I want to make my own truck

[Perry125]

Hello, I got out of rc a couple years ago but i want to get back in by designing/making my own truck.

I have no rc supplies anymore except for some old radios and servos from duratrax buggies which i think i could use.

I would like the truck to be fast, not a crawler. More of a truggy or baja truck.

I have no welding equipment but i have a propane torch, soldering iron, saws, drills etc. No mills, lathes presses.

I don't know if i should go with an independent suspension, solid axle, or solid front independent front. (I thought it would be easier to do ind. b/c i know nothing about link geometry) Id like to make the frame out of brass tubing. (i have no experience with bending tubing or joining brass)

Id be going 2wd for simplicity.

I was thinking this wouldn't cost more than $200.

Please let me know what else i should think about or what to keep in mind,
or if this is possible with my budget and limited experience/tools

thanks

 

[rc_pimp]

I dont have any experience with most of it but sounds like you have the tools for brazing . So that covers the chassis but not much else unless you happen to be really good at it . Why not buy used and then build a chassis that will fit ? Independent suspension is great for speed but straight axles can work good for both speed and crawling . Try reading up on the Emaxx tranny because with that you can go slow and fast . I am building a truck with maxx tranny and Wheely King axles . I chose these axles for the track width and the tranny because it has two speeds . You have tons of options on electronics but read up on brushless if you arent already familiar .

This is my truck so far . It will be both fast and slow . I persanally will be running dual 27turn brushed motors on a Mamba Max Pro esc with 11.1v Lipo battery . Should make for lots of torque in first gear and pretty good top speed in second . The only thing I made are the links . It is a large truck with a 15'' wheel base . Maybe someone will post a pic of a tube frame chassis .http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=138866&stc=1&d=1278216949

If you go with straight axles then its pretty easy to make links and servo mounts . Just do some reading on here . Link geometry isnt that complicated if you just learn a couple basics .

 

[Perry125]

Thanks for the inspiration. I think the cheapest rear axle i can find and something like savage front control arms + custom brass tube chassis would make a nice truck.

I definitely need to do some more research on here.

Im also not sure about the 2 speed transmission or old fashioned.

 

[rc_pimp]

Yeah that sounds like it could make for nice rig . I have seen it done lots with scalers . I will advise you to get a good axle though because it will be your stress point . If you want to go cheap then consider used . I personally like the Wheely King axle . With a few hop ups it can be very strong and its pretty strong stock . They can be found for reasonable and parts are affordable also . Its a wide axle so it will be easier to match the savage swing arm width with some adjustments . Cant wait to see this truck so post pics when you get started man .

 

[Perry125]

Thanks it will probably take awhile because i will need to learn alot about brazing and tube bending.

Is there a reason that i keep seeing builds using traxxas slash front suspension?

 

[rc_pimp]

Probably because Slash parts are easy to find and affordable plus Traxxas has a reputation for tough . I personally would go with the E Maxx or savage swing arms because they are heavy duty in comparison and the truck you plan to build will likely have some weight to it . Also the hinge pin design on the Slash sucks because its threaded and can back out after very little wear . If you dont want the width of the Maxx or Savage then the slash or maybe another short course truck would be your best bet because they are very common and , as mentioned , affordable . Also 1/8 scale buggies and truggies may be an option due to the quality of racing parts they can offer .

One more thing , the Slash comes with a 2.2 3.0 rim . The side closest to the swing arm is over-sized so it can clear the swing arm . I may be wrong but I dont think you can run a 2.2 wheel on a slash without an offset . If you go with a bigger wheel you will need hub adapters thus widening the track width and weakening the hub and spindle .

 

[KOHJeeper]

so you joined a forum for crawling, and you're looking for advice on building a 2wd go fast rig? hmm. That reminds me I need to join a Ford forum to figure out the best exhaust for my Chevy... :lmao: