, and bent the link at both ends to give a bit more clearance at the punkin. Ended up with at least 3 or 4 degrees tighter turning radius. Any gain is a gain. :)

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps11glfelb.jpg

I did get the alloy rear axle together. I ended up using the plastic/chrome diff covers on both ends. The metal ones that came with the housings have a thicker flange around the edges that binds with the cable end of the T-locks little crescent fork. The weight loss was well worth it to have smooth diff locks, and I like the look of the chrome ones better anyway. :)
The rear c-hubs have shock mount holes, like the front. I just used the center holes for now, since I drooped the shocks one hole at the top. I like the spread stance of the shocks now, and it takes the strain off of the link mts.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0yiosumv.jpg

A little something else you can see above ... when i cut the rear driveshaft, I cut off about 3 or 4 mm more than I needed. So to keep the center tube "centered", so the spline overlap stays equal at both ends, I removed the o-rings and cut 2 pieces of silicone tubing and slipped over the CV splines. I cut them just snug so they don't interfere with the shaft "shrinking", but I can compress them to remove or re-connect the shaft. And they help keep dirt out and grease in. :D
I noticed that my stock rear axle set-up had just a slight negative camber at the wheels. :( It's not much, but it's there.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psd57xmgm7.jpg

The parts i was waiting for were some stainless flat washers for m1.5 screws. I filed a little off the top of the housing ends, then I took a 2-stack of washers and placed them into the bottom of the back opening in the c-hubs. I stuck 'em in with a little marine grease, then when I put in the screws, I tightened the top first. The washers force the c-hubs to mount with a slight angle, and give a degree or 2 of positive camber. :D

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8vvyq2zj.jpg

That should help a little on side-hills and maybe even turn a LEETLE bit tighter. So far I'm really happy with the truck. It'll definitely climb a steeper grade, easier now. I also added 8 mm hexes, widening the track about 1/4 in. I trimmed the front of the front fenders a bit more. I may need to trim the back a little more, we'll see after some more crawlin'.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5xiaigb8.jpg

Thanks for lookin' n likin'.

jim 8)

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Rain again today, so I've been fine tuning some more. I took some 1/8 in. aluminum plate and cut, drilled and threaded a couple of pieces 1.5 in. by about 3/8 in. I used those as extension plates to move the tops of the rear shocks forward.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps085syn8j.jpg

They mounted nice and sturdy on the new hoops, and they allowed me to drop the shocks 2 holes in the axle. I moved the tops down to the bottom holes too, and dropped both front shocks down to the bottom holes too. That moved the weight of the shocks down 1/4 in.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psfnzlzlke.jpg

It isn't much, I know, but anything that lowers the COG at all is an improvement. Right? :D

I like the look of the angle of the shocks better too. :)

Thanks again for lookin',

jim 8)

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Interested in hearing if you see improvement with that shock mod, looking forward to see how it goes.


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Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

"It's the ProLine '73 Bronco, for anybody wanting to know for sure."

Thanks I was going to ask because I also live the older broncs.
Bronco looks tough! Btw, did you paint that on the outside? I ask because the roughed up paint.

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Thanks for the interest. I've done a few mod's since the last round of crawling, so it'd be tough to say what helped and what didn't. I took it down to the rock pile this morning, and I'm really happy with the way it crawls. The rocks were damp and the tires got wet from the grass, but it still climbed as well on the rocks as it did last time dry.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psfbkhvko7.jpg

I could really tell a difference on the side-hills too.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pslwzffqjy.jpg

I'm sure most of the credit goes to the heavier axles and wider hexes, but the new shock angles prob'ly helped a little too.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psqjvoqo1g.jpg

Thanks, I like the older ones the best too. "thumbsup" All of the paint on (in?) this one is on the inside. Whenever I knock off too much, I'll just flake off any loose paint, mask off the damaged area and try to re-shoot the layers like the first time. I figure the scars show up and make it look like it spends the weekends on the rocks and the weekdays in the body shop. :roll:

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psxjyeyxsu.jpg

Thanks again for lookin'.

jim 8)

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

I kinda like that look too. I have the stock trx bronco and I just picked up some plasticote. This way when I roll it or run the body against a rock it’s start eating the coating making it look rougher for wearZ

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Thanks, I'll look for your truck, or if you haven't posted it up do it so we can see it. "thumbsup"
This afternoon I cut a piece of styrene and screwed it to the "light module" lugs to make a platform for my winch and light controls. Then I was able to clean up my wiring quite a bit. I can't handle a spaghetti mess, so I took out some of the slack and tied things up nice and tidy. :)

