Brushless Snow vehicle suspension question?

[schofield]

i have started my winter vehicle build and wondered if any one had comments on how im planning to do the rear suspension.
here are the pics:
The angles and shock set up are based off the way an arm is mounted.
parts cut, t-maxx lower arms and two rustler chassis:
it will have a hinge pin for the rear to the chassis:
parts are still rough as im still trying out things.

quick mock up of cut parts:

body off:

body on:

found a set of zero offset rims, i will have to move the paddles over to these rims. This cut off about one inch off the rear stance width:
blue box is how much on one side:

i have cut off about 3-4 inches on the rear stance compared to a stock rustler. and gone about 2 inches wider on the front.

[suicideneil]

Weird. I get the feeling the suspension will be totally mushy unless you run rather stiff springs on one or the other of the 'towers'...

[schofield]

does it need to be a solid axel to have the linked suspension in the middle?
im not sure thats why im asking the questions
would it ride better as a a solid axel?

[_paralyzed_]

That much suspension is overkill. But it looks cool as hell, if you want to run it, then run it.

You may want to consider duals on the rear, or 14mm adapters and maxx size paddles. I've run those same paddles on a rustler in the snow, and it didn't go very far.

Either of those suggestions requires a very stout drivetrain, but I believe to be an effective snow machine you will need more traction.

[schofield]

this is what i ran last winter, she did really great.

[schofield]

Originally Posted by _paralyzed_

That much suspension is overkill. But it looks cool as hell, if you want to run it, then run it.

You may want to consider duals on the rear, or 14mm adapters and maxx size paddles. I've run those same paddles on a rustler in the snow, and it didn't go very far.

Either of those suggestions requires a very stout drivetrain, but I believe to be an effective snow machine you will need more traction.

ok so it is over kill. thank you. i kind of figured that but i had seen a car someone made into a snow vehicle with a 4 link system and solid/locked rear.
i wish i knew where that pic is it was out of some old RC magazine. it was really long. so i thought i could use the way an arm is connected and not have the side to side say a crawler has. my thinking is the was snow is all aver the place an not just smooth so i wanted the rear to be able to soak up bumps but then have each arm be able to move on their own to make contact with any random hole

[_paralyzed_]

Originally Posted by schofield

ok so it is over kill. thank you. i kind of figured that but i had seen a car someone made into a snow vehicle with a 4 link system and solid/locked rear.
i wish i knew where that pic is it was out of some old RC magazine. it was really long. so i thought i could use the way an arm is connected and not have the side to side say a crawler has. my thinking is the was snow is all aver the place an not just smooth so i wanted the rear to be able to soak up bumps but then have each arm be able to move on their own to make contact with any random hole

Just use a turnbuckle instead of a shock on the rear tower to arm connection to "lock it out" and then you will solely be using your hinge suspension which I believe will be better for a snow machine.

It looks fun!! I got stuck all the time, but I was in deep snow.

[suicideneil]

Crawlers wont have that nasty side to side sway if the suspension geometry is setup correctly, unless you mean the way the suspension actually works when its *is* done correctly?

When you hit the throttle the middle of the truck will bottom out under acceleration, the same way a normall MT does when it has rear springs that are too soft, or atleast thats what I envisage..

If you just had a solid rear axle, then the suspension would only go up and down in the middle, keeping the rear arms level and thus giving you the same suspension feel as dumper truck

I think what your trying to acheive is something akin to the way a Tamiya madbull's rear suspension works; it has a sollid rear axle, with a shock on either side copnnected to the upper chassis, but then on the bottom it has a swivel joint as such that allows the axle to rotate about its center, lifting only one wheel as that side drives over a bump.

Might be worth looking at, otherwise I'd say just go for the extended chassis with normal independant suspension- bigger wheels like Harold suggested is a good idea though, maybe mulchers or paddles perhaps?...

[schofield]

Originally Posted by _paralyzed_

Just use a turnbuckle instead of a shock on the rear tower to arm connection to "lock it out" and then you will solely be using your hinge suspension which I believe will be better for a snow machine.

It looks fun!! I got stuck all the time, but I was in deep snow.

thats what i have to use to lock it out.
what about using a 4 link system like a crawler instead of a "hinge"?
i was looking a snow machines and they were pretty ridged.

edit: sorry i had not seen the last 2 posts before i posted this.

[_paralyzed_]

you simply don't need the articulation or adjustability a 4 link provides on a snow machine. Your hinge would be fine. A 4 link would be cool, but unless you know what you're doing they are complex. I have a basic understanding of them, and know just enough not to mess with them.

[schofield]

Originally Posted by _paralyzed_

and know just enough not to mess with them.

lol yeah me too. hmmmmm
thank you guys.
suicideneil: what you said about the middle pivot point sound right.

this is what i get with no RC money (wife took my RC allowance away) and the drive to make something from nothing. you should see the poor slash that gave its life for this project.

[schofield]

but this is what i needed to insure i have a functioning snow vehicle and not some folding "dumper" LMAO

[suicideneil]

Why is it that women always want to spoil our fun? You dont see men saying to their wives 'hunny, Im affraid you arent allowed to spend any more money on makeup or shoes anymore, we need it for the house/car/baby/etc'..

I am single

[schofield]

i have been married for 14 years. got married when i was 20. my oldest kid is 8.

[schofield]

guess im going for a stretched chassis with independent rear arms. good thing i have one more chassis. last one. two nights ago i had 3. LOL