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

[papabash]

Got a little shop time today. Since our state Crawl-Off is in less than 2 weeks (if the date holds), I thought I'd better spend some time going through my son's and my rigs checking everything and getting them in tip-top shape. I broke out my brand new Crawler Mafia 17t Contraband that I've been saving (nothing wrong with the old one, just thought a fresh motor might be a good idea until after the Crawl-Off, then the old one will go back in).
While I had the tranny out to switch the motors, I remembered seeing where rs4race had cut the bottom of his tranny off to lower the weight http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/losi-mini-rock-crawler/295391-rs4races-mini-eclipse.html (post #11), and decided to shave some of the extra material off the bottom of mine. After a few seconds on the disc sander, it looked something like this (the one I'm holding is an unaltered transmission):

My son's Mini Wedge for comparison:

And my Low-Pro:

Side by side shot of the 2 rigs:

I ended up lowering the transmission about 3mm, which isn't a huge amount, but it all adds up, right? It's as low as I can take it now without having to chop the chassis. Also, when I sanded the bottom off, I put a slight angle on it to tip the motor a bit lower. It probably gained about 1mm extra on lowering the motor . Haven't driven it yet, but it's one of those mods that can't really do anything but help. Hopefully it does! "thumbsup"

 

[Hittman]

Thats a really cool idea. Nicely done"thumbsup"

 

[papabash]

Thats a really cool idea. Nicely done"thumbsup"

Thank you sir.

 

[EverettY]

LMK if you notice any difference If so for the better I might have to do that to mine "thumbsup"

 

[papabash]

LMK if you notice any difference If so for the better I might have to do that to mine "thumbsup"

I'll definitely post up any observations on improved performance. Unofficially I just pulled 63.5* on the incline board, which is 1 degree steeper than before, but it was without the body panels being on, and it was right on the edge of not doing it. The panels may weigh just enough to keep it from it once I put them back on.

 

[rs4race]

Thanks for the credit on the tranny mod. I have gotten lots of ideas from this build so its cool to see you use one of mine.

 

[papabash]

Thanks for the credit on the tranny mod. I have gotten lots of ideas from this build so its cool to see you use one of mine.

No problem, you earned it; I thought it was a great idea. "thumbsup"
Glad we're able to help each other.

 

[billet works]

Very cool my friend. Sorry for the delay (had a baby and Dad's in the hospital), but I do have something special I'm gonna be sending you to play with...or two somethings :mrgreen:

 

[papabash]

Very cool my friend. Sorry for the delay (had a baby and Dad's in the hospital), but I do have something special I'm gonna be sending you to play with...or two somethings :mrgreen:

No problem on the delay, I'd say you've had a little on your plate lately. Congrats on the baby, and sorry to hear about your dad, I hope he's well soon.

I'm excited to get the "somethings" to play with, send 'em on! "thumbsup"

 

[papabash]

I'll definitely post up any observations on improved performance. Unofficially I just pulled 63.5* on the incline board, which is 1 degree steeper than before, but it was without the body panels being on, and it was right on the edge of not doing it. The panels may weigh just enough to keep it from it once I put them back on.

Well, I was right, the body panels do weigh just enough to keep it from pulling 63.5* with them on. 62.5* shown a few posts ago is as good as it gets, and just to account for a margin of error, I'll call it a good round 62*. I think that's still pretty darn respectable. :twisted:

As far as lowering the tranny is concerned, I think it is one of those many things that work in union to improve performance. None of the little tweaks may make a big difference by themselves, but together they may make the difference in winning and coming in 2nd. I will say that after doing it, the rig seems just a bit more stable and planted than before. At any rate, I'm glad I took the time to do it, and definitely think it is a worthwhile mod for the time and effort that is required to do it.

 

[papabash]

One of my body panels was split in two and I was having to use packing tape to hold it together, so it was time for some new ones.
Austin (fallin apart) and his dad Randy (Unpredictable) painted their rigs in matching colors and patterns as "team" trucks and have been giving me a REALLY hard time about my rig not being painted to match my son's rig. My son Caleb (Captain of Crunch) plays high school football and his rigs are painted in red and black tiger stripes to reflect the school colors and mascot. So, in the spirit of Father's Day, I decided to join the fun and paint my rig to match my son's. I was a little worried about how it would turn out, but I have to say I'm really pleased with it. Thanks Austin and Randy! :mrgreen:

Austin and Randy's rigs:

And a shot of my rig with Caleb's mini and 2.2:

And some shots of just mine because I like to show off my new paint jobs...:mrgreen:

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there! "thumbsup"

 

[fallin apart]

One of my body panels was split in two and I was having to use packing tape to hold it together, so it was time for some new ones.
Austin (fallin apart) and his dad Randy (Unpredictable) painted their rigs in matching colors and patterns as "team" trucks and have been giving me a REALLY hard time about my rig not being painted to match my son's rig. My son Caleb (Captain of Crunch) plays high school football and his rigs are painted in red and black tiger stripes to reflect the school colors and mascot. So, in the spirit of Father's Day, I decided to join the fun and paint my rig to match my son's. I was a little worried about how it would turn out, but I have to say I'm really pleased with it. Thanks Austin and Randy! :mrgreen:

Austin and Randy's rigs:

And a shot of my rig with Caleb's mini and 2.2:

And some shots of just mine because I like to show off my new paint jobs...:mrgreen:

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there! "thumbsup"

Truck looks good glad you finally took my advice, hope you had a good Fathers Day!

 

[papabash]

Truck looks good glad you finally took my advice, hope you had a good Fathers Day!

Thanks, and I did! "thumbsup"

 

[EverettY]

No problem on the delay, I'd say you've had a little on your plate lately. Congrats on the baby, and sorry to hear about your dad, I hope he's well soon.

I'm excited to get the "somethings" to play with, send 'em on! "thumbsup"

I cant wait to see what it is. When are you getting the package?

 

[papabash]

I cant wait to see what it is. When are you getting the package?

No clue, Don's father is in the hospital fighting for his life so he has more important things to worry about right now.

 

[fallin apart]

Hey Dave I finally got the comp pictures up from the last comp enjoy. "thumbsup"

 

[fallin apart]

 

[papabash]

Hey Dave I finally got the comp pictures up from the last comp enjoy.

LOL, I'd forgotten about them. Thanks. :mrgreen:

 

[fallin apart]

More

and all these pictures can be yours for one simple price of $9.95 plus shipping and handling BUT wait theres not any more!!!!!

 

[papabash]

More
and all these pictures can be yours for one simple price of $9.95 plus shipping and handling BUT wait theres not any more!!!!!

Well, I guess since you already posted them up, I'll pass on the $9.95 deal, but thanks anyway!
Besides, they're old news now that I changed the paint scheme... :mrgreen: