Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

I'll spare everyone the build and get right to a finished pic (crummy cell pic, sorry). "thumbsup"


http://i61.tinypic.com/16h10so.jpg



Equipped as follows: (I basically gutted my mini Wraith :lol: )

Novak 13.5t sensored motor/BHR esc
Solar D772 servo
Castle bec
DCW delrin slotted wheels/MThead rings/LURC bolts/VP hubs
GForce 4600 45c 2s shorty packs
Pitbull Rock Beast/Crawler Innovations foams

FedEx delivered it from RPP on Monday, took it for a quick test drive on Tuesday, and finally got a decent run with it today. No real deviations from stock form, apart from clocking the axle for a better pinion angle and setting the chubs for a little negative caster. Apart from my own inattention when aligning the skid to the frame rails, the build was smooth and uneventful. There was a little issue with the skid not wanting to fit into the passenger side rail, but a quick trip to the belt sander took care of it.

Overall I am really, really impressed with this rig. Very well thought out, very stout, it looks great, it runs great, and I would put it on par with my modified SCX trucks. Pretty damn good for a brand new platform.

The torque twist is my only real complaint, but we all knew it was what we would get with those axles. IMO the big tall body makes it look worse than it is, because even when twisted up it still wants to go forward instead of flipping onto its back or laying over onto its side. Still, I've got some ideas that might help...might even have some prototypes done this week. Stay tuned. ;-)

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

Exactly the person I wanted to see put up a thread on one of these.. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Looking good so far"thumbsup"

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

I think I may have to hunt for some fender flares and whip up some aluminum slots. :twisted:


http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/2...zer001copy.jpg

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

Nice, how have those solar servos been holding up for you? They wouldn't happen to have the same spline count as hitec would they?

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

I want to see someone do the visor over the windshield , but ya duuuuuuuuuuuuude, to many u's ? Nah what evs. Do the slots. Never have enuff slots.

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

Seems like a good servo, no complaints yet. They have a Futaba spline.

I don't know if it is a servo issue (degree of movement) or something else, but I had to use a longer than usual servo arm to get full steering. The average sized one that was on it when it was in the Wraith wasn't gettin' it, so I had to dig out the extra long one I ordered by accident a few months ago.

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

Can't wait to see what you come up with for the torque twist"thumbsup"

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

It would look cool, but I'd just tear it off. There is a reason I don't run roof racks/lights/visors on any of my rigs. :ror:

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

Very nice, how do they work?
I am running a rear sway bar but it would be nice to get some flex back.

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

It'll get a test run tomorrow. I overshot my goal, but I think it'll still do OK. Just a prototype anyway.

Taming the torque twist on this thing may have to be done on several fronts...a sway bar is probably one of them.

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

Any regrets with this purchase?
Looking at buying a new rig tomorrow and there's one in stock at my lhs.

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

No regrets at all. Very cool rig.

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

Appreciated.

Noticed you might make aluminum wheels. I'd be interested in some 1.9's if you do.

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

lil' update. Prototypes are a successful proof of concept. I've got to refine the design a little bit, and make a small number to hand out for testing. "thumbsup"


Otherwise, the rig is still working wonderfully. I may take some time tonight, dig out my styrene, and make wheel wells. I've got a fistful of leds stashed away for lights too...

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

Hello Duuuuuuuude, thought i would toss my 2 cents in the "torque twist" ring. Let me know if you think its worth starting a separate thread regarding this topic. It's really not a huge issue, and is part of the design, but I think I found a way to mitigate some of the condition in my K5. I added a panhard bar to the rear of mine. I have some details and pics in my thread. Not sure I want to draw attention to this by starting a thread but there are a few that have felt the need to address it.

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

If you think it is a solid fix (or even a solid part of a fix), I would start a thread on it. TT is just an inherent thing in axles with low reduction. That is the price we pay for scale realism...

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

And now that I've taken a look at what you've done...


Panhard bars are used to prevent wild side-to-side axle movement (typically in 3 link systems, or 4 links with minimal triangulation), and since they move in an arc, they will induce an amount of sway as the suspension cycles. When used with a triangulated 4 link, it is actually fighting the axle, as it is trying to move in an arc while the axle is trying to move straight up and down (more or less). So while you may have cured a bit of TT, you are effectively binding the suspension to do it. It could work awesome, but chances are that it is having a negative effect elsewhere. Keep testing and let us know. "thumbsup"


edit: I would also place a bet that all the added weight you've placed on the chassis is helping too.

Re: Duuuuuuuude's Ascender
 

Good feed back, I was specifically watching for binding condition while setting mine up. I have the panhard rod completely parallel to the axle and attached it to the chassis at a total "droop" setting. Vertical bind is not noticeable and have not reduced the articulation at all. Yes what little latteral play there was in the rear has been erased, not that that was a detriment to the performance in the slightest way to begin with. I had to put it away as I am on the road, but will investigate further, i.e., shock oil and preload settings in conjunction with the panhard setup. Still want to try a sway bar as well, (without the panhard) but past experience has shown that they have an adverse effect on articulation as you mentioned. Thanks for sharing info!