Laced Tundra part 1

I wanted to build my son a true Shred The Ledge style truck. So I dialed up my good friend Bert Melchner. Bert has been producing some of the nicest cages and builds on the east coast, so I turned to him for this task of creating a chassis to work with. 

After a few conversations, the ball was rolling, we decided, no brainer, that we’d use the latest CBE RC FAB switchback chassis, the ultra. Bert and I decided on a full truggy style build with the Tamiya Tundra being the body of choice.

After a few short weeks, I had the chassis in my hands. The chassis work was perfect, and the welds looked good, and the bars and rails were straight! Bert of A&M Garage (named after his kids) out did himself, and handed over a fine piece of equipment!

I decided that the perfect skid for this build would be the TJ RC Products flat SCX10 skid. This skid is made of a tough delrin, and is ready for any abuse you throw at it. I have this skid on a few of my RC builds already. 

Up next was converting most of my SCX10.2 over to the Laced Tundra. I took the new 3D printed front CMS/Battery mount in one from Bowhouse RC and planted that right up front. I had to trim a little off the mounts to get it to fit the narrower front end. Zip zip, and donec, Fit perfectly.

I installed the SCX10.2 front shock towers on with no issue with my favorite Boom Racing shocks the Type I 90mm. I stuffed them full of Pitbull Tires shock oil; 33wt. Under neath it all are the new Boom Racing Phat SCX10.2 axles. These will add some extra weight as well as some durability. 

I gave the transmission a refresh in bearings and grease as well as a HD motor mount. The transmission remain mirrored and flipped for this build. As always A Holmes Hobbies motor found it’s way into to the build, a Crawl Master 13t.

With Phat Axle’s all round, type I’s at each corner, this build is taking shape. As well as with all my other RC’s I use Team KNK Hardware monster bag, spacers and locknuts to secure everything down and held into place. 

That really as far as I got for tonight, but tomorrow night, we’ll get more done, if not finished!! Thanks for reading along, 

Return of the Goat/ Chassis work.

I decided to get started on the chassis so I can get the interior started for the Escalade. I devided to bring back the RC4WD R2 transmission that I started the OG Goat with. 

I started with using a blank TJ RC Products Skid. I wanted a flat skid, and a place to throw the transfer case on. The skid is to thick for the SCX10 chassis, so the dremel tool came out, and cut out the bottom plates off the rails. 

TJ RC Products high clearance skid.

After I got the skid fitted I moved to the front. I had to do what I did last time for the R2 trans. I cut out the notches of the frame rails so they would sit flush on the R2. This does weaken the frame rails, but I have run this set up hard before and haven’t had any issues. 

Making room for the bulky R2.

R2 bolted into it’s new home.

After I got the whole thing set up, I threw the front axle back on, and got the shock towers on with some spacers. These are temporarily on there until I decide what to do for the front suspension. This is all mocked up, and I will change the 3-link to a 4-link when it’s go time. 

I have it all set-up and I’m ready to get into the next thing. I need to attach the transfer case to the skid next time I’m in the shop. Making some head way on The Goat, and loving it so far. 

Return of the Goat.

It’s about dang time I start building RC’s again! I’m starting with bringing back a legend in my world, affectionly known as The Goat. I am using fresh new Escalade Hardbody, and will start getting more and more done with it. 

The Goat before the cutting begins.

I started with cutting the ABS plastic out of the molded windows. I decided to cut out all 4 door windows, as well as the windshield. 

Cutting out big sections.

I cut the plastic with some distance between the door frame and where the side view mirror goes. I do this so I don’t cut too much off or into the frame of the door. I then use a dremel with a small sanding drum to get closer to the door frame. Then I finesse the doors with the smallest sanding drum and get them to almost perfect. 

Window frames 90% done.

While I have the grinding wheel out, I also have to remove the old mounting posts to make room for all the new plastic windows or anything else I need a flush mounting spot for. Removing a lot of plastic takes time and patience, which I suck at with both. 

I also use a small exacto saw blade to get the posts off.

So, a small start, but a tedious one that takes a lot of time. I need to clean up the windshield, and sand out the door frames with some 150 grit sand paper and move on to the interior. 

The Goat is started, and I am Pumped! 

Over-Saturation, or Progression?

We see it almost every week, someone new comes out with something old, or so it seems. These people that are trying to cut into a market that has already seen enough chassis to choke a small army. Everyone wants a piece of the pie, wants to leave a mark, wants to put their own twist on an already flooded market. 

To some this is a bad thing, to others this is a great thing, and some just don’t care, they’ll use whatever they want. Some say the stock chassis are good, and they aren’t wrong. Some say these new chassis are basic, and they aren’t wrong, while others love the new aspects of all these new chassis. These newer chassis incorporate things many builders and drivers are looking for. Some are made for super scale RC’s, while some are built for comps, while others are made to be built anyway you want. 

I hear it all over social media, people complaining about someone putting out a new chassis and why do we need another new chassis. I saw one post go in an ugly direction over it, and it was sad to watch fellow rc’ers tear this guy apart for even thinking of doing his own. 

Why? Why can’t we as a collective hobby have more options? Is it so bad that people want to push the hobby forward? Try their hand in making something people may actually want? Should we just be stale and use only what the popular companies produce? Why can’t we? I want to build a comp RC, and the stock chassis will work, but why can’t I build a comp rig with a chassis specifically made for comps? 

Yes, I can agree that cookie cutter chassis that have one minuet change or an extra hole drilled into the chassis from another is borderline unacceptable. I’m talking about the ones that are really unique from the other, someone spent time and testing in their idea, so they have a place in our hobby, and fill in a void that was actually missing; chassis choices. 

This thought process can also be applied else where, you know where I’m going.. tires… why do we need more tires, and tire companies? We should all use the tires made for this hobby from Tamiya from the 70’s. Why do we have so many options? Progression is why. We built trucks that out preformed the tires, so tire companies had to step up, make new tires that fit the driving styles and builds for us all. This why we all have bragging rights as to what tire works best, with no clear winner. The same mindset can be added to all aspects, why new motors, new bearings, electronics, etc, we are over-saturated at almost every point of RC.

Progression only pushes the hobby forward. Over-Saturation can happen, and when it dries up, what’s left is the solid and quality products we’ve come to know and love. I personally love what people put out there, even if it isn’t anything I would use. They are trying and who am I to dump on their parade and ideas? I will support these ideas, these concepts, as they are just more doors to be opened to lead us into something big, unique, and fun. If we continue to choke out the ingenuity and fun of this hobby, it will surely fail. 

Just remember, we all have a place in the RC community, whether you’re a driver, builder, promoter, designer, painter, electronics genius, owner of a company, run a competition, or are just here for the fun, no one is better than the other, and instead of tearing people down, how about we try to build them up and support them. We can be the example to many others, and who knows, maybe that guy/gal has a million dollar idea we all want! 

#yearofthesleepinggiant #progression #sharethefun #sharethetrails #sharethehobby #newbreed