My Flying Mantis

[TheAxialNut]

So I have been collecting parts for this build for a while now and here is the story...
I decided to enter into the Trophy Class of the U4RC in So Cal, at the time, there were a few chassis builders and I decided on a MattZilla build. There were a few "features" that I wanted to integrate into the design of the chassis from the get go, which Lue, was willing to help me create.
Actually there were two main ones;
1) the ability to run Trailing arms on the front as well as the back,
2) run the Tekin 4038 T8 motor.

As these don't seem like a lot of criteria to overcome, let me tell you, it WAS!

Here is the start:

[TheAxialNut]

Here's some more pictures...

Chassis was like this; I wanted to have "standard" cab so as to conform to the rules of the window size, ratios, etc., (please see all the rules in U4RC section), and then just worry about suspension performance and hiding electronics in the panels of the chassis.
This was the second type front end that I tried to incorporate huge 16mm bore shocks, as I anticipated the vehicle weight to exceed 10lbs. This size shock would be able to better absorb/perform better. (oil volume, piston size, etc.)
Beware this thread will be pic heavy.....

[TheAxialNut]

This is some more angles of the rig (Ver. 1.2)....

[TheAxialNut]

Here is the last of the pictures I took of Ver. 1.2 front-end, the next pictures are of the motor/trans plate and after I cut off the whole front clip for the third and final time to re-design the front trailing arm suspension...enjoy!

[TheAxialNut]

Transformation to about the 90% mark.....
Final WB measurements and overall chassis length...

[TheAxialNut]

More Pictures......

[Ballistic17]

Awesome looking build. Lue does great work.

[TheAxialNut]

More...this is the final result, passing tech and ready for chroming...

[snicklefritz]

Holy crap, that thing is looking awesome! Good luck next season in the trophy class!

[TheAxialNut]

Some more parts, a whole box full. Built skid, need to add a slippery compound to travel across rocks smoothly. Steel is too rough and "sticky"...
Adding LED's and switches....

[TheAxialNut]

Decided on the gorgeous Method Wheels with VooDoo Tires (Thanks RCP Crawlers!!)
The Skid....built to deflect the rock rash from the T8 Motor and transmission...(trans is a SS type with a custom clutch to bear Mod 1 pitch spur and pinion.)
After first trials decided to add a Delrin Skid to add to the slip factor in the rock garden, worked beautifully.....

[Highmark]

Crazy rig! I hope you'll post a video sometime of that big T8 tearing stuff up.

[Kaler]

Awesome looking rig, nice work!!

[Full Throttle Rob]

That is a sick build!
Can't wait to see it finished!

[BadWagon]

Wow

[Robs07junk]

That's Turning Out In Being One Badass Rig !

[TheAxialNut]

I want to take this opportunity to thank all my sponsors for this build:
RCP Crawlers
MattZilla RC Works
Tekin

Quick pictorial update....the order of the pictures is prolly out of whack, but play a game and match the comment with the picture...
wiring loom, getting heavy, paintings done, trying inverted shocks, shop flex shots...more soon

[Androtaz]

Very nice. You got some mad skills there. With I had all those tools to work with.

[TheAxialNut]

MORE PICTURES....this thread is really for people like me who hate to read and just want to look at pictures!

Sway bar (essential part) & nat's ass clearance, sitting with HR shocks, naked (no panels), testing yielded an ooppss, back to the fabber to reinforce/redesign.

[JohnRobHolmes]

What an awesome rig!