D90-T Ascender(ish)

[jrkilburn]

So, this isn't my first Ascender based build but it is my first hard bodied ascender build.

I originally built this as my class 2 rig last year and had a two speed with the over drive front axle mod. It performed well but just didn't have enough to be a keeper.

I realized that I didn't have a Defender in my stable and an opportunity to get one cheap appeared (free). So I bit on it and I soon realized it needed to be a truck, a very short truck, with cantilevered rear suspension, and a GCM trans with front over drive and front and rear winches and .... you get the point, lol.

Well... here it is in progress with cantilevered rear suspension, GCM trans with over drive, 50/50 weight distribution, low CG, full interior, drop bedded D90 truck, with a front winch and soon to come, rear winch. Enjoy the pictures..... more to come



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[rag6]

Flippin sweet! Did ya make the sliders or were they for another truck?

[jrkilburn]

Thanks! The sliders are RC4WD D90's with some modifications of course.


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[Natedog]

Very nice, love the D90s! Nice use of two RC4WD fuel cells, did you make you own mounts for the rear cantilever?

[jrkilburn]

I didn't have to, used twin hammers rockers and rods and they bolted to the existing rear cross member holes. Used traxxas 1/16 shocks and changed the oil and springs to suit the weight.


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[Natedog]

Nice, looks like it came that way. Any close up pics of the setup? How about the battery tray mounting?

[jrkilburn]

I will do a partial tear down and go through it for you, the fit was remarkable!


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[jrkilburn]

Here are some pictures of the rear suspension and the battery mount.






The rear of the battery tray (axial wraith tray) is hard mounted at the rear using scx10 frame cap with holes in it that I shaved down to fit into the ascender frame rail. Mid mount is a 10mm plastic spacer from the original ascender kit that I have locked inside the ascender frame rail, not hard mounted because they can't escape and I didn't want another hole drilled into the frame.

I used the rocker with mount pin straight from the twin jammed and used a 3mm lock nut inside the frame rail using the factory frame hole for the rear shock tower. A 1/8 spacer from dubro was used to space out the shock from the frame.

Let me know if you have any more questions!


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[rag6]

Do the rear frame rails have any flex do to the long space where the battery tray sits not bracing that area? Where the radio box sits on a stock truck is the area I mean

[jrkilburn]

No frame flex is noticeable. If it does I can drill the frame mid battery mount and lock it to the battery tray to provide support.


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[jrkilburn]

Got some time on this today. I can check the rear winch off the list! No room in the back anymore so I went with a servo winch up front, antenna tube, 150lb line, axial drum and careful routing to the back.


Also started the wiring layout....



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[jrkilburn]

More done today. Wiring layout is final to make it a driver (lights are yet to come). Also taking care of some body work. Filled the rear fuel filler and moved it forward behind the drivers door. Made a plug for the sunroof and filled it in as well to make it a proper pick up.





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[SHOme]

Sooo since I live in Maryland as well when do I get to see this artwork in action? How is the torque twist?

[jrkilburn]

Originally Posted by SHOme

Sooo since I live in Maryland as well when do I get to see this artwork in action? How is the torque twist?

Still a work in progress and currently in primer awaiting paint (weather is holding that up) but it will be on the trails locally soon. If all goes well it should be at Motorama running the ST class. No torque twist to speak of during living room testing, lol.


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[SHOme]

I'll stop by and try to find you at Motorama. Hell I might try to compete if I can get something together. I have a TF2 that I run with my son and dad and an ascender bronco I am working on now.

SHOme

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[jrkilburn]

Got quite a bit done on this with the long weekend. New wheels and tires are in, body is painted (best I could do with the cold temps), and details begun.
I know a lot of you have built these before and I need help finding a driver figure. Any suggestions are appreciated!







I was also able to get the tilt body, rear windows completed and the spare tire mount in the bed.
Thanks for looking!


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[RRMudDigger]

Those are vaterra axles correct? Whats the O/U drive you're talking about? Is it in the trans or axles?

[jrkilburn]

This one is over driven front through the GCM transmission. Yes this rig has vaterra axles


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[jrkilburn]

Details are coming together, wheels painted, sand ladders mounted, lights installed and body detailing almost done.




Almost don't want to subject it to the torture of Motorama....


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[Robs07junk]

That's A Nice D !