What did you do to/with your Ascender today

[HumboldtEF]

I have too many rigs to focus on individually for too long but I sure love my Ascender and I got around to giving it some love in the way of parts

One mod was needed though, I finally bent or at least noticed I had bent the stock aluminum rear links, I do believe my alignment was a wee bit off



I picked up the Vaterra upgrade links, I'm on the K10 WB2 setup except I had extended the rear links with a 12mm spacer so I just got the 90mm links for the rear, and 66mm up front.



I also swapped out my MIP driveshafts using the GCM diff input shaft adapter and some Junfac driveshafts (95-130mm up front and 120-155 in back), the MIP's were fine but I've gotten tired of how sloppy the spline is. One thing to note about the Junfac shafts are that you cant cut down the female ends as only the last 1/4" or so is keyed to fit the male end, I had assumed you could but got lucky on lengths and didn't need to do any cutting
EDIT: I almost forgot I had to mod the output shaft on the transmission to get the Junfac drive shafts to line up with the flat of the shaft. The options are to extend the flat spot to the end of the shaft or to trim both the end of the output shaft and the end of the driveshaft, I opted for the latter. On the driveshaft end theres a step, I ground it down to just a hair shy of this step


I also ground 1/8" or so off of the output shaft after removing it from the transmission so I could push the driveshaft in far enough. Its a lot more work, I just didn't like the idea of grinding the flat by hand, its already a poor design when machined flat that is when the grub screws start backing out

I was afraid to do this but I put some SSD rear axle weights on my CodyBoy Design axle. The thing is both the axle and the weights are threaded so I was worried the threads wouldn't align and that I'd be cross threading it but I got lucky or the brass was soft enough to allow it



EDIT: I found the little spacer used on the sock setup was making the axle too tight and binding it, so I removed them.



This thing is super planted with all of the low down weight, It my best performing 1.9 rig for sure. My brother has nicknamed it the Ninja because it silently gets up an obstacle, you turn your head for a moment and its up before you can see it.



This was taken before stretching the wheelbase

[Itali83]

Are those gear head slot wheels? Got any better pictures of them?

Ben

[HumboldtEF]

Yep, slot mag V2's they're the vintage finish which is sandblasted. They're a bit limiting in that the hub is built in, thought it fits the Ascender good if you're okay with a wide stance, the space inside the wheel is a bit smaller than most (1 7/16") but it fits the SSD rear weights and up front though they are SCX10ii parts on the front axle (at the ends for the Codyboy Design axle). They're also quite weighty which is a double edged sword. I love the wheels, the machining looks great.

[Itali83]

Nice, I have the non beadlock ones in 1.55 and love them. Wonder if you can get the 1.9 beadlocks in 6 lug? They look good on your truck for sure.

Ben

[HumboldtEF]

Originally Posted by Itali83

Nice, I have the non beadlock ones in 1.55 and love them. Wonder if you can get the 1.9 beadlocks in 6 lug? They look good on your truck for sure.

Ben

They only do the 5 lug, its funny with their 1.9's there only two 5 lug wheels from Gearhead and the other 30 or so are 6.
If it really was important you could try contacting them, maybe they could make a set with 6 or just make a set without them and leave it to you to drill and tap.
I met a guy at the RPP Jamboree who asked for a sanblasted finish which then became a standard finish Gearhead is offering (I dont think he even knew) and I thanked him for it , so it cant hurt to ask.

[CODYBOY]

Originally Posted by HumboldtEF

I have too many rigs to focus on individually for too long but I sure love my Ascender and I got around to giving it some love in the way of parts

One mod was needed though, I finally bent or at least noticed I had bent the stock aluminum rear links, I do believe my alignment was a wee bit off



I picked up the Vaterra upgrade links, I'm on the K10 WB2 setup except I had extended the rear links with a 12mm spacer so I just got the 90mm links for the rear, and 66mm up front.



I also swapped out my MIP driveshafts using the GCM diff input shaft adapter and some Junfac driveshafts (95-130mm up front and 120-155 in back), the MIP's were fine but I've gotten tired of how sloppy the spline is. One thing to note about the Junfac shafts are that you cant cut down the female ends as only the last 1/4" or so is keyed to fit the male end, I had assumed you could but got lucky on lengths and didn't need to do any cutting
EDIT: I almost forgot I had to mod the output shaft on the transmission to get the Junfac drive shafts to line up with the flat of the shaft. The options are to extend the flat spot to the end of the shaft or to trim both the end of the output shaft and the end of the driveshaft, I opted for the latter. On the driveshaft end theres a step, I ground it down to just a hair shy of this step


I also ground 1/8" or so off of the output shaft after removing it from the transmission so I could push the driveshaft in far enough. Its a lot more work, I just didn't like the idea of grinding the flat by hand, its already a poor design when machined flat that is when the grub screws start backing out

I was afraid to do this but I put some SSD rear axle weights on my CodyBoy Design axle. The thing is both the axle and the weights are threaded so I was worried the threads wouldn't align and that I'd be cross threading it but I got lucky or the brass was soft enough to allow it



EDIT: I found the little spacer used on the sock setup was making the axle too tight and binding it, so I removed them.



