Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Man, looks like an amazing spot to crawl, ever run into any snakes on those rock formations? :???:

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

I wish i had a spot like that close by

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Yes, it is amazing crawl spot but there are even better spots within two hour drive. "thumbsup" I've run into many rattlesnakes out there mountain biking, and yes couple while crawling....always look before you step, put your hand down, sit, and try not to step where you can't see whats around you.

We are blessed with some good rock that's for sure. Every time I drive around, hike or bike I"m always on the lookout for potential new crawl and trail spots.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I added this to Cgw's thread about sidehilling problems and am including it here too since I've got a few sets of different beadlocks to try on the Ascender and want to keep track width same or very close to stock. Here's CGW's sidehilling thread:
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/vater...ml#post5261947
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Last night I measured some Axial 1.9 8-hole beadlocks, didn't measure Ascender wheels yet.

Axial 8-hole 1.9 wheels
Width = 1.5" (outside of rim to outside of rim)
Backspace = 0.510"

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Cool truck mate......now lets see those shut lines;-)

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Man that spot looks great!.Your ascender looks just like mine.Any plans for an interior?

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Thanks mate 8) and thanks for the assistance in your thread...paint pen or new black Sharpie on my shopping list! "thumbsup";-)

Thanks, it's a ton o fun so many large granite slabs and plenty of sand and dirt trails. Yes, yours is looking good too! I've been thinking about an interior, but want to keep this truck kinda simple...my one crawler that is close to stock and always ready to crawl at a moments notice. Seems I'm always modding/breaking, modding/repairing my Axials. I'm also considering inner fenders, a set of beadlocks setup with stock Vaterra Super Swampers (second set of wheels/tires to change the look and add little weight down low (wheels about 75g each no added lead weight though).

What do you suggest for interior?

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Natedog your post is interesting story on the Ascender and very informative. i don't own an Ascender but will buy one sooner or later and if you say It's a 100 times better you got me sold. Horizon Hobby hear i come or maybe i could find a good used one....

I also take my crawler once in a while when i decide to go biking but i have the rack in the back with budgie cord tie downs.I don't have to go far about 1/2 mile behind my house up a dirt road....
Even better some times I'll bring it with me on my ATV also..

Lots of detail information in your post make for interesting story and the pics are cool to...."lots of links" i like that...

The RTR version is the servo horn 24t or 25t....

I also really like to get the kit version because who doesn't like to build..
But you kinda of prove a point for an extra what 40 or 60 bucks more may as well get the RTR so we could drive two and in my situation my SCX10 to my brother-in law an the Ascender for me lol.....
He still won't buy one but he likes you use mine "what up with that cheap bastard".lol

anyways great stuff and I subscribe. "thumbsup"
One more thing any difference between the RTR version and the kit version beside paint and building...

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Kit or RTR you get a lot for your money, sounds like RTR would be way to go for you, but I too love to build. The RTR electronics really are quality (servo kinda weak as some have said, but better than some) and useable for a while. Sounds like he needs to buy one too. :lmao:"thumbsup" RTR servo is 23 spline.

Good servo spline etc. info here from thread started by Charlie-III
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/newre...eply&p=3381954


Main part of his first quote:

Thanks for subscribing, I always try to give out good info with lots of links and pics.

Other differences between RTR and kit, is the RTR does not have any spare link set screws (3x16mm and 3x20mm). These setscrews are inexpensive and readily available if needed.

EDIT: Just checked and my rear bumper mounts are mounted correctly. I'm going to flip them and see how it lines up.

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Not many choices for 23 spline servo might have to change that...
I'll stick to the common 25 spline...
Ya look like the taper part of the bumper should be facing the sky"up"'Looks out of place now the i look at it.Just a quick flip should do the trick.Somebody at Horizon Hobby put it the wrong way maybe ,I'll have to check out the picture threads to see if they are all like that..."thumbsup"

Next time if you see or hear "Rustneversleeps First Ascender" it may be me.
Thanks for the updates and the quality and control in this journey..."thumbsup"

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Ive had good luck with non-clamping Dynamite and another kinda off brand aluminum servo horns in the past in 2.2 shafty days, TLT axles and all that. Prolly be fine on this truck, that's what I'm looking for a spare, I have lots of 24 spline horns, an Axial clamping (interferes with panhard rod on suspension compression), stock vaterra plastic.

