TRX Based 8x8

[JatoTheRipper]

Welcome back! Very cool project rig. Glad to see you back at it!

 

[JimInMiami]

Thanks Jato, after moving to Gainesville summer of 2023, I've been building/flying RC planes more that running RC trucks. But lately, I've formed a small group of locals that are into crawling who helped build a crawler course in my yard, so back at it again. It also helps to have "discoverd" Scale Mountain, bout an hour away near Ocala, amazing place!

Today the rear axles were mounted. As the new skid keeps the links in the stock Traxxas location, the only change needed was to slightly adjust the length of the drive shaft from the tranny to axle #3. Will start the front axles tomorrow. I'll have to come up with a custom mount for the panhard rod as (unlike the stock Traxxas shock tower) there's no built-in bracket.

Merry Christmas to all!

https://imgur.com/a/0xO2g1c

 

[JimInMiami]

Was able to hang axle #2 without much issue. Did have to use the longest drive shaft set I had lying around. On a project like this, it's great to have a large parts stash.

https://imgur.com/a/IWP8SF4

I designed, printed and installed v1 of the panhard mount for axle #2, only to find that it interfered with the axle #1 link mounts, so back to the drawing board. In better news, I was able to mount the Traxxas side trays after trimming them some.

https://imgur.com/VY2yStC

 

[wolfsbone01]

Killer-looking rig and a nice-looking custom chassis. Looking forward to you completing it.

 

[JimInMiami]

Killer-looking rig and a nice-looking custom chassis. Looking forward to you completing it.

Thanks for the kind words. Over the weekend I was able to sort out the Panhard mounts for both front axles. I might've over designed them, but at least I think they will be up to the job. After prototyping the initial prints in PLA, I switched to PA (nylon) for the final versions.

https://imgur.com/RdUJA3c

Axle #2

https://imgur.com/q3DEUDw

 

[JimInMiami]

I want a new body for the rig, something more dynamic that the old Strike Force. I was thinking Proline F250. Here's mock up of an F250 cut to scale and placed over the original side view. It's shorter, but still covers well both front axles, tho I'd have to come up with a box/structure to hide the electronics and tranny.

What do you guys think, any other suggestions, mayben CEN Racing F250??

https://imgur.com/4arr84N

 

[JatoTheRipper]

The F250 looks good. I think a Sherpa body would look cool on this rig, but it would have to be custom. Here's a Sherpa with a trailer:

 

[JimInMiami]

oooohhhhh, I like that! But I fear way, way beyond my modest, CAD design abilities. I’m looking for something available commercially.

 

[Gula]

Ugh, that body and the wheel well in the middle of the drivers/passengers door....weird. no way to make that scale looking, IMHO.

Aliexpress had the hgp801 xyz lm nop? (Hemmt) cabs, alone for sale for like $30 IIRC.

Old Tonka toy?

 

[JimInMiami]

Temporarily lashed the electronics to the side tray to do a test run. The dig works as hoped for !!! Note blue masking tape on the ground, that's the turning radius w/ the dig OFF.

 

[JimInMiami]

Ugh, that body and the wheel well in the middle of the drivers/passengers door....weird. no way to make that scale looking, IMHO.

Aliexpress had the hgp801 xyz lm nop? (Hemmt) cabs, alone for sale for like $30 IIRC.

Old Tonka toy?

Good suggestions, were I interested in the scale appearance. With this build, it's always been about the performance, so added weight (Tonka) or fragility (ABS body a-la HG801) are out. This thing gets thrown on the rocks alongside comp crawlers and cheater rigs. It's gonna fall and tumble, so lexan is the way to go. An F250 body's been ordered, so gonna give that a try.

 

[JimInMiami]

Designed and printed a battery mount for the space between axles #1 and #2. Attachment points are the screw bosses on the upper surface and side location of the stock link mounts.

https://imgur.com/Nz7K1kk

https://imgur.com/nsWbaQl

3700 mah 3s fits nicely there.

https://imgur.com/Fhqj3GQ

 

[JimInMiami]

Proline F250 body arrived and has been trial fitted, this will work, I think. Gonna have to design body mounts....

https://imgur.com/RB8qNAE

 

[JimInMiami]

Front body mounts were designed and while I was at it, I also made a tray for the electronics to move them from the side trays to under the body.

Made them in 2 sizes to have some mounting options.

https://imgur.com/ohzdPa4

Printed in black carbon fiber PETG, shorter ones used for now.

https://imgur.com/lu7fsZo

Will mount 1080 ESC and Rx here. Still not sure where switch will go, I want acces without having to remove the body.

https://imgur.com/LQVIsJi

 

[JimInMiami]

Finalized the body mounting by designing/printing a mount for posts that locate the roof.

https://imgur.com/xGRp3Qp

Installed the electronics and the chassis is now ready to run. Painting is underway (it'll be VERY different from previous version), details to follow....

https://imgur.com/Cyzzq16

 

[JimInMiami]

.... and she's done I'm heading down to S. Florida tomorrow and plan to hit the Markham Park crawler course (worth a visit) and test run the new setup on the rocks.

Designed/printed bumperettes to support the lexan body's bumper.

https://imgur.com/5AL1ZuI

I'm gonna look for some green wheels to perhaps match the new paint scheme.

https://imgur.com/ICApiVE

Body's from Proline (F250)

https://imgur.com/BtHjeyP

Not sure, but I might also design some sort of box to hide the tranny & dig servo, what do y'all think, leave the guts hanging out in all their glory or hide them???

 

[JimInMiami]

the rear look..

https://imgur.com/nDWqj1E

https://imgur.com/RuTJ0LC

 

[JimInMiami]

In action at R/C Truck and Crawler Course - Markham Park

https://imgur.com/pHv6wP0

https://imgur.com/QtkkrSg

https://imgur.com/dOYCn1y

 

[JimInMiami]

New dancin shoes

https://imgur.com/7Jyk7BT