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Old 09-11-2014, 11:06 AM   #1
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Default Harley's Vaterra Ascender Build

Look what arrived yesterday! I was able to get my hands on an early release of this new kit and I jumped right in and got to work.




Nicole sent me these pictures while I was at work, so blame her for the photobombing feline.

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Old 09-11-2014, 11:06 AM   #2
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Default Re: Harley's Vaterra Ascender Build

Videos

Episode 1


Episode 2


Episode 3


Episode 4


Episode 5


Episode 6


Extra: Fender Welding


Episode 7


Episode 8

Last edited by Harley; 03-01-2015 at 04:33 PM.
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Old 09-11-2014, 11:07 AM   #3
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Current Setup
  • Vaterra HD Pinion Gears
  • Vaterra Aluminum Knuckles
  • Vaterra Aluminum C-hubs
  • Vaterra Knuckle Weights
  • Vaterra Rear Axle adapters
  • Vaterra Aluminum Shocks
  • RC4x4 Performance Stainless Links
  • GCM Front Mounted Transmission
  • GCM Transfer Case
  • GCM Rear Upper Link Riser
  • MIP Driveshafts
  • Vanquish Products OMF Wheels
  • Pitbull 1.55 Growlers
  • Holmes Hobbies BRXL
  • Holmes Hobbies 13t Crawlmaster
  • Futaba S9157 Servo
  • Castle BEC

Last edited by Harley; 03-01-2015 at 04:41 PM.
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Old 09-11-2014, 11:09 AM   #4
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Default Re: Harley's Vaterra Ascender Build

I jumped into the build last night and started wrenching away. My hands literally hurt today from spinning wrenches since the TSA took my power driver the last time I flew to Utah

First thing I did was take a look at this body. It's BIG





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Old 09-11-2014, 11:13 AM   #5
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Default Re: Harley's Vaterra Ascender Build

The first step in the assembly of the kit is the transmission. The assembly was quite easy, although a few more parts compared to the traditional Axial.

Here is a side by side. Remember that this new trans is capable of housing a 2 speed gear set inside (not included). Sorry these aren't Badger quality photos, but you get my awesome commentary instead of his snarky replies!







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Old 09-11-2014, 11:14 AM   #6
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Default Re: Harley's Vaterra Ascender Build

Subscribed - watching with mucho interest
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Old 09-11-2014, 11:19 AM   #7
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Default Re: Harley's Vaterra Ascender Build

Next up was the axle housings! The part everyone is most excited about.




The gear set is much smaller than an Axial, roughly half the diameter. Now this is great for scale appearance and under diff clearance. However it also means a higher gear ratio which will cause more torque twist that we need to battle. Everything comes at a price.









The diff cover is what retains the ring gear in place. This is one area of slight concern. Depending on the horsepower you try and run I may worry that this could be an area of weakness. I'll watch for an aluminum option here in the future. For now though, that's just a theory and only testing will tell if it's actually an issue.




The included CVD's seem to be nice and stout.

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Old 09-11-2014, 11:21 AM   #8
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Default Re: Harley's Vaterra Ascender Build

The assembly was easy and straightforward. Steering stops are molded into the inner C, this should be a big factor in keeping the axle shafts alive. Don't worry though, there is still a massive amount of steering for a box stock kit.




The hex to hex dimension of the axle is basically the same as an Axial axle.




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Old 09-11-2014, 11:53 AM   #9
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Default Re: Harley's Vaterra Ascender Build

Moving along to the chassis. This thing is very stout. Much heavier when comparing to an SCX chassis.




All of the braces and mounts feel sturdy. One thing to note that I didn't get a picture of yet is the skid plate is very busy. The chassis is straight from front to back, there is no taper in the middle. So to fit the motor and trans as low as possible to achieve some link separation, they rotated the transmission. By doing this it caused the need to rotate the mounting points. This causes some deep pockets to be needed in the skid. These could be possible hang points when in the rocks. I will get a picture of this later.

Overall, this is a sturdy and beefy chassis.

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Old 09-11-2014, 11:57 AM   #10
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Default Re: Harley's Vaterra Ascender Build

Moving right along.

The chassis mounted servo mount is a simple and effective method of getting the job done.




The angle of the drag link is a little steep, and the link is also shorter than the panhard mount. So there is some bump steer, but it is not excessive. I have a video of this that will be included in the in-depth video breakdown of the kit.

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Old 09-11-2014, 12:02 PM   #11
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Default Re: Harley's Vaterra Ascender Build

The stopping point for last night was when I got it to a roller. It was getting late and I needed to get up early still.

Now while the included Super Swampers are a nice looking tire and they feel sticky enough, I can't just leave things alone. I threw on my new Vanquish 8-hole wheels and Gladiator tires.







The suspension cycles great and feels stable. The shocks are pretty similar to a SCX shock. Nothing much to hit on there.






MORE SOON!!!
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Old 09-11-2014, 12:59 PM   #12
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Default Re: Harley's Vaterra Ascender Build

Thanks for the build pics mang!
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Old 09-11-2014, 01:16 PM   #13
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I can't frickin wait for mine to get here

So I shall stalk this thread til it gets here
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Old 09-11-2014, 02:23 PM   #14
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Thanks for the build pics!!!!!! I think this thread just made my mind up for me
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Old 09-11-2014, 02:33 PM   #15
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Default Re: Harley's Vaterra Ascender Build

I think you have sold me on an Ascender.... I look forward to the remainder of the build up.


It's amazing how much that Vaterra body swallows up the JK body, and we thought that the JK body was bigger than average.
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Old 09-11-2014, 02:34 PM   #16
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Default Re: Harley's Vaterra Ascender Build

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lentsnh2012 View Post
I think you have sold me on an Ascender.... I look forward to the remainder of the build up.
Agreed looking good. I'm gonna wait for some durability reports though.
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Old 09-11-2014, 02:46 PM   #17
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Default Re: Harley's Vaterra Ascender Build

First RC I've been kinda interested in lately.

Isn't the drag link technically from the servo arm pivot point to where the combined two steering linkages pivot at the knuckle arm? That's ultimately where it's pushing against.


And, is the picture deceiving or is the castor going the wrong way? As in, the knuckles are on the wrong side, which would raise the steering arm and then there's your better angle.

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Old 09-11-2014, 02:58 PM   #18
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Default Re: Harley's Vaterra Ascender Build

I wondered the same thing about the castor
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Old 09-11-2014, 03:02 PM   #19
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Default Re: Harley's Vaterra Ascender Build

Quote:
Originally Posted by EeePee View Post
And, is the picture deceiving or is the castor going the wrong way? As in, the knuckles are on the wrong side, which would raise the steering arm and then there's your better angle.
There is an error in the manual and I installed the 66mm upper link as opposed to the 61mm upper link. Rich posted that known error correction in his other thread, but I forgot to fix that when I assembled it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich Trujillo View Post

Step F-3
There is a typo regarding the link size. It should be a 61mm and not a 66mm as shown in the manual.

Last edited by Harley; 09-11-2014 at 03:06 PM.
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Old 09-11-2014, 03:05 PM   #20
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Default Re: Harley's Vaterra Ascender Build

Quote:
Originally Posted by EeePee View Post
Isn't the drag link technically from the servo arm pivot point to where the combined two steering linkages pivot at the knuckle arm? That's ultimately where it's pushing against.
Are you referring to the "effective" length of the drag link? While that would be the force path, such as referring to the geometry of a bent link, the way the drag link functions in relation to the panhard is still based on the attachment point to the axle, which on this axle is on the tie rod.

OR am I missing what you are referring to?
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