Narrow Axle Options w/Lots of Steering Angle

[Die-Laughing]

Here's one that I narrowed a while back:

Jeremy, What width did this end up being? I really like the look. I picked up a set of axles to modify and I'm looking for something like that as my end result with somewhere around an XR width. A little wider or narrower is ok but, I like how yours is modified without changing any mount positions, etc. just a little off each side outside of the link/shock mounts. I like where the diff ended up. "thumbsup"

 

[Tommy R]

With some C's and knuckles mocked up it doesn't look quite so stubby.

One issue is that it appears it'll only end up being just a little over a 1/2" narrower than the stock SCX axles. I think I was looking for about 1" narrower overall. It would certainly still be an improvement, though. Of course, one thing I forgot about is that the C's aren't pressed on all the way. They hit some of the excess JB Weld, which prevents them from fully seating on the axle housing. So I might be able to get a little more width out of them.

When time allows, I'll finish mocking these up as an assembly and then I'll look into what it'll take to install them under the Jeep.

 

[Erin]

So do you think you will ba able to utilize all the available steering wo getting into links and such really early?

Looks good btw, has me thinking about this axle more now;-)

 

[Tommy R]

So do you think you will ba able to utilize all the available steering wo getting into links and such really early?

Looks good btw, has me thinking about this axle more now;-)

Thanks, Erin. Honestly, I'm not sure yet. That'll be the next phase after I finish mocking up the axle.

 

[pantablo]

But they are not available anymore and they don't steer well...

Yup. I thought about them, but they don't have the desired steering angle, OD/UD gears, the strength, or realistic appearance that I'm after.

They're still available from Tamiya and through vendors. RC4WD has them for $57/ea. I think RC Mart in Hong Kong also still sells them for $50/ea. High steer knuckles are also available. These were the OG go-to comp axles back in the day. I understand the scale look though. Definitely better options now than back then.

 

[Tommy R]

They're still available from Tamiya and through vendors. RC4WD has them for $57/ea. I think RC Mart in Hong Kong also still sells them for $50/ea. High steer knuckles are also available. These were the OG go-to comp axles back in the day. I understand the scale look though. Definitely better options now than back then.

I've actually got 6 TLT axles. :ror: 4 are for my (eventual) 8x8 rig and I've got two that I narrowed for what I'm going to call a "Class Zero" rig, i.e. very stock in appearance and performance.

But yeah, it's the lack of steering, gearing options, and poor scale appearance that kill them for my C1 build.

 

[dirk379]

TLT's with KC Jones clocked C's for the win!! To my eyes, TLT's look just as "scale" as a narrowed scx/ar60 axle does. Either way, interested in seeing what you come up with. "thumbsup"

 

[JeremyH]

Jeremy, What width did this end up being? I really like the look. I picked up a set of axles to modify and I'm looking for something like that as my end result with somewhere around an XR width. A little wider or narrower is ok but, I like how yours is modified without changing any mount positions, etc. just a little off each side outside of the link/shock mounts. I like where the diff ended up. "thumbsup"

Right at 8" hex pin to hex pin. "thumbsup"

 

[JeremyH]

Tommy, you gonna shave the diffs like CarterFab does?

 

[Tommy R]

Yessir! Assuming, of course, that I run these. And I'm beginning to suspect I will...

 

[JeremyH]

Awesome!!

BTW, if you are planning to upgrade those knuckles later, the VP wraith ones will give you high steer and better steering.....and there are even some knuckle weight systems available for them (RCBros). "thumbsup"

 

[mitchr97]

Just throwin it out there but... aren't xr clubs and knuckles smaller?

 

[ROWDY RACING]

Just throwin it out there but... aren't xr clubs and knuckles smaller?

No, same c hubs and bigger knuckles actually.

 

[mitchr97]

Oh. My bad.

 

[Die-Laughing]

Do you mind if I share my experience in here? I just started this project... It might help others wanting to do something similar.

Ok.. I got both of my "scx10 width" ar60 housings in progress. They are just super glue tacked together for now. I have to make the metal tube sleeving pieces that will connect the plastic tubes together nicely.

And.. I cut down the axle shafts and put new flats.

It's no currie but, I think its a hell of an upgrade over an scx10 plastic housing.. Uses wraith parts, removable diff. cover, offset diff, etc.

I did all of this with an electric angle grinder with a metal cutting disc and a bench grinder. I hear you can buy the metal sleeving at the store but, I'm going to machine something. The point is.. You can do this too. It took a little bit of figuring but, it wasn't very hard. I'd say it's an inexpensive alternative and you can do any width you want. Mine are actually 3/8" longer overall than a scx10 axle. Now, upper link mount is a different story.. I'll have to come up with something but, I don't anticipate it being very difficult. I quick modified a plastic link mount to show you that it can be done with this width axle, if the axle is longer, it'll be even easier. All i did was ground down one of the "ears" and then you can either 3link it to the center or 4link it to the outsides of the ears. Then a little clearance work to fit nicer over the shock mount and you're good to go.

And, for reference here is a picture of a wraith axle (top), scx10 axle (middle), modified "scx10 width" wraith axle (bottom)

Thanks

 

[mitchr97]

Is there an easy way to make them centered and use the scx10 internals?

 

[doublej]

I will try an post photos this weekend but you can search my whiskey express build for a centered setup.
Don't over think it - I used metal lathes tubes but cut the plastic to length you want and jbweld brass tube inside the plastic.
Jobs good and your off and wheeling.

 

[mitchr97]

Thanks! These all look amazing! Can't wait to see them mounted!

 

[Shinjari]

I too have a set of the scx10 width axles, well a hair wider. Mine were made by Scaleready and have an offset front pumpkin and centered rear. Love that I have easy diff access now, makes adjusting my new GripFab lockers a breeze. =) The front only took 1 housing to make, while the rear centered housing took two housings. The inserts that were used were not brass tube like seen, but I believe the male end of the WB8 drive shafts as they fit realllllly snug and provide a solid fit, the link mounts are obviously custom and are amazing. The pictures show the width compared to an scx10 with XR10/wraith steering mod. I used to have to run VP 475 hub's to get the most clearance/steering, but with the shock/link mounts slightly more in I now run 225's and still get the same amount of steering without rubbing.

The angle of the pictures make it seem like they are significantly wider, but in actuality its roughly 1/4"-3/8" on each end.

 

[Ramination]

Yessir! Assuming, of course, that I run these. And I'm beginning to suspect I will...

Hey Tommy, any update on these?