Imthatguy's Axial Yeti KIT Build

[imthatguy]

May 25 Update

I thought it would be easier to list all the parts and upgrades in one place, with part numbers when possible.

Rear End:

Axial Upper Link Plate set AX31244
MIP Rear Driveshaft MIP14390
RC4WD D44 Wide Axle Housing ALL INFO IN THIS LINK
Axial 43T13T Underdrive Bevel Gear AX30402
Axial Machined Four Link Mounts AX31165
Axial Machined Shock Mount Plates AX31166
Axial Aluminum Shock Caps AX30111
Vanquish SLW Hubs VPS1042

Front End:

Axial Machined Front Shock Tower AX31170
Axial Front Differential Locker AX31182
Axial 36T/14T Overdrive Bevel Gear AX30401
Axial Exo Machined Front Toe Block AX30811
Axial Aluminum Shock Caps AX30111
Vanquish Steering Rack VPS07231
Vanquish Knuckles VPS06552
Vanquish Caster Blocks VPS07581
Vanquish SLW 225 Hubs VPS1041
Hitec HS-5645MG Servo - New Servo TBD

Mid:

Axial Machined Motor Mount AX31156
Axial 32P 68T Spur Gear AX31160
Axial 32P Pinion Gear AX30838
Castle Mamba Max Pro CSEMMBMAXPRO
Leopard 2900kv Brushless Sensored Motor EBAY LINK
Castle BEC CSE095-0022-00

Wheels & Tires:

[/B]Vanquish Method 2.2's VPS07021
PitDog Rock Barts 2.2's PBTPB9002NK
Crawler Innovations 5.25T Double Deuce Foams DD525TP

Misc:

TZi World Beefy Winch
Gearhead 5 LED lightbar
Harley Winch Fairlead
HeyOK 3 position Winch Controller
HeyOK KOH Light Kit

I'd like to thank Axial for hooking me up with the newest KIT, the Yeti! I was a big fan of the RTR Yeti when it came out so I'm pretty keen to build my own, and put my own spin on it.

I've seen the Yeti being used in a lot of Ultra4-style builds, but I'm challenging myself to run it next season in Class 3. Obviously, there's going to be a slew of upgrades to get it to that point, and legal! I think given the right modifications it could be a pretty decent platform.

I'm skipping some build steps, but I will touch on the main points so you can follow along. There's some key differences between the RTR and the KIT, specifically in some of the hardware. All aluminum shocks, links, and some other great upgrades.

First, here's the front diff. Goes together like much other diffs. I'll be locking the front, but wanted to build stock for the first round. Filled with 20K fluid and overdrive gear set.


Rear axle all buttoned up. I will probably be swapping out the plastic housing for the RC4WD D44 housing, partially for looks and partially for strength. I'll also be under driving it.


Axial includes universal driveshafts which is a nice bonus.


Here's the front end bits and pieces.


Metal links! Axial also includes the same metal links for the steering system.


Also, the steering rack now includes metal posts, which really help keep things solid. There was a lot of flex in the RTR and I'm happy it's gone. Down the road, I'm going to upgrade to the aluminum bits.


That's as far as I got tonight. So far, the instructions are very easy to follow, and the quality of the parts is fantastic. All the packages are clearly labeled, and have the right number of parts. The manual, as always is super easy to follow as well.

Stay tuned for more!

 

[dasco]

So far so good...I will be watching the build

 

[802coma]

sub'd Very interested to see this thing as a dedicated crawler!

 

[imthatguy]

Got a few more steps done today.

Picked out a Hitec servo that's got some decent speed and torque.



Put together the transmission and transfer case. Very simple to put together, no surprises.


I haven't chosen a Motor/ESC combo yet, so I'll come back to the mounting later. There's a really nice aluminum adjustable motor mount from Axial that I hope to add as well.


All done for now, moving on to the cage and rear construction next.

 

[klampykixx]

keen to see where this goes. you always spin out some awesome turks.

watching with my popcorn !

(secretly want one of these too... one can dream eh )

 

[dubfreak]

good start on a rock eating machine will be watching the progresse

 

[imthatguy]

keen to see where this goes. you always spin out some awesome turks.

watching with my popcorn !

(secretly want one of these too... one can dream eh )

Thank you sir. I'm hoping that this turns out to be a good one.

good start on a rock eating machine will be watching the progresse

Thanks sir.

So here we go, wrapping it up.

The assembly of the rear cage.


Rear sway bar is here only for the stock build. It really limits rear axle from... swaying.


Put together on the rest of the chassis.


