HVAC's Knightrunner Project

[HVACTeacher]

Hey all!
I picked up a Knightrunner shortly after they came out. I really liked the looks of it, I'm sure everyone here knows how that goes.
I swapped out all the electronics with the exception of the motor, I have a ton of nice motors, I don't know why I stopped short there.
Seeing all the cool stuff on Club 5 I think I ordered every tid-bit they make for this bad boy, love how it turned out!
I have a Castle ESC, CC BEC, Savox WP servo (Can't remember M# off the top of my head), H.O.G servo winch by Precision RC Works, Sanwa RX and a lighting kit by Club 5. Stock tires on RC4WD steel beadlocks.

I've made some suspension changes since the photo of the wheel popped around. I added some bits from Bowhouse that I had prior to the IFS2 kit coming out.
Unfortunately the hardware for the Bowhouse stuff is all loose and I need to redo it
I thought I used Loctite, but at the time I didn't have the nice gel tube that I would normally use. Oh well, live and learn.

I don't have any pics of the lid off, but here it is.

https://imgur.com/a/CZGinv7

 

[HVACTeacher]

Here's some pics with the lid off

https://imgur.com/a/FrDNfYU

 

[HVACTeacher]

https://imgur.com/a/WJYfsxz

 

[HVACTeacher]

Parts list -

Club 5 Racing Ezon light kit
Club 5 Racing Grille
Club 5 Racing Third brake light
Club 5 Racing Complete inner fenders w/ rock lights
Club 5 Racing Magnetic body mount set
Club 5 Racing Tonneau cover
Club 5 Racing Dual exhaust
Club 5 Racing Steel front skid
Club 5 Racing Husky hi clearance links
Power Hobby brass rear diff cover
Bowhouse RC Aluminum servo plate
Bowhouse RC N2R Aluminum steering bell crank
Bowhouse RC Bump Stops

https://imgur.com/a/pJqS6rw

I really need to redo the front end as I mentioned in my op.

Things down the road will be the IFS2 front end after I try this out a bit.

 

[HVACTeacher]

I finally got around to reassembling the front end as I thought I hadn't used any locktite. That was not the case, the screws had the tell tale sign of white residue when I removed them. I decided I should clean them up anyway and apply a product I know and like. This was yesterday evening, I thought 24hrs should be enough time for it to cure or bond properly..

So we hit the trail and headed up to the old abandoned hotel.

https://imgur.com/a/992jRIg

We've had a bit of rain since the last time I was here, there's quite a bit more growing, including the bugs. The hotel is looking in rough shape since I was last out.

This being my first official outdoor run with this truck, I wasn't sure what to expect. I ran the truck on 3s, this gave it just enough wheel speed when needed.

First thing I noticed was how quiet the truck is. The drivetrain is almost silent. Next, the lack of ground clearance due to the sub frame hanging down along with some bump steer (geometry change during use).
I also noticed I need to add a bit more preload to the front, it was a tad too soft.

During quicker sections on the trail, the truck looked fantastic and the suspension was working well. I had also rolled it twice and the magnet body mounts did a remarkable job at keeping the body on. Super happy with those!

Heading back I took some different trails and ended up stuck. One reason was because I was starting to fell like I didn't have complete control over the front end and two because I was splitting my concentration.

Perfect time to try out the winch!!

https://imgur.com/a/XmvBHMC

That didn't go so well!

The truck wouldn't pop up out of the dirt, it just kept burying the ifs subframe deeper. Once I recovered the truck I could see what it was caught on..

https://imgur.com/a/A9rQxQI

I highlighted the old root clump.

 

[HVACTeacher]

So heading back down the trail now, one less piece of equipment at my disposal, I hit another snag.. the truck stopped turning once on this hill.
I had backed down to get a better line when suddenly I couldn't steer.

https://imgur.com/a/pC7UNBy

Hmmm

https://imgur.com/a/Mm3PS44

The darn front end has fallen apart again.

https://imgur.com/a/g37KZP0

The only other note able thing that is not a big deal at all is a leaking shock.

I want to love this thing, but I am definitely frustrated with it. I feel like I just need to move on from the V1 IFS.