new2rocks
I wanna be Dave
You PRObably figured out from the title what my next PROject is:
This is my first experience with a VS4-10. The original Origin version didn't tickle my fancy. I couldn't get past the combination of a steep price ($899 when announced), use of the same AX10-based 3-gear, center-mounted tranny that's been around forever, and an SUV-style body whose PROportions seemed a bit off thanks to the ultra-short rear overhang.
That changed with Vanquish's announcement of the Origin's PROgeny, the VS4-10 Pro. New price ($750), new transmission to PROpel this #tinytruck (more on that below), and new pickup-style body with better PROportions than the original Origin, combined with the beautiful Currie axles found in the Origin and other Vanquish/Incision goodies, were enough to pique my interest. I had no PROblem with the trade-offs in the Pro version (plastic bumpers and sliders instead of aluminum in the Origin), so I PROmptly PROcured one.
When the package arrived, I PROduced an unboxing video:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/htnhNAZ-LUY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
https://youtu.be/htnhNAZ-LUY
Vanquish offers this in 2 versions: clear and black, referring to the finish on the aluminum axles. I'm not normally one to gravitate toward bling for bling's sake, but I opted for the clear version so I could more easily see the star of the show, namely those Currie axles. But enough rambling. Time to get to work. Let's see if I can do this build proud.
Fittingly, the PROceedings commence with the axles. There are so many details to admire, including ones you'll PRObably never see again after assembly:
Mechanicals are as you'd expect...hardened steel gears, 6-bolt lockers, universals, aluminum knuckles, etc.
Manufacturing tolerances are typical Vanquish, which is to say very, very tight. So tight, apparently, that Vanquish included an extra bag of revised threaded kingpin screw inserts that slide in more easily than the ones included in the original bag with the axles:
I didn't notice the little bag with the new ones until after I had assembled the axle. Ironically enough, though the old ones were a little more difficult to insert, I liked the way 2 of the old ones went in better than 2 of the new ones, lol. But no matter...I followed the instructions (for a change) and used the new ones.
Here's PROof of my PROwess in assembling things:
The rear axle is similarly elegant. Here's a look at the components:
Note the fill plug PROtruding PROudly from the rear pumpkin once assembled:
Now that's PROper!
Here's the happy couple:
I must profess PROfound admiration for the axles. I have a hard time swallowing the price on their own (which is why I haven't previously purchased a set), but they are much easier to justify as part of this kit. And they are gorgeous. There is a downside, of course, namely that aluminum housings don't slide over rocks as easily as nylon or steel housings. But if you're okay with that trade-off you won't be disappointed with these.
Next up was the chassis. As you may recall, some of the early adopters of the Origin experienced bending of the chassis rails at the angled corners around the front shock tower. To Vanquish's credit, they quickly responded by PROducing a revised servo mount/bumper mount that reinforced the entire front section of the chassis. The Pro includes the revised mount:
This piece in particular is PROfoundly beefy, which is a good thing. It also includes a servo winch mount. I'm not usually a PROponent of servo winches, but I think I'm going to have to make an exception this time.
Here's the chassis assembled:
The rear is noteworthy for the obligatory fuel cell receiver box, which Vanquish has chosen to integrate into a one-piece rear chassis brace and bumper mount (with the fuel cell lid being the second piece):
Material quality is very good, as it should be in a premium kit. The servo/front bumper mount, rear bumper mount/fuel cell/chassis brace, and sliders all feel particularly stout, owing to a combination of material choice and hefty design. Once assembled, the chassis leaves the impression that it is worthy of the admission price.
So far, so good, Vanquish. I'm looking forward to PROceeding with the rest of the build.
This is my first experience with a VS4-10. The original Origin version didn't tickle my fancy. I couldn't get past the combination of a steep price ($899 when announced), use of the same AX10-based 3-gear, center-mounted tranny that's been around forever, and an SUV-style body whose PROportions seemed a bit off thanks to the ultra-short rear overhang.
That changed with Vanquish's announcement of the Origin's PROgeny, the VS4-10 Pro. New price ($750), new transmission to PROpel this #tinytruck (more on that below), and new pickup-style body with better PROportions than the original Origin, combined with the beautiful Currie axles found in the Origin and other Vanquish/Incision goodies, were enough to pique my interest. I had no PROblem with the trade-offs in the Pro version (plastic bumpers and sliders instead of aluminum in the Origin), so I PROmptly PROcured one.
When the package arrived, I PROduced an unboxing video:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/htnhNAZ-LUY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
https://youtu.be/htnhNAZ-LUY
Vanquish offers this in 2 versions: clear and black, referring to the finish on the aluminum axles. I'm not normally one to gravitate toward bling for bling's sake, but I opted for the clear version so I could more easily see the star of the show, namely those Currie axles. But enough rambling. Time to get to work. Let's see if I can do this build proud.
Fittingly, the PROceedings commence with the axles. There are so many details to admire, including ones you'll PRObably never see again after assembly:
Mechanicals are as you'd expect...hardened steel gears, 6-bolt lockers, universals, aluminum knuckles, etc.
Manufacturing tolerances are typical Vanquish, which is to say very, very tight. So tight, apparently, that Vanquish included an extra bag of revised threaded kingpin screw inserts that slide in more easily than the ones included in the original bag with the axles:
I didn't notice the little bag with the new ones until after I had assembled the axle. Ironically enough, though the old ones were a little more difficult to insert, I liked the way 2 of the old ones went in better than 2 of the new ones, lol. But no matter...I followed the instructions (for a change) and used the new ones.
Here's PROof of my PROwess in assembling things:
The rear axle is similarly elegant. Here's a look at the components:
Note the fill plug PROtruding PROudly from the rear pumpkin once assembled:
Now that's PROper!
Here's the happy couple:
I must profess PROfound admiration for the axles. I have a hard time swallowing the price on their own (which is why I haven't previously purchased a set), but they are much easier to justify as part of this kit. And they are gorgeous. There is a downside, of course, namely that aluminum housings don't slide over rocks as easily as nylon or steel housings. But if you're okay with that trade-off you won't be disappointed with these.
Next up was the chassis. As you may recall, some of the early adopters of the Origin experienced bending of the chassis rails at the angled corners around the front shock tower. To Vanquish's credit, they quickly responded by PROducing a revised servo mount/bumper mount that reinforced the entire front section of the chassis. The Pro includes the revised mount:
This piece in particular is PROfoundly beefy, which is a good thing. It also includes a servo winch mount. I'm not usually a PROponent of servo winches, but I think I'm going to have to make an exception this time.
Here's the chassis assembled:
The rear is noteworthy for the obligatory fuel cell receiver box, which Vanquish has chosen to integrate into a one-piece rear chassis brace and bumper mount (with the fuel cell lid being the second piece):
Material quality is very good, as it should be in a premium kit. The servo/front bumper mount, rear bumper mount/fuel cell/chassis brace, and sliders all feel particularly stout, owing to a combination of material choice and hefty design. Once assembled, the chassis leaves the impression that it is worthy of the admission price.
So far, so good, Vanquish. I'm looking forward to PROceeding with the rest of the build.
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