This thing is super planted with all of the low down weight, It my best performing 1.9 rig for sure. My brother has nicknamed it the Ninja because it silently gets up an obstacle, you turn your head for a moment and its up before you can see it.



This was taken before stretching the wheelbase

Nice to see you working on your ascender again Casey!!
And some nice looking axles you have there!
By the way, as usual you are welcome to camp and pit with us at the Proline By the Fire event in May. We will have our Motorhome and we hope to have a group of fun Guys and Gals at our site!
Ernie

[HumboldtEF]

Originally Posted by CODYBOY

Nice to see you working on your ascender again Casey!!
And some nice looking axles you have there!
By the way, as usual you are welcome to camp and pit with us at the Proline By the Fire event in May. We will have our Motorhome and we hope to have a group of fun Guys and Gals at our site!
Ernie

Thanks Ernie Dont reserve a bed just for me, I can sleep in my truck, but I'd love to hang out with you guys. It should be a lot of fun!

[HumboldtEF]

I finally got around to rigging up a column shifter on the K10 interior, I used a floor shifter that was an extra form an Axial kit (maybe the Wraith?)

I cut off the bottom of the shifter removing the little flange/boot.



Drilled a hole in the steering column and used hot glue to stick it



I found a home for a driver I had hoped to use for my Gom (but was too small)

Its the Lone Wanderer from Fallout 3, I had to carve up the legs a bit to get them to bend up a bit and I shaved off his ass so his head could be seen through the window. I also drilled out what I could to reduce the weight,
mostly the legs and torso, the feet were removed.



I also made a cup holder from a plastic pen and added a floor shifter left over from the Gom. I put a colt 45 Beer in the cup holder and the rifle on the floor was from the driver figure.



Okay I'm done taking over this thread, sorry if I flooded it.

[CT Yankee]

Got my new aluminum bead lock wheels and got out with my friend and his new TRX4 Bronco

[BrokeBob]

Went out for a few. And picked up some Class 1 Hyrax. They look a little small but should work just fine.


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[BAJAREY2017]

Taking the new toy for a run


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[BrokeBob]

Installed my new Promodeler servo.


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[mgputer]

Originally Posted by BrokeBob

Installed my new Promodeler servo.


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That is a beautiful servo! Rc porn alert!

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[BrokeBob]

Originally Posted by mgputer

That is a beautiful servo! Rc porn alert!

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And it performs as good as it looks too!


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[BAJAREY2017]

Found a new spot


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[skinnyj]

I took mine for it's maiden voyage in my backyard yesterday. 10 minutes in, I popped the beads on two if the tires. Looks like the wheels are coming off and getting re-glued.

There will be beadlocks in the future...

[skinnyj]

So far, the tires are staying on this time...


Anyway, I'm trying to train my dog not to bark at it. I live in the city on a small city lot with neighbors very close to the property lines. Running my Ascender will be more enjoyable when I can get my dog to stop freaking out when I run it. I have a feeling I am going to be spending a ton on training treats, lol...

[Ascender'nMN84]

Originally Posted by skinnyj

So far, the tires are staying on this time...


Anyway, I'm trying to train my dog not to bark at it. I live in the city on a small city lot with neighbors very close to the property lines. Running my Ascender will be more enjoyable when I can get my dog to stop freaking out when I run it. I have a feeling I am going to be spending a ton on training treats, lol...

I got a dog 3 weeks ago and she is NOT a fan of the trucks. Barks at them just sitting on the bench. We're making progress though. Good luck with yours!

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[Shinchu]

Aw man yeah... my frenchies were curious but now they could care less.
Took mine tk my backyard for a shakedown run after a complete tear down to repaint the frame and shorten the wheelbase a bit. Got it back together today with the rear gcm shock relocator...
My younger frenchie was about 1 foot to the left during this pic lol

[Ascender'nMN84]

Took an old friend off the shelf for some much over-due love.

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