Natedog's Vaterra ASCENDER

[Yeti.stealth]

Awesome, can’t wait to see what you come up with for the rear body mount!

[j3ff3ry_j33p]

you know what a noob I am ,Natedog ,so forgive my asking if this K10 mod is being done w goal of getting the big, fullbody truggy's CG lower?

I'm watching these mods very closely as a K10 owner.

{ on the ( loosely related) subject of your shockmounts for that K10, I notice you maintain the vertical mounting angle perpendicular to frame ; are these folks that I see on forum who're ' tilting' or leaning the Ascender shocks back or forward at the top mounting position - via bracketry -
actually gaining any positive performance by doing so or is it just an aesthetic thing? }

awesome work & thnx for sharing ,as usual ;)

[Natedog]

Originally Posted by Yeti.stealth

Awesome, can’t wait to see what you come up with for the rear body mount!

Thanks, me too, a 3d printer would help!

Originally Posted by j3ff3ry_j33p

...this K10 mod is being done w goal of getting the big, fullbody truggy's CG lower?

{ on the ( loosely related) subject of your shockmounts for that K10, I notice you maintain the vertical mounting angle perpendicular to frame ; are these folks that I see on forum who're ' tilting' or leaning the Ascender shocks back or forward at the top mounting position - via bracketry -
actually gaining any positive performance by doing so or is it just an aesthetic thing? }

awesome work & thnx for sharing ,as usual ;)

Yes, the goal is lower CG via relocation of parts down lower, weight reduction of the parts that can't be lowered (within reason, gotta interior to add), suspension changes, and little bit more down low weight. Vertical or nearly vertical shocks (as viewed from the side) are more predictable and resist movement more than in any other position. Laying them down makes them too soft imo, hpwerver it increases suspension travel with same length shock, but I've got all the travel I want and it's better to buy shocks with proper travel in the first place.

Thanks and always share knowledge to help others when I can. "thumbsup

Added abpit 10 grams inside the rear axle housing, used K&S Precision Metals stock# 1150, Round Brass Tube 9/32" x 0.014" thickness ( 7.14mm x 0.355mm) cut to 70mm length and notched at inner ends for rear upper link mount screws, drilled two holes on outer ends for axle/bearing retainer screws. After test fitting, slid them almost all the way in and put tiny dab of E6000 to keep any potential rattles at bay, easy enough to remove later. No axle housing drilling or machining needed and accentuates the Vaterra brass brake rotors I'm using.

IMG_4084[1]

Rebuilding axle replacing/regreasing all bearings while I'm at it. Stock driveshafts never break, but they are fat and I'm loooking at VP Incision and SSD RC steel scale shafts. I've used TRX4 and they are excellent, but not tried the SSD, anybody? read that some of the fronts were out of phase, did this get fixed yet?
http://ssd-rc.com/scale-steel-short-...-ii-front.html

http://ssd-rc.com/scale-steel-drives...x10--rr10.html

Almost forgot VP INcision driveshafts! Anybody tried these on Ascender?
https://www.vanquishproducts.com/inc...0-2-rtr-scx10/

[Natedog]

Driveshaft compressed lengths: front measured about 95mm and rear about 105mm.

Bought couple (and some spares for my other Ascenders) Vanquish Products driveshaft adapters (LHS was out of stock so still waiting on delivery), this allows the use of most any driveshaft and faster easier maintenance. Mocked up their sweet hardened steel smaller diameter scale shafts on my WB K10 last night!
ASCENDER DRIVESHAFT ADAPTER
SKU: VPS08200
https://www.vanquishproducts.com/asc...shaft-adapter/
SCX10ii or TRX-4 shafts will work, might need to trim or swap the different length parts around.
https://www.vanquishproducts.com/asc...shaft-adapter/


Also bought a set of these sweet looking shafts! They will fit WB4 looking like no trimming needed, but when the adapters arrive we'll see.
INCISION DRIVESHAFTS FOR SCX10-2 RTR & SCX10
SKU: IRC00220
https://www.vanquishproducts.com/inc...0-2-rtr-scx10/

IMG_4192[1]

[Browneye]

Would be nice to have trans and diff outputs with holes thru them for pins instead of grub screws, eh??
All of my u-joint cross pins wear thin.

[Natedog]

Yes, it would, the new Suburban should be shipping with the tranny output shafts with through holes, then all subsequent vehicles should get these parts. I've got a couple from Rich that I'm installing in mine. I'd call or email Horizon Hobby customer service and ask to purchase this new style shaft, have them verify before buying. Alternatively A-Main has them listed in stock, but old picture, call them and verify new through hole style and then order.

https://www.amainhobbies.com/vaterra...232017/p251425



I did the Armma pins that you posted about and they are nice (slightly larger diameter tighter fit) ground about 2mm off the length, cleaned the ends up and nice, but I've decided I want to more quickly and easily swap driveshafts and have some nice scale shafts. K10 pins were worn but not too bad, we'll see when the K5 shafts get replaced.

[M1tch]

I have been using the Axial AXA0175 screw pins with Junfac shafts on older tranny shafts I have drilled out myself. I'm not sure if the would work with other driveshafts, but they are cheap. There is also a 13mm long version, but I forget the part number.

Axial Racing - Screw Shaft M3x2.5x11m (10pcs)

[Natedog]

Good to know, I've got spares of those, but the Incision shafts use a larger 4mm screwpin that's included. You've drilled the Ascender transmission shaft? Using a drillpress or by hand?

[Natedog]

Hwy 49 RC, Rockhugger, and I had a great all day and late into the night crawl last weekend! Check out the awesome completely handmade trailer with leds!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC-KSKn8Vo0




Nice view!




