Robotboy's Wraith Rock Racer (A transformed 1.9 RTR)

[Robotboy]

I wanted to build something "new to me" and missing a Wraith in the stable I
figured I'd give this a shot. Going for an all around fun rig, some speed and
some crawl-ability. Going to be a work in progress. Seeing what works and
what needs to be changed.

I picked up the 1.9 RTR, took a pic and did a total disassemble on it. Outta
the box...

Picked up an Element IFS kit and through it underneath. I did some research
and from what I could gather I thought it would fit. So happy when it did. :mrgreen:

Next up I wanted trailing arms in the rear. Went with the SSD Bomber ones
and used shorter rod ends. They're still a bit longer than I wanted but they'll
do for now.

Right now the wheelbase is sitting at 12.75". Eventually I'd like to get it to
at least 12.5.

Dropped in some MIP driveshafts and installed the IFS skidplate.

Electronics installed. CC 2850/Mamba Micro X ESC, SPT 25kg servo, RX
bypass and Hobbystar 6A BEC.

Going with RC4WD 1.9 MT Baja Pro X tires stretched on some Chanquish 2.2
beadlocks.

Mixed and matched some parts to come up with a rear sway bar. On the
fence about having one at all but thought I'd try it. After a small test run the
Wraith is better in higher speed turns but I think it's too stiff for anything
else. I'll have to come up with something with a little give. This one has
none.

More to come....

 

[durok]

Very creative build, side profile looks great!

Interested in seeing the rig all buttoned up with the panels installed..."thumbsup"

(btw - seeing those tires installed with some dirt on 'em makes me all the more embarrassed that mine are still unmounted!)

 

[OSRC]

Nice work adapting the IFS!!

 

[Robotboy]

Very creative build, side profile looks great!

Interested in seeing the rig all buttoned up with the panels installed..."thumbsup"

(btw - seeing those tires installed with some dirt on 'em makes me all the more embarrassed that mine are still unmounted!)

Thanks Durok! You gotta get those tires on something! Very nice tire and looks
great on this type of rig.

Nice work adapting the IFS!!

Thanks! I've only run it for a few minutes so far but it's gonna be fun :mrgreen:

 

[Robotboy]

She's a runner I'm still gonna try some things and upgrade when I can.
I put in an order for some shorter trailing arms. That was a pain, seems no one
makes them anymore. Only ones available are for Ryft, Yeti or Bomber. I want
to cut down the wheelbase .25-.5", for aesthetic purposes, functionality wise
it works great. Anywho...

As for the cage I did the fastback mod and slightly bob-tailed the rear. I also
bob-tailed the body so it fit snug on the cage. Added the SSD chassis stiffeners
to the front. Figured they would help cause of my terrible driving :ror:

The body I peeled the decals, lightly sanded, rust colored primer, thin coat of
white, hit it with the bright yellow and then put a couple coats of clear matte.
Came out fairly good considering my lack of talent. I found an old sticker sheet
from my first Wraith, way back when, and put a couple on for good measure.
Found some door handles and put them on as well. I bent the roof panel and
cut it to make a bikini top. Still lots of little things to do but here she be...
for now.

Specs:
Axial RTR 1.9 Wraith.
SSD front chassis braces.
Element IFS Kit.
Axial Ar44 rear axle w/BR UD 33T/8T.
VP 3 Gear Trans.
MIP driveshafts.
SSD Bomber trailing arms.
Castle Slate 2850kv BL motor.
Castle Mamba Micro X ESC.
SPT 25kg servo.
Hobbystar 6A BEC.
Axial SCX10.3 shocks.
RC4WD 1.9 MT Baja Pro X tires.
Chanquish 2.2 aluminum beadlocks.

 

[durok]

The mods to the body look fantastic!

Yeah, Twin Hammer trailing arms are VERY hard to find - JEC Racing might have been the last place to get them...

Maybe the Element Gatekeeper ones would work?

You could always pick up a set in plastic to test for cheap, then get the aftermarket aluminum ones that are starting to show up.

 

[Robotboy]

The mods to the body look fantastic!
Yeah, Twin Hammer trailing arms are VERY hard to find - JEC Racing might have been the last place to get them...
Maybe the Element Gatekeeper ones would work?
You could always pick up a set in plastic to test for cheap, then get the aftermarket aluminum ones that are starting to show up.

Thanks for the kind words! I ordered a set of integys we'll see how they work
out. SuperShafty stop making them, it looks like Blue Monkey RC is gone and
the JEC are a no go. No plastic ones anywhere either. I think the gatekeepers
will be too short. Fingers crossed on the integys, one of my least favorite
brands.
I've run it a couple times and it's a blast. I smell upgrades a comin' :ror:

 

[orys]

Nice build!
Is the body the same as a 2.2 Wraith?

