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Open Differential for AR45 Straight Axle?

Fallen

Rock Crawler
Subscribed Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2015
Messages
812
Location
San Marcos
I'm pretty sure an open diff option doesn't exist for the AR45 straight, but hopefully I'm wrong.

I'd like to open it up and put Silly Putty or 1M weight it. That way my Bronco is slightly better suited for 2nd gear driving, but can still handle some technical stuff.

Anyone heard of anything? I'm guessing not, but maybe the RC Crawling gods will surprise me.

I should have mentioned this earlier, but I have considered going to a TRX4 front axle with SSD's portal delete kit. But that's a fairly complicated, expensive solution. A drop in diff would obviously be more simple, cheaper and the differential would be tunable.
 
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i think the diff is just to small i dont think the spider gears would hold up even if someone did make one
the closest thing i can think of is the ssd locking hubs
another option although its kinda backwards is to go with og scx10 axles the down side is the huge pumpkin needed to hold a diff big enuff for the spider gears to fit in
 
Hmm, I forgot the SSD hubs. Hopefully they make some for the 10.3 axles. That'd be an easy solution.

Thanks.
 
Just an idea, but the CEN F450 has small pumpkins and open diffs. Maybe you could try a front axle from that? it’s typical SCX10II width too.

actually on second thought I’m not even sure if you could get it to work. I forgot the F450 has dogbone driveshafts so you’d have to mod the driveshaft cup to be able to use an Axial shaft. Other than that though it should be a bolt on process.

If you need any more info on the axle feel free to send me a PM and I can try my best to help.

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I'll just add that with the SSD locking hubs in 2WD you WILL NOT be doing any technical crawling. Its fun tooling around on flat ground but not really suited for much else.

Oh and SSD doesn't offer a version for the AR45's, I believe its just Enduro, and AR44/SSD axles.
 
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Thanks for the input.

I figure those locking hubs would only work for tech stuff when locked. When open, they'd just be for higher speed stuff.

Now I just have to wait for SSD to make some that work for my axles.

Most of my driving is done in either really loose material, or rock crawling. So having both axles locked is still fine for now.

The open front diff is more of a pipe dream, that I'll probably never get working.
 
Well mine were bought from RPP, delivered and installed.

In regards to the other trucks these locking hubs have been made for, some websites say these hubs can't be installed with SSD's heavy brass knuckles.

Fortunately for the 10.3 axles, that's not the case. These hubs play nicely with the SSD heavy knuckles:

rps20220818-001733.jpg


Yes, I prefer to work on my trucks with the body on if possible. Makes me feel more like I'm working on a real truck.

I've only driven this truck around my living room with the hubs unlocked so far. It appears that these will really unlock the trail truck capabilities of the 10.3.

Now there might be a real reason to convert your 10.3 to the 2 speed transmission. Mine already being 2 speed, I know I'm going to do more reckless offroading than I should, now that I can put it in hi gear / 2WD.
 
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Thanks, it's fun for sure.

I had it in the dirt and sand today. The 2WD in high gear is a hoot. The steering angle results in lots of controlled drifting. I might need a brushless motor and a gyro soon (kidding).

I could see eventually going to a lower turn motor, because it's that fun. Maybe a Holmes 550 so I keep the low end control in low gear, but gain the high end.

It's just fun in the dirt. Almost a basher, but the scale looks are there.

In 4WD, no changes. It's still an SCX10.3.
 
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