Brushless Snow vehicle suspension question?

[What's_nitro?]

I like it! I hope it performs as well as it looks. Do you plan on jumping? If so you will want the stiffest springs possible on those center shocks and probably 80+ weight shock oil.

[schofield]

update:
after about 10 hrs of dremeling my work desk was a mess, but i had everything cut out:

time to clean up and take part count:
the parts are getting fewer and fewer:

i made a jig to keep parts straight, i CA glued them first in place to make sure they work, then drilled and screwed them in place.

here is her stance, with out anything like motors/batteries or servos on it. once everything is put on im hoping the stance will flatten out. then when in the air the rear will move down (like a snowmobile). i will use a bandit body in the end, but for now, an old school hornet body from the mid 80's. the shocks still need to be cleaned/resealed and find the right springs/oil - these are just for mock up now.

[What's_nitro?]

Nice work. You can always throw a few pre-load spacers on the shocks if it flattens out too much.

[BrianG]

Kind of a dumb question, but is a rear suspension even needed? I can maybe see the need if racing on hard packed snow or ice, and/or plan on doing jumping. Dunno, just thinking out loud here.

[schofield]

Originally Posted by BrianG

Kind of a dumb question, but is a rear suspension even needed? I can maybe see the need if racing on hard packed snow or ice, and/or plan on doing jumping. Dunno, just thinking out loud here.

probably not but im going for a snow only vehicle that will move down in the snow on bumps and holes. kind of like a snowmobile (or from what i have seen and researched).
here she is almost done, just need to rebuild shocks and install my VXL. the Vxl is in another vehicle till it snows. i am going to have to wait a while. I have had the lipo for a while but have never ran it, this will be my first taste of lipo.
I looked at snowmobile suspension and found what i had laying around that matched it somewhat. Turned out to be a t-maxx bulk head half, arm and shock tower. all angles are correct as they are used on the t-maxx, so i didn't have to worry about making the shock at some weird angle.
still need a bandit body (have to wait till they come in stock from tower (new version))

[simplechamp]

I like the snow plow you got on the front!

[schofield]

its from a roller blade knee pad, cut down. i was going for a boat hull front, sorta.

[BP-Revo]

I would make the center suspension really stiff and make each wheel rather light but limit the travel. So under normal driving the individual suspension soaks up all the bumps but on a larger jump that uses more travel, the stiffer springs will keep you from bottoming out.

Very cool original idea. Keep it up.

[simplechamp]

Originally Posted by BrianG

Kind of a dumb question, but is a rear suspension even needed? I can maybe see the need if racing on hard packed snow or ice, and/or plan on doing jumping. Dunno, just thinking out loud here.

Is ANYTHING you speed maniacs do around here necessary? I agree that simpler is often better, but sometimes it's all about going above and beyond what is practical just for the fun of it, and seeing what will happen.

Originally Posted by BP-Revo

I would make the center suspension really stiff and make each wheel rather light but limit the travel. So under normal driving the individual suspension soaks up all the bumps but on a larger jump that uses more travel, the stiffer springs will keep you from bottoming out.

Very cool original idea. Keep it up.

Similar to the concept of dual-rate springs, but separating the hard rate and soft rate into the two separate sections of the suspension. I think it's a cool idea too. Can't wait to see how it works!

[What's_nitro?]

I have a feeling you might need to get the Maxx paddles for it if you get a lot of soft snow. Maybe you should anyways... they have a much wider/deeper tread.

[Unsullied_Spy]

Great project! Those Sand Paws are good for ~1 inch of snow, maybe 2 inches if it's not too soft but much more than that and they aren't much good. Later in the year when it gets cold and the snow crusts over they are AWESOME!

[schofield]

Originally Posted by Unsullied_Spy

Great project! Those Sand Paws are good for ~1 inch of snow, maybe 2 inches if it's not too soft but much more than that and they aren't much good. Later in the year when it gets cold and the snow crusts over they are AWESOME!

Originally Posted by What's_nitro?

I have a feeling you might need to get the Maxx paddles for it if you get a lot of soft snow. Maybe you should anyways... they have a much wider/deeper tread.

i have thought about it, but i have run these tires on a slash all last winter and they did everything i wanted them to do. expect flex down to get the holes and ditches. but yes i will keep this in mind, also this is a scrap pieces build. only bought parts are the waterproof rustler radio box and a set of jato arms. the body will be new as well, but still deciding on the easy way of waterproofing with a bandit body or go fun and get to use the heat gun and get a Hornet body. My wife will not give me an RC allowance so i if i want to make something it has to be from the scrap pile.
with the maxx size tires i would need some driveline upgrades and with out any money to spend, it's never gonna happen.
i am limited by my parts, but my imagination says go big and fast and pick up the pieces later.

[schofield]

well.. poo... just got off the phone with Tamiya and the hornet body has the front/rear and grills already cut out, even with the uncut lexan one. i guess its gonna be the bandit body.

[schofield]

any one have thoughts on if the pro-line or the panther paddles for the maxx trucks would be better for snow, on this snow rustler? or how the paddles hold up? i have run sand paws and are very happy with them. My thought would be the panther as it looks like it would move more snow. Also do you know of any drive shafts for the bandit or rustler/slash if its my only option. That will hold up to Maxx size paddles running a VXL. running on snow only.
panther:

pro-line:

[What's_nitro?]

I vote for the Panthers. On driveshafts, the FLM CVDs have a very good reputation. They'll take pretty much whatever you throw at them. Plus, Mike sells them.