smitty's SSC-LCG Slash 4x4 Build

THE PARTS CAME TODAY!

Preliminary chassis assembly.
I installed the lower deck components using red loctite on all screws that would not need to be adjusted later in the build.
The instruction set suggests to install the entire assembled front clip. For me, I found it necessary to disassemble it some. I got hung up on the steering components. The bearings fit very tightly onto the posts. I distroyed one bearing by "improper application of force with a heavy object". Fortunately, I have a few extras. Tomorrow I will try a different technique. 

OOOH=R/C envy!!...very cool Smitty-let us know how the end result works on your logos,there is a place in Grants Pass that can do what ever , up to full size car wraps "LOGAN DESIGN"-not sure on the pricing.I thought about having them do some custom graphics for my dirtbike.=good people.They did the marine logos on my dads boat, to match the factory tint of the labeling on the rest of his boat & put them on for him.

I was curious about that transmitter also.  I am looking forward to your comments after you've had some time to run your truck with it.

Gotto love Amain hobbies. I've noticed how quick their shipping is as well. The prices are decent to boot. I have bought small items and shipped through USPS and they got here 2 days after I ordered.

Quick update and status report.
This picture is just a mock up of the center driveline and rear clip.
Yesterday I ran into difficulty with the stock servo saver.
The spring retainer came off and now I can't get it back together.
Frustrated, set that aside abd focused on the rear clip.

Today I discovered the suggestion to tap the center pin retainer hole in the rear diff.
No 4mm tap. So I decided to mock up the center driveline.
Instruction set suggested a 52 tooth spur gear.
Wait a minute! I have one or two of those for my center diff.

My parts stash does not include a complete center diff, but only a slipper clutch. In fact I have two. But both have 54 tooth gears. Mocked up the slipper with the 54t spur anyway. Can't get the slipper in with a 54t without removing the bearing mount. Now I know why a 52t is recommended.

More parts to order! 

That's a really nice looking chassis Smitty.  It looks pretty beefy too.  How thick is it?

I believe it's 1/8" thick.
Tomorrow I'll get the specifics.
It got a little too cool in the garage, so I had to quit for today.


It's actually 3mm thick.

I decided that I didn't like the way the silicone gasket fit munder the trailing edge of the front diff housing.
So I fabricated a filet form some scrap acrylic sheet and glued it in place. I'm thinking the diff will be more secure and the dirt will not infiltrate into the gears.

I figured our a work around for my parts issue.
I plan to swap out the center diff from the Bug-Slash 4x4 for the stock slipper clutch.
I have plenty of 52t spurs for the center diff, plus it billet and will look good on the SSC-LCG Slash 4x4.

What is the original purpose of that notch in the differential housing?  Seems like a potential leak area to me if the housing is to be filled with oil.

The diff case does not hold oil. But it does contain some grease for the ring and pinion gears.
On the stock Slash 4x4 there is a bulk head that the diff cases fit into. The diff cases mount directly to the SSC-LCG chassis which leaves a gap. Their fix is a small rectangle of silicone rubber that fills the gap. When I tightened down the attachment screws on the front diff case the silicone rubber distorted. Probably because I tightened the rear case half before the front case half.
In any case I felt that the gap was too wide to rely on the silicone. 

Yesterday I cut the Flo-Tek body from the mold.
Today, I fit it to the chassis.
I changed the mounts from stock to RPM's.
the RPM's are just a little shorter.
The front one give me the desired body height.
But the rear had to be cut down some.

RPM showed us how to do this next part.

Hi Smitty -

That's a good looking body.  It looks like you've got it sitting really well on the chassis also.  I like the way the trucks look low like that.

A few posts ago, I was moaning about the stock servo saver.
Well, here's my $30 cure from STRC.

To work around a parts availability problem, I swapped out the center diff from the bug-slash 4x4.
This is where this Fast Lane Machines aluminum diff belongs anyway.

With the center drive installed, I can now install the top plate.
I had already mounted the stock 2075 servo (have to work with what I have) and receiver box.
Inside the box is my new FS-GR3C receiver. Can you believe $7.20!

I've posted the best pics on Google+

https://plus.google.com/u/0/?hl=en&tab=wX#photos/116007013176187285757/albums/5663905929527885713

Do you have a paint scheme for the body Smitty?

Short answer: No.
It will most likely contain black and white or black and yellow.
I'm open to suggestions.

Today I spent a short while on the project.
Attached the power stroke shocks and checked the ride height.
Set up the FS-GT3B and bound it to the receiver.
The electrics work but will need some adjustments.
The throttle will need to be reversed and the end points set on the steering.
But the important part is... IT WORKS!

As it turns out, the spring set that I have for the shocks are "red" very firm and better suited for on road. And, the only pinion gear I had available was a 16t. That coupled with the 52t spur gear puts the final drive ratio a 9.26:1 for a top speed of 35.6 mph on a 7.4v Li-Po.

So... what's left to be done?
[list type=decimal]
[*]red loctite all chassis screws
[*]install the RPM bumbers
[*]attach ESC cooling fan
[*]final adjustments to transmitter program
[*]clearance the fender wells
[*]DECIDE ON A PAINT SCHEME (if you have a suggestion, I want to hear it!)
[*]Print and prep the decals
[*]Mask and paint
[/list] I'll post some more pictures tomorrow.