The Wraith.

[Philxj4L]

As some parts started arriving, I got the 4 link, steering and axles mocked up.
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/84BE96F2-196F-4FB7-9BB6-7D94804A4011_zpspmke9laa.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/84BE96F2-196F-4FB7-9BB6-7D94804A4011_zpspmke9laa.jpg.html)
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/4A27D6A3-BF87-45D1-A2DF-0710A555B3A2_zpsxztqihqw.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/4A27D6A3-BF87-45D1-A2DF-0710A555B3A2_zpsxztqihqw.jpg.html)
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/43E14752-1BB4-40B4-8F40-A0118834CE92_zpsoh4ch8yo.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/43E14752-1BB4-40B4-8F40-A0118834CE92_zpsoh4ch8yo.jpg.html)

[bluedragon436]

Looking good... is that a plastic frame the links connect too?? One day I'll get back to building/rebuilding my crawler!! Until then I'll just enjoy other's builds, and get ideas..

[Philxj4L]

Yeah, it's the stock plastic skid plate for mock up, billet ally repleacment on its way. :) in fact, most of the stock kit will be spares.

[bluedragon436]

Yeah I figured there was a billet replacement part for it.. Luckily for me most of my crawler is already metal, although def not as nicely setup as yours will be.. still got a few plastic bits, so that I can have buffer parts to break in the event something does break.. as they always somehow manage to do..

[Philxj4L]

s/s driveshafts arrived yesterday, and a UJ collapsed ! Seems 'it's not possible to fully tighten all the bolts at the factory" so I've some work to do on the axles. Remove, threadlock & refit everything. I'll fit the standard Axial shafts while im doing that as they are heavier than the stock shafts fitted in the axles.


http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/823D6785-AFF8-4142-A44F-34D8896B8D31_zpsxq2zqphp.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/823D6785-AFF8-4142-A44F-34D8896B8D31_zpsxq2zqphp.jpg.html)
CNC dampers also arrived.
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/8BD2322B-72B3-4F20-82F1-E205FD006E2B_zpsxxypin9w.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/8BD2322B-72B3-4F20-82F1-E205FD006E2B_zpsxxypin9w.jpg.html)
Dead UJ
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/011BE4C4-1448-4477-BEFE-4EEAC593EB24_zps90aq1cqj.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/011BE4C4-1448-4477-BEFE-4EEAC593EB24_zps90aq1cqj.jpg.html)

[Philxj4L]

64 m3 x6mm x 1.5mm hex head bolts, all thread locked.
I now hate these bead locks ! Ally trans case arrived too.

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/70128308-4C65-47AE-8E87-F85BAA2101FE_zps3327vtok.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/70128308-4C65-47AE-8E87-F85BAA2101FE_zps3327vtok.jpg.html)

[bluedragon436]

That thing is looking clean.. Makes me wish I had the money to get back to building my PTI I have... still wouldn't look as clean as this one would.. That's ok, I'll just enjoy playing around with my Summit...

[XJ Wheeler]

Beadlocks are a pain but well worth it!

Great build so far bud, keep it up!

Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

[Philxj4L]

Thanks for the comments guys. :) the lack ally skid plate is slowing things at the minute. An Integy billet spur gear/slipper clutch case is due Monday so that'll be finished off. Integy are a bit pricey, but beautiful quality kit, I've a couple of their diff covers in order too.

[Philxj4L]

The integy case turned up today, so gearbox/clutch case is finished and ready to install. :D
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/06188E81-9C25-4CD9-839F-1397BF2E2A66_zps3p1qjf4t.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/06188E81-9C25-4CD9-839F-1397BF2E2A66_zps3p1qjf4t.jpg.html)
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/A5333230-0790-4EE2-AB71-29D6DDED3CC6_zps0b7fncv2.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/A5333230-0790-4EE2-AB71-29D6DDED3CC6_zps0b7fncv2.jpg.html)
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/B8BD2D52-1EF8-4136-8406-4A1A37AAB40F_zpsv532klgs.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/B8BD2D52-1EF8-4136-8406-4A1A37AAB40F_zpsv532klgs.jpg.html)
The wife even bought me a couple of pairs of these. :)
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/B1700122-30EB-40BC-973D-3EE27BB33E2D_zpsan7g22nq.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/B1700122-30EB-40BC-973D-3EE27BB33E2D_zpsan7g22nq.jpg.html)

[4.3LXJ]

Very nice detail on the clevis

[bluedragon436]

Integy is def some good stuff.. have run some of their stuff on other RC's over the years... but they are def worth the money they want for it... I like the clevis'... maybe I'll have to look into something like those if/when I rebuild my crawler.. especially if I put a XJ body on it..

