semi droop question

[eggie]

I tried searching, but didn't find what I was looking for specifically.

I want to try running a semi droop setup. I have axial shocks on my 10. I like them resting about half way. With this look, I would get equal upward and downward travel. Not sure if I will like it or not, but I thought I'd try it to see.

What internal and external spring should be used? It was like a bic pen spring or something like that, right?

 

[JeepinOR]

The idea is going to be the same regardless of the rig and shocks.

Pen/Mechanical pencil springs will work inside, sometimes pulled longer or cut shorter. Soft/shorter springs are sometimes used on the outside, with or without the use of limiters (spacers) on the shaft to keep the ride height up a bit. These springs can also be cut/pulled longer to fit.

It's a trial and error thing and takes patience to fine tune (assuming you even like it enough to want to take the time).

 

[eggie]

Cool, thanks. For some reason I thought it was a specific pen or something.

 

[jsowens]

Personally, I found pen springs to be way too soft for my liking. Then again, I was running full droop and not semi. They were so soft that anytime I tried to go up an incline or sidehill, my rig would unload and just fall backwards or sideways. At most hardware stores you can find a box of compression springs (I got mine at Lowes) for a few bucks and they usually have about 4 sets of different tensions that are useable in crawler shocks.

 

[eggie]

So help me understand, when going up step inclines, with too soft of a springs or full droop setup, what happens?

I noticed, last time I went out, that I did roll more.

 

[JeepinOR]

A droop setup will react much differently and takes getting used to. Some don't like it even after they try if for a while. I liked the lower COG when I was running droop but I ultimately wanted my belly clearance back. I never tried limiting the shocks with droop to get her to sit higher, but should have...

As a rig starts to climb or sidehill, the weight obviously wants to move downward with gravity...shocks usually help to counter this force as the springs push back. If there aren't springs, or the springs are too soft (internal or external), the weight will transfer back (or to the side) which will put the rig off balance, the front or higher-side will lose traction, she'll roll over, &c.

 

[eggie]

Oh, I understand now, thanks. That would explain why I was rolling so much easier after my rebuild.

 

[JeepinOR]

Oh, I understand now, thanks. That would explain why I was rolling so much easier after my rebuild.

Thicker shock oil will help slow down that roll - it'll help slow down the reaction time of the shocks, overall.

 

[dudegetabike]

I did a write up on how to do it with rs10 shocks.

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=224429&page=4

The pen springs ended up too soft for my liking so I got some springs at the hardware store for a couple bucks. I found 3/4 droop works well for my setup, but I guess it all depends on how ur's is and how heavy ur main frame is.

 

[eggie]

cool, thanks. I must have missed that the last time i checked in the tips and tricks area."thumbsup"

 

[H3RESQ]

Also check into replacement springs for nail guns. They have them at allot of places like Tacoma screw, Fastenal, etc.