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valtra103
08-20-2015, 07:16 AM
Hello everyone!
I was reading this forum for a few years now. I always wanted to build RC tractor or truck. I started thinking about it when i was about 10 years.
But then i had no way of doing it... I lacked skills, and most important i had no way to get parts, and no money for them.
Now 10 years later I am almost 21 and I decided to start this build. Money is still a problem... So it will be unusual build using cheapest options I can find :D
But I don't want this build to be "cheap", so i will do my best to build it best i can. For example I can't afford buing things like truck axles... But i don't want to use geared motors as wheel bearings and power. I want to have real open diffs, like real tractor have. Later I probably try to make some kind of locking rear diff. I will build custom tractor just for fun, without trying to replicate real one.
So let's start :D

Most photos are self-explainatory, so i will keep text to minimum...

First i started to mock up rear diff and shafts... Problem was width. I am using traxxas shafts and ZD differiantial. Had to mod both to fit them together. At first i tried to shorten traxxas shafts, but they ended up to long anyway. Then i bought shortest shafts traxxas have - center shafts. The were OK for this purpose.

http://i.xomf.com/zcsnkt.jpg (http://xomf.com/zcsnk)

Then i bought shortest shafts traxxas have - center shafts. The were OK for this purpose.

valtra103
08-20-2015, 08:07 AM
Checking width:

http://i.xomf.com/bbmxm.jpg (http://xomf.com/bbmxm)


Making holders for traxxas bearing block:

http://i.xomf.com/pvycw.jpg (http://xomf.com/pvycw)

http://i.xomf.com/rdgbv.jpg (http://xomf.com/rdgbv)

http://i.xomf.com/vkvyz.jpg (http://xomf.com/vkvyz)


Hole for driveshaft:

http://i.xomf.com/xdqyv.jpg (http://xomf.com/xdqyv)


I lifted diff a little higher to have better clearance underneath

http://i.xomf.com/ppbgj.jpg (http://xomf.com/ppbgj)

http://i.xomf.com/djpnp.jpg (http://xomf.com/djpnp)

http://i.xomf.com/gyklb.jpg (http://xomf.com/gyklb)

http://i.xomf.com/ylmkr.jpg (http://xomf.com/ylmkr)


Time for some frame rails:

http://i.xomf.com/yxdsx.jpg (http://xomf.com/yxdsx)


Front section. Removed edges to have a nice fit in rails:

http://i.xomf.com/ncqpg.jpg (http://xomf.com/ncqpg)


Frame taking shape:

http://i.xomf.com/gyjqb.jpg (http://xomf.com/gyjqb)

http://i.xomf.com/kzsnb.jpg (http://xomf.com/kzsnb)


I am working with basic tools...

http://i.xomf.com/gjhrw.jpg (http://xomf.com/gjhrw)


Fits nicely :)

http://i.xomf.com/sccys.jpg (http://xomf.com/sccys)


Starting to look like tractor:

http://i.xomf.com/nsjdg.jpg (http://xomf.com/nsjdg)

Now waiting for more parts :D

jack van
08-20-2015, 05:07 PM
;)well i definatly think you have the skill your work is realy good and i can't wait to see more keep up the great work and more pics have fun i can;t wait to see some video of it in the dirt

Rvjimd
08-20-2015, 11:21 PM
Nice work so far. How did you decide on the traxxas shafts and ZF diffs? Availability, price, size and fit? Can you give us links to the parts? It all looks like my style of prototyping and construction. Keep at it and more pictures please.

Jim

valtra103
08-21-2015, 06:02 AM
Thanks guys! I will do my best with this build :)


Rvjimd,

I decided to use traxxas shafts, because they are cheap and small enough. And quite realistic.
So naturaly i choose bearing blocks from traxxas too.

They are 1/16 parts, seen in lots of 1/16 traxxas models:

I will give links, but it is possible to find them cheaper and / or closer to you. For example in local RC stores. I normaly buy them from europe union countries for fast shiping, because I am from lithuania.

Traxxas:
Axle carriers / bearing blocks
(http://www.ebay.com/itm/Traxxas-Left-Right-Axle-Carriers-1-16-E-Revo-Slash-VXL-Summit-RC-Car-7034-/141650401733?hash=item20fb0599c5)
Axles (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Traxxas-7054-TRA7054-Traxxas-1-16-Stub-axle-steel-2-yokes-2-assembled-e-/262001657213?hash=item3d0084057d)

Shafts I used to connect diff (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Traxxas-Half-Shafts-Center-Front-Rear-1-16-E-Revo-Slash-Summit-RC-Car-7056-/141690400390?hash=item20fd67ee86) (had to buy two sets, to get 2 pairs of shortest)
And used a few yokes from some shafts to mod ZD diff outputs.

Bearings (http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-TRAXXAS-1-16-E-REVO-Bearings-Axle-VXL-SLASH-RE4-/141731269930?hash=item20ffd78d2a)

Hexes (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Traxxas-7154-Hex-Wheel-Hubs-4-1-16-SLH-ERV-New-in-Package-/231324085886?hash=item35dbfd6e7e) (I sugest buying aluminum version)

There of course is lots of upgrade parts, like metal shafts, metal bearing blocks etc. So for bigger tractor I would use aluminium blocks, and traxxas differentials.
Good way to choose parts is to download manuals of 1/16 traxxas. Like Slash, E-revo, Summit.

I can't find ZD diffs anymore. I bought them for low price. They vere like 5 usd a piece. And quality is quite good.

Rvjimd
08-21-2015, 07:30 AM
Very good, thanks for the links, I will be watching for progress reports. :)

Jim

Izzy
11-07-2015, 05:46 AM
I like so far, very thoughtful planning.