Going all in

[DavidB1126]

Make sure he doesn't burn him self like I did

Better solder-er than me?

 

[BA0701]

View attachment 191224

Get some scraps and just start playing around with it ( I know the connector ends are different than just wires). It’s his favorite thing to do in the “shop”

I love it, teaching him at a young age, when the things he is learning today will stick him for a lifetime. Excellent efforts, man! Yeah, I have watched a ton of videos on it, both on soldering in general and on the EC3 specifically. A lot of great information out there, and thank you for sharing this! After many of the videos I have seen, I do not know that anything I did was wrong, per-se, I just don't think I have a practiced enough hand to do a clean job with it. Cleanliness is what these connectors demand. It might have to do with my not having a steady enough hand. These 57yo hands just aren't surgical steady, the way they once were. I am going to buy some wire, tomorrow at Hobbytown, once I know how long of a piece I will need to extend the cables on these two ESCs, then I will be able to start playing around with the rest, just as you mentioned.

Thanks, again, keep up the great work!

 

[Lostinthewoods86]

Make sure he doesn't burn him self like I did

Oh he has and he learned

 

[DavidB1126]

I learned too

Hahahaha

 

[Greywolf74]

I'm pretty sure everyone that solders has burned themselves at least once or twice. It's a right of passage

 

[BA0701]

I have the 2300KV 540 Axe R2 motor in hand, and the Axe R3 ESC should be here on Saturday, according to UPS.

Since the subject was discussed in another thread, I just measured the Enduro shocks, one straight out of the package with no spring underneath the plunger, and one with a medium length soft spring rate Desert Lizard spring under the plunger. The difference in full length and extension is the following:

Enduro shock no internal spring - 99mm in length

Enduro shock with medium length soft DL spring - unextended length is 85.1mm, extended length is 95.85mm

This means your ride height has decreased by 13.9mm (much lower CG), and I have lost 3.15mm in extension. I'd call that a successful droop.

I forgot to add, I also measured, for anyone interested, the difference in the length of the stock Capra Spektrum motor and the Axe R2 2300KV 540 motor. The Axe is 2mm longer, and identical in diameter. I have yet to pull the stock motor off of the skid, but the rear link connector on the skid will, indeed, be very close, the gap in that link mount and the stock motor is extremely small, maybe smaller than 2mm. So, as has been mentioned in countless places, including West Desert Wheeler, you either have to shave some off of that link mount, or buy a new skid. I chose the latter, and have a Vader skid to install, when I install the new motor, and from my understanding you can fit just about any 540/550 motor on that skid with no issues.

 

[BA0701]

So, the latest update on the Capra, for which I have been remiss in my duties. I have been spending time in court, sorting out my wife's estate (not a short and quick process), and been going back and forth with my wife's company over her 401K which the owner told me she did not have one year ago, after she passed. Come to find out that is because he is way behind on posting his company match portion, a discussion not for this platform.

So, I have decided to hold off on finishing the Capra, as I have decided to go ahead and buy all of the parts I plan on using, since it is completely torn down now. Why tear it down multiple times, I figure. I am going to go ahead and upgrade the servos, currently leaning towards the Protek 1KTBL for both front and rear, both front and rear ends, currently leaning towards Super Shafty, the transmission, which I am leaning towards the Vanquish three gear due to it's compatibility with the Hurtz Dig unit, but I need to have some discussions with the folks at Dlux before making a final decision on this, and the Hurtz Dig unit. I have not settled on which tires, in which size, yet, that is going to come with testing, but I will likely have a few sets in different sizes, for different conditions.

Some of this may change, in terms of which parts I actually decide on, akin to the Axe motor decision taking place when a new model was released. But, for now, this is the direction we are headed in. No matter what, I really hope to build this rig into a monster crawler, when all is said and done.

 

[Doom!]

Hope you get all the real life drama cleared up soon, it puts a damper on things for sure.

 

[9x19]

Life can be a challenge... macro goals, micro focus... but just keep moving.

 

[BA0701]

Life can be a challenge... macro goals, micro focus... but just keep moving.

Thanks, Brother, just focusing on one step at a time.

 

[BA0701]

Latest update on the Capra. I have been busy, speaking to folks, and making decisions on the direction I want to take this rig. I have finally concluded that I am going to put in everything all at once, and decided on the parts I will use. Most of the parts have now arrived, with the exception of the DLUX portal axles, as they are currently out of stock on the heavy portal covers, which should be back in stock later this month. One of the biggest benefits that the Dlux axles have over the Supershafty, is the servo placement. On the Dlux axles, the servo lies flat, at the rear of the axles, bringing down the CG as low as is possible, while still keeping everything underneath nice and flat.

I have also decided on a new radio, after everything @DavidB1126 went through, using the RC8X on this rig ended up being a gamble I wasn't willing to make. Besides, I planned on using the radio for the Xmaxx, and the RC8X was out of the question for it as well. I plan on using the RC8X, barring any issues, on the Cayman Pro and the TRX4, that way others can join in on the fun RC'ing as well. The radio I decided on is the NB4 Pro+, which arrived today.

I also decided on the Reefs 1100s, in brass, for both steering servos. As soon as the axles arrive, then the fun of putting everything in place will begin (my favorite part, actually), and when all is said and done, there will be little, outside of the main body frame, from the rig as it came out of the box. I have decided to keep the stock transmission, for two reasons. I was told by Matt at DLUX Fab that they are actually working on a lightweight transmission w/dig, but secondly, as Matt also explained, I may well find that I may not use dig enough, and might decide on using one of their more simplified, light weight transmissions, without it. So, if I keep the stock in place, it will allow me to work with the dig option, and decide if I will actually use it, while DLUX works on their dig transmission.

As for Dlux Fab, I cannot say enough good things about them, especially Matt, and their incredible customer service. As for their products, there are tons of YT videos, showing those off, and I haven't seen a negative review yet.

I will continue with my recon mission, the rest of you may RTB and grab a hot meal, I will return with more updates, as they become available! Cheers team!

 

[DavidB1126]

I have also decided on a new radio, after everything @DavidB1126 went through, using the RC8X on this rig ended up being a gamble I wasn't willing to make. Besides, I planned on using the radio for the Xmaxx, and the RC8X was out of the question for it as well. I plan on using the RC8X, barring any issues, on the Cayman Pro and the TRX4, that way others can join in on the fun RC'ing as well. The radio I decided on is the NB4 Pro+, which arrived today.

Nice! I got the regular plus which is below the pro. Very nice radio for the money. I like the feel of the radio. High quality aluminum. You can position the wheel to your liking. Smaller and compact radio. Light. removable/rechargeable batteries. What more could you ask for? And one thing, antenna less receivers.

 

[BA0701]

Nice! I got the regular plus which is below the pro. Very nice radio for the money. I like the feel of the radio. High quality aluminum. You can position the wheel to your liking. Smaller and compact radio. Light. removable/rechargeable batteries. What more could you ask for? And one thing, antenna less receivers.

This new NB4 Pro+, now has 18 channels, though they do not list receivers with that many, I am assuming it is accomplished via S-Bus type connections. I haven't read the manual yet, it just arrived 10 minutes before I made the post. Being a brand new radio, a lot of questions remain unanswered, though, I made the decision based on the reviews of the NB4, Pro, and +, before it.

 

[BA0701]

I now, believe, I have everything ordered, and what hasn't arrived yet, namely the axles, rims, tires, etc..., should be arriving within the next few days. One thing I wanted to share, is Neal, at Squid Inserts, got the specific measurements for the Dlux Ultra High Clearance rims, and the Dlux Goat tires I will be pairing for them, and has printed some of his famous inserts for them. In his design, he even took into account the inner groove on those rims, as you can see in the pic. He said these are a one off, as of now, but hopefully he will be getting more orders for them in the future, so that his efforts are not awash.

Now is when I really begin to feel the excitement, of finally beginning to actually start on this project, it has been a long time coming. The only thing I have not replaced, to this point, outside of the body/cage, is the stock transmission, as I mentioned previously. It is likely to also be replaced in the future.

 

[BA0701]

So, my last order just arrived today, this one was from DluxFab, and contained the axles, and two different sets of wheels and tires, and some weight hangers. I can now start to work on this beast. One set of wheels are the Dlux Loaded Dice, which have the Extreme Route Huge Pin tires, and the weight hangers get paired with them. The other set are the Dlux Ultra High clearance rims, which will be paired with the Dlux Goat tires. You have to use the Ultra High clearance wheels, if you are using the heavy portal covers.

At this point, the only pieces that will remain of the stock Capra are the body cage, and the links. I will be replacing the links as well, but I need to measure things, once I get the stock lower links connected to the axles, then I will order some titanium links from Dlux.

Let me tell you, I cannot recommend DluxFab any higher, Matt has been exceptionally helpful, and the quality of these items is second to none. You have to feel the axles to know what I am talking about, for just how heavy they are, and sturdy feeling. That isn't to even mention how great they look as well!

 

[BA0701]

Just a small update. I just finished assembling the Dlux Goat tires, with the Squid inserts, mounted onto the Dlux Ultra High Clearance wheels. I wouldn't normally have updated on such a thing, but I just wanted to let everyone know how easy the process was. I have mounted a bunch of beadlock wheels with inserts and different tires, even have a tool that aids in holding some of them together while doing so, and it is never a fun thing to do. But, this combination went together so smoothly, and easily, I felt I should mention it. It was the easiest time I have ever had doing this. The inserts were perfect, just fold them and the popped right in, and when your push the center ring into them, there is a noticeable click, from there it was easy as can be.

 

[Doom!]

Ohhhhhh, squishy.