Looking for GCM Cross Canyon builds - Suspension Setup

[RNUOVR]

I am wondering how many people are running this frame and those that are if they could post up some pics of their suspension link setups for me? I have done some searching and it seems that the build threads are few & far between for this chassis.
I am in the process of putting together a new toy and I am having some issues with figuring out the best link setup to use (I am wanting to go for as much flex as possible - I didn't want to build a crawler as I hated rocks & crawlers with a passion when I had my 1:1 rig so I really don't want to build an rc crawler. My old 1:1 rig flexed like mad, but was on leaf springs which I understand really well) - I am new to the whole rc crawler/scaler scene, but have lots of experience with 1:1 offroaders & race cars (but unfortunately not a lot of experience with 3 & 4 link setups).
For my Project:
I started off with a set of gmade r1 axles & tranny with the stock links & then used the GCM Cross Canyon frame & servo mount, I am aiming for a 12.5" wheelbase which I'm pretty sure can reach with the current stock links (will be running a proline c10 shortbox body).
My main problem right now is pretty much anything I try for a link setup I always end up with binding on one of my links that limits the travel, initially I thought that it was the shocks that were the culprit so I changed to a 5" shock (I do plan on running a maximum droop setup) but that only fixed 1/2 of the problem and actually I think caused more issues (I will be going to the 4" losi crawler shocks next).
any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated

 

[TXJeeper1]

If you could post up some pics that would be helpful then we could look at it and see what you are dealing with.

 

[RNUOVR]

I will get some pics of it posted of what I have this evening.

 

[Szczerba]

I am working on fine tuning my droop setup with the GCM and R1's.
Right now, I took the shock shafts from Losi 4" shocks and put them in the SCX shock bodies. I am getting more flex but no cushion. I am running some small pen springs in the shocks but if they are too long, they limit the travel. No way, I could run sprung setup, it would be set up too tall.

GCM with R1's

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=321442

 

[RNUOVR]

I took a few quick pics of it this morning - I just realized that they are not the greatest pics when I uploaded them. So I hope that what i have is visible enough. The skid plate on there is a stock ax10 with the gmade tranny (I am planning to swap to a axial tranny eventually).

also please excuse the washers on the rear links, I was using them for temporary spacers during fitment.

The shocks (integy's) have been pulled off and are being returned for a set of Losi 4" crawler shocks.

Right now I'm leaning towards extending the links & attaching them to the skid plate and then moving the mounting points of the upper links to the current mounting point of the lower links. I am assuming that the longer my links the better the articulation I will get. Again as with my old 1:1 rigs I want to build the setup using maximum droop and keeping the truck low.

what I have been noticing is that many people are mounting their upper links to the diff directly and not using a plate.

As I started in my above post I am aiming fora 12.5" - 13" wheelbase & running a proline c10 body with the 2.2" wheels.

 

[Szczerba]

Looks like your lower links need to be moved to the skid (as mentioned) and moved a little closer together at the skid mount point. I run the GCM skid and have no issues with suspension binding or flexing. I did have to make some longer lengths. Check out my pictures. I am sure you can get a GCM skid separate if the AX-10 skid won't work out.

check out the 7th picture down on the first post. Your uppers need to get close to that profile.
http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=321442

 

[RNUOVR]

I have the GCM skid plate also, but I didn't get their transfer case or the front motor mount.
The only issue with the gmade tranny and the current mount is that if I want to mount my links to the skid plate the shape & mounting points of how the transmission is currently installed won't allow this (I can only mount them about 1" inbound or so from the frame rails).

I might just look for an axial transmission now and swap it in as I really don't want to drill holes in the GCM skid plate if I am leaning towards changing out the tranny.

Szczerba - do you happen to have a part number for the revo pushrods you used for your lower links?

I currently have a pack of Jato & revo rod ends already at home (I think that if I used the same links as you with the shorter revo rod ends on one side I should be able to get the wheelbase I need) - I was told by a local shop that I could easily make my own links out of threaded rod, but when I was looking at it at the local hardware shop it seemed that it would not be strong enough (would bend too easily)

 

[Szczerba]

yes a mixture of Jato and Revo with these pushrods could work.
I use thread 8/32" for mockup to get my lengths then try to find an off the shelf solid link and swap rod ends. Actually the front uppers are 8/32 threaded rod, covered with heat shrink.

I used 145mm lower links, if i remember. And longer revo push rods and Jato ends on top plus whatever spares I had in the parts bin. Right at 13.5" wheelbase.

Here are the Aluminum ones. TRA5318X (quite a bit of weight difference from steel ones)
Here are the steel ones. TRA5318

Also, notice how my rear uppers mount higher on the chassis than the front uppers chassis mounting point. 4-link squat/anti-squat stuff.

.....

 

[RNUOVR]

Do you happen to have any pics of your rig flexing?

also another general question about shock placement. Are their rules to where/how shocks can be mounted on a scaler? I'm talking more on the comp end of it. I plan on entering a few local comps. with it once it's done.

 

[JeremyH]

Here is my wife's scaler just after it was rebuilt with the GCM stuff:

 

[RNUOVR]

So I ordered some 126mm links last night for new lowers and was able to track down an axial tranny so I'm gonna drill the GCM transfer case plate to accept the axial tranny and move the lower links to the skid plate. I'm using the Jato rod ends and will use the current lower links as my new upper links (with the longer jato rod ends on the top links & a combination of Jato & revo rod ends on the bottom links I should be able to get the needed lengths). I did a little testing last night and it seems that my shock placement is going to require quick a bit of work as that is now the limiting factor, I'm hoping that my new losi crawler shocks (running full droop) will have small enough shock bodies that they don't interfere like the integy's did.

I've been out of the r/c scene for quite a few years and I'm really surprised how much they now reflect 1:1 rigs with the shock suspension setups.

 

[Szczerba]

I am using SCX shocks. They have a very small diameter , I only have to put a small spacer on to get away from the chassis a bit. I'll take some flex pictures later, if i remember.

Fronts have 90mm losi shock shafts up front. Lengthened the shocks a bit. Rears are stock SCX shocks. The increased travel up front is working good. I will change out the rear shock shafts later. Using an internal mechanical pencil spring about 1/2" long inside.

I had to slightly bend the front uppers to clear the front motor mount setup. Just using the 8/32" threaded rod with heat shrink (for looks).

 

[RNUOVR]

cool - thanks for the pics, it's giving me a baseline as to what to expect for flex when I get everything & start actually building.
I have finally settled on the 4" losi shocks as the price on them is hard to beat and they seem to have good reviews.

I love the heat shrink on the lower links, I would have never thought of that - is that just the standard automotive grade stuff? I ask mainly as I have a few rolls of it up at my buddies shop.

I'm kinda playing the waiting game right now until my parts start to show up. I hope to get my body & an axial tranny this weekend so I can get the wheelbase figured out.