Ascender Wheel Base & Link Reference Guide

[Browneye]

Another question came up on setting up wheelbase - my new build is a WB3 and I'm just building the rear axle and see that I have two complete driveshafts for the rear - which one do I use? I can't find anything anywhere on which one.
The instructions on the gearbox said to 'use the shorter one' of the two for the rear, but then there is another complete driveshaft in the parts bag for the rear axle which makes it really confusing.

And the slip-fit of the shafts are clocked - they only go on one way! Nothing in the instructions about that either.

EDIT: I think I figured it out - the back half is the same as my K10 so the same driveshaft which is the longer one. I think they gave me an extra front driveshaft - that's what it matches.

The 302mm WB3 has the 12mm spacers in the front links as well as the back - so I gain about a half inch over the K10. It should crawl better too.

 

[Natedog]

Use the longest two shaft pieces that don't bottom out during suspension compression, do this for front and rear.

 

[Yeti.stealth]

Bump
This should be a sticky....

 

[steelydano]

This part of the build was the most disappointing. This part of the manual needs to be much clearer. Maybe a single use manual- specific to the vehicle purchased. Sorry but in my 30 years in the hobby this built was the worst, plagued by this process.

 

[Browneye]

This part of the build was the most disappointing. This part of the manual needs to be much clearer. Maybe a single use manual- specific to the vehicle purchased. Sorry but in my 30 years in the hobby this built was the worst, plagued by this process.

The link lengths are clearly spelled out - I have 3 of the 4 wheelbase setups and find it's all quite straightforward. Just configure your pinion angle to be just right whatever WB you decide on for your build.

 

[Desmo]

What parts do I need to convert my K5 to wb1?

 

[Browneye]

AFAIK you don't need any parts - just remove the spacers on the rear links and move the chassis rails in one notch. [shrug]
If the rear driveshaft is too long you'll need the shorter setup.

 

[Desmo]

AFAIK you don't need any parts - just remove the spacers on the rear links and move the chassis rails in one notch. [shrug]
If the rear driveshaft is too long you'll need the shorter setup.

Thanks man, but do I have to turn the servo around? And do I need shorter set screw for the rod ends?

 

[Browneye]

Thanks man, but do I have to turn the servo around? And do I need shorter set screw for the rod ends?

WB2 already has the servo sideways, right?
And yes, if you take the spacers out of the links you need to either cut off the threaded rods or use the shorter ones.

 

[Rich Trujillo]

Thanks man, but do I have to turn the servo around? And do I need shorter set screw for the rod ends?

Yes you do when going from the K5 to the Bronco WB. Once you have rotated the servo, you will need a shorter drag link between the servo and the Steering Spindle. You'll need a link that is 30mm long. This is the distance between the rod ends. The K5 uses a 38mm link.

Unfortunately after all these years, we never updated the replacement parts set to include this shorter link. Not sure how we missed this but i don't have any calls or emails regarding this link via Customer service, likely why it was never caught. We will make a running change but it will take quite some time to get it in the market.

For now make sure the "eye to eye" distance is 67mm apart.


Rich

 

[Browneye]

Sorry - I mistook 'K5' for 'K10' to WB1.
Everything is shorter. ;-)

 

[DMS70]

Are the center driveshafts the same between the k5 and the k10? Meaning length wise, as I know my k5 has a short one in front and a longer one in the rear. I was thinking of extending the rear links on my k10, as to mimic wb3 and wasn’t sure if I would run into rear drive shaft length issues.

 

[Yeti.stealth]

Are the center driveshafts the same between the k5 and the k10? Meaning length wise, as I know my k5 has a short one in front and a longer one in the rear. I was thinking of extending the rear links on my k10, as to mimic wb3 and wasn’t sure if I would run into rear drive shaft length issues.

I have done this plus 5mm, and using the longest inner and outer driveshafts it has been fine. The engagement between the shafts is reduced, I haven’t measured it but it shows no signs of failing or wear.

 

[Rich Trujillo]

Are the center driveshafts the same between the k5 and the k10? Meaning length wise, as I know my k5 has a short one in front and a longer one in the rear. I was thinking of extending the rear links on my k10, as to mimic wb3 and wasn’t sure if I would run into rear drive shaft length issues.

Will not be a problem. When going from WB4 to WB3 the transmission stays in the same location but if you go to WB2 or WB1 from WB4 or WB3, you will need to move the center transmission but even then the driveshafts do not change.

So simple answer, yse they will work in either WB. ;-)

 

[Browneye]

Well, even with all this discussion and diagramming and everything else, @Natedog took a look at my comp crawler in WB4 and said, "I think you have the wrong upper link on the front - it's supposed to be the 61mm link."

Well dayum, sure enough. And my other one, WB3, was built the same way - with the 66mm link and spacer. So I must have gone by the book instead of this thread and set them both up wrong. I'll mark my book and correct it like Nate had his.

It does make a difference in how it steers and handles, how it grips at steep slopes. Thanks Nate!! 8)

Oh, and the SSD titanium lowers are holding up nicely. They're slipperier too. ;-)

 

[soze]

I'll have to remember this thread with my build, as I'm taking a K5 kit and changing it to the F100/K10 honcho.

 

[OldNTired]

Can we make this a sticky yet?

Sent from my SM-T330NU using Tapatalk

 

[durok]

I wish there were detailed measurements on the site, but JEC Racing (of SuperShafty BombProof Bomber trailing arms fame) has a new website up, and they have a stainless steel steering link setup that is quite interesting - I believe the pic shows stock links up top, and theirs below:

https://jecracing.com/collections/j-e-c-racing-products/products/ascender-stainless-steering-links

 

[Natedog]

Good morning mods, sticky this thread please!

 

[Natedog]

Bump for great info!