Another bonus of the kit, the aluminum braces for the rear lower links. There are a lot of aftermarket upgrades out there, but these fit the bill for me.


And installed.


Upgraded shocks are nice. Smooth. The instructions ask for 10Wt oil in the rear, but I opted for the 30Wt all the way around.


And installed, front and rear.



Revised SLW hubs that use hexes are included in the kit, but are still plastic. I've got a set of aluminum ones from Vanquish sitting on the RTR, so those will probably be swapped to here.


And here it is all finished. The wheels are setup with one hole open for venting in the front, and two holes for the rear. I've left the body panels unpainted as I will be going with a different body for the final build.





And here's the driver, or at least, the head.


Ragin' Ron will be checking in throughout the build. Fun stuff to come!

 

[DTB1]

Looking great! Chamber looks a little off in the front but luckily with those turn buckles you can adjust that. I also can wait to hear what you think of the tires.

 

[imthatguy]

Looking great! Chamber looks a little off in the front but luckily with those turn buckles you can adjust that. I also can wait to hear what you think of the tires.

It'll be awhile before I run the tires, but yes, I'll certainly give you a rundown. Camber is off, but not paying too much attention to the minutae at this point.

A big box loaded with parts showed up today. Thanks Axial for the very amazing upgrades.



Upper link aluminum braces and aluminum link mounts.



I've upgraded the rear drive to under drive 43T, and in fact, replaced the whole rear axle with RC4WD's aluminum D44 housing. I won't be running the sway bar I don't think, but may have to rethink the shock position to the more rearward position.




It's a great piece of kit and helps to put a bit more weight down low.

More to come.

 

[imthatguy]

The upgrading continues...

Rear upper shock mounts.

Switched out the front diff for the Axial locker. Nice and beefy! Also swapped to 36T for over drive, and a bit of help with the reduced steering from a locked front.

Machined toe block. You'll have to swap the front bumper mount for the alternative piece. No biggie.

Front all buttoned up with the Aluminum shock mount. I opted to not go with the aluminum body post.

That's where I am at so far. Lots more to come.

 

[dasco]

Yeti is looking good !! Clean work bro!!

 

[Tread...]

Very professional build! Have you decided on a motor/esc combo?

 

[Sith Lord]

Nice build! Where'd Ragin Ron come from?

 

[imthatguy]

Yeti is looking good !! Clean work bro!!

Thanks!

Very professional build! Have you decided on a motor/esc combo?

I certainly have!

Nice build! Where'd Ragin Ron come from?

Ragin' Ron came from New Zealand. A nice man named BeetleLover on the Tamiya Forums sells him.

Some upgrades are coming together. Swapped out the stock spur for a 68T aluminum one from Axial. Should make for less speed and more torque.



MIP rear driveshaft for... shafting.



And the first part of the power equation.



I opted for low KV's. Looking for punchy.

 

[imthatguy]

A lot of folks seem to think this isn't a good Class 3 base. I think it's got a lot of potential if it's set up right. To that end, a couple more upgrades, with many more to come.

Vanquish SLW hubs and Method 2.2's wrapped in Dog Bull tires.



Aluminum shock caps all the way around.



And then I started toying with the idea and position of a winch. These TZi winches are bonkers. I pulled my 12 pound Class 2 truck all over the course last year. Managed to pull a few boulders along with it.





More to come.

 

[Raguvian]

I'm glad I found this thread! I always enjoy lurking on your builds, but this time I've got a Yeti coming in tomorrow! Can't wait to start building it.

 

[trig n tahoe]

super nice build. drive for axial... or just like all there parts?

 

[imthatguy]

I'm glad I found this thread! I always enjoy lurking on your builds, but this time I've got a Yeti coming in tomorrow! Can't wait to start building it.

Thanks, you're going to love it. Whatever the end result is, there's a lot of flexibility in the setup.

super nice build. drive for axial... or just like all there parts?

I'm an official Brand Ambassador. :ror:

 

[Rockwolf]

Thanks, you're going to love it. Whatever the end result is, there's a lot of flexibility in the setup.



I'm an official Brand Ambassador. :ror:

Uhm.... I realize that I have about half the smarts of a box of hammers, but what exactly is "an official brand ambassador"? You say it like everyone knows...(which is entirely possible). I may well be the only one who has never heard of such a thing, but if you would indulge this villiage's idiot, I would appreciate it.

 

[PeterH828]

Could you provide more pictures of your witch install? I have a 4pls and wanted to know if I needed any switch to run the winch?

Thanks