Build Thread Rudy's AX-24 budget build

[RudyF6]

So, this little guy was yet another "Always wanted, but not for that price" rigs.
Enter Horizon's year-end clearance sale e-mail....
$159? Nah.
$99? Sign me up! Picked one up at my LHS that day.


I thought it had potential just looking at it, but turns out it's very toy-grade out of the box. It was pretty awful.
I described its handling as a bobble head riding a pogo stick. Rollovers, backflips, 4WS would roll it on flat ground.
So I decided to see what I could improve without going over the MSRP.

Cue some more Horizon e-mails as they add parts to the clearance sale daily...

 

[RudyF6]

First up were brass knuckles and the bolt-on weights from Axial. Gotta' help with climbs and backflipping so easily. I threw in a 14% o.d. while the axle was disassembled also.

Didn't help a lot, it just hit harder when it backflipped!
I figure the next move is stretching the wheelbase...

 

[Doom!]

So, this little guy was yet another "Always wanted, but not for that price" rigs.
Enter Horizon's year-end clearance sale e-mail....
$159? Nah.
$99? Sign me up! Picked one up at my LHS that day.


I thought it had potential just looking at it, but turns out it's very toy-grade out of the box. It was pretty awful.
I described its handling as a bobble head riding a pogo stick. Rollovers, backflips, 4WS would roll it on flat ground.
So I decided to see what I could improve without going over the MSRP.

Cue some more Horizon e-mails as they add parts to the clearance sale daily...

That is the thing that drives me nuts about stock SCX24/AX24, is how bouncy the bodies are. New links wheels and shocks help quite a bit. Makes it a lot more stable getting a little weight on it. Have fun with your build!

 

[RudyF6]

Oops, forgot - I also picked up the Spektrum brushless combo (don't) and a brass skid on clearance too!
Thought it would help more weight low. Brushless power and weight made it LEAP over backwards and SLAM instead of just flop! That's when the wheelbase thought came.

 

[RudyF6]

So I dug out the stock rear arms from my Deadbolt, it was about right to add +/- 10mm. Bought the Axial bag o' driveshaft parts 'cuz I couldn't come up with the right combo.
The problem? Didn't think about shock length - sat too low in the back to crawl over much of anything. Stock shocks are 51mm, so to lower the front a bit I chose 48mm and to raise the rear used 54mm.
Came out just right.

 

[RudyF6]

This thing's far more capable and fun now, cured all that ails it out of the box.
My only regret is the Spektrum brushless setup. It really is crap. I bought it for $30, it hen went to $15 before being discontinued. I actually wish I'd put a better brushed motor in.
Next is gonna' be servos, my front one started chattering recently...

 

[RudyF6]

Oops! Forgot the "budget" part... close, but over a bit. Was shooting to not exceed the $159 MSRP.
So, $99 for the car, Knuckles and weights were clearance priced at like $27 for all, couldn't resist the $30 sale brushless kit (that wasn't worth it!), $20 for brass skid. Shocks were the kicker, had to buy 2 sets for my mismatched lengths, but oh well, I've spent $40 on dumber stuff and I still have $20 worth of shocks for something!
So without the brushless kit and the shock overage, I was right there!!

 

[Doom!]

That pretty good keeping the budget as low as you did, these little guys can add up pretty quick.

 

[Willy0942]

Nice and on a budget, even sweeter, I don’t own one, everyone always talks me out of it, the Ax-24, but you have proven otherwise, I will be showing this to some people that talk me out of it.
Now I am not going to be so cautious when I see one at a deal. It will be mine
Are you going any further? If so I am in for the ride

 

[RudyF6]

Was thinking about swapping the Furitek stinger from my Deadbolt into it, I think it would be better yet!

 

[RudyF6]

Ok, so much for budget.
Must have bling!

 

[RudyF6]

I think there's some weight to these wheels...

 

[RudyF6]

Ok, I'm loving this thing except for a bad decision. It's time. Garbage out!
Stay tuned...

 

[RudyF6]

Well, Furitek Unity ain't gonna make it. Can't cut enough of the plate that's in the way.

 

[RudyF6]

Tried the micro komodo from my Deadbolt and same story.
I think I'll swing by the LHS in the next few days and see what they have for a hotter brushed motor. Shoulda' done that to begin with.

 

[RudyF6]

Ok did just that. $20 brushed 050 and mounting plate. One of the guys working at the LHS is happy with one on his heavy SCX-24.
Let's see how that goes.

 

[Burnzone]

Looks like fun! My boy has an AX-24 also. I didn't think it was possible to install a 050 size motor on one of these but he did it. Online looks like some have done it and others say it won't fit. I wasn't in on it but I think maybe a link or shock nut is right behind the motor and complicates things. I forget how he said he did it exactly. Seems like he had everything kinda loose and slid the plate in and then snugged everything up. Looking forward to see what you report on the experience

 

[RudyF6]

It's really close to the rear link but it fits.
Battery charging, stay tuned!

 

[RudyF6]

Well...
Not sure what this motor might do with a better esc, but with the stock esc/rx combo it's fast but really jumpy, no smooth startup.
Furitek has spoiled me.
Must find a way...

 

[RudyF6]

Ok, budget is definitely blown, but my Furitek setup will happen!