I'm looking forward to seeing your thread. ;)

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

The kit comes with a 23,24, and 25 spline servo horn so I'm sure you could order a new plastic one with your preferred setup if you wanted to and didn't want the aluminium one.

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Great just like the Axial.So i have a choice...Cool "thumbsup"

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

:shock: mine came only with one :x

Awesome pics BTW.

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

In the kit or the RTR.

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

I got the kit not the rtr. The kit comes with 3 options for the servo horn. Or at least mone did

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Did the rear bumper mount flip to gain little more departure angle, thanks for the idea Northernerbill! "thumbsup"8) I have a couple fresh black Sharpie pens now too. ;-)
Here's a before pic showing body to rear bumper (body lowered two mounting holes front and rear from stock RTR).

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/803/4...cd84712e_b.jpgIMG_0533


Front pic for reference of body position in general, obviously this rear bumper mount flip does not affect body height or the front.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/791/2...e8307564_b.jpgIMG_0534


After rear bumper mount flip, raised it a good 1/4" at least, maybe 3/8"...will measure and post back:

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/804/4...1a81668f_b.jpgIMG_0535

Somebody asked about how I flipped the rear bumper, forgot to say in my original post about that. Here's how to flip the rear bumper mounts
Un-bolt the rear bumper mounts from the frame, flip them upside down (have to swap sides to do this). Then unbolt the bumper from the mounts, flip it right side up, re-assemble and gain some sweet departure angle increase! :)

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

So did i, but only one horn

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Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Thanks for clarification, that's a bummer, did you call Vaterra or did you use another horn?

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Hmm wounder if it was because i had one of the first run of kits? I got mine in December.

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I got 3 servo horns in my kit. I only picked it up in April but the hobby shop said it was one of the first kits as they had it on hold for a customer for a few months.

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Great write up on the Vaterra!!! I've been eyeing them ever since they came out. Love the way the body sits and the wheels just tuck right under.

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Could be...but seems like kit should cover bases for all servo horns.

"thumbsup"

Thanks! I watched and waited for awhile too, but the way Vaterra quickly addressed issues by releasing HD pinions and driveshafts sold me. I checked shim proper diff shim location and added one shim of my own per diff and good to go. "thumbsup" You won't regret an Ascender, yes I love the body and tires tuck in perfectly when crawling....looks really sweet. 8)

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

I'm collecting LEDs, wire, crimp on JST connectors, etc. to wire up my lights. I'm going to use 4 stock headlight "buckets" for white LEDs and some cut to length red LED strips for rock lights. I like my lights to be realistic looking as far as the amount of light output, they are still plenty bright enough to see what I"m doing at night, but don't blind myself and others while crawling, the red should help with this too. Converted all my crawlers to use XT60 battery connectors, they are much easier to solder than Deans, easier to grip and unplug, nice low resistance and many Turnigy lipos come with them already installed...if it's good enough for aircraft, it's good enough for crawlers.

For suspension, I added 2mm of spacers to both rear upper links to get pinion up just a tad more and see what it does to the torque twist if anything. Emailed Horizon Hobby about the stock RTR and kit shock spring rates versus the Ascender Upper Shock Spring Set Soft,Med,Hard(2ea.) PART NUMBER: VTR233029. According to Horizon, "The RTR and Kit come with the "medium" rate springs. These can be identified by the Silver mark on the spring itself. The firm springs are identified with a green mark, while the soft spring is identified with a Yellow mark." I want to soften the short upper springs to get ride height down little more while still maintaining spring contact with the adjuster and bottom spring cup at full droop, the soft springs should do the trick!
Vaterra Ascender Upper Shock Spring Set Soft,Med,Hard(2ea.)

