Doomp's VS410 Phoenix

[Doomp]

Yea im late to the party, but look what showed up a day early.

Im excited to build my first vanquish truck, Unfortunately my rpp order seems to be in a shipping loop somewhere in the L.A. usps system.

Which puts a damper on this build since I'd like to build it with the knk stainless kit i ordered.

Regardless i can build some shocks, links and start on masking the body.

I also need to snag the motor/esc and servo out of the V1W for this build, I'll be tossing in a HH BR-XL torque esc and a HH torque master expert 30T with a CC 10A bec.

Hmm, hopefully these will fix the problem so many have had with the shock collars.

More goodies

 

[Panther6834]

If the "replacement shock collars" town out to be 'problematic', you can always go with the "guaranteed to work" solution - Grade RSD OR Shock Showing Adjust Nut (GM0020080).


~ More peace, love, laughter, & kindness would make the world a MUCH better place

 

[Doomp]

If the "replacement shock collars" town out to be 'problematic', you can always go with the "guaranteed to work" solution - Grade RSD OR Shock Showing Adjust Nut (GM0020080).


~ More peace, love, laughter, & kindness would make the world a MUCH better place

Good to know panther, ill be starting on them in abit. Getting my work space and tools ready, i may not even run these shocks.

I have a set of SSD 90mm's in the mail that ill more than likely run with a 3-5mm internal shock limiter to add abit of travel without sacrificing to much COG.
I'd LIKE to run the vanquish extended towers with the 90mm's, i can handle hacking the inner fenders abit but pham from vanquish says no go on the rear cage, we'll see about that... from the photos and videos it LOOKS like there is about 5-6mm of clearance from the top of the stock shock towers to the bottom of the cage.

 

[Panther6834]

Good to know panther, ill be starting on them in abit. Getting my work space and tools ready, i may not even run these shocks.



I have a set of SSD 90mm's in the mail that ill more than likely run with a 3-5mm internal shock limiter to add abit of travel without sacrificing to much COG.

I'd LIKE to run the vanquish extended towers with the 90mm's, i can handle hacking the inner fenders abit but pham from vanquish says no go on the rear cage, we'll see about that... from the photos and videos it LOOKS like there is about 5-6mm of clearance from the top of the stock shock towers to the bottom of the cage.

With 90mm shocks (stock, or others), not sure going with the extended shock towers is smart...you'll probably cause the axles to hit the chassis much sooner, causing a loss in compression. As for adding internal limiters, that would "reduce" travel...not "add" to it. Personally, I'm not using the Phoenix axles, or shocks, on the Phoenix (they're being saved for a different build, on a different chassis)...I'm using the axles from the VS4-10 Pro, and will be using the (110mm) Traxxas GTS Long-Arm shocks.

If sticking with the stock axles, then you'll probably want to stick with 90mm shocks. In that case, the standard Traxxas GTS shocks, or the Element Enduro shocks, would be great choices, as both are 90mm fully extended. Alternately, you could use the extended shock towers, in which case the aforementioned Traxxas GTS Long-Arm shocks might be the answer.

However, another thing to consider (in regards to using the extended shock towers) is that you probably wouldn't be able to use the front wheel wells, as the shock towers would be taller than the wheel wells...although, at the same time, you could probably mod the wheels wells, opening up where the shock towers come through.


~ More peace, love, laughter, & kindness would make the world a MUCH better place

 

[Doomp]

With 90mm shocks (stock, or others), not sure going with the extended shock towers is smart...you'll probably cause the axles to hit the chassis much sooner, causing a loss in compression. As for adding internal limiters, that would "reduce" travel...not "add" to it. Personally, I'm not using the Phoenix axles, or shocks, on the Phoenix (they're being saved for a different build, on a different chassis)...I'm using the axles from the VS4-10 Pro, and will be using the (110mm) Traxxas GTS Long-Arm shocks.

If sticking with the stock axles, then you'll probably want to stick with 90mm shocks. In that case, the standard Traxxas GTS shocks, or the Element Enduro shocks, would be great choices, as both are 90mm fully extended. Alternately, you could use the extended shock towers, in which case the aforementioned Traxxas GTS Long-Arm shocks might be the answer.