 

[Robotboy]

Nice build!
Is the body the same as a 2.2 Wraith?

Thanks. No, body came on the 1.9 rtr truck.

 

[xxlostonexx]

what length shocks are you running? I have mine tore down right now, new bearings and stainless screws.

 

[xxlostonexx]

post up and see if anyone has some of the VP trailing arms. When I had my TH I did all the available VP upgrades.

 

[OSRC]

I've got a set of the plastic Vaterra ones. PM if interested.

 

[Robotboy]

what length shocks are you running?

They're the 90mm SCX10.3 shocks.

I've got a set of the plastic Vaterra ones. PM if interested.

Appreciate it but I don't think they will work. I picked up a set of Integys
but the shock mounts on them are too far forward for my needs. The stocks
are fixed length so I can't fiddle with rod ends to make em work. Thanks though.

 

[Robotboy]

Still messing with the Wraith. A few upgrades. And some necessary fixes were
needed. Picked up a SSD High Ratio Wraith trans and added a VP slipper
eliminator. Running 54T spur & 13T pinion. The speed is great...for my needs :mrgreen:
Also added a set of Eyeball Engineering Link Tweakers for the rear. Perfect fitment
and put my rear uppers where I wanted them.

Finding that the Element IFS unit has it's problems. After 6 ten minute test runs
I've blown out 2 sets of the 5x10 bearings, 1 set of 5x10 bushings and, of
course, the diff gears when the bearings failed.

Replaced the ring gear with the machined version and grabbed another pinion.
For the gearbox I drilled out the front bearing pocket to use a 5x11mm
bearing. Closest bit I had was about 10.5mm. A little small but it's clamped
in there. "thumbsup" I have about 20 minutes on it now, running hard, and
no problems yet. Fingers crossed. I really like the way it drives with the IFS
so I'm hoping it holds up. If not it's back to an AR44.

 

[smog]

It definitely looks like a fun rig to bomb around, nicely done. The thread is enjoyable, all meat and potatoes. ; Killer, no filler

Sorry to hear the IFS wasn’t up to the task. Hope the upgrades hold together for you. Will indeed stay tuned. The 1.9 Wraith has been calling name for awhile

 

[Steve g]

Looks like enough material there to dremel it out for a larger one once that one fails at least.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[SteveB1]

I like that quite a bit. Well done!


s

 

[Robotboy]

It definitely looks like a fun rig to bomb around, nicely done. The thread is enjoyable, all meat and potatoes. ; Killer, no filler
Sorry to hear the IFS wasn’t up to the task. Hope the upgrades hold together for you. Will indeed stay tuned.
The 1.9 Wraith has been calling name for awhile

Thanks man! It's a fun rig for sure. Ran a full pack today and it held up.
Gonna do a little beating on it and see what happens. Fingers crossed :ror:

I like that quite a bit. Well done!
s

Thank you sir!

Looks like enough material there to dremel it out for a larger one once that one fails at least.
Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

My concern is the inner bearing is still a 5x10. So a proven failure point.
I was just thinking if I drilled straight through the housing, 11mm, I could
maybe use a flanged 5x11 inside and out. That may be a usable fix. Hum...

 

[89redranger]

Thanks man! It's a fun rig for sure. Ran a full pack today and it held up.

Gonna do a little beating on it and see what happens. Fingers crossed :ror:







Thank you sir!







My concern is the inner bearing is still a 5x10. So a proven failure point.

I was just thinking if I drilled straight through the housing, 11mm, I could

maybe use a flanged 5x11 inside and out. That may be a usable fix. Hum...

This thing is rad. Diggin the IFS swap.

If you have a spare IFS bulkhead laying around send it to me and I'll whip up a problem solver for ya real quick like. You want a 5x13 inner and an outer 5x11? Or you wanna go bigger? 5x14x5 inner, 5x13x4 outer? You'll be chipping gear teeth before you hurt the bearings either way.

Sent from my SM-S111DL using Tapatalk

 

[Robotboy]

This thing is rad. Diggin the IFS swap.

If you have a spare IFS bulkhead laying around send it to me and I'll whip up a problem solver for ya real quick like. You want a 5x13 inner and an outer 5x11? Or you wanna go bigger? 5x14x5 inner, 5x13x4 outer? You'll be chipping gear teeth before you hurt the bearings either way.
Sent from my SM-S111DL using Tapatalk

That would be great. I have the first bulkhead I drilled as a test. Bought a new
one cause I had to open it up so much to fix stuff. But it's still good if you'd like
to try that one. I was just looking at it and I think the biggest we can go is a
5x12mm. Any bigger there won't be much meat.