bilinvic's Ascender

[Natedog]

Yes but I and many others want full body, not a flatbed or cage back. I want it looking like street and trail truck.

[Bananaclip]

I'm not tire poor by any means. If you want to trade some new pittbull's and matching new CI foams for the KLR's let me know.

[bilinvic]

No thanxs, I'm sure once I get the VooDoo foams stuffed in the KLRs they will be much better.

[bilinvic]

I received the "Exile RC SLW Hub Weights" from my friend today. They are machined specifically to fit the length of .475 Vanquish SLW hubs. They look and feel great and come in at a whopping 5.85 oz per pair (137 grams).

These should really help to keep the front end planted.

Let's see how durable the stock Ascender knuckles are now!!!!

[tgh117]

I'm running the rotor weights on stock plastic knuckles with no issues. Countless tumbles down the hill climbs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapascrap

[bilinvic]

How are you doing that, I thought the Vaterra rotor weights only mounted to the aluminum knuckles?

[Levesque87]

I have everything mounted over the front tires. The battery is getting mounted attached to the transfer case. I may have to add weight to the rear tires to keep it from rolling over the front. Where did your friend find these?

[bilinvic]

There's a fine line between too much and too little weight distributed over the chassis and it's truly trial and error to get the rig balanced to your liking. My buddy is a machinist, he makes them. I have another pair for the rear if I need them after initial testing.

[Levesque87]

I think I may find some sort of a weight system for the rear, when the weather breaks and Its nice enough to be outside all day.

[bilinvic]

The F150 Ascender is getting some upgrades....

The KLR tires are now stuffed with Team Ottsix Racing 1.9 Two Stage Foams - Light Trucks (under 10 lbs). From the "Charmin" testing, the tires feel like they are going to be insanely grippy now, compared to the firmer CI Lil Nova foams I was using.

SSD differential covers front and rear...really nice parts and will be up to the task of taking the rocks head on!

I figured with the extra weight up front from the Exile RC SLW Hub Weights, I better get the Vaterra hop-up parts to take the extra stresses; the Aluminum Front Carrier & Spindle Set have been ordered. I also have some 50mm Axial posts coming to replace the bulky drag link.

I've been experimenting with different shocks and as the Ascender sits now, I have the Proline SC rear shocks on the rear with blue stripe upper and lower springs (softest spring rate). I'm using the King SC shocks up front with the standard springs. I mounted these outboard of the axle mounts. The rear is still quite firm (my preference) from the nature of SC shocks and the fronts will have sufficient articulation because the King shocks aren't quite as stiff as P-L shocks to start off with. I haven't tested this set-up yet but I'm feeling optimistic with all these new changes.

[pete959]

Great build

LIFE IS GOOD

[bilinvic]

Time to toughen up the front axle a bit, especially with the new Exile RC SLW hub weights. Vaterra Aluminum Front Carrier & Spindle set installed as well as the 50mm Axial Post to replace the bulky drag link I was using.

[RCHuffer]

[QUOTE=bilinvic;5454808]I received the "Exile RC SLW Hub Weights" from my friend today. They are machined specifically to fit the length of .475 Vanquish SLW hubs. They look and feel great and come in at a whopping 5.85 oz per pair (137 grams).

Love the build! - thanks for all the useful info, Before you went with these weights, Did you have any weight in the Stock front wheels before you did this?

[bilinvic]

Thank you.

No weight was added to the wheels prior to the SLW hub weights.

[Sammy J.]

Bill wrote in his first post on this thread...

[QUOTE=bilinvic;5435488] I want to try to keep this build relatively low budget, but that will prove to be rather difficult because all my builds tend to empty my savings account!

Bill, it looks like you are staying true to form on this one!





Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[bilinvic]

I'm ashamed....I have no willpower.

[Sammy J.]

If what I've heard is true, maybe a couple of "Crawlers Anonymous" meetings would help. In fact, I might just meet you there!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[DMX512]

HI BILL!!!
I, too, have a problem.
I bought an Asscender Bronco RTR and have yet to take it out of the box.
I feel your shame.

[Natedog]

Originally Posted by bilinvic

Time to toughen up the front axle a bit, especially with the new Exile RC SLW hub weights. Vaterra Aluminum Front Carrier & Spindle set installed as well as the 50mm Axial Post to replace the bulky drag link I was using.

Front end's looking good, how's the steering feel any differnt with this setup?

[bilinvic]

I find the steering feels better than the plastic components because the travel from side to side is smooth as silk; I felt a very slight amount of friction/drag with the plastic parts.