Dig

[SAVAGE_BASHER_K4.6]

hey guys iam interested in putting a dig setup on my ax10 so i can compete. can someone please shed some light on what exact parts i need to do this. i understand how it works i just need some knowledgeable advise on how to install it or a how to would be great thanks alot guys i reallly appreciate the help.



SAVAGE_BASHER_K4.6

 

[CharliesTheMan]

I just bought a VF Dig setup for my comp rig. With the VF Dig setup, you need a HiTec 225 micro servo, and everything else is included. The VF setup installs directly onto the axial transmission. I like the VF setup a lot, but because they are viewed by many to be the best dig option for the axial, they are VERY hard to find. When they were building them and selling them, they were always out of stock at most of the crawler stores. The company recently sold out, and I don't think they're being produced right now. The guy that built the VF parts is still on one of the big crawler forums, and support is going to be around for a while for them. Some other options are the RC4WD R2 Disconnect tranny that's an all in one unit, and the CKRC FT Dig, that is manufactured by RC4WD for CKRC. I just bought my dig, but I will be doing a how to article on installing and properly setting up the VF unit.

VF Dig Systemhttp://www.visionaryfabrication.com/sales/vfaxialax10digsystem.htm

Assembly Instructions (VERY good educational resource)
http://www.visionaryfabrication.com/sales/digbuild.htm

There are also driveline digs that can be installed basically in the rear driveshaft, after it exits the tranny. However, everyone that I've talked to considers the tranny options to be much more durable and reliable, and a lot less of a headache. The driveline digs are usually built for trucks that don't have a readily available dig option like the axial does.

Another thing that you're going to need is a three position third channel on your radio system. If you want to stick with a pistol grip, you can either modify a Traxxas TQ3, or use a Spektrum DX3R or Nomadio or Multiplex controller. My problem has been that I have 2 very nice radio systems, but neither was 3 position third channel. So, I had to wait until I could save up to buy a Spektrum DX3R. I don't know if the Futaba 4PK has a channel that will work or not. I'm hoping it does, because I really like Futaba a lot. I have a 3PK and 3PM, and wouldn't buy anything else if I could help it. The TQ3 modification is an easy mod, and is the inexpensive option. You can find the systems already modded on the forum for $25, but they go quick. You can also buy a new one that's been modded for about $60 from either CKRC or TCS, but I'm thinking it's CKRC. Hope this helps some. I'll be starting my comp build with the dig setup next week once the parts have arrived.

 

[SAVAGE_BASHER_K4.6]

is there a place i can buy one of those? i like that setup and really want one. or is there a place i can buy something similar?

Thanks charles

 

[CharliesTheMan]

Yeap, I'll see what I can find for you. These stores are always a good starting point when you're looking for crawler parts.

http://www.tcscrawlers.com/
http://www.ckrccrawlers.com/
http://www.shop.rpphobby.com/category.sc?categoryId=64
http://www.rcpcrawlers.com/

Here's the RC4WD page with the R2 Disconnect transmission. A lot of guys are running them in axial rigs and they're holding up pretty good. It would be my second choice after VF Dig. The VF digs are just hard to fing, especially since they wont be making them anymore. However, I'll watch the forums and if I see one for sale I'll just buy and you can give me what I paid for it and I'll ship it to you. You've really got to be on the ball, they usually sell within 30 minutes of being posted.
http://rc4wdstore.com/index.php?cPath=64

If I were you, I would go to rccrawler.com and buy a star. It's $20, one time purchase, and you can have access to the classified section. A lot of guys use a dig unit for mock up, and then once it's mocked up they sell the new one and use the one from the comp crawler that they're replacing, or vice verca.

However, don't buy a star to there site until you support RCNT, it's only $5.

 

[CharliesTheMan]

I've got an update for you, and it's good news. The company that the owner and designer from VF has teamed up with has had the new VF digs in production and has just started shipping orders in the last few days. That means that probably at the beginning of next week, the crawler stores will have the VF units in stock. The first production run yeilded 1500 units and they sold them all, so I'm sure they'll be pumping out quite a few. It's basically the same design as the first run, only it has had a few improvements because of a very few problems that people had with the first unit. These things must be working pretty good, because it has been nearly impossible to find someone with a unit that they had problems with.

Savage Basher, if I were you I would wait on the VF dig unit, and then you wont have to swap out the entire transmission. Also, the RC4WD stuff seems to have a lot more problems than Visionary Fabrication, or DNA RC Products as it's now called. I'm going to be checking everyday to try and find some in stock, and when I do I'm going to buy a couple of them. When I run across them and buy some, you can just pay me what I pay for one and I'll mail it to you.

 

[SAVAGE_BASHER_K4.6]

that would be perfect thanks charles you are the man lol. ican wait. it gonna be sweet. i will supprt rcnt right now i will go give my donation to the site. please keep me informed as i want a dig setup something bad.

one more question

i have a jr racing xr3i radio system will that work for controlling my dig setup?

i will definitly wait for vf dig unit

 

[CharliesTheMan]

I will check on it specifically, but I'm pretty sure it wont work, because I think if it would, a lot of people woud run them instead of modifying the traxxas transmitters. Does the third channel on that radio have two positions or three? Most radios have a button or switch that you push that works like an on/off type switch, for shifting and such. The dig requires three positions for 4WD, 2WD with freewheel, and 2WD with dig locked. The nomadio and multiplex transmitters seem to be popular because you can get them fairly cheap and they're set up out of the box to run a dig. However, most people only buy them because they're cheap, and there were three guys at the comp that had them. I asked each of them how they like them, independently of one another. All three guys said that they weren't crazy about them and would be replacing them with the spektrum. I have found the DX3R brand new for $279, and I can get you one if you want. I will be getting one for myself next week.

 

[fuceye]

can any one tell me if any one has installed a vf dig unit on a ax-10 with stage 2 setup,if so what kind of problems did you run into and how did you work around them.from what i can tell only the new upper link will hit the vf linkage....:\

 

[NCNitro]

Thay VF dig is a sweet set up! Someone needs to pick up on this design. I wouldn't mind throwing one on my scorpion.

About what do those run when they do show up Charlie?

 

[CharliesTheMan]

I've got several units on the way to my house. YGPM

 

[fuceye]

can any one tell me if any one has installed a vf dig unit on a ax-10 with stage 2 setup,if so what kind of problems did you run into and how did you work around them.from what i can tell only the new upper link will hit the vf linkage....:

hummmm i though nought....

 

[CharliesTheMan]

sorry man all the crawlers that I have are on aftermarket chassis, so I haven't researched the issue any. Did you check out a few of the forums that are specific to crawlers?