However, another thing to consider (in regards to using the extended shock towers) is that you probably wouldn't be able to use the front wheel wells, as the shock towers would be taller than the wheel wells...although, at the same time, you could probably mod the wheels wells, opening up where the shock towers come through.


~ More peace, love, laughter, & kindness would make the world a MUCH better place

Good points, Thats why i havent ordered them yet. Once the truck is built i can do a comparision between the 80s and 90s. With and without limiters and see what i like the best for my style of driving then i can make a decision on the extended shock towers.

Even if i add 5mm internal limiters there is still an extra 5mm of droop for more articulation, plus the ssd shocks are longer when fully compressed so i would actually be gaining more clearance before the axle hits anything. (with stock towers) the extended towers is only plus 6mm over stock. so in theory i would remove the limiters with the extended towers and everything should just work and clear fine, unless im completely missing something here.
Which is possible, it is st pattys day afterall and i may or may not have had acouple of irish car bombs. Im irish and my name starts with a P....

I can dremel the front inner fenders for tower clearance, so no biggie there. What i am concerned about is if the rear cage will bottom out on the extended shock towers, from some videos/photos it SHOULD clear but ill pull measurements on that when i get there.

 

[Doomp]

Im not overly impressed with the S8E shocks, the new collars went on easy without issue.

The shock pistons were to tight of a fit, using a good pair of flush cutters and sanding the piston where it was attatched to the sprue left me with terrible sticktion even with oil, so i sanded down all the pistons with some 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper.

They are smooth as butter now, also not a fan of the bleeder screws angle.

comparision of the S8E vs the ssd 90s

the ssd's are about 8mm longer with compressed.
The shock collars on the ssd's also clear the towers without issue.

 

[Doomp]

The stainless links went together real nice, one of the easier sets i've ever built.

Digging throw some misc rc parts i came across some old OG scx10 axial links, bent one up to make a stinger for the front bumper. its not centered but ill pick up some material to make a custom front bumper once the truck is complete.

 

[ALPINEX]

I had some issues with my shocks as well, mostly in the fluid retention department. I’m the end, never installed them and went with 80mm dravtechs. If you don’t like the 90mm the dravtech super shortys have the same extended and compressed lengths as stock.

Hopefully your parts show up soon, it’s a fun truck!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Doomp]

I had some issues with my shocks as well, mostly in the fluid retention department. I’m the end, never installed them and went with 80mm dravtechs. If you don’t like the 90mm the dravtech super shortys have the same extended and compressed lengths as stock.

Hopefully your parts show up soon, it’s a fun truck!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Ill be testing the stockers with 60 rear and 50 front shock oil weight to start, so it might help abit with the oil retention haha.

One thing i noticed is shock shaft wiggle in the seals, i dont know if its the seal tolerences or the tapered shock piston which i've rarely encountered, yea i sanded the pistons abit but at 600 grit i know i couldnt have taken more than acouple of thou off the od. But regardless it doesnt inspire confidence.

If worst comes to worst and i dont care for the 90s i may go dravtech, i've had acouple of sets in the past and they are top notch.

I'll have to look through the parts bins and see if i can find a short set of rod ends that will fit the ssd's, maybe knock acouple of mm's off the overall length and see how the truck likes it.

I did pick up some 3/16 rod and found some 16Ga mild steel yesterday, so a simple narrow bumper and hoop or stinger is in order. I've been looking at FJ40 bumpers online and acouple have caught my eye. I may need to pickup some 1/8 rod also. We'll see if i still have the touch with a tig, Its been awhile.

I have been impatiently waiting for my rpp order, this is day 8 and it left SLC early this morning but i live in the middle of BFE. I wont know if it reachs the post office for another hour or so. My rural mail runs about 8:30 am so hopefully it arrives and i can get a real start on this build.

 

[Doomp]

Now we can finally get this build properly underway.

 

[Panther6834]

You building a new crawler...or a new crawler-themed computer? Lol. J/k. Enjoy. It's a fun build...especially the transmission.


~ More peace, love, laughter, & kindness would make the world a MUCH better place

 

[Doomp]

Axles went together nicely, although the KNK stainless M2X8MM screws do not fit inside the ring gears, the knurled caphead catches the edge of the ring gear and do not seat properly. I have already emailed knk to them know of the issue.

