My Two Optics

[Col_Sanders]

I'm trying to get my son into RC crawling. This fool gave away all his Hot Wheels because unlike Matchbox, they weren't based on real cars. Obviously i needed something realistic but also capable and durable. The Optic kit seemed to fit the bill. And since i wanted a four wheel steer version for myself, i got two builds to work in.

Number 1 is his and it is sort of a budget build. I was fortunate enough to get a set of the beautiful carbon fiber panels, which i sold for $325. Electronics (fusion se 1800kv and Amazon 35kg servo) were pulled from his like new scx10ii, which i sold as a roller. For some reason, i had a set of 2.2 TSLs sitting around. I bought a set of Chanquish Methods off the bay and some blue silicone Injora inserts to finish up the combo. Other upgrades: lightweight machined gears in the transmission, 21% od, and Aliexpress third members to be installed soon. Still waiting on my programmer for the Fusion since rotation is reversed from the old truck. Panels are from my cage and are temporary until i can print him some more. Between the carbon fiber panels and sale of the old scx10ii, im probably even on cost.

 

[Col_Sanders]

Number two is uh, not a budget build. This one is getting done from scratch. Powerplant is a Hobbywing Axe R3 with a 2800kv 540L motor. Not 100% sure what servos im going to use yet. Maybe a couple BMF1095s?

Vanquish third members will be here tomorrow along with a few other goodies such as machined rod ends for the YRUCEC steering. Decided to give Reefs rod ends a try with the vanquish 124mm titanium links. A VRD Carbon transmission should be here next week. Probably going to swipe my Incision driveshafts from my Carbon.

For tires, i have a set of Trepadors on the way. Still waiting on Vanquish to get some 2.2 Battle Born Sierras in stock. Havent made up my mind on shocks yet.

 

[Ballistic17]

Both builds are looking good.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

I'll be curious if you total up the cost of the scratch build. I thought about doing the same. Can't be cheap! But will be cool in the end.

 

[Col_Sanders]

I'll be curious if you total up the cost of the scratch build. I thought about doing the same. Can't be cheap! But will be cool in the end.

The kit was cheaper, but if you want upgrades, the scratch build will cost less in the end. So far:

155 for carbon transmission (new takeoff)
100 for cage & panels (almost new takeoff)
45 for titanium links
13 for rod ends
230 for two front axles (on sale)

You can buy vrd carbon spec s8es and driveshafts for about $60. Normal 2 wheel steer would also save a few bucks since used H10 rear axles are cheap. I bought one for $25.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

The kit was cheaper, but if you want upgrades, the scratch build will cost less in the end. So far:

155 for carbon transmission (new takeoff)
100 for cage & panels (almost new takeoff)
45 for titanium links
13 for rod ends
230 for two front axles (on sale)

You can buy vrd carbon spec s8es and driveshafts for about $60. Normal 2 wheel steer would also save a few bucks since used H10 rear axles are cheap. I bought one for $25.

Good info. Thanks!

 

[Col_Sanders]

Just a little size reference photo for the Trepadors against some 4.75" tires. The Treps are unmounted with stock foams. The others have various 3d printed inserts and are mounted on wheels. Treps are about 3-4mm taller.

 

[B-MOW71]

Nice size comparison. I may give them Treps a try. My current go to is the JCon Tusk, but would like to try something else.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

Thanks for the tire comparison photo! I thought the Treps would be bigger. Kinda makes me regret getting them. Tusks are definitely one of the best looking tires right now. Trepador tread has never been my favorite in looks nor performance, but I’m giving them another try in Proline G8.

I may move up to 2.2’s. I think the wheels look oversized for this rig, but the 5.25” tall tires may be the perfect size. Time will tell.

 

[Col_Sanders]

Mo Parts!

 

[Col_Sanders]

Just because i happen to have both...a couple photos of the Vanquish third member and the Aliexpress cheapo. Vanquish machining is definitely cleaner. The bearing retainers also have a chamfer that the cheapos dont. I stuck the ring and pinion in the cheapo and tightened everything down. Mesh was a little tight and it definitely needed the shim on the pinion in front of the driveshaft.

 

[Col_Sanders]

Thanks for the tire comparison photo! I thought the Treps would be bigger. Kinda makes me regret getting them. Tusks are definitely one of the best looking tires right now. Trepador tread has never been my favorite in looks nor performance, but I’m giving them another try in Proline G8.

I may move up to 2.2’s. I think the wheels look oversized for this rig, but the 5.25” tall tires may be the perfect size. Time will tell.

I think 5.25s look too big but should be a performance boost with this long wheelbase.

Axial's Trepadors sucked back in the day but i think the tread was closer together and their compound was crap. Im optimistic on these.

 

[1fox2go]

the compound on axial treps was absolute garbage. Even though the Wraith kit claimed they were r35, they were way too stiff of a compound compared to the ripsaws that came on my og Honcho.

really hope the g8 compound allows them to work well

 

[Col_Sanders]

Another mail day! First up is the transmission. The most economical way to fully upgrade a VFD is simply to buy a takeoff from a VRD Carbon. At $155 shipped, it costs basically as much as the lightweight machined gears and lightweight motor plate so the rest of it is free.

Just before putting the rear cover on, i spun the transmission by hand and there was a noticeable rough spot. I took the thing apart twice and inspected every gear until i found a tiny sliver of metal between the teeth on the 23t gear. After cleaning that, it spun smooth.

I added a little bit of scale nerd on here since i had the hardware laying around. As you can see, the motor is a tight fit.

 

[Col_Sanders]

Next up is shocks. Without question, shocks are my least favorite part of building a kit. I absolutely hate building them. E clips suck. Shock oil on the bench. With that in mind, I should have taken the easy way and bought DLux shocks, but i didnt think they would look right on this.

I thought about Traxxas GTS and AE shocks but ended up buying a set of takeoffs from a VRD carbon for $35 and Im gonna do all the upgrades. Vanquish likes to claim they dont leak if built right so ill test that...and my patience.




The machined caps have not arrived yet. Had to go with blue since black is out of stock. When i can find black, I'll move the blue to my son's rig.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

I'll be curious to see if you can get those Knipex pliers to work with the shocks. I couldn't. B-Mow had to grind his set. Vanquish made these shocks unnecessarily difficult to build and maintain so they should have focused on making them not leak...

 

[Col_Sanders]

I'll be curious to see if you can get those Knipex pliers to work with the shocks. I couldn't. B-Mow had to grind his set. Vanquish made these shocks unnecessarily difficult to build and maintain so they should have focused on making them not leak...

I got them to work but it was not easy. Had to screw with it a lot. Many four letter words were said. I think i didnt get two of the clips seated right the first time, as the shafts had more resistance than they should have. I reseated the snap ring and they're smooth now but im at a stopping point until the caps come in.

Too bad i cant drink since im on antibiotics. Sinus infections suck.

 

[B-MOW71]

I ran out of 4 letter words, so I said F-it for the last time and ground my Knipex down! They worked much better after that!

 

[Col_Sanders]

Just in case anyone was wondering, the Axe fits perfectly on the battery tray. Not sure im gonna mount it there though.

 

[Col_Sanders]

Another mail day. YRUCEC/Overreach Designs steering links came in today. They are basically a long stainless(?) set screw with a threaded spacer and a few shims. Getting the rod ends lined up properly has been a serious pain in the ass. Im having to take a break before i toss something