Basecamp with 2 speed

[Jfrisch1]

Starting this one up, to not only help others but to keep track of it for myself. Sometimes, posting in the forum helps me remember what I’ve done to certain rigs and I can look back to remind myself lol.

Bought new from LHS. Something bout a few scale details that really cracks open the ol wallet.



Got right to work, took it out stock stock to the creek. I think that has never been done in the history (my history) of forever.




Although it did really well stock, we all know there were some issues with cog and tires. The stock tires were not terrible, however.

Slapped a set of probuilds and swampers on it. Took it out again (stock besides wheels and tires)








Had a blast with the stock electronics but it was time for a change, drivetrain that is.

Bought the parts from a parted out cj7 chassis. New passenger side boat side (slider/ skid/ whatever you wanna call it) these have micro servo mounts for the dig and 2 speed.

Cj7 trans with dig and *surprise* 2 speed. I did not crack it open to make the 2 speed work yet as I need some micro servo mounts for that servo. Also, the lower engine pan (scale motor) and the other motor bits are all that are needed.

I first thought I’d need new shock towers, skid all that. But the basecamp skid worked just fine. It has 2 extra holes that do nothing to me that they are open. Basecamp trans- 4 mounting spots on skid/ cj7 trans- 2 trans mounts on skid and 2 on frame rails/ sliders.

Dropped right in with minimal effort



Finished attaching and straightening up some wires before it was back on the trail again.








And to top it off, I tossed in a fusion 1800kv system and nsdrc servo. Drivetrain is much gooder now with far more throttle control -IMO-than the stock brushed. All fit in like a glove.

 

[Jfrisch1]

Messed up last post but photo to follow up




Now, to hook up the dig and 2 speed to finish off the drivetrain. This turned into a sweet trail truck that can crawl quite a bit better than stock. Still has it’s downfalls, but the body is really what sold me.

Need to do some functional “mods” to it like, trim bumpers, slightly trim fenders, to keep the tires from rubbing on full lock. They are only 1.9s but with the extra wide probuilds they are quite a bit wider than stock.

 

[Jfrisch1]

Also, to recap:

Parts needed to 2 speed/ dig swap basecamp 10.3

Cj7 trans
Cj7 slider (passenger side only)
Lower oil pan for scale motor
Motor cover parts (intake, front motor accessories)
Shorten rear driveshaft (the two shortest pieces and short center spline is what is used)
2- micro servos

 

[89Industries]

The micro-servo mount for the 2 speed servo is molded into the right side tray. There are 2 small tabs with holes in them just behind the upper line mount. The micro servo slides down in there beside the transmission with the spline facing up.

 

[Jfrisch1]

The micro-servo mount for the 2 speed servo is molded into the right side tray. There are 2 small tabs with holes in them just behind the upper line mount. The micro servo slides down in there beside the transmission with the spline facing up.

Ah I must have been looking at it wrong. I thought it needed tabs to have the servo on it’s side, like the dig.

 

[89Industries]

If I'm remembering correctly, the dig and 2 speed use slightly different style arms on the servo to actuate the feature as well. At least the OEM set up. Might be able to just make your own links.

 

[89Industries]

So did you really want the 2 speed option or really just want the dig function or both?

Asking since they do make a dig unit for the Basecamp transmission which seems like it would be easier and maybe cheaper but no 2 speed.

I have 1 scx10iii with the 2 speed and dig and another with just with the dig. I've heard a lot of people say they thought the 2 speed was geared too close together. I kind of like it though as too much faster in high gear and the truck doesn't really handle the speed well.

 

[Jfrisch1]

So did you really want the 2 speed option or really just want the dig function or both?

Asking since they do make a dig unit for the Basecamp transmission which seems like it would be easier and maybe cheaper but no 2 speed.

I have 1 scx10iii with the 2 speed and dig and another with just with the dig. I've heard a lot of people say they thought the 2 speed was geared too close together. I kind of like it though as too much faster in high gear and the truck doesn't really handle the speed well.

Definitely want both. I know they don’t do much nor do I use them much but I like to have them. Also, more or less, I enjoy messing with these things. Have a buddy with a cj7 and noticed the dig trans then found the 2 speed option as well, so I wanted it for the basecamp.

I use the two speed in my trx4 all the time but that one has turned into more of a basher.

I do like the speed difference every now and then, since it’s more of trail truck than one of my other crawlers.

I think I just loved the lockable diffs on the trx4, I try to have all my trail trucks have some kind of dig, 2 speed, etc.

 

[89Industries]

cool, I totally get it. Just making sure you didn't miss the easiest option that would have worked. Messing around with them is certainly a big part for me as well, pretty much in everything I get into.

 

[Jfrisch1]

cool, I totally get it. Just making sure you didn't miss the easiest option that would have worked. Messing around with them is certainly a big part for me as well, pretty much in everything I get into.

Oh yeah, I have more fun building and working on them than anything else.

Forgot my favorite part of this trans vs the stock one, the easy motor swaps.

 

[Jfrisch1]

Two speed is officially hooked up and working. Took it out around the neighborhood to see how it did.

IMO speed difference is pretty noticeable. Maybe it’s the portals?

With low speed- it’ll pop a 1/4-half wheelie.

In high gear- it’ll pop a wheelie and ride it for a few seconds.

Top speed is very noticeable as well. My sons (10.3 basecamp with stock trans, fusion (same as mine 1800kv) on the same batteries (3s 100c) in low gear my truck is only half a truck ahead of his. In high gear my truck pulls bussessss on his lol.

Speed wasn’t the goal for the trail truck but it happened and I’m about it. Never know when a group of our buddies are on the trail racing.



I somehow broke the tabs on the dig so right now to keep it from popping in and out it’s temporary held in place. Guess I’ll be changing that too

I did trim the bumper and front little tab on the sliders and now it doesn’t rub. Great success.

Looking for a new bumper for it as we speak. Don’t really see any I like, if you have a suggestion lmk. No Amazon specials. I’d rather run a good looking plastic bumper.