Hwy 49 RC Axial based rig (lots of nice handmade parts and cantilever rear shocks) and Va'Blazer!




Blazer and Rockhugger's TRX-4 with pickup body mods!




Snack time, dinner laters!




New ProTek 4100mah 3s LIHVs worked great and maintained good balance so far. Soldered XT-60 plugs on them straight away, only weighed about 3 grams more than the old 3600s that I have, ran for hours on every pack!
ProTek RC 3S 120C Si-Graphene + HV Shorty LiPo Battery (11.4V/4100mAh)
https://www.amainhobbies.com/protek-...116-19/p846216

Started fitting the Incision SCX10ii scale steel driveshafts by reaming out transmission case output shaft holes (they are very small to help keep dirt out of the bearings, unlike SCX), which helped. However, I still need to grind the little lip off the ends of the shafts next to the screwpins that retain them. There's enough steel there, but hate to modify such beautiful parts! Soooo...bought RC4WD
R3 SCALE SINGLE SPEED TRANSMISSION
Part Number:Z-U0028
https://store.rc4wd.com/R3-Scale-Sin...on_p_2906.html

and
RC4WD OVER/UNDER DRIVE TRANSFER CASE
Part Number:Z-U0039
https://store.rc4wd.com/RC4WD-OverUn...se_p_7141.html

Hoping the gearing will work out, larger spur/smaller pinion gears maybe, planetary reduction box between motor/transmission. Going to see if I can fit the motor next to steering servo, going to be tight as the chassis rails are closer together than the TF2 that setup is made for.

[M1tch]

"Loikes et"

[durok]

Beautiful pics and rigs, I wish I was up in that country!

We are entering peak summer temps - every day right around 100 degrees.

Getting the new Enduro is my motivation to go out and beat the heat...

[Natedog]

M1tch, thanks!

Durok, thanks would be great crawl and hang out! I’ve lived in Texas, it’s hot here but not as bad as Austin.

Sweet, I saw that, added to your cattywampus thread, sweet you’re off to a great start!

[M1tch]

I don't normally install lights on my trucks, but it's got me thinking about doing it to my K10 for a fun night run. Problem is I cant find anyone in my area that drives these things. Would be much better to get out with somebody.

[Yeti.stealth]

The good old va’blazer! Love that thing!

Pics look great and just beautiful terrain and an all day and into the night crawl sounds epic.

Waiting to see how the driveshafts work out, I have been thinking about something more maintenance friendly.

[wyd]

Natedog have you ever tried heavier rear shock oil in on your Ascender? I had mine out today and I few times I feel like if I had a slower reacting rear suspension and even might limit the travel just a little bit that my front end might stay down just a little bit better? Just my thought as I couldn't be completely wrong.

My other question do any other springs fit the stock shocks ? I did find some stock spring sets for the longer ones that showed discontinued at Horizon from another vendor but wonder if any other brands might fit and possibly stiffer spring as well?

[Natedog]

Originally Posted by M1tch

I don't normally install lights on my trucks, but it's got me thinking about doing it to my K10 for a fun night run. Problem is I cant find anyone in my area that drives these things. Would be much better to get out with somebody.

Good fun, got a loaner truck? Let a friend drive one, maybe they'll get the bug.

Originally Posted by Yeti.stealth

The good old va’blazer! Love that thing!

Pics look great and just beautiful terrain and an all day and into the night crawl sounds epic.

Waiting to see how the driveshafts work out, I have been thinking about something more maintenance friendly.

Thanks Dean, ya slept good that night!

Love the VPS08200 Vanquish Products Vaterra Ascender Driveshaft Adapters, makes maintenance more convenient for sure! Working on the driveshafts install but they look great and have matching reviews, spline fitment is way nicer than MIP or anything else that I've seen.

Originally Posted by wyd

Natedog have you ever tried heavier rear shock oil in on your Ascender? I had mine out today and I few times I feel like if I had a slower reacting rear suspension and even might limit the travel just a little bit that my front end might stay down just a little bit better? Just my thought as I couldn't be completely wrong.

My other question do any other springs fit the stock shocks ? I did find some stock spring sets for the longer ones that showed discontinued at Horizon from another vendor but wonder if any other brands might fit and possibly stiffer spring as well?

That's one of the things I've found I like is somewhat more damped shocks on my TF2 (and stood upright) helps all kinds of predictable and stable, especially sidehill and climbing. Going thicker oil on my K10, probably end up 40-50wt with the drilled pistons, we'll see. K5 is getting stock 9mm internal limited shocks rebuilt with 40-50 wt oil too.

[wyd]

Thanks Natedog. Going to make a few changes on mine for next time out and heavier oil is surely one of those changes.

[Natedog]

You're welcome, looking forward to your updates!

Perseid meteor shower time again, but it was so cloudy most of the time (and we were so busy crawling and chatting) that we didn't see a single meteor. Had a great time though and follow the leader on some sweet lines!
https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essen...-meteor-shower

Temperatures out were low for this time of year, sometimes sunny and high of 62'F, many kinda dark clouds whizzing by and congregating around the peaks and couple of the lakes up there.




Dragonlfy in upper right corner buzzing by to check us out!




When the moon broke through the very active cloud cover.

[Natedog]

Fitting Incision scale driveshafts, had to open up lower transmission case hole slightly.




Using the new through-hole output shaft, still need to grind off some of the lip at end of driveshaft, wish the hole was a couple millimeters closer to the shaft end.

[M1tch]

I haven't looked at those driveshafts. Pretty happy with the Junfac's. The Incision's look very tough though.