[downsy]

When I read the title I thought of this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QNDycDirxA

[Philxj4L]

The wraith just got caged.
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/B004B65F-4C4B-433A-B2DB-9AB8996A7ABB_zpsyqghfure.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/B004B65F-4C4B-433A-B2DB-9AB8996A7ABB_zpsyqghfure.jpg.html)
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/6E25FA66-D2A4-4CB9-AAFF-45E5C1A10C5C_zpsgzylhpiy.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/6E25FA66-D2A4-4CB9-AAFF-45E5C1A10C5C_zpsgzylhpiy.jpg.html)

[4.3LXJ]

Man, wish I could build a real one that fast. Nice looking stuff

[abebehrmann]

That looks awesome! The cage made of metal? Is it all welded together? Is it electric powered or nitro? I know nothing about RC cars (obviously)

[Philxj4L]

Steel cage welded up, pretty much everything else is/will be billet, and electric sensored, brushless motor with matched speed controller.
I got a slight surprise when I seen the speed controller is designed to handle 100A continuous (430A peak !)

[XJ Wheeler]

That looks awesome! The cage made of metal? Is it all welded together? Is it electric powered or nitro? I know nothing about RC cars (obviously)

For rock crawling you want electric. Nitro just doesn't have the torque. But basically you have an electric motor controlled by what's known as an ESC (Electronic Speed Control), which gets its info from a receiver that also sends signals to your various servos (for steering) and other accessories like lights or a winch. And finally your transmitter (remote or "radio" ) is where the receiver get its info from. There's a lot more to it than this but just a single explanation.

You have many different types of ESCs, brushed and brushless motors, multiple channels on the radio and receiver (usual is 2 for throttle and steering but can go much higher, like 8), motors in different "turns" (the more the slower and more torque). Typically a crawler will run around 55 turn, whereas my faster track stadium truck runs a 12 turn. But the lower turn motors wear out faster. Then you have batteries. LiPo (Lithium Polymer) is the thing to have right now and has been for a few years. Much longer run time than NiCad (Nickel Cadmium) or NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride). Although more expensive and you need a LiPo capable ESC and LiPo shutoff (most ESCs come with them though). There's many facets i'm not covering but a quick synopsis.

Sent via messenger pigeon - i talk, he types.

[4.3LXJ]

Makes perfect sense. A DC motor has its most torque at its lowest RPM. That is why our winch and starter motors are that way. Also, a diesel freight train engine is actually diesel generator over an electric DC motor and can start a train it cannot pull at speed

[Philxj4L]

For set up purposes I'm running a 21.5 turn brushless crawler motor with an 8500 rpm max. This will be swapped for a nice 'hot' brushless once set up. The past couple of days, and probably tomorrow have been taken up with fiddly stuff that shows no real progress. Due to the number of custom or upgrade parts, they don't all nessesarily work together sweetly. With the new cage, there's no mount points for the ESC/receiver & battery, steering link clearance, and some other clearance issues. I've also been swapping the half shafts over to the standard Axials, as they're heavier.

[Philxj4L]

Things took a step backwards today, new billet skid plate arrived so it was a strip down to replace the plastic mock up plate.
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/0ED49FF1-9377-4883-B50D-5A00206A20B6_zps3tzsvvrh.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/0ED49FF1-9377-4883-B50D-5A00206A20B6_zps3tzsvvrh.jpg.html)
Then it was back together again
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/0A6E0E5D-4CEC-4F7F-AF5F-6664699A0AEF_zpsbamsmivs.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/0A6E0E5D-4CEC-4F7F-AF5F-6664699A0AEF_zpsbamsmivs.jpg.html)
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/1F7714CC-EE4B-48C4-9CD0-16427282B88C_zps2g7zqkjq.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/1F7714CC-EE4B-48C4-9CD0-16427282B88C_zps2g7zqkjq.jpg.html)
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/212C01CF-CF5F-4A8E-B9D9-4B1CB2A21D45_zpsn4xainh2.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/212C01CF-CF5F-4A8E-B9D9-4B1CB2A21D45_zpsn4xainh2.jpg.html)
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/5361BB69-12B9-4B5F-AB42-6CC7FD62EA34_zpsts9mbnuu.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/5361BB69-12B9-4B5F-AB42-6CC7FD62EA34_zpsts9mbnuu.jpg.html)

[Philxj4L]

The wraith threw a curve ball last night. I discovered the front and rear axles where running in opposite directions ! After checking this morning, turns out the bevel gears in both had been set up identically. WRONG !
A full stip down followed, so I could flip the bevel gear and carrier. An hour later, job was done and both axles where back on the same song sheet. :D

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/C96D8213-F27D-4E8E-9AFA-60ABF470E3DC_zpsv3fkyugt.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/C96D8213-F27D-4E8E-9AFA-60ABF470E3DC_zpsv3fkyugt.jpg.html)
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/2D0EC6BC-3346-449F-A095-9FACB84EDEA6_zpsktic4kek.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/2D0EC6BC-3346-449F-A095-9FACB84EDEA6_zpsktic4kek.jpg.html)

[4.3LXJ]

Ha, maybe everyone should bring you their diff work :D

[Philxj4L]

They are nice, if expensive. Close to 50% discount helped sweeten the deal.

