Papabash's Team BWD 'Low-Pro' Wedge Build

[papabash]

Papabash's Team BWD 'Low-Pro' Wedge Build Now With New LP2.0

NOTE: I restored the photos in this thread after the infamous Photobucket bomb. There were only about 6 or so that I was not able to restore (other than those posted by other people). Hopefully the thread can now continue to help those who are interested in keeping the mini class alive. Thanks for viewing!

I have been anxiously waiting for these to come out, and now that these bad boys are in production, I was finally able to snag one. I have to say I have been nothing short of amazed at how well my "standard" Mini Wedge performs, in fact it will pull lines that my State-winning rig couldn't even begin to do. If this low-pro version outperforms my standard wedge, I can't imagine how much fun it will be to drive! Anyway, after a couple of emails back and forth with Don, he indicated that he would like for me to do a build thread, so here goes.....

Specs so far:

Axles and transmission from new Pro Roller
Custom Motoworx "UFO" aluminum beadlocks with HB Rovers
Aluminum C-hubs
Felsenfest zero-ackerman high clearance knuckles with LCC stubs
RcBros high clearance steering arm
Traxxas overdrive mod
All aluminum tranny gears/spur
Crawler Mafia 17t Contraband Motor
Crawler Innovations Lil' Nova single stage soft foams in front, mediums out back
MIP driveshafts
Losi Mini Late Model shocks
BWD 'Low Pro' Dub cab
BWD billet motor plate
BWD motor spacer
Castle Micro Sidewinder ESC
Hitec 7954SH Servo

Enough blabbin', on to the fun stuff! "thumbsup"

Some of the major components thus far:

And a close-up of the main chassis:

 

[papabash]

One of the first things I did before assembling the chassis was to gently round the edges of the lower links with a deburring tool. One of those things that may or may not make a difference, but I figure the rounded edges will slide over the rocks a little easier:

 

[papabash]

I also installed a couple of bent Axial rod ends into the rear of the chassis. Regular rod ends will clear fine, these just give a little extra clearance and make me feel better. 8)

 

[MudboyNJ]

looking good. Can't wait to see it done.:mrgreen:

 

[DRCrawlGood]

Looking forward to more of this build. This chassis is sweeet, I think I will build one myself.

 

[papabash]

After installing the aluminum tranny gears, I mounted my BWD MRC Pro Billet Motor Plate and BWD MRC Motor Spacer:

 

[papabash]

looking good. Can't wait to see it done.:mrgreen:

Thanks, me either! "thumbsup"

 

[papabash]

Looking forward to more of this build. This chassis is sweeet, I think I will build one myself.

As far as I'm concerned, Don is the King of chassis design! :mrgreen:

 

[papabash]

After tearing down the axles, installing the Traxxas overdrive pinion, and giving them a good coating of grease, I used button-head through bolts with nuts on the other end to make sure my gear mesh stays tight when I put it in a bind. The button-head bolts are also less likely to hang up than the regular heads:

 

[EverettY]

That is a nice looking chassis. Get some running vids and pics up soon.

 

[papabash]

That is a nice looking chassis. Get some running vids and pics up soon.

LOL! Let me get it together first! I'm anxious to get it on the rocks, but I'm taking my time with it and doing everything exactly like I want it, so it won't be a rush job, but I'll get some action shots and maybe some video up when I can. "thumbsup"

 

[papabash]

Here's a shot of the front axle ready to go on except for the servo/4 link mount. I clocked the C-hubs back, and rounded the rear-bottom and front-top edges of the RcBros steering arm so that it just barely clears the housing. This allowed me to shave a little over 1mm off the tops of the servo mounting tabs. It isn't much, but when you're trying to get the COG down as low as possible, it all adds up.

Here's a close up of the Felsenfest knuckle with the LCC stub axle installed:

 

[MudboyNJ]

Them knuckles are pretty neat looking. If for any reason my losis fail I may have to look into them.

 

[papabash]

Them knuckles are pretty neat looking. If for any reason my losis fail I may have to look into them.

I like them for the high clearance, and they are definitely BEEF! RcBros also makes a set for regular MRC stubs that I really like, but he has been out of stock for quite a while now. I was lucky to pick these up from BuckImod, thanks buddy!

 

[papabash]

Next step was to trim down the servo plate. I like running my servo in the middle on my current Wedge, so I trimmed the side mounts off. No sense in having the extra weight if it's not going to be used. The top mount is an old one I had, the bottom one is my new one trimmed up and ready to install:

 

[EverettY]

LOL! Let me get it together first! I'm anxious to get it on the rocks, but I'm taking my time with it and doing everything exactly like I want it, so it won't be a rush job, but I'll get some action shots and maybe some video up when I can. "thumbsup"

Ok great!

 

[limited77]

Looking great so far PB!"thumbsup"

 

[papabash]

Looking great so far PB!"thumbsup"

Thanks! Making progress, I'll get some more pics up soon.

 

[MudboyNJ]

can one of them pics be an overhead showing the electronics trays please?

 

[papabash]

can one of them pics be an overhead showing the electronics trays please?

Sure, I'll take one now. "thumbsup"

Here you go... Does this do what you need?