Build Thread JTORC turns a pile of crap into a crawler!

[xjtorc]

Worked on the electronics tray today. Printed something I found on Thingiverse. A tray with a bunch of holes in it…didn’t like it. Cut it up a little…still didn’t like it.

Decided to remix the file, turning it into a mounting bracket instead. This allowed me to bolt up the tray I already have in a position I much prefer over the location the aluminum bracket requires.

Drilled some holes in the chassis, mocked it up:

Bingo bango

 

[xjtorc]

Hooked up the ESC last night and calibrated my throttle EPAs. I forgot that there is no software calibration process to follow with this ESC. You plug it in, and it automatically analyzes whatever signal the radio is sending it. This means, it was wonky from the jump. It would sit idle for 90% of the time with 10% random jerks in reverse. Meanwhile, I was pulling my hair out trying to figure out wtf was going on. Had the epiphany of needing to tune out EPAs in the radio and got everything straightened out. She moved under her own power. so slooooow. so smooooth.

Next steps:

1. shorten ESC to motor wires (remove bullets for direct connect? maybe...probably)
2. solder BEC pins to set 8.2 volts to servo
3. center steering servo
4. move steering link to clear frame rail
5. replace all bearings in axles. Not sure how I didn't notice until now but, seeing the truck move under power, I realized the third member bearings on both axles are blown out
6. rebuild existing shocks in semi-droop setup to test performance of 90mm shock setup all around. I haven't ordered any shocks yet. I want to test a reasonable setup on the existing shocks before doing anything drastic. They're currently setup with a too much pre-load and too-thick fluid because I was running them on the rock bashing monster Dingo.
7. paint body
8. install rock sliders
9. design/print comp bed
10. new tires
11. win comp.

 

[xjtorc]

Got a few hours in late last night and crossed a few things off the list.

Spent more time than I should have on this:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Next steps:

1. shorten ESC to motor wires (remove bullets for direct connect? maybe...probably)
2. solder BEC pins to set 8.2 volts to servo
3. center steering servo
4. move steering link to clear frame rail
5. replace all bearings in axles. Not sure how I didn't notice until now but, seeing the truck move under power, I realized the third member bearings on both axles are blown out
6. rebuild existing shocks in semi-droop setup to test performance of 90mm shock setup all around. I haven't ordered any shocks yet. I want to test a reasonable setup on the existing shocks before doing anything drastic. They're currently setup with a too much pre-load and too-thick fluid because I was running them on the rock bashing monster Dingo.
7. paint body
8. install rock sliders
9. design/print comp bed
10. new tires
11. win comp.

 

[WickedFog]

Got a few hours in late last night and crossed a few things off the list.

Spent more time than I should have on this:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Next steps:

1. shorten ESC to motor wires (remove bullets for direct connect? maybe...probably)
2. solder BEC pins to set 8.2 volts to servo
3. center steering servo
4. move steering link to clear frame rail
5. replace all bearings in axles. Not sure how I didn't notice until now but, seeing the truck move under power, I realized the third member bearings on both axles are blown out
6. rebuild existing shocks in semi-droop setup to test performance of 90mm shock setup all around. I haven't ordered any shocks yet. I want to test a reasonable setup on the existing shocks before doing anything drastic. They're currently setup with a too much pre-load and too-thick fluid because I was running them on the rock bashing monster Dingo.
7. paint body
8. install rock sliders
9. design/print comp bed
10. new tires
11. win comp.

She's a creeper!

 

[xjtorc]

I haven’t been sleeping much lately. The printer has been going crazy though! I designed and printed a comp bed. Also printed some awesome looking comp style bumpers I found on Thingiverse.

Got the body cut out and fitted the rear cab mount solution with the bed. I printed a plate that mounts to the back of the cab, has two pegs that go through the body and into the holes in the bed. Body clips through the posts to keep it in place.

You’ll notice the shafts are dropped because the transmission is out. My motor decided to take a crap. Pretty sure it sucked up some of the metal shavings from cutting down the drifeshaft. I was soldering and had it lying in the pile of metal dust on my workbench. …oops. Waiting for the replacement now.

 

[WickedFog]

I haven’t been sleeping much lately. The printer has been going crazy though! I designed and printed a comp bed. Also printed some awesome looking comp style bumpers I found on Thingiverse.