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/E7FFBCB8-A3D1-4C63-B265-5260AFD41835_zpsojmlrzb8.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/E7FFBCB8-A3D1-4C63-B265-5260AFD41835_zpsojmlrzb8.jpg.html)

It was the solder guns turn to throw one ! Brand new, first use and it attempted to set itself on fire !!

[Philxj4L]

Thought it time for a quick update on the wraith. It's starting to look a bit more 'me'
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/47C8C381-A18B-489A-B88A-6D2CBD46DA75_zpscfqslrmn.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/47C8C381-A18B-489A-B88A-6D2CBD46DA75_zpscfqslrmn.jpg.html)

And with 9v patched thru
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/17D61132-B206-41B0-9736-9193F80FC9C3_zpszpihdxpk.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/17D61132-B206-41B0-9736-9193F80FC9C3_zpszpihdxpk.jpg.html)

I picked up another set of bead locks and boots.
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/560D6126-BA41-439D-80A7-F48F6E083CD5_zps1zudnxg1.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/560D6126-BA41-439D-80A7-F48F6E083CD5_zps1zudnxg1.jpg.html)

I did find a guy on one of the U.S. crawler forums who could suply rigid industries scale light bars, and better yet, he was swapping the standard SMDs with Cree chips. 1000Lm @ 12v from a 4" bar!
Unfortunatly, at $135 a pop, then import duties, handling & tax it wasnt cost effective. The ones I have are lisended thru KCHilites. :)

[autotech98]

Wow phil that is an impressive peice of equipment. Is that a scale winch on front?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547

[Philxj4L]

Wow phil that is an impressive peice of equipment. Is that a scale winch on front?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547

Thanks :) yeah, a Warn 9.5cti. I've just got the new motor, a 13.5t, down from the 21.5 and 3s LIPo packs.. This was a 5" step with a 1" overhanging lip.
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/64AD7EE5-C0ED-41EF-BE21-F2CDFFF39BE9_zps8qgfwo8x.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/64AD7EE5-C0ED-41EF-BE21-F2CDFFF39BE9_zps8qgfwo8x.jpg.html)
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/0BDD8E9B-651B-4004-9494-D88B467DE48A_zpsudnx1kqi.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/0BDD8E9B-651B-4004-9494-D88B467DE48A_zpsudnx1kqi.jpg.html)
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/83CA3F69-DF26-4499-ACA3-5BFBFF79571B_zpsmbotj9ri.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/83CA3F69-DF26-4499-ACA3-5BFBFF79571B_zpsmbotj9ri.jpg.html)
All 4 tyres had contact

[denverd1]

cool car. why the winch?

[4.3LXJ]

Very cool car Phil

[autotech98]

cool car. why the winch?
Cause its freakin cool!!!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547

[XJ Wheeler]

Looking great! Love the led bars! I have the same rock claws on my cc-01, some of the stickiest tires I've had. They are awesome!

[Philxj4L]

cool car. why the winch?

In competitive crawling winches are needed for some sections, and there's a whole set of rules on winch use, in my case, it was more down to wanting a Warn winch hung in the front. :D Once everything else is done I will get it plumbed into some power, the plan is to get that done at the same time as the lightbars, they will be switched on/off through the 5th ch on the transmitter. 4ws is in the pipeline too. :)

[Philxj4L]

As I'd used very little of the orrigional wraith kit, I had enough left to resell, this was the result.

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/92375C27-EA19-49E9-B201-FC673CC3F1D4_zpspb5jtpms.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/92375C27-EA19-49E9-B201-FC673CC3F1D4_zpspb5jtpms.jpg.html)

[4.3LXJ]

Hmmmm, first time I have seen tracks on an RC

[denverd1]

In competitive crawling winches are needed for some sections, and there's a whole set of rules on winch use, in my case, it was more down to wanting a Warn winch hung in the front. :D Once everything else is done I will get it plumbed into some power, the plan is to get that done at the same time as the lightbars, they will be switched on/off through the 5th ch on the transmitter. 4ws is in the pipeline too. :)

so its an actual winch! looked real, but i couldn't tell. so you get DQ'd if you if don't winch right? thats pretty cool.