LOL panther, If i turn on the overhead lights it washes out my phone camera badly. Hey i can turn on the pc case rgb and go full 80s vaporwave if you'd like haha.

 

[Doomp]

Chassis went together fairly well, afew of the skid/slider mounts screw holes were quite tricky to get lined up. Also the manual is meh, better than some, worse than others.
Now onto everyones favorite, the D-Bag.

 

[Doomp]

The transmission is a nice unit but man do you have to pay attention to the manual, also for any one that is installing the aluminum bearing plates, dont install the silver pin that comes in the bag.

Here in the sandy desert the stock shift "covers" werent gonna fly so i used some HD black latex gloves from home depot for shift lever covers.

 

[Doomp]

finished up mounting the axles and transmission into the chassis without much issue besides transmission screw holes not lining up into the chassis, Same thing happened assembling the chassis rails to the braces.

Reefs triple 5 for steering, lp299 servo winch and 2 reefs 422 HD V1 i had laying around. Will pick up some micro servos in the future for shifting duty so one of the 422's can go back in the V1W chassis and have the other on hand when i feel like putting rear steer back on the capra.

I ended up bolting up the ssd 90mm shocks and using the stock 80mm springs, under articulation the calipers are indicating about 87 mm's of travel with a low ride height. Im pretty chuffed with the bench testing.

Working on mounting tires up after spending a good amount of time last night removing the silver beadlock rings on the contenders and installed some black ones i had laying around. Also installed brass internal rings and tested the back spacing with ssd standard hub/ rotors, they do not clear and installed the 3mm offset for the win.

Will be running contenders, C.I. lil' novas comp cut F/R, medium rear, soft front without the tuning rings. PL Krawler tires in predator compound.

 

[twade984]

Looking good! I’m a fan of the contenders. Really good replica of the previous gen Tacoma trd wheels [emoji1303]


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[Doomp]

Looking good! I’m a fan of the contenders. Really good replica of the previous gen Tacoma trd wheels [emoji1303]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yea the contenders was my only choice for this body, a nice modern touch for a classic body style.
Im mulling over the idea of throwing some ivan stewart racing stripes on the bed sides but im not sold on the idea. Im leaning towards gun metal gray with a black roof and fender flares, just a nice simple paint job. I think it would look good with the bronze wheels.
As much as i would like a set of vanquish wheels for this truck i just cant justify the cost with hubs and other accessories when i have plenty of ssd wheels, hubs, brass, rings ect for them. Not saying vanquish wheels arent worth but if im spending that kinda coin on wheels it will be for my fullsize tundra.

 

[Doomp]

Got wheels mounted up.

The first photo is from a 6" drop to see where the truck likes to sit. 95mm to the top of the sliders from desk.

The second photo is the shocks fully extended, 105mm from desk.
So the 90mm shocks with the stock S8E springs is more or less equal to stock suspension full extension, however the shock collars are ran all the way down to keep a small of tension on the springs to keep the spring retainers from popping off.
So stiffer springs may be in order.

We'll see how bad side hilling is with this setup.

 

[B-MOW71]

Build is looking great!"thumbsup"

Good call on the shift booties! I still need to add them to my Phoenix.

I'm really liking the looks of them Contenders with the black rings!

 

[Doomp]

Build is looking great!"thumbsup"

Good call on the shift booties! I still need to add them to my Phoenix.

I'm really liking the looks of them Contenders with the black rings!

The shift booties were a pita to get them screwed to the covers on without rippin them, then i took a exacto blade to cut the outside excess off once mounted.
i could have made them abit shorter, whenever these rip ill make shorter ones.
We'll see how they hold up and hopefully the excess doesnt get in the way of the shift arms, i may remake them since i cant paint for a day or two cause the cold.

Yea, the silver rings just didnt look right with the bronze imo. I can assure you i didnt want to swap rings but i knew i had to remove the screws anyways to locktite them. With the dark paint job im probably going to do on this rig i believe the black rings with the silver hardware is gonna look great, although the silver rings with black hard might have looked good, but i didnt have enough black ssd hardware to test that.