M1tch's Ascender arrives in the UK

[M1tch]

Well, after a months wait since ordering, my Ascender is in the shop, and I am picking it up tomorrow. I'm not sure if anyone else has one yet in the UK.

I have a Tekin FXR and 45 turn HD motor to go in. Also a set of Gearhead Trail King wheels.

Saturday will be build day as I have to work until 10:30pm Friday night.

[M1tch]

Well the chassis is built, but no electrics yet as I got home from work and needed a beer or 3. All went well, and I payed a lot of attention to the ring and pinion in both axles.. I put both shims behind the ring gear bearing as there seemed to be some slack. I can't find the 5 and 6mm shims I have somewhere or I might try shimming the pinion as well. The Gear Head wheels look good and where easy to fit with the bead on the tyres.

I'm not too sure about the shocks, but will try them, and I have a few Gmade shocks hanging around, so will try a set of them sometime.
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Hopefully finish the build today. Electrics and paint to do.

[M1tch]

Another option I found is this HPi Land Rover shell. I think it is meant for the Savage, but the wheelbase looks good. Being a Brit it is the only option. The length and width look good.

[dextan22]

I've been looking at that but just couldn't find anything on the interwebz about it... So what wb setting did you use for the hpi landy? I think the width is really good too!

[M1tch]

I have the wheelbase at 302mm, but the Landy is a bit shorter by the look of it. It's HPi 7199.

Edit. It measures about 285mm centre to centre of the top of wheel arch.

#7199 LAND ROVER DEFENDER 90 BODY

[joe122]

Cool choice...of course the body is discontinued.....that seems to fit well at 302mm. Looking forward to seeing it in color. Will it be green?

[M1tch]

I haven't decided on colour yet. I might have a look online at photos of the real thing. I'm not too bothered about real scale look, just a good driving truck.

[M1tch]

Wiring done a' la Tekin, with the esc in the receiver box. I'm not sure if the motor is will be fast enough as it's a 45 turn, but will see. It's all I could get at the time.

I only have a crappy servo, so not installed that yet. I might get a good one from the local shop tomorrow.

[mgputer]

Looks good. I was thinking of trying the same body. Looks like it should work rather well.

[M1tch]

I hope it does. With the adjustability of the chassis it should be no problem. I still have to cut the shell, then paint, but undecided on color. A trip to the lhs will help make my mind up.

[M1tch]

Well, I have cut the body, but just need to tidy it up. Sat on the chassis it looks like I will have to pull the front back, but I may leave it as it is if I don't get any rubbing. The bumpers mounts will have to go, but I can make my own up if needed

[mgputer]

You could cheat the wheelbase a bit also with a set of dingo wheel flares. Might be able to pull the back arches back enough to get the wheelbase to work.

[M1tch]

Yeah I could do. I'm going to leave things as they are and see what happens when I got to drive it.

[M1tch]

Some quick shots of the paint in n progress. Orange with with white door panels, roof and front and rear. The paint looks a bit bright, but thats due to the lighting, and the film is still on the outside of the shell. Stickers tomorrow.

[mgputer]

actually now that I see it on there painted it looks better. I bet it should work right where it is at. Looks good!

[M1tch]

Well the masking and overspray film is off and it looks a lot better. I just need to alter the wiring to the motor as it is being rubbed by the battery tray. Also sticker up the body. That's tomorrows job, then a test drive.

[M1tch]

Finished the build, but I screwed the paint up. I used Tamiya paint as the paint I normally use the lhs didn't have the orange in stock. The paint is run a little in places. Still some more stickers will cover the worst. Friday will be drive day as it's forecast rain tomorrow.

Apologies for the bad pics, but indoors and halogens andme tired = blah!!

[mgputer]

Looks good. Throw some pin striping around the white spots to make them pop and it will also hide the tape lines.

[M1tch]

Yeah, I will do that . Got a Savox SW0231 servo in with a Core Rc servo arm and get full steer on it now. I changed the motor wiring, so no rub on the battery tray. Can't wait to give it the first run tomorrow.

[M1tch]

Well, the first drive was great. The Ascender drives really well, and I was impressed with the terrain it handled. Mossy rocks, loose dirt, leaves, roots...it drove over everything. I didn't really notice any torque twist, maybe I'm blind lol. Some pics and later some video.