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3p4y3vrj.jpg

I wrapped the light and winch wires and fed them thru the shock tower. I even added a plug for the back bumper, so when I get the red LED's in it. It came with white ones. :roll: You can see the plug for the body lights sticking thru the front body mount. When I get around to wiring the headlights and taillights back up, I'll pop in a pic.
Meanwhile here's another shot from this morning on the wet rocks.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pstbgd6ybo.jpg

Tune in next time ...
and Thanks for lookin' an' likin',

jim 8)

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

I finally got the headlights and taillights wired back up.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psg7ftmexd.jpg

I siliconed a pair of the 1W headlights in behind the molded lenses. They line up just right in the '73's light rings.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psgljjpyac.jpg

I always hate dealing with a leash harness and trying to plug and unplug the body, so while I was wiring, I grabbed a couple of left over Traxxas "legacy" male connectors and did a low-budget ez connector. I took one TRX connector and epoxied it to the top of the rear body post, like so ....

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7ihufcul.jpg

... then I grabbed some .060 styrene sheet and made a mount/guide plate to silicone into the top of the body.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psdcfqhvyh.jpg

I made the channel section to hold the two pugs in line and try to prevent any shorts. Once it was painted black and ready, I used the body posts to line it up and stick it in the roof.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psamfjzh7m.jpg

Then I used some double sided foam trim tape to stick the other male connector, facing down, into the channel. The foam gives it a little cushion, and puts a little pressure at the connecting point.
When I clip the body on the two connectors mate up and presto ....

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9vwgtad0.jpg

I set my heyok regulator to 3V for the body lights. That keeps the headlights nice and bright, but nice and cool too. :) The taillights had resistors already soldered in. I left them in, so the taillights are kinda dim. That's ok, I don't think I'll have to worry much about gettin' rear-ended. :D
The bumper lights are wired separately, and controlled separately thru the heyok remote control.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psu3mmce8t.jpg

Now to see how it holds up to roll-overs. :D

Thanks for lookin'.
jim 8)

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Those puppies are bright! Creative connection technique there, doc. "thumbsup" I really like the looks of that rig.

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Thank you, Sir. The more time I spend with it, the more I like it.:) Yep, them headlights ARE bright. :shock: The 4 LEDs in and on the bumper shine about 4 or 5 ft. in front of the truck ....

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psiz3gveoe.jpg

.... while the headlights shine about 40 or 50 ft or more. "thumbsup"

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psltenx4zl.jpg

You can barely tell when the off-roaders are added in front,

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pstn00o8n2.jpg

but the rear gets brighter. :roll: Even across the yard, it hurts to look straight at it when it's comin' at you.

I'm supposed to go hit the rocks with a buddy Saturday, so I'll get a chance to really see how much things have improved (or not ;-) ).

Tune in next time.
jim 8)

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

You ought to be able to see now!

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Well, it lights things up nice, for sure. I just wish it could reverse the aging process on my eyes. :lmao:


8)

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Finally got in a little crawlin'. My buddy has had a dose of the flu, so we didn't get to the rocks as much as we wanted. In the meantime, he got a set of overdrive gears for the front end of his kit TRX that he's buildin'. Well I went with the lower gearing and got the underdrive set for the rear axle on mine. :D Gotta say I'm REALLY happy with that upgrade. It practically eliminates the under-steer or "push". Even with the diff's locked in, it turns a lot better. It seems to climb better too.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5gs28f00.jpg

I didn't get many pic's, I have a hard time driving and shooting pictures at the same time.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pseymefmee.jpg

Also, last week, I added in some little custom rock lights. I like the factory set-up, but I'm not running the inner-fenders on my truck. So I just got some white 1206 smd led's to use. My eyes are getting old and blurry, and the little bastards are too big a pita for me to solder, so i just got the pre-wired ones with diodes this time.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5zvply16.jpg

I then used a 2mm drill bit and drilled holes at the corners of the floor-boards. After using a hobby knife to make the holes rectangular, I taped a smd into each corner from the top. Then I flipped the chassis and filled each hole with clear 5-min epoxy, to glue them in and seal the lights from water and dirt. The epoxy makes a nice lens too.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psf8rebzku.jpg

After 5 or 10 minutes, I pulled the tape off of the top side and put a bit more epoxy on the tops of all 4 lights. I just made small brackets from sheet metal to hold lights at the bumpers. I made L-brackets for the rear ....