Looking to buy a new set of 1.9 Vaterra Super Swampers to experiment with on steel beadlocks. I have a couple sets of Hot Racing and am looking at RC4WD 6 lug wagon wheels, I already have hex adapters and VP inner rings for these.

EDIT: My RTR steering servo has steel gears according to mfr, but is developing slop at the output so I'm guessing it has a bushing or only one bearing and one bushing on the output gear, but haven't taken it apart to check yet. I looked on Horizon/Spektrum and searched around didn't find any bearing/bushing sizes anywhere. Anybody know what size bearings I need here?

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

I use a Turnigy 959 servo. For the $38.00 price tag, u get 400 oz at 6v and a alum case, metal gears and ball bearings. Purdy much the only servo i run now. Check em out.
I also used traxxas grey springs on my stock Ascender shocks set for droop, they work great!

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

The Traxxas grey springs, which ones did you use? Are they Stampede springs?


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Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Hey Nate I have a set of 1.9 Vaterra Super Swampers I am not going to use if you want them on the cheap, also have plenty of spare red LED strip left from wiring up my rig I can throw in for you no problem. Ill shoot you a PM.

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Joetrucker80, thanks for the servo suggestion those look burly might pick one up for a spare. Got my old Wraith Hitec HS-7955TG for now,
Motor Type: Coreless
Bearing Type: Dual Ball Bearing
Speed (4.8V/6.0V): 0.19 / 0.15
Torque oz./in. (4.8V/6.0V): 250 / 333
Torque kg./cm. (4.8V/6.0V): 18.0 / 24.0
Size in Inches: 1.57 x 0.78 x 1.45
Size in Millimeters: 39.88 x 19.81 x 36.83
Weight ounces: 2.29
Weight grams: 64.92

X2, more info please, part number?

Hey Professorcake, I just got home from bicycle ride, I'll check it out thank you for the offer and pm. "thumbsup"

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

I will double check my springs n get back with ya. Been busy gettin ready for a kayak trip.

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Thanks for the update Joetrucker80. :)

Anybody measured with calipers or tried to swap Revo rod end balls into the Ascender plastic rod-ends?

I don't have any loose Ascender balls to measure, so need to pull apart my truck and measure unless somebody has already checked?

It's good to have spares, need to buy some.

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Yup, they fit in the stock rod ends. Half mine that aren't width sensitive locations are traxxas balls now

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Not too tight or too loose? They are too wide in some places like upper links to axle end?

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

They r the stock scx10 long lower springs. Run em single stage by them selves for full droop. I luv em! Sorry it took a while couldnt figure out what the springs come off of, lol.

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Thank you!

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Joe Trucker asked me to tell you not to post pictures of this "SICK" CA landscape.. its pushing us to drink and dream of such landscapes here in FL! and its making us have to build more California like landscapes out of concrete.. something man mad vs your home grown stuff.. so un-fair! :)

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Lol, yeah i do miss the CA lanscape, hills, mtns, ect. Here in FL its trees, roots and water! Lol

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Jeepgeek2002, LOL thanks we are blessed with the large granite slabs, but sometimes even in CA we have to drive and hunt around for something other than river rock. You have limestone ledges and all don't you?

Joetrucker80, I like it but hate the traffic. Love the ocean and the mountains!

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

I grew up in So Cal. IE, area, fontana to san diego.

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Nice, lots of good rock down there too! I lived down San Diego back in the day, love the ocean....Fontana ooh San Berdoo! I've traveled back since then and took my mountain bike, but would have liked to have my crawler there too.

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

Yeah, they're too wide in some areas, but they fit the ends well without slop. Literally half the ones in my truck now are traxxas. No sloppy balls here, lol

Re: Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER
 

I know the feeling......

We Lived in Colorado Springs last year, spent all summer crawling and trail running, now were back living in FL trying to figure out where or how to go crawling again.....lol :shock: