LJD RC's budget straight axle kit

[VoltSCX]

Welp, here goes. This is my first Vanquish truck. I've not really had any other brands besides Axial in a long time, so I'm interested to see how this truck handles. I'm not made of money though, So I bought an opened VS4-10 straight axle kit off of eBay that's had the axles and transmission removed. I've got a set of AR44s that I'm gonna throw on and see how it goes. If I like it, I might buy an actual set of Vanquish axles and a VFD for it later.

The kit unfortunately didn't have a manual, so I'm going off of the pictures of a complete one on the Vanquish site. It's going alright so far.

 

[twade984]

Nice start, I believe VP has some manuals available online, but I’m sure there’s a few of us on here that can help you out if you need any specific info

 

[VoltSCX]

So I've gotten the front axle somewhat mounted (haven't bolted the top links in yet), but I can’t for the life of me figure out how to get the pinion to clear this weird lookin skid. I also can't run the 3-gear I was planning on because it's too wide and sits too low so it won't clear the frame rails.

Anyone know how I can get this to work? I've been at it for hours and can't figure it out.

 

[VoltSCX]

Nice start, I believe VP has some manuals available online, but I’m sure there’s a few of us on here that can help you out if you need any specific info

Alrighty, kewl. I probably shoulda checked VP lol, I honestly didn't even consider checking it. I'm so used to having old Axial stuff that I have to grab a manual off of some random site I've never heard of that I didn't even think to look on there. I've got it mostly together now so I think I'll be good there, but I did download the pdf just in case.

 

[JimrC]

lemme check mine later this evening, I have a vs4-10 chassis fitted with a vfd twin trans with ar45 straight axles

 

[VoltSCX]

lemme check mine later this evening, I have a vs4-10 chassis fitted with a vfd twin trans with ar45 straight axles

Alrighty

 

[JimrC]

I guess this is no help but shows my ar45 pumpkin to the side of the trans tray so no interference

 

[PileDriver]

Vanquish makes a skid plate for the standard axial style 3 gear transmissions. What suspension links are you using?

 

[VoltSCX]

Vanquish makes a skid plate for the standard axial style 3 gear transmissions. What suspension links are you using?

I've just got some random links from a disassembled Everest 10, but I can’t get them to fit either. I'll definitely check out that skid though

 

[PileDriver]

I'm not made of money though

If your on a budget I have a skid I can donate to your project.

 

[VoltSCX]

If your on a budget I have a skid I can donate to your project.

Nah I can buy a skid, I just didn't want to spend like $300 on axles and a trans. I bought this thing for $60 and wanted to keep it as cheap as possible, but I can afford to buy some small things for it. I do appreciate the offer though, thanks!

 

[PileDriver]

No worries!

 

[PileDriver]

I can’t for the life of me figure out how to get the pinion to clear this weird lookin skid

You need a off set front pumpkin. AR44s are both centered pumpkins while the AR45 front axles have offset front pumpkins and centered in the rear. This offset pushes the driveshaft over to one side allowing it to clear the VFD skid. Sounds like you have a 3 gear trans you wanna run anyway so get rid of the VFD skid and swap in the 3 gear compatible skid. Your links may work with this skid also otherwise you need to get scx10 links or make a set.

VS4-10 Skid Plate and Chassis Braces

Vanquish VS4-10 replacement skid plate and chassis braces are injection molded from nylon for the perfect blend of lightweight performance. Includes: Skid Plate with standard 3 gear transmission bolt pattern Transmission spacer Front and rear chassis braces Battery tray mounting tabs for...

vanquishproducts.com

 

[VoltSCX]

Removed the skid and front axle. I'm gonna order the new skid and see if it solves my problems, but if there are still other things afterwards I'm gonna wait until after Christmas to order anything else. I will say that so far I kinda like this truck already, even if I haven't driven it yet. I didn't even have a manual to build it and yet all of the parts made sense and it was extremely easy and intuitive to assemble. I can't wait to get this thing out on the trail. I've heard great things and am excited to see if it lives up to the praise.

 

[VoltSCX]

You need a off set front pumpkin. AR44s are both centered pumpkins while the AR45 front axles have offset front pumpkins and centered in the rear. This offset pushes the driveshaft over to one side allowing it to clear the VFD skid. Sounds like you have a 3 gear trans you wanna run anyway so get rid of the VFD skid and swap in the 3 gear compatible skid. Your links may work with this skid also otherwise you need to get scx10 links or make a set.

VS4-10 Skid Plate and Chassis Braces

Vanquish VS4-10 replacement skid plate and chassis braces are injection molded from nylon for the perfect blend of lightweight performance. Includes: Skid Plate with standard 3 gear transmission bolt pattern Transmission spacer Front and rear chassis braces Battery tray mounting tabs for...

vanquishproducts.com

Yeah, I noticed that while researching and kinda figured that was probably the issue. I'm definitely ordering that skid though, it's already in my Amain cart lol. I'd normally wait but $17 ain't bad. Hopefully it works! Thanks for the help btw, I really appreciate it. I probably never would have found that on my own (I tried earlier and didn't find it), thanks for telling me about it.

 

[PileDriver]

No worries! Make sure to share your build as you go.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

So I've gotten the front axle somewhat mounted (haven't bolted the top links in yet), but I can’t for the life of me figure out how to get the pinion to clear this weird lookin skid. I also can't run the 3-gear I was planning on because it's too wide and sits too low so it won't clear the frame rails.

As was said, you need an offset axle. Sometimes starting off cheap makes things more expensive in the long run. Switch the chassis and skid to accept the 3-gear transmission should work as well.

So is that a LEGO Ferrari F40 in the background?

 

[VoltSCX]

As was said, you need an offset axle. Sometimes starting off cheap makes things more expensive in the long run. Switch the chassis and skid to accept the 3-gear transmission should work as well.

Yeah, I've had that happen before. I've got my new skid on the way now, hopefully it works.

So is that a LEGO Ferrari F40 in the background?

Lol, yeah. I've got a few of the old speed champions cars up on the window there, haven't touched em in a while tho.

 

[VoltSCX]

No worries! Make sure to share your build as you go.

Of course!

 

[VoltSCX]

Finally got the new skid, will hopefully have it installed sometime this weekend.