ModTrialsRider
Rock Stacker
Hola!
I need input if there are those here willing to give it. Very recently this rig came up on craigslist which I completely pounced on (the ad was only up for 10 hours,) and brought it home with full intention on being it's new proud, loving owner. I jumped on it because I never, ever see a custom hand-built Class-2/Truggy build for sale anywhere local, the exception being the last one I spotted almost two years ago on Craigslist. I certainly do not have the skills, time, monetary capital, equipment or location to learn and fabricate my own, and I have yet to find anyone willing to build me one. Needless to say I grabbed it.
From what I gather thus far, It's based off of a Losi NightCrawler (Axles, center frame, transfer case, TX/RX, ESC,) with custom links, Junfac drivelines, and what appears to be a generic Traxxas Titan 550 motor.
Unfortunately, it's riddled with small problems. Nothing that I wouldn't fix with the silliest grin on my face (I love building these things to the best of my ability,) with the exception of one singular item. The frame does not sit straight when viewed from the rear. Here's some birds eye views to give you a gist of what I have.
[/URL]DSC_0305 by A+G vIsUaLs, on Flickr[/IMG]
[/URL]DSC_0306 by A+G vIsUaLs, on Flickr[/IMG]
[/URL]DSC_0307 by A+G vIsUaLs, on Flickr[/IMG]
[/URL]DSC_0308 by A+G vIsUaLs, on Flickr[/IMG]
If you look closely, you'll see how the lower portion of the frame skews the axle towards the left giving it unevenly proportioned flex. The upper mounting holes for the shocks are also off by about .090" giving it uneven stance. This is the major issue I have that I cannot fix. I love it's uniquness in this regard (it is home-built after all,) but I am a totally unreasonable stickler for realism. I don't see this being something one would see on a 1:1 rig is all.
Other issues I will bring up:
(1) Front Junfac line is machined off center. Needs replacement for true rotation.
(2) Entire electronics need replacement, the exception being the RX. ESC is wonky, and the motor is unusable for slow movement. TX is original Losi and looks/feels off in my hands.
(3) Lower links or loose/worn looking esp. on the front. Upper links are plastic and flex.
(4) Mounting for upper links are broke/torn and unusable.
(5) Front servo is lethargic and weak.
(6) Suspension system requires complete rebuild. Two bent springs, all shocks leak fluid one of which you can hear the bubbles, springs are a hair too soft. (Also, lack of fluid reservoir lacks realism imho.)
(7) Body is just a bit over-hacked for the fitment.
Out of all of these complaints (and yes, I am nitpicking it too death,) the frame is the only real problem I have. It's not so much cosmetic as it a possible functionality issue. That and the axles, being worm-gear driven and prone to overheating and binding issues. A quick price check puts me at just over $450, which bring my investment up to $850, and this is not even regarding the material and accessories to the cab, paint, wheel/tire combinations, winch system, lighting, and possible coating for the frame. This is twice the investment I was intending to make on what was to be simply a "back-up rig."
The question that remains is whether any of you believe this truck has potential to be a true scale rig that would be worth the time and effort needed to get it up to snuff. Here's my impression. The man who built this truck loved it. In fact he loved it so much after I showed up with cash in hand the first day I could completely see he still wanted to keep it. I understand his view and the work he put forth into it, and therefore I was happy to walk away from it. Now that it has finally come into my possesion, I feel a tremendous responsibility to either build it right, or to not touch it and let someone else have a go. My wallet will exude all it can to make this truck the envy of the lot, but my question remains whether the issue of an unstraightened frame is enough to keep it from reaching a higher potential. After I had taken possession of this truck I also found it that it was not the ideal truck I had in mind. It's a bit, "too" good, but at a price. If that makes sense.
I need input if there are those here willing to give it. Very recently this rig came up on craigslist which I completely pounced on (the ad was only up for 10 hours,) and brought it home with full intention on being it's new proud, loving owner. I jumped on it because I never, ever see a custom hand-built Class-2/Truggy build for sale anywhere local, the exception being the last one I spotted almost two years ago on Craigslist. I certainly do not have the skills, time, monetary capital, equipment or location to learn and fabricate my own, and I have yet to find anyone willing to build me one. Needless to say I grabbed it.
From what I gather thus far, It's based off of a Losi NightCrawler (Axles, center frame, transfer case, TX/RX, ESC,) with custom links, Junfac drivelines, and what appears to be a generic Traxxas Titan 550 motor.
Unfortunately, it's riddled with small problems. Nothing that I wouldn't fix with the silliest grin on my face (I love building these things to the best of my ability,) with the exception of one singular item. The frame does not sit straight when viewed from the rear. Here's some birds eye views to give you a gist of what I have.
If you look closely, you'll see how the lower portion of the frame skews the axle towards the left giving it unevenly proportioned flex. The upper mounting holes for the shocks are also off by about .090" giving it uneven stance. This is the major issue I have that I cannot fix. I love it's uniquness in this regard (it is home-built after all,) but I am a totally unreasonable stickler for realism. I don't see this being something one would see on a 1:1 rig is all.
Other issues I will bring up:
(1) Front Junfac line is machined off center. Needs replacement for true rotation.
(2) Entire electronics need replacement, the exception being the RX. ESC is wonky, and the motor is unusable for slow movement. TX is original Losi and looks/feels off in my hands.
(3) Lower links or loose/worn looking esp. on the front. Upper links are plastic and flex.
(4) Mounting for upper links are broke/torn and unusable.
(5) Front servo is lethargic and weak.
(6) Suspension system requires complete rebuild. Two bent springs, all shocks leak fluid one of which you can hear the bubbles, springs are a hair too soft. (Also, lack of fluid reservoir lacks realism imho.)
(7) Body is just a bit over-hacked for the fitment.
Out of all of these complaints (and yes, I am nitpicking it too death,) the frame is the only real problem I have. It's not so much cosmetic as it a possible functionality issue. That and the axles, being worm-gear driven and prone to overheating and binding issues. A quick price check puts me at just over $450, which bring my investment up to $850, and this is not even regarding the material and accessories to the cab, paint, wheel/tire combinations, winch system, lighting, and possible coating for the frame. This is twice the investment I was intending to make on what was to be simply a "back-up rig."
The question that remains is whether any of you believe this truck has potential to be a true scale rig that would be worth the time and effort needed to get it up to snuff. Here's my impression. The man who built this truck loved it. In fact he loved it so much after I showed up with cash in hand the first day I could completely see he still wanted to keep it. I understand his view and the work he put forth into it, and therefore I was happy to walk away from it. Now that it has finally come into my possesion, I feel a tremendous responsibility to either build it right, or to not touch it and let someone else have a go. My wallet will exude all it can to make this truck the envy of the lot, but my question remains whether the issue of an unstraightened frame is enough to keep it from reaching a higher potential. After I had taken possession of this truck I also found it that it was not the ideal truck I had in mind. It's a bit, "too" good, but at a price. If that makes sense.
