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Thloftus’ Gravity Well H10 Optic kit
- Thread starter Thloftus
- Start date
You’d think I could pick up the pace once the axles and transmission were assembled. At least the progress is steady. It is nice if I’m honest to savor these kits.
Next up is mounting the transmission to the skid plate. No issues here. The transmission settles into place without any fasteners. Definitely some thought put into how the various parts go together.
And with the skids installed. The plastics are great. The parts go together nicely. I had to stare at the manual for a while to get the orientation right and find the fastener holes. No bid deal if you’ve assembled kits before.
And finally the electronics tray. It was nice to see how the parts interlock to make the overall assembly fairly stiff despite using plastic materials. It’s a clever design approach that also makes the assembly very satisfying. You don’t get to see these things on RTRs. Happy I was able to get an Optic kit instead.
Next is Bag D with the shocks. I’m skipping this part as I intend to use aftermarket shocks. Kits are a good excuse to try new parts. Plus the build takes even longer if you have to find the just right set of shocks and wait for them to arrive … The kit shocks are nicely packaged and would give the full shock build experience since it looks like nothing is preassembled.
Bag E with the driveshafts is next. Nicely packaged to start
And with the parts organized on the build mat. I did take some time in this case to organize the parts. Makes for nice photos and also simplifies the build process with less hunting in the pile.
Drive shafts installed on the transfer case
On the front axle
And also the rear axle
I discovered later that I’d flipped the front / rear portions of the driveshafts. They’re two different lengths. It wasn’t obvious to me from the manual which one should go on the front/back. Anyway, they’re backward in these images. But thankfully re-do’s add to the hours, lol
Take care until the next one!
Next up is mounting the transmission to the skid plate. No issues here. The transmission settles into place without any fasteners. Definitely some thought put into how the various parts go together.
And with the skids installed. The plastics are great. The parts go together nicely. I had to stare at the manual for a while to get the orientation right and find the fastener holes. No bid deal if you’ve assembled kits before.
And finally the electronics tray. It was nice to see how the parts interlock to make the overall assembly fairly stiff despite using plastic materials. It’s a clever design approach that also makes the assembly very satisfying. You don’t get to see these things on RTRs. Happy I was able to get an Optic kit instead.
Next is Bag D with the shocks. I’m skipping this part as I intend to use aftermarket shocks. Kits are a good excuse to try new parts. Plus the build takes even longer if you have to find the just right set of shocks and wait for them to arrive … The kit shocks are nicely packaged and would give the full shock build experience since it looks like nothing is preassembled.
Bag E with the driveshafts is next. Nicely packaged to start
And with the parts organized on the build mat. I did take some time in this case to organize the parts. Makes for nice photos and also simplifies the build process with less hunting in the pile.
Drive shafts installed on the transfer case
On the front axle
And also the rear axle
I discovered later that I’d flipped the front / rear portions of the driveshafts. They’re two different lengths. It wasn’t obvious to me from the manual which one should go on the front/back. Anyway, they’re backward in these images. But thankfully re-do’s add to the hours, lol
Take care until the next one!
Links are next. Unfortunately, not my favorite part of kit builds. I do have better tools this time, which is a big help.
I decided to use the Incision high clearance VRD Lower Links, PN IRC00306. I’ve seen mixed reviews of using high clearance links on the Optic since the skid plate is apparently the lowest point regardless. Can’t hurt to try the links I guess and I like the way they look. Plus the Incision links are relatively inexpensive. Also ending up with several stainless steel rods that could be useful someday. Or maybe they’ll just add the bin of leftovers …
And with the links fully assembled. I used a tool from Team Garage Hack that fits in a ¼” drill, a 3D printed hand tool for rod ends (can’t remember where I found this one, fairly common these days), and a set of shock pliers. Dang what a difference having these tools makes for assembling links. Can literally spin the rod ends on in a few minutes. I was sorry to see the Tram Garage Hack tool is not sold anymore. It’s nicely done and works well for an otherwise painful task
Links installed on the chassis. Getting too big for the build mat …
And with the axles attached to the links. Starting to look like a vehicle at this point!
Take care until the next one!
I decided to use the Incision high clearance VRD Lower Links, PN IRC00306. I’ve seen mixed reviews of using high clearance links on the Optic since the skid plate is apparently the lowest point regardless. Can’t hurt to try the links I guess and I like the way they look. Plus the Incision links are relatively inexpensive. Also ending up with several stainless steel rods that could be useful someday. Or maybe they’ll just add the bin of leftovers …
And with the links fully assembled. I used a tool from Team Garage Hack that fits in a ¼” drill, a 3D printed hand tool for rod ends (can’t remember where I found this one, fairly common these days), and a set of shock pliers. Dang what a difference having these tools makes for assembling links. Can literally spin the rod ends on in a few minutes. I was sorry to see the Tram Garage Hack tool is not sold anymore. It’s nicely done and works well for an otherwise painful task
Links installed on the chassis. Getting too big for the build mat …
And with the axles attached to the links. Starting to look like a vehicle at this point!
Take care until the next one!
New record for rapid posting! Well maybe. Going to feel good about it either way.
This is a short one to show the shocks. I decided to go with Ottsix Voodoo 90 mm’s. I was excited to see that the Optic uses 90 mm shocks as there’s lots of aftermarket options. Seemed like a good excuse to try Voodoos as I’ve never had a set before. They look awesome in person and feel super smooth. Excellent machining. Maybe not totally scale, but should look great on the truck anyway. I haven’t tried to fill them with oil so I’m not sure how that will go.
Here they are in the packaging
And free on the build mat. No, those aren't reading glasses in the background. Why would I possibly need a set of those?
Excited to see these on the truck. I ordered a set of ball ends that haven’t shown up yet. Instead taking the long way around the country for like 2 weeks already. Must have been mis-routed at some point. I’m keeping the stock shocks together complete in the package so I can sell them later. Or at least keep them whole.
Take care!
This is a short one to show the shocks. I decided to go with Ottsix Voodoo 90 mm’s. I was excited to see that the Optic uses 90 mm shocks as there’s lots of aftermarket options. Seemed like a good excuse to try Voodoos as I’ve never had a set before. They look awesome in person and feel super smooth. Excellent machining. Maybe not totally scale, but should look great on the truck anyway. I haven’t tried to fill them with oil so I’m not sure how that will go.
Here they are in the packaging
And free on the build mat. No, those aren't reading glasses in the background. Why would I possibly need a set of those?
Excited to see these on the truck. I ordered a set of ball ends that haven’t shown up yet. Instead taking the long way around the country for like 2 weeks already. Must have been mis-routed at some point. I’m keeping the stock shocks together complete in the package so I can sell them later. Or at least keep them whole.
Take care!
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