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psmjwrd0vl.jpg

... and twisted brackets for the front. I used the end screws for the bumper mounts to hold them on. I just spread a layer of the epoxy onto the brackets and let it set, then stuck the lights into it and put more epoxy on top of them to seal them too.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psctvecdzm.jpg

I hooked them in with the off-road lights and switch them with the hey-ok controller.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9fy14fhc.jpg

They're not as bright as the factory set, but they're plenty bright enough. And they only cost me $8 for 10 lites.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psw2hucwqh.jpg

With the days getting shorter they'll come in handy for evening runs. :)


8)

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Actually, what you are showing there is not camber it's referred to as "King Pin Inclination".

https://www.quora.com/What-is-king-pin-inclination

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Hot Dawg! The things you can learn on the RCC forums these days. :D Thanks for the info, Inspector'.

8)

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

A few weeks ago I was cleaning up the back yard and decided to take some of the junk and turn it into an obstacle to crawl on. So I screwed a few 2x4 scraps to some trees in the front yard, took an old landscape timber as a main beam, and screwed some cut-offs from a picket fence repair as planks and made a "spike" bridge.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psjiclfh67.jpg

I just used some more scrap boards and some old wire fencing for ramps, turning the fence wire sideways so the rectangle openings work like ladder rungs. I added a corner section hanging between a couple more trees at one end and put a couple extra ramps to give multi approaches. Here's a shot from the end, so you can see how jagged the deck really is.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pswef68aum.jpg

You can't just roll up the middle, you have to actually drive your way across it. The single ramp is a 42 degree climb, and the middle ramp at the other end is 43. :) The other ramps aren't quite as steep, but they're still a little challenge.
We got 2 or 3 inches of snow yesterday, so I took the Bronco out to see how she does in it.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psdehuqxip.jpg

Did really well. The portals help keep the snow from piling up in front of the axles.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psfja5fabm.jpg

The Krawler T/A's really impressed me. Of course the wire ramps help the climb, since they don't hold snow, but the tread unloads really well too. They drop the snow, or mud, back out just about as fast as they pick it up.
I thought it was gonna slide off the side once, but it got a bite and pulled itself back on.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psce2ykedd.jpg

I think she likes playing in the snow. :D

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pszpwolkty.jpg

Then my Ipod battery died so I didn't get any shots on the snowy rock pile. Maybe next time. :)


8)

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Looks like fun! Looking forward to some snow here to try the same thing.:mrgreen:

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Looks awesome, but how do you have snow already??

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Thanks, and I bet you'll get your chance soon enough. :)


Thanks "thumbsup" Yep, we never know what to expect. Around here we say "if you don't like the weather, just wait 'til tomorrow". :lmao: It's supposed to be 55 and sunny Friday. :roll: My buddy and I are planning to hit the rocks at one of the local city parks before winter sets in.

8)

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Well, 2 weekends ago my buddy and I took our TRX's to the rocks and after about 30 or 40 minutes I lost another steering servo. :( It was a 20kg this time, but just one of the 3218's (at $15 ea. it's not that bad). It didn't buzz or twitch or smoke .... just quit turnin'. I ordered a couple more and my buddy loaned me one so I could get 'er workin' again, 'til mine get here. :) While I was swapping it out, I decided to put in my Castle BEC too. I want to throw a THANKS to papabash for hooking it to his link and setting the voltage for me.

https://i1315.photobucket.com/albums...pshsnzmyhq.jpg

We set it at the 6.8v max for my servo, and as soon as I hooked it up the steering seemed faster and more solid. I had noticed, when I installed the first 20kg servo, that the panhard link was hitting the servo arm when the suspension was compressed. So while I had it torn down I took the dremel and ground the top of the servo arm. I filed away about a quarter to a third of the thickness of the arm and then polished it up.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psavi03w3j.jpg

That little trim gained about 3/16 in. of travel at the wheel. I also filed the top of the link end, and together it really reduces any bind in the steering when the suspension is compressed.

https://i1315.photobucket.com/albums...psuvyect6j.jpg

It doesn't seem like much, but it "scales up" to about 2 inches more wheel travel AND smoother action.
I got a pair of CI foams for the front tires too. I didn't like the way the stock Proline foams squished. The truck weighs in right at 9 lbs. so it mashes the tires a bit. I went with the Li'l Nova 2025's, which are the 4.5 comp cut with medium outer's. I like the "squish" a lot better now. They fill the tires a bit more so the tread is a little less flat across the top.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pswbmvpnod.jpg

They seem plenty soft and flexible at the tread, but stand a little taller at the sidewall. Just what I was wanting. :) We hit the rocks again this past weekend and everything performed flawlessly. The new steering set-up seems a lot stronger and faster. The tires were hookin' up great on the rocks, even in the muddy areas. We got into some sticky mud and they started slipping a bit, but my buddy's a lot worse. The BFG's seem to unload mud about as quick as they collect it, so they don't cake up as bad as some others. I took it out to the rock pile the other day in the drizzle to clean up the tires a little and try them on the wet rocks. Even on the damp rocks they were grabbing nicely ....

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pscubmocgc.jpg

and climbed everything I tried. Spike bridge was fun too.

https://i1315.photobucket.com/albums...psxvo8jh7m.jpg

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psax2qpqmm.jpg

The fence-wire ramps help clean the tread lugs too. :)


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Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Thanks, it's been a lot of fun. So far I'm really happy with the bec set-up. I studied some of the other threads here to be sure I got it wired right, and so far so good. I'll see as I get more time on it, and I'll post up any issues or lack of. Hopefully it'll help stop the servo failures. The truck is doing well enough to climb trees. "thumbsup"

https://i1315.photobucket.com/albums...pshemw86wd.jpg

Okay ...

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psiydjemei.jpg

.... maybe not straight up. :lmao:

Thanks for checkin' it out.

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Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Me and the little green Bronco had a really good afternoon at the park today. My buddy got a set of Pit Bull "alien" Rock Beast XL's and SSD slotted mags for his kit rig, so we hit the rocks to try 'em out.

https://i1315.photobucket.com/albums...ps6jkdccsb.jpg

He opted for a "light" set-up, so my truck outweighs his by about 2 lbs. (for now :D). The rocks were damp so available traction wasn't the best, but it made for some fun crawlin'.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pswopoi4vz.jpg

I gotta say, I'm super happy with the Pro-Line BF Goodrich Krawler TA's. My truck went up and over anything his would climb. Even in the leaf-covered areas, the little Bronco was holding it's own.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psm8puawkv.jpg

There were even a few spots that his wasn't able to follow mine. :D To be perfectly honest, my BF-Goody's were actually outperforming the pit's. We got into some more sticky mud and it seemed to cling into his tires when mine were clearing out between mud zones. You can see here the difference in mud-pack, and we'd been playing follow-the-leader so they'd both hit the same areas.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psmblnlxjs.jpg

His got slippery enough that it ended up like this (I'm looking down the hill, so it's at about a 45 deg angle, nose down) at one point.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psqwy1fs8l.jpg

By the end of the session, he's now ready to add a little weight to the rear axle ....

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pszuk9crk6.jpg

... and buy a set of BFG's for his Bronco RTR :lmao: And mine are just G8 compound too. :D


Thanks for lookin' and likin'

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Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Made a couple of small tweaks to the Bronco today. I drilled new holes in the sliders and moved 'em in about 1/4 in each.

https://i1315.photobucket.com/albums...pskfkybrvn.jpg

Isn't a big difference, but I noticed it rubbing the sides on a couple of the rocks yesterday, so what the heck. It pulls the bottom of the body sides in a little too, giving it a bit more curve to the sides too. I also noticed the rear bumper draggin' a few times at the start of ascents, so I decided to cut off the frame rails... again ... and tuck the bumper in a little more.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psptxo5scg.jpg

I actually did it twice, 1/4 in at a time, so now that makes 3 times all together. :roll: But it definitely helps with approach angle. Had to trim the body a bit too. Looks better and should help performance.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psxxeii4su.jpg

Now it's ready for another day on the rocks.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psy1dktbjh.jpg

I guess she'd better be .... my buddy just ordered a set of BF Goody's :) in the Predator compound too. :(
We'll be ready.


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Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

So how does it compare to the predator BFGs?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Dr. F's Kit Bronco
 

Well, it turns out he got the BFG Mud Terrains, in Predator compound. We hit the rocks at the park this past weekend. It had rained 2 days before, so there was sticky mud between the rocks. It came down to who got to lead the way. The first guy in line broke open the surface and tracked a little mud up on the rocks, so the second guy had a tougher go of it. My Krawler T/As did pretty well against the M/Ts, but to be honest, after a little time in the mud his M/Ts collected a little less mud. As we trailed along from rock to rock, my performance faded a bit more than his. The M/Ts definitely showed their advantage in the mud, but I'm not ready to order any just yet. :) I did soak my tread clean in Purple Power, and we'll see how things compare next time it's dry again. I'll let ya all know the results. "thumbsup"
I may ask Santa for a set of Red label Krawlers, just to keep up. :roll: :lmao:


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