That's what I'm looking for: shorter wheelbase, larger engine! :yipi:

You nailed it! I changed the "3" on the 23cc engine cover to an "8" to make it a 28cc engine!

And thanks for the Photoshop work Chad - it confirms what my paper-folding showed me - I like the look and don't see any need to make mine as long as a 5b.

Jailbird: I think I'll end up sticking with the wheel extenders just for the added width and stability. I already looked at them to see if I could shorted the extenders a little. It's possible but would be some work.

You're welcome, man, I enjoy Photo-Chopping!

Also, with a short wheelbase like that, you could run the much less expensive truck bodies instead of the $150 a pop HPI bodies. I believe the big CEN bodies will fit if you made the wheelbase as short as my picture.

I wish I had checked in here over the weekend to answer your question about going shorter than 5b length. I stretched out an e-revo to use a 5T body, and regret going that big. Being that long, and wanting to keep good ground clearnace, doesn't make the handling all that great. It isn't total poop, just feels too lazy + slow to react to inputs, too hard to get it to slide and do what you want. Its just not quite what I wanted, and I know it would be alot better just a couple inches shorter. So personally, I'd go shorter and save yourself the regret of not doing it while you had the chance.

Like Chadworkz said, a shorter chassis also opens up body options a bit, FG, MCD, redcat, duratrax, even some 1/8 (LST, MGT, 3.3 revo) might not look bad on it. But just the cage look will be really cool too.

One cool option would be to run the Team Chase Baja 5T Roll-Cage. You might have to modify it slightly to make it fit your custom-build, but it would make your truck look awesome, and then you wouldn't have to run a body at all!

Click Link or Image to visit the website for more Details & Pictures...
Team Chase Baja 5T Roll-Cage....
http://pics.offroadextremes.com/rc/t...se_5t-cage.jpg

Overdriven: thanks for your input. It helps confirm my thinking that a little shorter will mean better handling.

And about bodies - I'm just planning on running the 5b rollcage maybe with some lexan strips along the sides to keep some dirt out. Thanks for the suggestions, though.

brian

Update: battery trays with Aluminum stops (front and back) installed. I used a 1/4" thick piece of Al at the front of the right hand tray to mount a brace to the front bulkhead and also to attach the steering servo tray.



Now, I think I'm ready to cut about 2" off the front to give me a 20" wheelbase. Just wanted to see exactly how everything would fit before cutting (I haven't found a good way to glue aluminum back on yet - so don't want to cut too short).



http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/y..._4377Small.jpg

http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/y..._4379Small.jpg

http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/y..._4373Small.jpg

And yes, I need a velcro strap on the right hand tray. :wink:

This is the pvc I'm using for battery trays. I've used in a couple other vehicles and it's worked well. For this one, I cut off one of the legs of the u-channel, since the Aluminum rail of the chassis is there - I may add padding if I think it's necessary.

pvc u-channel

Front end:

I wanted a lower profile to the front end than the LST2 shock tower, so I went with the stock muggy shock tower (I made an aluminum shock tower by hand, but didn't like it). In order to get enough suspension travel for the large baja 5b tires, I need the LST2 length shocks. So I made some shock mounts modeled after the muggy lower shock mounts but giving a more shallow shock angle and a more distant mounting point.

Shock mount compared to stock muggy lower mount:
http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/y..._4387Small.jpg

Front end assembled:
http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/y..._4390Small.jpg


With little girl onlooker (who has to eat her veggies):
http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/y..._4388Small.jpg

I really like those lower shock mounts. I will wait for you to run with them to see if they hold up. That shock mounting position gives a lot of leverage to strip those two screws that secure the mount to the suspension table. But I'm often wrong on stuff so don't worry about it :mdr: If they do hold up, this is something I will probably make for myself as I would like to try the Muggy shock towers but don't wish to run the Muggy shocks. Very nicely done.

Thanks - I look forward to running this and see if it holds up too :wink:


Looking at the pictures I would tend to agree with you that this is a potential problem, but holding it - it feels solid. The aluminum mount rests on top of the arm as well as being held by the two screws. These pics from the bottom may show that there is less leverage than the side pics would suggest:

http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/y..._4392Small.jpg

http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/y..._4393Small.jpg


But - I guess we'll have to wait and see how it holds up in action. :yes:

He'll probably be ok as the screws are under a shear load. I wouldn't doubt it if they bend a little when landing the big jumps, but I can't see them breaking. Then again, I could be wrong about this stuff too! :lol: I am curious to see if the shock mounting point will work or if he'll end up drilling more holes for different positions though. Either way, cool build man, keep us updated. All these LST's are making me want one

Alright - I cut 2" off the front of the chassis (still need to cut last bit off) and attached front end and wheels/tires to see how it looks. The wheelbase is 20"; rear width is 19.5"; front width is 19"


http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/y..._4395Small.jpg



http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/y..._4396Small.jpg


http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/y..._4398Small.jpg



http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/y..._4402Small.jpg



http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/y..._4403Small.jpg


So I still need to install the steering assembly and front brace, make the front extended cvd, install esc/bec, and install roll cage and wing. But I'm beginning to think I'm going to be driving this thing this summer. :yipi:

That is looking NICE!! The stance and front shock angle gives the appearance of an overgrown turbo optima mid or something. Those front and rear diffs sure do look small next to all that meat for the wheels tho. Have you shimmed the diffs? If so, hell shake it if you got it. Big legged mammas are back in style again!