Johnny builds an SCX-10 II XJ

[JohnnyAnguish]

My LHS got in their first order of SCX-10 IIs on Friday. All but one were accounted for with pre-orders, so I was surprised to see this guy still there when I showed up on Saturday afternoon...


Axial SCX-10 II Jeep Cherokee Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

Well, OK. I've been itching to do another build. Let's do this!

First impressions? The body is a nice size. Bigger than I expected (so used to seeing the Pro Line version), but doesn't seem Ascender big. Then there were these fellas...


Axial SCX-10 II Jeep Cherokee Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

I like 'em. Again, a bit bigger than I expected, but they look great. The foams even seem a little nicer/firmer than the usual throw-away stock foams.

Time to dive in...


Axial SCX-10 II Jeep Cherokee Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

I know it's probably pointless to detail a plastic diff cover that's going to get chewed to bits, but I couldn't help myself...


Axial SCX-10 II Jeep Cherokee Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

I finished the night with a new pair of axles. It's hard to describe just how much nicer these things seem than the old stockers without holding them in your hands. Time will tell if they hold up to the abuse, but it looks promising. More to come...


Axial SCX-10 II Jeep Cherokee Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[norco kid]

The detail on the covers looks great! Good idea!

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

Thanks. It's pointless really. It'll get chewed up really quickly. I just couldn't help myself.

The detail on the covers looks great! Good idea!

 

[shiftauto]

Thanks. It's pointless really. It'll get chewed up really quickly. I just couldn't help myself.

It'll make for some nice pics before it gets thrashed though. "thumbsup"

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

Pretty effortless build so far. These were about the easiest links I've ever put together. It's been pointed out before, but this step in the instructions isn't quite right.


Axial SCX-10 II Jeep Cherokee Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

Not going to be setting any records for build speed. Too much going on right now. I did get 'er all linked up, though.


Axial SCX-10 II Jeep Cherokee Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[CM9000]

the last pic is now my background.

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

Let's talk shocks for a minute. I love building kits, but I love building shocks the least. I especially dislike building shocks multiple times, which is what I had to do to get these to cycle smoothly. Trim, sand, refill, repeat. I didn't have the excess plastic some folks had on the spring adjustment collars, but they are very stiff. Oh and I had to steal one of these guys from an old set of Icon shocks...


Axial SCX-10 II Jeep Cherokee Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

It was mentioned in another thread, but the instructions don't tell you to install bump stops. There is, however, one illustration that shows the bump stop on there. Without it installed, the piston *just* makes contact with the shock cap. If your shock end isn't screwed on far enough, you could potentially blow off the cap with a heavy impact if you're not careful. Just something to look out for. I still ditched the bump stops.


Axial SCX-10 II Jeep Cherokee Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

Here's one of the shocks from my G6 kit next to one of the new ones (after I cleaned some of the leaking oil and crud off of it). I'm not sure if the shock shaft is a different material or just a different color. The old kit had dual springs as well.


Axial SCX-10 II Jeep Cherokee Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr


In the end I've got four shiny, relatively smooth shocks. They may end up leaking, but they look pretty good right now.


Axial SCX-10 II Jeep Cherokee Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[drzoo2]

Looks like they ditched the Nitride coating on the shock shafts.

Sent from my XT1575

 

[WheelinKing]

Mine was missing an oring as well .. I used one from the door handle parts bag

 

[Shinjari]

Here's one of the shocks from my G6 kit next to one of the new ones (after I cleaned some of the leaking oil and crud off of it). I'm not sure if the shock shaft is a different material or just a different color. The old kit had dual springs as well.


Axial SCX-10 II Jeep Cherokee Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

Great observation on the single spring vs dual springs on previous design. "thumbsup"

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

Moving along.

It's transmission time. Lots of extra space in the transmission case. There are gears back there somewhere...


Axial SCX-10 II Jeep Cherokee Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

The new transmission looks great. One thing to note: you now need to remove the spur cover to adjust the slipper clutch. That protrusion isn't removable.


Axial SCX-10 II Jeep Cherokee Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

My motor should come today. I can't wait. In the meantime, let's start on the battery/CMS. It would have been great if you could have used the CMS independent of the battery holder. I get why they did it, though. I'm sure the aftermarket will offer something.

The servo I picked is ~1.5mm taller than the max height they spec in the manual. Let's try it anyway...


Axial SCX-10 II Jeep Cherokee Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[norco kid]

Great observation on the single spring vs dual springs on previous design. "thumbsup"

Bit of a bummer that they ditched the dual springs and the TiNi shafts..

 

[mrmat01]

Thanks for posting this up. I'm torn between this & the Ascenber.
I was hopping you can answer a couple of questions
Are the wheels beed locks?
Are What lengths are the shocks?
Cheers
Thanks for sharing

 

[Haziza]

Thanks for posting this up. I'm torn between this & the Ascenber.
I was hopping you can answer a couple of questions
Are the wheels beed locks?
Are What lengths are the shocks?
Cheers
Thanks for sharing

Glue on wheels and the shocks are 61-90mm I believe!


Sent from my iPhone

 

[imthatguy]

Thanks for posting this up. I'm torn between this & the Ascenber.
I was hopping you can answer a couple of questions
Are the wheels beed locks?
Are What lengths are the shocks?
Cheers
Thanks for sharing

There's no comparing the shocks of the Ascender with the SCX10 II. Honestly.

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

I'll run the kit shocks for now, but based on my experience with the Icon shocks in the G6 kit they'll likely be one of my first upgrades.

I've got more of this done. Just gotta get to the photos.

 

[mrmat01]

Thanks guys

 

[JohnnyAnguish]

Yes, yes. This will do...


Axial SCX-10 II Jeep Cherokee Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

Can't say I'm a huge fan of the thick plastic motor mount, but we'll see how it goes.


Axial SCX-10 II Jeep Cherokee Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

All good...


Axial SCX-10 II Jeep Cherokee Build by johnny anguish, on Flickr

 

[Shinjari]

What ESC what you pairing with this? HH BLE? MMP? MMX?

 

[Levesque87]

I didnt care for the motor mount either. But it seemed OK after getting the motor tight to it. I ran mine box stock for 2-3 hours and nothing on this thing gave me any issues. Its a point and crawl type of a rig. Love mine.