Chassis Project-Update(7/20/13)

[SWMS]

Chassis Project-Update (9/13/13)

*****UPDATES ARE ALWAYS ON THE LAST PAGE*******

So I've been wanting to do this for some time now, and I finally found the time to start my new project. I've been wanting to design my own frame for a while now but I just never could seem to find the time to do it.

I first started off by creating CAD versions of the Clodbuster axles. It took a little bit of time but overall pretty easy to do.

Next I started to mock up a frame. This is only my first stab, so stay tuned for further iterations which are sure to come. So far I have it set up at a 13.5" wheelbase and the frame will be made of 6061 T6 aluminum plate.

I've got some big plans for this truck and I've been slowly ordering parts. I already ordered all my parts for my brand new axles (pics to follow soon), and I've got .25" aluminum rod coming in tomorrow! I'm getting pretty excited about kicking this one off. I hope it comes out as good as I am imagining it in my head. Stay tuned if you're interested.

 

[NickZ]

Good looking start so far. Do you have a water jet you are going to cut the chassis on?

 

[SWMS]

I've got access to one that I've used in the past to make 1:1 parts for my car.

 

[SWMS]

PARTS!!!

I'll start putting the axles together this weekend. I'm looking forward to it.

 

[SWMS]

Need input from seasoned veterans.

So I receieved my 6 feet of aluminum rod yesterday for my links, and I got to thinkin'. How do you all cut aluminum rod to make your custom links. I've got an idea of how I'm gonna do it, but I thought I'd ask around to see how everyone else does it.

 

[metalicagod]

you can use a dremel, hacksaw, chop saw or a lathe.

 

[SWMS]

CAD Update!

So I had a chance to work on my project a little more. I added the links and made some adjustments to chassis to accommodate the links. This thing will continue to evolve and I'll keep posting pics as it changes. I think I'm off to a good start so far.

 

[SWMS]

***Update****

I've been working on this chassis project a little more. I printed out a 1:1 image on paper and cut it out to lay over my current Zilla III and I did not like how short my last design was. So I went back to the drawing board and lengthened the chassis. I also designed in some more robust shock mounts. I swung the axles up and down to make sure the upper link connections are not hitting anything. It looks to be okay so far, but I need to model in the shocks and totally verify. I also added in some lower shock mount connections I had designed a while back for my Zilla III project but never used. I am hoping to finalize it in the next couple of weeks. I'm open to suggestions if anyone has any. Thanks for looking!

 

[SWMS]

Version 4 UPDATE

I've done a little more tweaking of the chassis setup. I decreased the amount of holes to help bring the cost down. I also modeled in some shocks.

After adding the shocks and checking the suspension travel, I noticed that I'm going to be making contact with the servo. So I'll need to do some more tweaking.

 

[TXT-2.0]

looks great ! as far as the steering you could do a bta setup ot a ZRP setup http://www.rcmt.net/forums/showthread.php?22209-ZRP-Diablo

both should work fine

 

[SWMS]

TXT-2.0, that is a good suggestion. That buys me a little more room. Thanks!

 

[SWMS]

Last revision

Hello everyone and I hope all is well. Its been a while since my last update, and I've made a ton of progress with the modeling. But before I get into that, does anyone now what's up with the photos in the gallery. A whole bunch of photos are no longer showing up and are only showing tiny red Xs? Anyone know who could fix this? Its pretty much killing this thread because the photos for my last two updates aren't showing up.

Okay, so now on to the latest update. I made some tweaks that I think the make a big difference. I added some provisions for battery straps to hold the battery in and I changed some geometry so that the upper link connections on the axles don't hit the front and rear crossmembers. I have a good amount of crossmembers but I think its good because it will make this thing solid.

I am also expecting to receive two sets of chassis plates next week! WHOO HOO! I am so excited and can't wait.

 

[CowBoyClod]

That's looking very good.

BTW I've noticed those boxes with the red X also. I don't know what is up with that.

 

[SWMS]

Thanks I really appreciate that! It keeps me motivated when I hear good comments. I'm very excited to get the chassis plates. According to the tracking #, I'm looking at Tuesday for their arrival. I'm very behind on this build but that's okay; at least that is what I'm telling myself. I've been rearranging my garage to make it work better and it is sucking up all my free time.

If the gallery doesn't get fixed, I'm going to load all the pics to another site and fix all the images.

 

[TXT-2.0]

pics will be up again soon site was being updated and will be back ... looks great so far cant wait to see it together

 

[SWMS]

Great news! Thanks. That saves me some time. BTW, how to I delete single images from my albums? I see a delete button, but that button deletes the whole album.

 

[SWMS]

Ahhhhh! I hate to wait. I checked my tracking information this morning and my shipment has been bumped out to Thursday (9/20/12). Thats okay I guess as I would of just put them on my workbench to drool over for a couple of days.

 

[SWMS]

One more day!!! :emot100:

So while I've been waiting for my chassis to arrive, I started tossing around some ideas for my swaybar setup. I don't want to just zip-tie some bent wire to the lower arms. I want to try to create something a little more scale. This is the idea I've been tossing around. I came across a posting from Hesse machine that shows his product offerings for 2012 and one of his products is a pretty sweet swaybar kit. I like it!:emot127:

I will probably be ordering the kit from Hesse as long as it fits.

 

[SWMS]

Chirp-chirp, chirp, chirp

Boy the crickets are alive and well in my thread. LOL!

I just checked my tracking information and my chassis have arrived.

Uhhh, so hard to concentrate here at work now. Must find strength to focus and push on.

~KK~

 

[SWMS]

Too tired

Well, the plates arrived and they look great, but I'm just too tired right now to focus on this. Rough baby nights are so my kryptonite! I'll take pics tomorrow morning before leaving to the salt mines and post in the morning.

~KK~