Got the body cut out and fitted the rear cab mount solution with the bed. I printed a plate that mounts to the back of the cab, has two pegs that go through the body and into the holes in the bed. Body clips through the posts to keep it in place.

You’ll notice the shafts are dropped because the transmission is out. My motor decided to take a crap. Pretty sure it sucked up some of the metal shavings from cutting down the drifeshaft. I was soldering and had it lying in the pile of metal dust on my workbench. …oops. Waiting for the replacement now.

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First, you had your gears showing for all to see. Now ya got your dangly bits hangin out. You pervert!

Simply gorgeous build bro. I'm jealous!

 

[CertifiedMike]

I haven’t been sleeping much lately. The printer has been going crazy though! I designed and printed a comp bed. Also printed some awesome looking comp style bumpers I found on Thingiverse.

Got the body cut out and fitted the rear cab mount solution with the bed. I printed a plate that mounts to the back of the cab, has two pegs that go through the body and into the holes in the bed. Body clips through the posts to keep it in place.

You’ll notice the shafts are dropped because the transmission is out. My motor decided to take a crap. Pretty sure it sucked up some of the metal shavings from cutting down the drifeshaft. I was soldering and had it lying in the pile of metal dust on my workbench. …oops. Waiting for the replacement now.

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Do you REALLY think sleeping in a 3D 'comp' bed is gonna help??? Wait...

Nice job! It looks nice and smooth and not 3D printed! I wasn't sure before but you are rocking this pile of crap!!!

Looks awesome!!!


Too bad on the motor! Gotta drop them in a baggie or something.

 

[Doom!]

Lookin' hella good man!

 

[xjtorc]

We’re groovin now. Painted the Cliffhanger cab the same orange as my 1:1.

Messed with the axial shocks some this evening. Tried a mini-t spring perch on the rear and I’m just not digging it. Noticed 3 of the 4 cartridge caps are cracked as well lol. I’ll have to order some desert lizards or something after I figure out how I’m going to get the steering link to clear my frame.

Pretty proud of my rear cab mount solution:

 

[Doom!]

That does look like a pretty slick cabin mount. I love orange, so a big heck yeah!

 

[xjtorc]

Got the replacement motor in and she’s moving again! also got some Rock Pirates rock sliders mounted up and I’m not really loving them. I can’t move the body further back without making the wheelbase look goofy as heck and I can’t move the sliders forward because that’ll cause clearance issues. We’ll see, they might grow on me.

 

[majin]

love this, awesome looking from the start

 

[WickedFog]

That's just sick! Only thing I would say, the front to back looks fine as is. The front could be lifted about 3mm or so to get the body lines to match up with the sliders. Love this build man. I'm jealous!

 

[Heisenburg]

I built a HCG Slash from spare parts. But this.......is......awesome!!

 

[xjtorc]

3D printer saves the day again.

Filled the open space above the sliders and absolutely love the end product…totally meant to do that!

 

[majin]

o that battery is super cool bro

 

[xjtorc]

You may also notice I’m on my third rendition of rear shock setup based on stuff I have lying around. GMade Aeration 85s this time. Way too short. Way too stiff with the single set of springs I have for them.

Still, nothing is sparking joy thus far. I’m going to bite the bullet and buy shocks

 

[xjtorc]

o that battery is super cool bro

Printed in red. Painted the black part. Chrome paint pen on the terminals. I might go back and replace the “wires” with actual wire but otherwise, turned out dope for a quicky find n print.

 

[Doom!]

Printed in red. Painted the black part. Chrome paint pen on the terminals. I might go back and replace the “wires” with actual wire but otherwise, turned out dope for a quicky find n print.

I thought the battery had real wires already, nice job.

 

[xjtorc]

Work has been sucking the soul out of me this week but I was finally able to spend some time on the truck this evening. Finally got around to the rusted/blown bearings in the axles.

Completely tore down the rear axle

Cleaned the crusty peanut butter out of the pumpkin

Replaced the bearings and lubed up with some red n tacky

Guess I was having too much fun with the reassembly…oops

Rear is refreshed and ready to rip. We’ll have to tackle the front tomorrow.