Slow going K5 build
 

About a year ago I had the idea to put together a scale crawler to take with me on camping trips. My plan was to put away a few bucks a week wile I do some research on what to buy. That all changed when the K5 kit was discontinued. I jumped on one of the last kits Horizon had in stock and that began my journey.




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Re: Slow going K5 build
 

The 1986 K5 will always have a special place in my heart because my parents had one when I was young.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0eba796fe1.jpg
Not this one but same paint.


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Re: Slow going K5 build
 

Looking to keep the budget low I picked some economical but proven parts.
Flysky GT3C
HW1080
DS3218 servo
Helios 3500 3S

I established a $10 / week spending limit knowing this build would be slow going. Slow because the forever tinkerer in me would want to put my 20+ years of CNC machining to use building some one off part to personalize my tiny truck.



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Re: Slow going K5 build
 

Just like every project I do I didn’t take enough pictures. Luckily I skipped the boring stuff and focused on the custom stuff.

First up is shock building.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...de3e642c29.jpg
10mm internal limiters. Turned from delrin.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2cfce4f814.jpg
Next some brass spring cups for that down low weight.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...edb4e172e0.jpg
All together now with the torque twist limiters.


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Re: Slow going K5 build
 

Nice job on the shocks, great idea!

Re: Slow going K5 build
 

Tool tip of the day.

Do you assemble a lot of tiny trucks? Or just hate starting screws in unthreaded plastic. Take a look at this...
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...bc3df96922.jpg
This my friends is a roll form tap. Unlike a regular cut tap a form tap has no cutting edges. It has a squarish profile designed to form threads rather than cut them. Not just for plastic. Form taps work great on materials up to and including some stainless steels.
**caution** you must use a larger drill hole for form taps.


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Re: Slow going K5 build
 

Thank you!


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Re: Slow going K5 build
 

Very nice work, looking forward to more! Nice tip on the tap too, much better than cutting threads in plastic parts that can end up too loose! :)

Re: Slow going K5 build
 

Thank you! Somewhere I have a chicken scratch list from your thread with page / part numbers for reference.

Back on the build I took some inspiration from Codyboy for the axels. Often times when it comes to my own projects I cut some corners that I know I shouldn’t. In this case I nearly destroyed my rear axle housing. After revisiting the drawing board I took the time to build a proper fixture. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d86afffd14.jpg
Remember when I said I’m bad at taking pictures? This is one of those times.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d9c8ea349d.jpg
With my fancy new fixture I was able to properly modify my housings. Then turned up some brass sleeves. Assemble and drill some holes.


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Re: Slow going K5 build
 

Nice, any aluminum c-hubs or knuckles in your future? Looks like your axle fixture includes a shim to set c-hub degrees. :)

Re: Slow going K5 build
 

Good eye on the shim. That is exactly what I was doing. As for chubs and knucks they’re on the list but I have other projects ahead of them.

With shocks and axles ready it’s time for some outboarding.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3515e922c2.jpg
Wile I was turning up the rear spacers I decided to make stiffeners for the sliders.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...afb0b1d17e.jpg
I have something in mind for proper sliders. Just need my spare time to match up with available machine time.


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Re: Slow going K5 build
 

You people on here kill me, so many guys that are really knowledgeable about setting these things up and capable of doing so much work on your own. I'm still a neanderthal when it comes to these trucks but I'm trying to learn :mrgreen:

Re: Slow going K5 build
 

Don’t get discouraged. Most of my skills have been gained form the tried and true method of “try, fail, learn, repeat.”

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...eb4d4e6719.jpg
Starting to look like a truck. I’m not a fan of the glue on wheels though. First step is a means of mounting a proper beadlock wheel.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...465756afed.jpg
With a combination of thrifty and handy I whipped up some hubs.


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Re: Slow going K5 build
 

With so many beadlock options I couldn’t decide what to buy. So I made a set myself.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...46fcea6cc9.jpg
In the pursuit of a somewhat scale look I fashioned some wheel well from old gallon jugs.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...21b8f837da.jpg


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Re: Slow going K5 build
 

YOur beadlock wheels came out sweet! Inner fenders are nice too, what's happening since these upgrades? :)

Re: Slow going K5 build
 

How about a rear bumper? It all starts on the computer. For modeling I use Solidworks. For machine tool path I use Camworks. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...fb21ba1cf2.jpg

Once I’m happy with the virtual part it’s off to the machine center. For this part a Haas VF-4 SS was available. Nothing like making tiny truck parts on a 50” mill.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f01fd907ce.jpg

First operation is called 5 side because I’m finishing the top face (what will be the bottom of the bumper) and the outside.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1b14ce3fc0.jpg

Next is called flip and deck. This finishes the opposite surface.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c7cced92c1.jpg

Complete assembly ready for action.


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Re: Slow going K5 build
 

Awesome work! I’ve built several things for my ascenders with a lathe and a few other crude methods but nothing to the precision you are. Totally awesome. I’m loving the pictures, design, and style you’re going with and can’t wait for the next over the top piece.

Ben

Re: Slow going K5 build
 

Wow the wheels and bumper are awesome! Incredible! Awesome work so far! I can't wait to see how this build progresses.

Re: Slow going K5 build
 

That is easily the nicest bumper I've ever seen on an rc! Just like the one on my old man's '78 K25 (GMC.) Excellent work sir!

Re: Slow going K5 build
 

Thank you everyone for the kind words.

So far it has been smooth sailing but I’ve reached the point I have been dreading. Paint. Luckily my local hobby lobby has an excellent selection of createx paint products.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7505368b1d.jpg

Not being a fan of the detail stickers I masked and hand painted the window and body trim black. Unable to find a suitable brown for main body color I mixed my own by combining black and red.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4677269702.jpg

Now on to the tan. Yup had to mix that also. Some yellow and white did the trick.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b13e323dd7.jpg






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