[Philxj4L]

Yeah, a working winch, and licensed by Warn. It's rated to 3kg dead lift, 4kg rolling load. There's 2 guys in the States decided they wanted a scale winch that looked as close to a Warn 8247 as they could get. They retired to their machine shops in the back yard, some time later the Quicksand 8247 was born. It's a pretty impressive scale winch.



https://vimeo.com/9285672

[Philxj4L]

Now that it's been running, a phone call to my suplier seen some 3s LiPos and an 13.5t speed passion comp motor ordered.

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/2A73D8E7-8914-44FE-A171-F9A88B154FD5_zpskrihazb9.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/2A73D8E7-8914-44FE-A171-F9A88B154FD5_zpskrihazb9.jpg.html)

Thought it would be an idea to try to keep everything cool, so this was also fitted.

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/0137CBB8-14D7-4B0B-9A87-68CCF45D851B_zpscrjwxkd3.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/0137CBB8-14D7-4B0B-9A87-68CCF45D851B_zpscrjwxkd3.jpg.html)
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/2F094835-1273-428A-AE83-5333635DA912_zpstfgvwwhe.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/2F094835-1273-428A-AE83-5333635DA912_zpstfgvwwhe.jpg.html)

As is the norm for this build, things where a bit tight, so some trimming of the heatsink body was required.

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/A0FE2151-E49E-4A25-80D3-3745CD4290A6_zpsvyjya0bw.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/A0FE2151-E49E-4A25-80D3-3745CD4290A6_zpsvyjya0bw.jpg.html)

Just need to get out and see how much speed has been gained. :D

[4.3LXJ]

That sounds fast to me

[Outlaw star]

Here's what the Original Wraith looked like. Lolhttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/28/f8c10577920ba38bdf5fd704e972028c.jpg

Seriously, awesome looking piece of fun ya got there.

[autotech98]

I recall that movie..lol.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547

[Philxj4L]

Don't remember that one. :)
I sorted the steering out too. The steering servo just didn't have the guts for the 5.5" tyres. After getting some shocks at the prices of hi torque servos, circa $110- $120 for 20kg/cm ! I found these bad boys for $35 on the bay.
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/FFAE2B78-6021-439C-87A9-3B36EC2AFCEA_zpshjsozjgk.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/FFAE2B78-6021-439C-87A9-3B36EC2AFCEA_zpshjsozjgk.jpg.html)

I flipped the drag link to get the servo centerd better while I was there
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/8B2421D7-496D-48DB-BA3B-718825D8B743_zpswpl91bxs.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/8B2421D7-496D-48DB-BA3B-718825D8B743_zpswpl91bxs.jpg.html)

As its a full ally/steel build I noticed it's starting to push some weight. These are rock claws with full foams.

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/4957B3E1-D5F4-42BB-A8C9-D10D6B67EEC7_zpsumffxqpq.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/4957B3E1-D5F4-42BB-A8C9-D10D6B67EEC7_zpsumffxqpq.jpg.html)

[bluedragon436]

Coming together nicely.. I have a high torque steering servo on my crawler too.. But mine isn't nearly as nice as that one.. and probably not as torquey either...

[abebehrmann]

Haha, no need to air down!

[rabies]

how much do these thigns cost?

[Philxj4L]

Been tweeting again ! With more speed, the high CG will be an issue,, soo, some new dampers where in order. A nice (cheap) set of 90mm dampers with hard & soft springs, 3 different valving rates & diaphragms arrived.
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/0335E13A-1719-4450-AD49-4665403E2108_zps67sibnzu.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/0335E13A-1719-4450-AD49-4665403E2108_zps67sibnzu.jpg.html)

It's now sitting lower, but still not down to what a standard spec wraith would be at.
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/Philxj4L/B6D0BE85-DAAB-495B-BA5D-B1EAA0B03726_zpshwu0dopm.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/Philxj4L/media/B6D0BE85-DAAB-495B-BA5D-B1EAA0B03726_zpshwu0dopm.jpg.html)

Have to say, I'm pretty impressed with the dampers, @ £6 a pop, there no signs of leaking/weaping and work well with a nice smooth action. :)

http://youtu.be/ZscDTFUWT2A

As for price, in the UK, we'll pay around £350 for an RTR stock spec wraith. If I'm totally honest, mine sits pretty close to what you'd pay for a full size XJ in the UK market. :bang:

[4.3LXJ]

That is looking real nice Phil. But I suppose you can pump money into just about anything if you want to do it right. It is interesting how far these suspensions have come at the same time as the technology for the full size stuff. They kind of paralleled each other