My New Build

[redshift]

Thanks guys :)

I took a fair amount of time looking at various manufacturer's suspension parts, and settled on the LST2/Muggy bits. Prices are better than what I was used to seeing with Traxxas parts, by a lot. And I definitely wanted away from the Traxxas knuckle setup, so next up, suspension. I knew I wanted a laydown shock angle to keep the towers short. Experimenting a little, I figured out I didn't need towers at all. Yes, some Maxx parts found new life here. And already having the heavy Trinity springs made this work. I actually changed nothing other than preload spacers, they still have 45wt silicone, and single hole pistons. Only 4 of them vs. 8 on the Maxx. Delrin spacers were made to take up the clearance on the 4mm pin on top, and I made the lower shock mounts to get my ride height, those still need some finish work. The suspension is very Revo-ish feeling now, very compliant without being undersprung. In fact I liken it to Revo suspension without the cantilever linkages. The results here were far better than expected! No towers means I have unlimited options for body layouts, so that's a huge plus.

[redshift]

Few more...

[redshift]

And the steering. I bought the Muggy bellcrank setup on linc's advice, but I could not make it work on this chassis without the bellcrank lower pivots ending up over 1/4" below the bottom of the chassis. So then I got experimenting some more (this was actually a long process) and finally landed on a fully independent servo setup. The huge advantage of this is significantly reduced slop, because there are four fewer joints to create play. The downside is the servo horn becomes the sacrificial part. I tried running twin Ofna HD servo savers and that had the tendency to pull the front wheels into excessive toe-in on throttle, and toe-out on braking. So no go, had to be servo-saverless. Muggy owners will know at a certain point the end of the bellcrank contacts the upper A-arm. The Hitec horns I'm using are about 10mm further back from the diff center, which did not change bumpsteer, and no contact!

Wheels are next...

[Bondonutz]

Interesting shock set up ? Do you think the four little shocks will enough for the complete truck ? It's still gonna be 10-11lbs when complete, I was woundering if a heavier duty front buggy 1/8scale shocks might be better ? IDK.

Yes, very Revo-ish, I really like the looks of the lay out.

Very nice job of fabricating my friend.

You could also swap sides and turn around the rear arms so the rear shocks would be on the other end as well ? Lot you can do with how you put everything together, pretty slick indeed.

EDIT, what size bolts did you use for the pin replacement. I really like that idea even tho I never had probs with loosing E-clips.

[redshift]

Originally Posted by Bondonutz

what size bolts did you use for the pin replacement. I really like that idea even tho I never had probs with loosing E-clips.

Those are the ST Racing set, 4mm shoulder bolts. They're kinda pricey but I ponied up the cash for them because I have a longstanding hatred of e clips

I actually had the rear shocks on the rear side, but decided they'd be much better protected on the front.

As for the Bigbores, they have worked extremely well in the 15 or so test runs I've done so far. I did intend to get a set of Ofna shocks, but these are working so well I've stopped thinking about changing them. The preload spacers are not on them in the pics because the boots need replacing and they need to come apart again. The rear squats the slightest bit on throttle stabs, which makes it less wheelie-prone. But the 1520 on 6S will throw it up
with it's 14.4" wheelbase still. It's geared for roughly 38 mph and it gets there in about 10 feet, way impressive. The motor and MMM are barely cracking 100 or 105 the whole run. I haven't weighed it yet magman, but with the 1520 weight is really not an issue

pissed myself

[The Cow]

WOW.. This makes me all mushy inside!!

Nice job!

Heath

[redshift]

Originally Posted by The Cow

This makes me all mushy inside!!

Not sure if that's good?

I got a chance to run it in the woods yesterday, and I have some video from it but not of it, buddy's OBV cam didn't save the file...

The 1520 is the perfect motor for this, I have nothing but praise. The power is just awesome. I have it geared conservatively, because it's running on two 3S 30C 2200s. I'm getting over 12 minutes, and I don't intend to get bigger packs, I have 3 sets and they charge in 15 minutes :) The efficiency compared to my old 9XL is... well it doesn't compare. Worth every penny without any doubt. So as it is, I could gear it to the moon with higher capacity packs. The Losi plastic spur is showing no sign of stress or wear with about 18 runs now, the last 6 or so runs very hard on throttle and brakes. I have to be extremely careful as the MMM is somewhat vulnerable. I need a lid, quick like. Very happy so far, just wish I had the lost video from yesterday, I'll be getting more. I'll try to get some RTR pics this week, wheels and everything in the daylight.

Originally Posted by redshift

Not sure if that's good?

I got a chance to run it in the woods yesterday, and I have some video from it but not of it, buddy's OBV cam didn't save the file...

The 1520 is the perfect motor for this, I have nothing but praise. The power is just awesome. I have it geared conservatively, because it's running on two 3S 30C 2200s. I'm getting over 12 minutes, and I don't intend to get bigger packs, I have 3 sets and they charge in 15 minutes :) The efficiency compared to my old 9XL is... well it doesn't compare. Worth every penny without any doubt. So as it is, I could gear it to the moon with higher capacity packs. The Losi plastic spur is showing no sign of stress or wear with about 18 runs now, the last 6 or so runs very hard on throttle and brakes. I have to be extremely careful as the MMM is somewhat vulnerable. I need a lid, quick like. Very happy so far, just wish I had the lost video from yesterday, I'll be getting more. I'll try to get some RTR pics this week, wheels and everything in the daylight.

Niceeeeee :)

[magman]

You are right w/the 1520 you should not have any probs...I have my 1520 in my truggy

[Bondonutz]

Video and RTR pics !
Tired of waiting !

I bet your happy with that 1520 on 6s, with the power and efficentcy.
It's a seriously potent combo ! ! ! !

I was able to score the shoulder bolts I needed to replace the pins here in town. Not sure of the grade but it's all stainless steel. I got the 8 bolts, flat washers and nylock nuts w/tax for $8.05 out the door.

[redshift]

That's a way better deal. The ST bolts are like twice that and are steel. They are rusting from the humidity! I will be putting some light oil on them... I got looking at LST/Mug part upgrades while I was making an order, think they were from Amain. Anyway being plain steel I can't really recommend them. Nothing on this truck is supposed to be rusting dammit! Still better than e clips IMO...

A few other items of mention, the truck (thing) as it sits vaguely resembles a pickup truck... that's not the intent and there's about a zero chance it'll be a truck. The idea is to cap off the sides where the spur protrudes, and the spur/pinion area, to make the gears and both center cvds dust-tight. That will leave only the outdrives to deal with after a good sand blast. There will be a plastic bottom piece as soon as I decide whether to make the packs top or bottom loading. The aluminum will be painted and it'll have an anti-flip wing as I did on the old Maxx. Everything else is still up in the air, but I'll try for pics tomorrow.

And yeah, 1520 FTW!!!

[redshift]

Well admittedly I had some doubt as to the direct servo steering, and my concerns were not baseless. It survived 20+ runs before I snapped a horn, but not before doing some damage to the servo internals...

So a redesign is in progress, gonna be a few days at least. But this will be a permanent fix

[What's_nitro?]

Why aren't you working for DARPA?

Originally Posted by redshift

But this will be a permanent fix.

That's the best kind!

[pinkpanda3310]

Originally Posted by What's_nitro?

Why aren't you working for DARPA?

+1

Some really fresh idea's. Brilliant work Redshift