BgredPhoenix

[bgredjeep]

I picked up a pair of the china aluminum 3rds to try out. The install was smooth and the diffs feel about the same as with the stock housings. Here's a couple pics to show the weight vs the stock 3rd.

I ran the truck Wednesday and didn't get any pictures. It worked well with the vrd trans, but i did miss having dig on some of the obstacles. After the ride I added some more weight on the front axle. I needed a bit more to help side hill stability. I think I'm going to ditch the vxt2 tires as well. I've got tusks and a set of treps on the way so one of those will end up on this rig.

 

[Saltrock]

I dig your build.

 

[bgredjeep]

I saw a post in a fb group where several guys had shortened the k10 tucked body to fit better on their vrd carbon. The body looked much better with the shorter bed imo. After looking at my truck for a bit l decided I wouldn't mess with mine at this stage. Then I thought about it some more, took measurements, several times... and I cut it.

I took about 18mm out of the bed and used rivets (with washers on the back side) to put it back together. Before this the rear bumper was flush with the tailgate. I pulled the bumper in about 10mm as well and now it sticks out just a bit. I might switch to a tube bumper that sits a bit higher but haven't made up my mind on that.

 

[bgredjeep]

I wasn't in love with the rear bumper setup shown in my last post. It was tucked in a tight as possible, but still hung a bit low. It's workable, but i had these aluminum bumper brackets i had tried before. I wanted to give them another shot now with the shortened body. I think this will do. I'll need to paint the tube eventually.

I made a quick chassis crossmember to replace the zoku fuel cell/ bumper mount. Threw in a VP logo for style points. Lol

 

[JatoTheRipper]

I love that bumper! Simple and clean.

 

[Ots]

looks great!

 

[B-MOW71]

Great job on the bumper. It looks much better!

 

[bgredjeep]

Fresh update on this truck. I decided to pick up one of the new mini 16 fusion motors to try in this crawler. Current weight is slightly above the recommended amount. I think as long as keep an eye on the temps while I figure out the gearing it will be fine.

I stopped in at hobbytown to grab a 9t pinion and had them swap my connectors while I was there. They did have a pinion adapter that i bought and drilled to 2.3mm, but its got a slight wobble so I'll wait for the proper adapter I ordered before running it. I was able to test it and it's functional.

Weight before, with the fusion se was 5lbs 12oz. Weight after the motor swap is 5lbs 7oz.

 

[bgredjeep]

It happened again. I got a wild hair and changed it up.

With the new lightweight power system I installed, I decided to look into swapping a more comp focused body. I already had the Zuul body I used on the vrd carbon before it got robbed for parts so it made sense to fit it.

This time I went full tilt and slammed it low on the chassis. I had to cut the front of the chassis off a bit to get the body back far enough. I designed a new front crossmember and mount plate that fits into the back of the Zuul grill for the front mount. In the rear I made a screw style mount that holds the body behind the cab.

Between the lighter body, removing the inner fenders rear bumper, etc, the truck is down about 3/4 lb, and the cg is much lower than before. I drew some new sliders that I'm printing now, and with the new sliders I still need to trim the body up to match the height of the sliders.

 

[bgredjeep]

I got up and finished trimming the body this morning. Sliders mounted and ready to run now.

Final weight, rtr with the battery is 5lb 2.6oz. I didn't have the battery included in the weights posted with the mini 16 install. It'll lose a couple more grams when I remove the switch for the headlights, but nothing significant.