JimInMiami
Quarry Creeper
I caught the 6x6 crawler bug after wheeling along with a couple of buds who’ve built them. I started out with the misnamed Axial SCX10 II “Raw Builder’s Kit”, which IMO should be called “Builder’s Upgrade Kit”, such is the poor quality of some of the components. I mean, c’mon Axial, plastic shock bodies for a kit destined for custom builders, really?? I should‘a got me the SSD Trail King, dunno what I was thinking…
But, I digress, sorry back to the build. After some research, in particular @Soze’s build here on RCCralwer.com, I decided to try to address the inherent flaws of the sadly departed Axial UMG 6x6, namely overly flexy chassis and a rear drive shaft's comical habit of jumping ship under extreme suspension deflections - in other words, when you most need the darn thing to stay put.
Two things were done two stiffen the chassis.
1) Five bolts were driven into each joiner cross member rather than relying on only the two as originally design. Compare this
to the original:
The brace was also relocated about 5/8" forward of the stock location because I wanted to use the shorter links so the distance to the middle axle was 11.4" instead of the original 12.3. The theory behind this is that the shorter wheelbase will improve the breakover angle. Who knows, if true, but I like to tinker :mrgreen:
2) Braces were added between the shock towers and as a result the rear of the chassis is WAY more rigid than before.
What flex is left, is up front due the the oh-so noodly stock battery and servo mount, but more on that later.....
Zooming out, here's what she looks like.
I got the cab from Asia Tees, but wouldn't do it again. Way cheaper, yes - but the lexan is paper thin.
Tinky likes the color, but is perplexed by the two extras wheels! :roll:
I think Axial should release a new 6x6 with better engineering, what do you guys think?
But, I digress, sorry back to the build. After some research, in particular @Soze’s build here on RCCralwer.com, I decided to try to address the inherent flaws of the sadly departed Axial UMG 6x6, namely overly flexy chassis and a rear drive shaft's comical habit of jumping ship under extreme suspension deflections - in other words, when you most need the darn thing to stay put.
Two things were done two stiffen the chassis.
1) Five bolts were driven into each joiner cross member rather than relying on only the two as originally design. Compare this
to the original:
The brace was also relocated about 5/8" forward of the stock location because I wanted to use the shorter links so the distance to the middle axle was 11.4" instead of the original 12.3. The theory behind this is that the shorter wheelbase will improve the breakover angle. Who knows, if true, but I like to tinker :mrgreen:
2) Braces were added between the shock towers and as a result the rear of the chassis is WAY more rigid than before.
What flex is left, is up front due the the oh-so noodly stock battery and servo mount, but more on that later.....
Zooming out, here's what she looks like.
I got the cab from Asia Tees, but wouldn't do it again. Way cheaper, yes - but the lexan is paper thin.
Tinky likes the color, but is perplexed by the two extras wheels! :roll:
I think Axial should release a new 6x6 with better engineering, what do you guys think?
