Ascender K10 Front Bumper Tuck

[rkj__]

I’d like some advice on how to tuck the front bumper of my K10 Ascender closer to the body.

There are no spacers to remove, and I’m hesitant to start hacking up my new truck without a little guidance.

I like the front bumper fine, just not the position. I don’t want to run without a bumper, because, well, accidents happen, and I like to pass the controls to friends or family, who sometimes have beginner hiccups.

Thanks.




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[Yeti.stealth]

When. Did mine I just cut the brackets down to tuck the bumper in, think I used a very small drill to drill the screw hole right thru ( make sure it's small! You don't want to drill out or weaken the threads already there! ) so the screw can poke out the back, maybe a shorter screw too. Don't cut too much off or there won't be much left for the screw to hang on too!

It don't matter if you destroy em, you can get replacement parts.

[Browneye]

I carved out the back of the frame brackets and drilled new holes - moved it back about half the distance between the holes - or about a quarter inch. Also moved it all up a bit on the re-drill. It greatly improves approach angle. Next I cut the ends off so they don't get hung up approach rocks.
And yeah, cut your screws or use the right length so they fit the length of the screw holes. 3mm screws are plenty strong, or 2.5, whatever they got on there already.
That's the nice thing about vaterra plastic- it's strong.

[rkj__]

Thanks for chiming in guys. It sounds like either method works.

I’m only looking for a small change. I’ll probably chop the front of the bracket, and drill clearance for the screw like Mr Yeti.


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[Yeti.stealth]

I like Chris’ way better!

[rkj__]

Originally Posted by Yeti.stealth

I like Chris’ way better!

After much contemplation, I did end up doing it “Chris’ way.”

It’s a subtle change, but a positive one. It now sits exactly 1/4” closer.








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[Natedog]

Originally Posted by Yeti.stealth

Did mine I just cut the brackets down to tuck the bumper in, think I used a very small drill to drill the screw hole right thru ( make sure it's small! You don't want to drill out or weaken the threads already there! ) so the screw can poke out the back, maybe a shorter screw too. Don't cut too much off or there won't be much left for the screw to hang on too!

It don't matter if you destroy em, you can get replacement parts.

This is how I did mine, works great!

[rkj__]

Welp, I did not get to enjoy the results for too long. My tiny truck took a big tumble yesterday, and the bumper sacrificed itself.



I stopped by the hobby shop later that day. They did not have anything I wanted, or wanted to pay for. The Vaterra replacement was apparently backordered. Nice stuff online is expensive.

So, I headed to Home Depot, and selected a fine cabinet / drawer handle for about $7.

When I positioned it on the stock brackets, it looked way too low and forward. So, I had to fab new mounts. I cut up some large brackets I had salvaged from a construction project. Symmetry is hard, but I did my best. I mounted it up, and it was pretty crooked. Some shimming got it close-ish.

Time will tell how it holds up.










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[Itali83]

I really like that a lot. Simplicity is sometimes and more than not the best route. Your approach angle is much improved for sure!

Ben

[M1tch]

Looks good. I have no bumper on my K10 and it suffers as a result. Got some cracked body work to deal with.

[durok]

Great job, looks store-bought!

Super clean and minimal...

[rkj__]

Originally Posted by Itali83

I really like that a lot. Simplicity is sometimes and more than not the best route. Your approach angle is much improved for sure!

Ben

Originally Posted by M1tch

Looks good. I have no bumper on my K10 and it suffers as a result. Got some cracked body work to deal with.

Originally Posted by durok

Great job, looks store-bought!

Super clean and minimal...

Thanks guys. I really like the sleek look, and the improved approach angle. While it may not offer as much protection as the big stock bumper which stuck out more, I think it's safer than running no bumper.



I'm really not sure how it would fair if it took the same hit that broke the stock bumper. The material is simply listed as "metal." It's non-magnetic, fairly dense, and not exceptionally ductile. The mounts are fairly thick steel, so if I snap the bumper, it's not too hard to replace. I'm looking forward to putting it to the test.

[Natedog]

Originally Posted by rkj__

My tiny truck took a big tumble yesterday, and the bumper sacrificed itself.

So, I headed to Home Depot, and selected a fine cabinet / drawer handle for about $7.

When I positioned it on the stock brackets, it looked way too low and forward. So, I had to fab new mounts. I cut up some large brackets I had salvaged from a construction project. Symmetry is hard, but I did my best. I mounted it up, and it was pretty crooked. Some shimming got it close-ish.

Wow, we've taken some big tumbles and I've never seen anyone break an Ascender bumper!

Your replacement looks great and has much improved approach angle!

Originally Posted by durok

Great job, looks store-bought!

Super clean and minimal...

I like your post!

[cowboyona426]

Nice job on both approaches you took, I think I'm going to tuck mine like you did originally and hope it doesn't end up like yours did!

[Yeti.stealth]

Did your K10 come with headlights? I can see from the front on pic that it has what looks like different grill mounting points, just like the new C10 on road Vaterra rc car that has headlights, it has those same mounts.

[rkj__]

Originally Posted by Yeti.stealth

Did your K10 come with headlights? I can see from the front on pic that it has what looks like different grill mounting points, just like the new C10 on road Vaterra rc car that has headlights, it has those same mounts.

It did not come with the lights and wiring, but the grille / headlight buckets are ready for them. They would be easy to add, but I’m not really interested in adding any.




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[Yeti.stealth]

Thats cool that they come with the light ready grill now!

[cowboyona426]

Originally Posted by rkj__

It did not come with the lights and wiring, but the grille / headlight buckets are ready for them. They would be easy to add, but I’m not really interested in adding any.




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When/where did you buy your Ascender? I just got mine last Friday from RPP and it does not have any provisions for lights in the grille.

[rkj__]

Originally Posted by cowboyona426

When/where did you buy your Ascender? I just got mine last Friday from RPP and it does not have any provisions for lights in the grille.

Interesting. I bought it December 26, 2018 at a hobby shop in Ontario Canada. I of course have no way of knowing how long it had been sitting in that shop.

[cowboyona426]

Originally Posted by rkj__

Interesting. I bought it December 26, 2018 at a hobby shop in Ontario Canada. I of course have no way of knowing how long it had been sitting in that shop.

I'll double check when I get home but I'm fairly certain mine has no provisions for lights. I bought a replacement body for mine because my wife's dog decided my day old truck would make a great chew toy so I'll check that one too (should be here today). I'm wondering if for some reason yours somehow ended up with the grille from the Suburban but no lights.