bilinvic's Ascender

[pete959]

Almost makes me want to visit a

LIFE IS GOOD

[bilinvic]

Today's performance was pretty good, but there's still room for improvement.

The KLR tires haven't lived up to their hype yet...maybe because of the damp conditions or maybe the CI foams. I will have to try some of the VooDoo foams for the KLR tires, specifically the under 10 lbs foams. I did like the the extra track width using the Vanquish .475 SLW hubs on the SSD wheels, it definitely felt more stable when side-hilling.

I added about 196 grams of lead weight to the cross-member on the front of the frame, just ahead of the servo prior to going out today. I think it helped a bit, but it needs to be lower because the rig still had a tendency to flip over on steep climbs. The new Beef Patties will help as well as the SSD Ascender diff covers. The Beef Patties are 4.25 oz (128 grams) per pair. Still have to order these though.

The rig took quite a bit of abuse today and not one issue, all the plastic chubs and knuckles are perfect with no slop.

[bilinvic]

After today's run, I swapped the 12t pinion for a 14t. I'm sure it will be good with a 1800 kV motor..... just a bit more wheel speed for when it's required.

[new2rocks]

Nice update. I continue to be impressed with the strength of the plastic knuckles and c's. I take great joy in abusing mine, more so than any of my other rigs, and their plastic parts have held up great. Keep it coming...

[Levesque87]

I am on the fence about the KLR's, I live in Maine another wonderful wet state. What compound did you buy? I am running the stock tires with CI foams. I stuffed the tires with the single stage foam for the proline tsl xl tires. They fit like a glove. I am waiting for my SSD wheels for final mounting. Did you try soaking the KLR's in simple green? I've heard that helps get the mold residue off them.

[bilinvic]

I bought the silver compound KLR tires and they have been thoroughly soaked and washed with Purple Power (same effect as Simple Green). I won't pass final judgement on these tires until things dry up and I can get a full day of crawling on the rocks.

[Biomedchad]

So are you using the proline short course prospec shocks and the prospec spring sets?

[Levesque87]

I am on the fence on buying them, I am going to keep and eye out for your final decision before I spend the 60 bucks on them.

[bilinvic]

Not the ProSpec shocks, the Powerstroke SC shocks. They are working out great so far...it's extremely unconventional to use them the way I am, but they sure do work great and my torque twist is gone!

[Biomedchad]

Cool. Trying to find them on rpp. I see the pro specs and the power stroke slash shocks.

[bilinvic]

This is what I used for the fronts:

Pro-Line POWERSTROKE SLASH REAR SHOCKS

And this is what I used for the rears, but used longer lower shocks mounts from my parts stash.

Pro-Line POWERSTROKE SLASH FRONT SHOCKS

You could get away with just using the rear Powerstroke SC shocks on all four corners.

[Biomedchad]

Thanks sir. I followed a lot of your bomber instruction and after my first river run yesterday I can confidently say you know your stuff. It performed amazing. Held its lines at a good speed over the rocks...it was amazing.

[Levesque87]

If you look on eBay for them you can score them pretty reasonable. I bought them for my yeti for 30 bucks shipped.

[bilinvic]

Couple little tuning items to mention...

I added 6mm aluminum spacers to the front links to give me a wheelbase of 11.75" now. This also puts a slight rake on the front shocks which I prefer over completely vertical. Speaking of the shocks, I mounted the lower front shocks outboard of the axle mounts to give a slight angle to the shocks, which I also prefer over exactly vertical. / \

I also removed some spacers from the bumper to get it tighter to the body and frame for better approach angles. The lightbar was removed because it was in a very vulnerable position to get damaged...it found a new home on my Bomber.

Hopefully these changes result in better performance.

[Yeti.stealth]

Im loving your rig! Looks cool. I would like to build my rtr into something similar but I wanna use the new proline 1966 F100 truggy body, might even copy your paint scheme....

[bilinvic]

Thanxs.

I hear ya...that 66 Ford body is calling me too!

[youngblood]

I haven't checked on this build in awhile, looks awesome Bil! Nice body choice!

[Natedog]

Originally Posted by Yeti.stealth

...I wanna use the new proline 1966 F100 truggy body, might even copy your paint scheme....

I wish Proline would make that body in 12.3" wheelbase!

[bilinvic]

Or HPI!!!!!

I have some VooDoo foams coming for the KLR tires; specifically the under 10 lb foams. Also have the SSD differential covers coming as well. A machinist RC buddy of mine is making me a set SLW hub style brass weights...this should really help keep the front end planted.

[Yeti.stealth]

I might be showing my newbness here, but being a truggy style body even using the axial roncho rear cage wouldnt it fit on various wheel bases?